20 destinations to visit in 2020 – Part II
To celebrate the start of this new decade, we carefully curated a list of 20 destinations to satisfy the traveller in you. In the first part of this series, we listed 10 destinations, and now we’re back with the final 10. We, in the Holidays team, are sure that these destinations will inspire you to start planning your holiday. And if you need any assistance, remember that we are just a call away.
11. Baku, Azerbaijan
Known to be the architectural love child of Paris and Dubai, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, takes pride in its strong culture and glitzy architecture. Its walled inner city with medieval courtyards and narrow cobbled streets, protect the Maiden Tower. Legends (and Azerbaijani parents) say that it was from here that a maiden threw herself into the waters of the Caspian Sea because her father didn’t approve of her lover. In perfect contrast, Baku’s dramatic skyline has some of the finest new buildings and architectural masterpieces that left us awe-struck. Don’t wait! Start planning your holiday.
12. Radhanagar Beach, Andaman
It’s no secret that the Andaman Islands are amongst the most beautiful places in the world, thanks to the pristine beaches that grace its coastline. One such beach is Radhanagar Beach, whose turquoise blue waters and contrasting white sandy shores got it listed as Asia’s best beach by Time magazine. Envelope yourself in the cool breeze that blows in from the ocean, take a dip in its gentle waters, and marvel at the stellar sight as the sun dips into the horizon. We sure did!
13. Slovenia
Whether you enjoy soaking in a country’s culture, or admiring nature’s creations, we have no doubt that you will fall in love with Slovenia. Trust us when we say that this little country, though difficult to find on the map, really does have it all. From the soaring peaks of the Julian Alps to sparkling emerald-green lakes, it truly is one of the greenest countries in the world. But by far, the most beautiful sight of Slovenia can be experienced at the very centre of Lake Bled, on the only island in the country. It’s no wonder that this heavenly attraction was nominated as one of the new seven wonders of the world. Don’t believe us? Take a trip and see it for yourself.
14. Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Being home to surreal, silvery landscapes, the Rann of Kutch is India’s largest salt marsh, and a favourite amongst local and international travellers. You have seen the pictures, but nothing will prepare you for its size, scale and breath-taking beauty. According to us, its allure lies in how drastically the landscape changes – from an ocean of white in the daylight to a carpet of sparkling diamonds on a full moon night. Just a glimpse, and you’ll wonder why you haven’t traversed this desert before.
15. Morocco
A gateway to Africa, Morocco will charm you with its dizzying diversity, ancient cities, sweeping deserts, and something we especially love, its warm hospitality. But one of Morocco’s well-kept secrets are the High Atlas Mountains, that’s perfectly placed between the arid Sahara and the country’s milder coastal climate. A trekker’s paradise, the mountain range hides in its pockets secluded valley-towns that exude peace and tranquillity. When you visit, you can spend time with a local family to personally experience their culture and traditions.
16. Madhya Pradesh
While Madhya Pradesh is known for being a quaint, culturally-rich state right in the heart of India, it’s also a well-known paradise for nature lovers with five of the country’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries within its borders. Whether you choose to spot tigers at Bandhavgarh National Park, step into the pages of Jungle Book at Kanha National Park, walk through the hilly terrain of Satpura National Park, gaze at jackals in Pench National Park, or spot a ghariyal in Panna National Park – Madhya Pradesh is sure to amaze you.
17. Scandinavian cruise
There’s no better way to soak in the beauty of Scandinavia than with an extravagant cruise. It will take you to the Land of the Midnight Sun, past towering fjords, through Viking history and bring you up close to witness the majestic and magical aurora borealis. Other than vast forests and turquoise lakes, the cruise will disembark at fascinating cities like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Tallinn and St. Petersburg to name a few. Come, find your true north.
18. Hampi
Home to over 500 crumbling temples, palaces, pavilions and elephant stables, Hampi was once the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire and is best explored on foot. After a day of exploring the hidden corners of Hampi, we’d urge you to scale the the Matanga Hill and be rewarded with a stunning view of the boulder fields and the towering Virupaksha Temple, which dates back to the 7th century. And at the end of a tiring day, you can simply relax in a heritage luxury hotel.
19. Uganda
From the highest mountain range in Africa – the Mountains of the Moon – to the mighty Nile, Uganda is a destination that’s filled with natural beauty. In spite of being gifted with a broad species of wildlife, the centre of attraction in Uganda are its mountain gorillas. Observing these majestic creatures in their habitat is truly one of life’s greatest privileges, and one you surely won’t forget in this lifetime. Interested? Sign up today!
20. Sri Lanka
The island is fringed by coconut palms that dip above the glistening Indian Ocean, and there’s no better place to marvel at its coastline than in the serene south coast of Sri Lanka. From riding the waves at Arugam Bay or admiring sunrises and sunsets at Mirissa Beach, to lazing in a freshwater lagoon in Tangalla Bay or exploring stunning coral reefs at Unawatuna Beach, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer. And did we mention that the country has a bounty of seafood to satisfy your hunger pangs. When there are beaches so close, fresh seafood can’t be far behind right?
And that’s it – 20 destinations that you’re sure to love this year. If you’ve missed the first part of the blog, you can read it here. And when you choose your first destination of 2020, we’ll be happy to help you make it happen. From luxury resorts and first-class experiences to ticket bookings, visa applications and foreign currency, we’ll manage it all. Go on, the world is yours to explore.
