Which Destinations Should You Visit in 2020?

2020 is already knocking at the door, and you’re still trawling the internet for interesting places to visit during your summer holiday. Bearing in mind that this isn’t just another new year but also the start of a new decade, we ought to think bigger and travel to more far-flung destinations.

I open the world map in front of me and start looking for the places that are really most worth visiting in the new year of 2020. We Bulgarians are lucky to have so many days off that we can fill with trips, both to neighbouring countries and to more distant places. Whether you’re on the other side of the world or in a neighbouring country, the most important thing is to get out of the hotel and enjoy the place, soak up the local culture and keep discovering its most interesting corners. As the writer Hans Christian Andersen said, “To travel is to live!”   

Istanbul

The once-great capital of the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire, and later of the Ottoman Empire, has always been an attractive destination for Bulgarians. And with the construction of its new, inhumanly huge airport, Istanbul is once again firmly on the radar of tourists from around the world. The city is especially beautiful in spring during the Tulip Festival, but I suspect you’ll want to avoid the crowds, so I’d say May and October are the ideal times to visit. As I’ve already mentioned, Istanbul is layered with the history of many cultures. Perhaps that’s why the city is so popular on most tourists’ wish lists. “A bridge between Europe and Asia” – that’s how travellers describe it. And the city really is exactly that – a cosmopolitan megacity offering everything for everyone. But most importantly – don’t miss my beloved Turkish cuisine. Or a romantic boat trip along the Bosphorus. Alongside these are the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the Topkapı, Çırağan and Dolmabahçe palaces, and of course the colourful Grand Bazaar.

Porto

Portugal has long been a world-famous tourist destination, but Bulgarians are only just beginning to discover it. I still remember the incredible view from the harbour in Porto towards the old town, which reminded me of Veliko Tarnovo. Porto offers a huge variety of seafood and traditional Portuguese and Spanish cuisine, not to mention the wines. This is the birthplace of the famous port (Port wine), and you’ll be able to enjoy unique tasting tours of the town’s old wine cellars.

Porto is one of the most romantic places in Europe and is perfect for couples, so if you’re wondering where to go with your other half – somewhere not too commercial, yet at the same time a place people will envy you for – this is the place.

Dubai

It’s certainly the dream of more than just one or two Bulgarians to see the Burj Khalifa and the Burj Al Arab, but that’s not why I’m including Dubai in this ranking of the most interesting destinations for 2020. Next year Dubai will host Expo 2020, the first World Expo in the Middle East, and it will change the face of the entire city. Construction of District 2020, where the Expo pavilions will be, is in full, feverish swing. The Emiratis want to create a modern suburb with lots of parks and restaurants, as well as a special metro station dedicated to the Expo. The Expo programme also includes 60 shows, among them the first Arabic opera, “Al Wasl”. Over the whole period of the Expo, the United Arab Emirates expects to welcome nearly 25 million tourists. Don’t miss the Museum of the Future either, which was designed not by some famous architect but by a computer algorithm. If there’s a city of the future, it’s definitely Dubai!

Brisbane

Once known as a “big country town”, Brisbane today is a modern, glittering city that holds its own against Australia’s other big cities. Brisbane – pronounced BRIZ-bən – is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Queensland. The city isn’t as popular in Bulgaria as it is around the world. Considering how many convenient connections there are via Istanbul, Dubai and Doha, a trip to Australia won’t cost you as much as you might imagine. And as for Australia, I can tell you just one thing – it’s one of the cleanest and most interesting places in the world you can visit. I look forward eagerly to every trip there. When I first visited Brisbane, we went to a very famous zoo on the outskirts of the city, where you get the chance to get really close to kangaroos and koalas. I can’t wait to tell you more about it in one of my upcoming blog posts. Brisbane offers a huge variety of restaurants, galleries, parks and clubs, and the South Bank riverside promenade is one of the most attractive places for tourists.

