Guadeloupe is the new hot spot in the Caribbean that’s even more beautiful than many of the nearby islands. The island nation is made up of two large islands and three smaller ones, all absolutely beautiful. It’s not as popular with tourists, so still has a rustic vibe and is less pricey than neighbouring St Barths – a win-win. When it comes to bucket list escapes for the new decade, this is top of our list.
This wonderfully diverse, culturally rich and exciting country is so much more than you would ever expect. Kyiv’s hip coffee and bar scene is only getting started, so expect a surge in the 2020’s. The city also has historical cathedrals and monuments that pay homage to the nation’s past.
Boston might not be among the biggest cities in America, but it’s certainly one of the buzziest, with world-class museums, fun bars and historic sights to see on every street. The bustling city has endless opportunities for visitors. Think: historical cobblestone streets (including one of the most beautiful streets in the USA), exotic gardens and funky bars.
Eco-tourism is going to be one of the biggest trends in travel in the coming decade. As Costa Rica is the country undoubtedly most associated with ecotourism, San Jose is a bucket list spot for eco-friendly travellers to enjoy the country’s well-protected natural beauty. Volunteer at a local charity or simply enjoy exploring local rainforests and jaw-dropping volcanoes.
The lively American city known for its street music, festive vibe and a melting pot of French, African and American cultures is well worth the trip. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to bucket list city breaks. NOLA is a city packed with adventures at every turn and should be on everyone’s ‘must-visit’ list.
You’ll often find Melbourne at the top of the most liveable cities in the world; as soon as you spend time in the place you’ll understand why. Great cafe culture, close to water, lots of activities, great sports teams and friendly locals… Melbourne is the city that has everything. While Sydney will always shine on the global stage, the effortlessly diverse state capital of Victoria is an intoxicating place to explore.
Historic sights, super-chatty locals, legendary pubs and a thriving restaurant scene ensure Belfast punches well above its weight on almost every count. The city might be small but it is fact emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting destinations. In fact, the next 10 years will see the city really come into its own. Visit the Titanic Belfast museum with all manner fab interactive, experiential exhibits on hand to bring the doomed ocean liner’s tragic tale to life.
The world’s largest salt flat, the white plains of Salar de Uyuni is top of many people’s bucket lists. The surreal, alien-like landscape will surely be one of the most memorable sights of your decade. For a touch of luxury, spend the night in Kachi Lodge, which has six bedroom domes and an oversized lounge dome set up on a wooden deck above the surface of the Salar.
Only 160 people per day are allowed to visit Kapiti Island, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most important nature reserves. Get up close and personal with rare birds such as kākā, kōkako, takahē and hihi. You can also wander tracks fringed with dense forest or climb the 521m peak for panoramic views.
Singapore is a small island city-state off southern Malaysia which punches way above its weight on a global level. It’s a modern city with colourful buildings, futuristic bridges and a ‘cloud forest’. It’s also a centre of tourism and a serious hub for travel in Asia. What makes it one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia is the sheer range of things to do, see and eat.
Palawan made our list of the world’s best bucket list islands for a reason. It feels untouched, with white sandy beaches and tropical jungle. El Nido is a cluster of 45 islands just off the tip of Palawan that you can explore, too. It’s famous for the Secret Lagoon.
Jordan is one of the most diverse and exciting tourist destinations in the world with a wealth of natural beauty, historic monuments and luxury resorts. Above all, the ancient city of Petra stands out as the country’s jewel. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock and is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world.
Visiting Tokyo is like visiting the future – flashing neon lights, incredible technology – yet there’s still a rich sense of culture and history. From modern art installations to ancient temples, Tokyo is a seriously amazing city. It’s no secret as to what makes Tokyo one of the hottest tourist destinations for 2020. The 2020 Summer Olympics are expected to cause such a surge in visitors that the Narita airport is building a temporary terminal to help welcome them all.
Iceland is one of the most unique counties in the world, with a landscape that encompasses everything from volcanoes, geysers, hot springs to lava fields. We suggest renting a car to discover the island; Iceland has one main ring road, Route 1, that goes alongside some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, such as the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the Dyrhólaey cliffs and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Brazil’s famous rainforest produces 20% of the world’s oxygen, earning it the nickname the ‘lungs of the earth’, but mass deforestation and recent wildfires has seen the worst destruction of the forest in over a decade. The vast forest is home to some of the rarest animals in the world, as well as the last uncontacted tribes on earth. Make time to explore this beautiful area before it’s lost forever.
The famous city built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea is a holiday hotspot for celebrities, local Italians and tourists alike. Venice has no roads, just canals, so exploring the city by watertaxi or gondola makes it extra special. Devastating floods and mass tourism have both played a part in damaging the city in recent years, and with plans for floodgates to be built to hold back rising sea levels still not in action, there’s concerns that the ‘Floating City’ will lose its moniker.
New York is one of America’s most exciting cities. With modern architecture, world class cuisine and culture and more things to do than you could fit in one lifetime, it’s no wonder we’ve named it one of the essential bucket list places to visit this decade. The city’s five boroughs all have special features; it’s almost impossible to narrow it down.
Make the ’20s the decade you (or your kids) finally meet Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, and the city’s most famous resident can be visited every day of the year in Santa Claus Village right on the Arctic Circle, an attraction that draws more than 500 000 annual visitors from all around the world.
As George Bernard Shaw once said, “those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik.” With its winding streets, Game of Thrones filming locations, cliffside beach bars and UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town, it’s no wonder Dubrovnik is such a popular spot. Head over to the nearby town of Cavtat for truly breathtaking scenery and to remove yourself even further from the tourist scene.
This route along Ireland’s western coast lets you visit the most spectacular places, from UNESCO World Heritage site Sceilg Mhicíl (Skellig Michael) and the largest karst landscape in the world, The Burren to the traditional Irish towns. The scenic coastal route winds its way from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north down to the picturesque town of Kinsale, County Cork, in the south.
