"Once a year, go someplace you've never been before." - Dalai Lama
Well, I completely agree with this piece of wisdom by Dalai Lama, which is why I often head to a new destination every year. Sometimes, it can be an exotic international destination and sometimes it can be turn out to be a gorgeous destination within the country itself.
You end up learning a lot not just about place you're visiting but also about yourself.
If you are also looking to travel more in the coming year, here is a list of the top 20 destinations to add to your 2020 bucket list:
Almaty, Kazakhstan
One of my absolute favourites that is also one of the top trending places in 2020 is Almaty in Kazakhstan, often referred to as mini-Europe.
Perfect for hiking enthusiasts, there are many gorgeous lakes, and national parks around Almaty. So, whether you want to party, hike in the Tien Shan mountains or go skiing in Medeu, Almaty has it all!
How to reach
You can take a flight to Almaty for Rs 28,000 (approximately).
Best time to visit
June - October (For hiking and sightseeing), November - February (skiing)
Ideal for
Budget travellers
Known for its rich medieval history, Romania has beautiful castles all over the country that just beg to be visited.
Apart from that, it is covered in forests and so is an ideal place for nature-lovers. A few things that can make your Romania trip memorable is a walk in the Romanian Tunnel of Love, hiking the Bucegi mountains, visiting the numerous castles, and taking a dip in the Black Sea.
How to reach
If you are in Europe, then you will get trains to Romanian cities from Vienna, Budapest etc. Apart from that, there are international airports in several cities, Bucharest being the most popular one.
A round-trip flight from India to Romania costs Rs 35,000.
Best time to visit
May - September
Ideal for
Luxury and budget travellers
Located in the heart of Europe, Luxembourg is filled with quirky towns, magnificent castles, and a whole lot of natural beauty. So, if you are a history buff who loves spending time in the countryside then Luxembourg is the place for you!
You can explore its many castles, green valleys of Ardennes, the vineyards along the Moselle river, rock formations in the Mullerthal region, and a lot more.
How to reach
As it is located centrally, you can reach via railways or roadways from any nearby European city. There is an international airport in Luxembourg as well with flights reaching here globally.
A round-trip flight from India to Luxembourg will cost around Rs 35,000.
Best time to visit
May - September
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
Another top trending destination for 2020 is Victoria is Australia which is known for its food and culture. If you are a sports fan or a race enthusiast, then you would love staying in Melbourne city for experiences like the Formula 1 Grand Prix, The Australian Open, etc.
Apart from that, this region is also quite popular for its coastal drives, islands, and beaches. A short trip to Phillip island is the best way to watch penguins, koalas, and seals in the area is definitely reason enough to plan a trip here in 2020.
How to reach
You can take a flight to Melbourne and then explore the Victoria region using cars, trains, or buses.
The round-trip flight cost from India to Melbourne is Rs 25,000 (approximately).
Best time to visit
November - April
Ideal for
Budget and luxury travellers
Back again in 2020 as a trending destination, seems like people just can't get enough of Spiti Valley. After all, if you get to explore its gorgeous mountains, colourful valleys, and majestic monasteries why would you go anywhere else?
Make sure that you stay with a local here and spend time in the nearby monasteries to learn more about their culture. Also, a visit to the famous Chandratal Lake is a must!
How to reach
The nearest international airport to Spiti Valley is in Chandigarh or Delhi. From here, you can get Volvos and ordinary buses till Spiti valley via Nako, Tabo and Dhankar.
Best time to visit
June - September
Ideal for
Budget travellers
Are you excited for Olympics 2020? If yes, then book your tickets for Tokyo now because that is where it will be hosted next year in July - August!
Apart from this, Tokyo is also perfect for people who love nature and culture. Here, you can try the authentic sushi, admire the cherry blossom season, learn about the tradition of Kabuki, and can even buy some fancy tech-gear at the famous Akhibara district.
How to reach
You can take a flight to Tokyo from India for Rs 25,000.
Best time to visit
March - April, August - November
Ideal for
Budget and luxury travellers
Malindi is famous for its Swahili architecture and is home to many wonderful beaches. As a result, there are a lot of high-end spa resorts and beach-side hotels here which are perfect for relaxing and soaking in the views.