Copenhagen

In Bulgaria we’re used to going to the seaside in summer and skiing in winter, but why not spend the summer in a place that’s otherwise cold in winter? The Danish capital, Copenhagen, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, especially when it isn’t gripped by the northern ice. You’ll be able to visit the Viking Museum, as well as the statue of “The Little Mermaid” from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale of the same name. A little further north stands Kronborg Castle, which inspired Shakespeare to write Hamlet. Wait! That’s not all. One of the most colourful and remarkable places in Copenhagen is the Christiania neighbourhood. In the 1970s this part of the city was founded by breakaway hippies who occupied military barracks. Today, walking the streets of Christiania, you’ll admire the incredible graffiti on the walls of the military buildings. Cars are banned in this part of the city, and the smell of marijuana wafts from far off.

Tokyo

Japan – one of my greatest dreams. It’s a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and I hope I’ll get the chance to do so very soon. Besides the beautiful blossoming cherry trees, the impressive temples and exquisite palaces, and the modern pop culture, Tokyo offers a whole host of other interesting things to do. For example, you can watch a Buddhist wood-burning ritual at one of the city’s temples, or visit the largest fish market in the world. On top of all this, Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. And let’s not forget that the Japanese capital has over 100,000 restaurants, so you’ll come home stuffed with tempura, teppanyaki, yakitori, ramen and shabu-shabu.

Sri Lanka

Only 10 years have passed since the 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka came to an end. Since 2009, tourists from all over the world have been drawn by the country’s tempting wild beaches and mystical tea plantations. Sri Lanka often appears in all sorts of travel rankings because, as well as being exotic, the country still remains undiscovered by tourists. One of the most popular places is Yala National Park. Next year a leopard reserve will open there, because the species is in danger of dying out in the country. One of the attractions that draws the most interest from tourists is elephant riding, but personally I don’t find it interesting, and I condemn people who consider animal cruelty to be entertainment. You have no idea how much the elephants suffer. Also, if surfing is your thing – the southern coast of Sri Lanka is a well-known surf destination.

Cape Town  

Cape Town is one of the most cosmopolitan and lively cities in South Africa. For now, this part of the southern continent remains unknown to us Bulgarians. A rather distant and expensive destination, but an extremely exotic and beautiful one. I can’t hide my desire to visit and discover Africa’s rich culture. Some time ago I was in Johannesburg, but the two cities are completely different and there’s simply no basis for comparison. Cape Town has been blessed by Mother Nature with enchantingly rich beauty – incredible botanical gardens, mountains, world-famous beaches, as well as unique wine, food, music and culture. Its warm, mild climate makes this destination suitable at any time of year. In this part of South Africa, typical African culture blends with the European traditions of the colonisers who arrived several centuries ago.

Marrakech

Without doubt, Marrakech can be said to be one of a kind. An amazing place where Arab, Spanish and African cultures meet. Also known as the Red City, because of the tall reddish-brown walls surrounding the old town, Marrakech offers an incredible mix of history, architecture and cuisine that won’t leave you indifferent. There can hardly be a more romantic place where you could have a candlelit dinner in the desert and then ride a camel to the entrance of your hotel. And speaking of hotels… Marrakech has amazing hotels in typical Moroccan style, offering incredible luxury and comfort. This really is one of my (I’d love to say favourite, but I haven’t been there yet) most longed-for destinations. One of the most beautiful places you absolutely must visit is the house of Yves Saint Laurent, together with the world-famous Majorelle Garden. The city’s markets, too, are among the most colourful places you’ll ever come across.

The Canary Islands

Who doesn’t love summer, sun and sea? This volcanic archipelago, colonised by the Spanish back in the 15th century, offers some of the most beautiful seascapes I’ve ever seen – and no, I’m not exaggerating. A few years ago I visited the island of Tenerife, the main one of the 7 islands, and my heart stayed there. I definitely recommend it, and I’m sure you’ll share my opinion of this island. Although Tenerife is a world-famous destination visited by over 5 million tourists a year, you won’t see huge complexes and massive overdevelopment here, as on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The green landscape contrasts with Mount Teide, the volcano at the centre of the island. One of the most interesting sights there is precisely Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The closer you climb to the foot of Mount Teide, the more beautiful the surrounding landscape becomes. In places it resembles a Martian or lunar landscape because of the strange lava formations. It’s no coincidence that many space films have been shot here.