Visit the Lonely Planets Top Ten 2020 Destinations with Saga
Recently released was ‘Lonely Planets top ten Destinations for 2020’ and whats surprising about the destinations theyve included is how utterly unique they all are. It consists of exciting and almost exclusively underestimated territories, which are only now emerging as having huge holiday potential. Thought youd seen the world? Think again!
Today were going to take a look at their list with a view to helping you reach these destinations via our travel partner, Saga Holidays. Saga provides luxury all-inclusive cruises and escorted tours to adventurous over 50-year-olds, who are looking for a new experience, to meet new people, and to take a fascinating, yet relaxing, break somewhere exotic. Your own personal Saga tour manager will ensure someone is on hand for each leg of your journey to get you to your transfers and to give you all the information you need about the places youll visit.
Here are the Lonely Planets top 10 destinations for 2020:
1. Bhutan
Fed up of pushing your way through the crowds to look at the sights? Bhutan is intentionally unsullied by tourism. Its a high altitude paradise in the Himalayas, where you can walk through pine forests, along mountain trails, and up to high-perched monasteries, where youll have an astonishing view of the scenery below. For the privilege of experiencing such a carbon-neutral unspoiled nature, youll pay a walk-in fee, but this simply ensures against too much traffic.
Saga have long been operating escorted tours to this part of the world so if youre planning a trip to Bhutan, you might just want to consider their In the Shadow of the Himalayas package. Youll fly to Kathmandu and spend a few days there getting to know attractions such as Durbar Square, with its 80+ temples and monuments. After this, youll go off in search of rhesus monkeys and the Royal Bengal tiger in the Chitwan National Park, before the final part of your journey, which will involve you immersing yourself in Gurkha culture in Pokhara.
2. England
Do people keep telling you you need to go abroad in order to have a proper holiday? Dont listen to them! There are some real gems of destinations under your very nose. England is number 2 on the Lonely Planet list. This might seem surprising, but as youre probably aware, England is a country with an enormous historical reach and legacy. Why not take the time to explore it all?
There are huge advantages to taking a Saga mini-break in the country where you live. You can discover all the attractions of a new, exciting town or city, as well as stay in luxury accommodation without language barriers, without flying, and without the expense of a long haul trip. Whether you want to stroll around the rugged headlands of Cornwall in search of Poldark, test your game-playing strategies at a Bournemouth murder mystery weekend, or youd like to experience the beauty of Britains most impressive lakes, a Saga mini-break could prove to be a recharging and restful few days.
3. Macedonia
Want to make new cultural discoveries and have a veil lifted on uncommon sights? Macedonia is a tiny but beautiful nation in the middle of the Balkans. Its ancient traditions have been influenced by its Ottoman and Byzantine culture, long-lasting border debate with neighbouring Greece, its love of great cuisine, and its dramatic natural landscapes. Two huge UNESCO highlights here are the 495km Scardus Trail and Lake Ohrid, which is surrounded by medieval architecture.
You can visit Macedonia with Saga as part of a wider Balkans tour, during which youll explore Mother Theresas birthplace in the capital Skopje, the old Bazaar quarter, and the Matka Canyon.
4. Aruba
Aruba has long been a favourite holiday destination of North Americans and now more and more Brits are discovering the excitement it has to offer. With its white-sand beaches and palm trees, this Caribbean island is every inch the tropical paradise youd expect it to be. Additionally, it has a spontaneous carnival atmosphere and a heavy street art vibe, particularly in the city of San Nicolas.
For a truly cultural Caribbean experience, why not compare and contrast Aruba with other Caribbean islands on a Saga ocean cruise that will also take you to Grenada, St Lucia, Antigua, St Kitts, St Maarten and Tortola? Itll also be a chance for you to take in Arubas Dutch heritage, as youll dock in Oranjestad; a city with orange, European-influenced architecture lining the pristine beaches.
5. Eswatini
Formerly known as Swaziland, its astonishing that this country is one of Southern Africas least visited destinations, given its cultural legacy, incredible wildlife, diverse landscapes, and potential for adventure! Our favourite Saga tour to ESwatini is essentially a safari holiday, which will see you using the Kruger National Park in South Africa as your base. From here, youll take ranger-guided game drives directly into the areas where youre most likely to see the Big 5 (buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino), and youll stay in a luxury lodge on the banks of Crocodile River.
During your stay, youll have the option to cross over the border into Swaziland, travelling through orange and sugar cane plantations to view the creatures that live in the mist-shrouded mountain peaks.
6. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical idyll for wildlife enthusiasts in Central America that boasts beaches with soft white sand, a carbon-neutral ethos, and a volcanic, rainforest backdrop, which is a hive of biodiversity, and stunning views.
A Saga tour of Costa Rica will ensure you get to experience all the highlights of the country. It will include a canopy walk, or aerial tram ride to see toucans, hummingbirds, monkeys, sloths and wild orchids in the Manuel Antonio National Park rainforest, an excursion down the Penas Blanca River and a soothing bathing session in spring waters heated by Costa Ricas central Arenal Volcano.
The Netherlands
Given its proximity to the UK, you may well have visited the Netherlands on previous holidays, but the reason for its inclusion in the Lonely Planet list is the upcoming Amsterdam celebrations, which are being organised in Spring 2020 to commemorate 75 years of freedom since WWII ended. Saga is all geared up to introduce you to the delights of Kings Day and Liberation Day, along with a plethora of other parties that will be held here.
Known for its cycle paths, youll undoubtedly take a leisurely bike ride along the straight, flat roads, under the windmills to visit the various museums, as well as take a trip to the tulip-filled Keukenhof Gardens. Walking tours of upmarket Hoorn and industrial-minded Zaandam will also be included.
8. Liberia
Its considered West Africas best-kept secret, but those who have seen it with their own eyestalk with the wonder of its near-perfect beaches, outstanding surfing conditions, and its wildlife. The Sapo National Park rainforest is home to Pygmy hippos, forest elephants and chimpanzees. You might want to tie in a trip here with a journey to the more commonly trodden paths of Morocco.
9. Morocco
If youre thinking of having a holiday which combines watersports and sunbathing, undertaken in the shadow of the majestic Atlas Mountains, then Morocco is where you need to be. From the labyrinthine streets of the souk to the modern urban areas within Marrakesh and Casablanca, nowhere simultaneously embraces the ancient and the modern quite like Morocco.
A Saga tour manager will guide you around the medinas, palaces, and mosques of the Moroccan capital, the seaside resorts of Agadir, the busy port of Tangier and the medieval walled city of Fes. Youll sample delicious tagines and fresh dates, not to mention gain a heady insight into the intricacies of Moroccan culture.
10. Uruguay
Finally, at number ten for Lonely Planets top ten destinations is Uruguay. Sandwiched in between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is not known to be a shouted-about holiday destinationuntil now! Given the growth of its international wine industry among other things, the country is gaining more interest from foreign investment; both in trade and tourism. Here, you can expect warm hospitality, inclusivity and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
One of the absolute best ways to get a real taste of what Uruguay has to offer is to book yourself into Sagas To the Ends of the World cruise, which will take place on their new flagship cruise ship; the Spirit of Discovery from 2021. This brand new cruise is epic in scope and offers a huge range of experiences.
To discover more about the range of holidays Saga offers and find out more about these Lonely Planets top ten destinations, or the destinations mentioned here, please get in touch with the Low Cost Deals team. Well be able to help you find the holiday that best suits your travel priorities.
Thinking about going to one of these places? Make sure you read The Foreign & Commonwealth Office to have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/