There are many natural wonders to explore here, not to mention the delicious sea food that you can try out here. So, if you are looking for a new beach vacation then Malindi is definitely the place to visit in 2020!
How to reach
There is an airport at Malindi or you can reach Nairobi and then take a domestic flight to Malindi.
A round-trip flight to Malindi from India is Rs 50,000 and to Nairbo is Rs 20,000.
Best time to visit
January - December
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
One of the top destinations in India which is seem to be on everybody's bucket list is God's Own Country, Kerala. From mesmerising tea plantations to calming backwaters, this place has it all.
A few of the top things that you can do here are visiting the Munnar's tea plantations, cruising Alleppey's backwaters, visiting the Periyar National Park, exploring the culturally-rich Kochi, and watching magical sunsets from the beaches of Varkala. There is definitely a lot to explore here.
How to reach
You will find trains, buses, and flights connecting Kerala to the other parts of India.
There is an international airport both at Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram so you will get flights to reach Kerala easily from both within and outside India.
Best time to visit
August - February
Ideal for
Budget travellers
Sicily, a mixture of Greek, Roman, and other European countries' influence, is definitely one of the top destinations for travelling in 2020. Exploring and relaxing on the dreamy beaches and admiring rocky coastline, a postcard-worthy sight, is one of the tops things to do here.
Apart from that, you can also stay in a castle here without spending a fortune. And don't forget to try the mixed cuisine with delicious wine here which will take you through the history of this island.
How to reach
The best way to reach Sicily is by taking a flight to Catania Airport or Palermo Airport.
A round-trip cost from India to Catania airport is Rs 43,000.
Best time to visit
May - June, September - October
Ideal for
Budget and luxury travellers
Known for its colonial architecture and colourful landscapes, Salta is another popular destination to visit in the 2020. Here, you can enjoy the colourful city-scape or visit the numerous churches and monasteries which are dated back to 1600s.
One of the most popular places to visit here is The Hill of Seven Colors along with Salinas Grandes which will definitely make it a memorable trip for you!
How to reach
You can take a flight to the Salta Airport which is connected to international airports throughout the world.
The round-trip cost of a flight from India to Salta, Argentina is approximately Rs 1,05,000.
Best time to visit
March - April, June - August
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
Buriram is filled with ancient ruins and relics which makes it a paradise for history buffs. And since it is a short trip from Bangkok, it can be easily accommodated in your Thailand itinerary as well.
You can explore the numerous castles, temples, and monuments here and can enjoy the natural landscape as well. But most importantly, you can watch the MotoGP racing event which is going to happen at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram in 2020!
How to reach
You can take a flight to Bangkok and then a 6-hour bus to Buriram.
A round-trip flight cost to Bangkok from India is around Rs 8,000.
Best time to visit
January - December
Ideal for
Budget travellers
One of the hottest cities in Spain, Bilbao is popular for its lively restaurants and gorgeous architecture. This city is filled with amazing museums and references to the Basque culture.
A few highlights of this destination includes visiting the Guggenheim museum, enjoy the local pintxos, marvelling at the contemporary architecture, and trying the delectable sea food dishes here.
How to reach
Bilbao has an international airport which has flights coming from all over the world.
You can get a flight from India to Bilbao for Rs 45,000 approximately.
Best time to visit
May - September
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
Known as one of the most colourful cities in the world, Jodhpur is known as the blue city because of the thousands of blue houses which transforms the city to look like an ocean landscape.
Perfect for history buffs and culture enthusiasts, you can take a trip here to explore the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Palace Bhawan or sample the delicious food in the many bazaars of Jodhpur. Trust me, you will fall in love with this vibrant city which is why you should plan a trip here in 2020!
How to reach
Jodhpur has a domestic airport and a Railway station so there are several ways to reach. The nearest international airport to Jodhpur is Jaipur so you can get a flight to Jaipur from outside India.
Best time to visit
November - February
Ideal for
Budget travellers
Known for its breath-taking scenery, Ninh Binh is yet another top destination to visit in 2020 and fall in love with Vietnam. This small town is similar to the Ha Long Bay scenery but without the ocean.
Ninh Binh is filled with mountains, caves, rice fields, and some gorgeous pagodas. Make sure that you take a boat trip in the Tam Coc region or the Trang An region to enjoy the best experience this place has to offer. Also, the view from the top of the Hang Mua peak is definitely something to not miss out on!
