Where will you go in 2020?
For those interested in combining watching the Olympics and experiencing a completely different culture, Japan hosts the Olympics during July and August. Closer to home, the beautiful city of Vienna in Austria will be celebrating the 250th birthday of Beethoven with for a feast of events to celebrate the milestone. For a fun city break, Eurovision 2020 is to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands
More widely, here are a few of my top picks for this year ahead:
Montenegro – Croatia has become a hugely popular destination over the last few years, however its neighbour Montenegro, is a great alternative. With a mix of centuries-old villages, aristocratic mansions, and many activities beyond its Adriatic lapping pebbly beaches, it has something to offer everyone. If adventure is what you are after you can see amazing wildlife including brown bears and wolves in the national parks. Combine this with the sun-drenched, crowd-free coast and it’s a winner. Cruising into Montenegro will forever be one of my holiday highlights, I remain in awe at its beauty.
Yosemite National Park in California has seen an increase in comfortable accommodation in the last year giving more options for sleeping in the shadow of the famous El Capitan. ‘YoYo’, as it is known in our family, still ranks as our all-time favourite holiday experience. It is a fabulous addition to any Californian road trip where you can truly experience ‘wilderness’. There is so much to do from hiking through the forests of towering redwoods to listening to ‘park ranger’ stories about bears!
For a city break how about a visit to Budapest, on the banks of the Danube? The city will see seven new 5-star hotels open over the next couple of years. Visit the famous Gellart spa bath to experience its spring water pools. Also to see and experience are the opera house, churches and the market. Plenty to keep you busy!
Alaska – traditionally a destination for cruisers, but this is not the only way to discover the vast landscapes, varied wildlife - from bears to whales, and breath-taking scenery. In the warmer months with long days, there is ample opportunity for hiking, fishing and kayaking. In March, the city of Fairbanks hosts the World Ice Art Championships.
For my money, Rocky Mountaineer in Canada should be on everyone’s bucket list and in 2020 it celebrates its 30th birthday. The world-renowned, luxury train travels by daylight through the wild beauty of Canada’s West and is the best way to experience the majestic Canadian Rockies.
The biggest trend in travel we will see this year will be customers wanting to understand more about how to travel in a more sustainable way. I have some top tips for clients about what to look out for when they are away, and of course provide advice about how to make sustainable choices on how to travel, where to stay and how to support local communities. For those wishing to stay in the UK, I can help clients find ‘close to home’ experiences. There is loads to see and do in our wonderful country. Indeed, Lonely Planet has England as one of its top picks for 2020!
If you would like any help with holiday planning please drop me a line at Claire.filmer@travelcounsellors.com, or give me a ring on 01275 350097 and check out my website at www.travelcounsellors.com/Claire.filmer