How to reach
The nearest airport to Ninh Binh is in Hanoi. From Hanoi, you can take an overnight bus to Ninh Binh.
The round-trip flight cost from India to Hanoi is around Rs 15,000.
Best time to visit
November - April
Ideal for
Budget travellers
One of the few destinations that happens to lie between two countries, Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is another top trending destination for 2020. Patagonia region is quite huge so there is a lot to see and do here.
Depending on where you enter from, you can choose to explore the colourful town of Punta Arenas, visit the Penguin colony on Magdalena island, explore some gorgeous national parks, admire the majestic glaciers, and do a lot more.
Trust me, this is one epic country that you should definitely head to in 2020.
How to reach
You can take a flight to one of the airports in Patagonia: Punta Arenas, El Calafate, or Ushuaia.
The cheapest round trip flight is from India to El Calafate or Ushuaia at Rs 1,11,000.
Best time to visit
November - March
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
A surprising addition to 2020's trending destinations, Kigali is definitely a refreshing change from all the destinations that you have visited so far. One of the top reasons to visit here is to learn its history and admire the art scene which seems to be growing here.
And for all the cricket fans, a visit to the Gahanga Cricket Stadium is a must! Known as the land of thousands of hills, Kigali is Africa's cleanest cities and has numerous gardens and green spaces for you to enjoy. That's not it, you can also head out to some amazing nearby national parks and enjoy a safari ride which is what Africa is famous for!
How to reach
There is an International airport in Kigali so you can get a direct flight here.
A round-trip flight from India to Kigali costs around Rs 30,000.
Best time to visit
June - September
Ideal for
Budget and Luxury travellers
San Juan is Puerto Rico's capital and is one of the most colourful Caribbean cities to visit. Here, you can enjoy a walk on the cobbled streets of Old San Juan and admire the colourful houses surrounding you.
Apart from the colourful houses, you will also see a lot of street art here and get a chance to sample delicious local Spanish dishes. You can also relax and enjoy yourself at the gorgeous beaches here and experience the epic night life of San Juan.
How to reach
There is an international city on the San Juan island so you can easily get a flight here.
The round-trip flight cost from India to San Juan is Rs 85,000.
Best time to visit
April - June
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
One of the remote valleys in India, Zanskar Valley is another top destination to visit in the year 2020. Known for its majestic mountains, monasteries, landscapes, Zanskar is untouched and makes for a great destination for adventure and nature lovers.
You have many treks here to try which are truly exciting or you can enjoy an adventurous water rafting in the Zanskar river, the fun basically never stops when you visit this valley.
How to reach
The nearest airport to Zanskar is the Leh Airport. From Leh, you can reach Zanskar using a private vehicle.
Best time to visit
July - September
Ideal for
Budget and travellers
Known for its volcanic coastline, Jeju Island is the holiday island of South Korea. If you are a diving enthusiast, then you would absolute love the blue waters here. Apart from that, the nearby Mount Hallasan is perfect for hiking enthusiasts.
There are also a couple of gorgeous waterfalls nearby to explore and to end the day, you can enjoy a delicious Korean street food and meals in the Seogwipo Olle Market. Trust me, a vacation here is all you need to make your 2020 legendary!
How to reach
You can take a flight to Jeju in South Korea from around the world. The flight cost from India is approximately 40,000 INR
Best time to visit
November - February
Ideal for
Budget and luxury travellers
Estonia, officially, has become one of the most googled destinations for 2020. And why not? If you had a chance to relax on the Baltic beaches and camp around the inland lakes, you would definitely grab this opportunity.
So, if you were looking for a perfectly relaxed vacation in 2020 then Estonia should definitely be on your list. As the world's most organic country, Estonia not only offers amazing sight but delicious and healthy food as well. And it is filled with untouched national parks where you can hike to your heart's content.
Here, you can experience Europe without fighting with crowds and can enjoy the historical sights and traditions of this region.
How to reach
You can fly to Tallinn from anywhere in the world and explore Estonia.
A round-trip flight from India to Tallinn costs around Rs 35,000.
Best time to visit
May - August
Ideal for
Luxury travellers
