The top 7 travel destinations to put on your wanderlist in 2020
New Year, new goals. Especially when it comes to travel! We make planning trips easier with a curated list of the top 2020 international city destinations.
A person who lives sees much. But a person who travels sees more. Reason enough for all of us to be secretly “wanderlusting” all the time. Be it two-day breaks, long weekends, or week-long sojourns, getaways and vacation plans are always on top of the mind.
We make planning your next trip easy with our lowdown on the top international city destinations that you must explore in 2020.
Galway, Ireland
This harbour city located on Ireland's west coast shot into the limelight when it was chosen the European Capital of Culture 2020. One of the country's most unexplored cities, it offers a mix of traditional cultures and new-age cool. With medieval monuments, plenty of festivals, and a thriving pub culture, you'll never be short of things to do in Galway.
Foodies are in for a treat – the coastal city was designated the 2018 European Region of Gastronomy.
Top attractions: Galway Cathedral, Eyre Square, Lynch's Castle, Menlo Castle, Cliffs of Moher
Copenhagen, Denmark
Danes consistently rank among the world’s happiest people, and you can find out just why in Copenhagen. Denmark's capital is situated on the coastal islands of Zealand and Amager, and is a melting pot of royal history, evolving culture, and modern architecture.
Home to a booming restaurant scene, this buzzing city has something for everyone – families, friends, couples, kids, and solo travellers.
Top attractions: Amalienborg, Rosenborg Castle, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn, Stroget, Tivoli Gardens, The Little Mermaid
Glasgow, UK
In this cultural capital, the overriding thought is that “People Make Glasgow”. The port city on the River Clyde in Scotland’s western Lowlands is a creative magnet because of its varied populace. Renowned for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture, it’s now home to the Scottish Opera, National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet, and acclaimed museums. And as the Unesco City of Music, the music scene here is not to be missed!
Top attractions: Glasgow Cathedral, George Square, People's Palace, Necropolis, Botanic Gardens, Gallery of Modern Art, Paisley Abbey
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, the capital of Japan for more than a millennium, is all about imperial history, art, culture, and style. Located on the island of Honshu, the city is famed for its Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, beautiful bridges, and traditional wooden houses. The number of visitors to Japan has more than tripled since 2012, and there won't be any letup this year, considering that Japan is hosting the Olympics in 2020.
Top attractions: Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, Heian Shrine, Philosopher's Path, Gion, Kyoto Imperial Palace
Bonn, Germany
Located on the banks of the Rhine, Bonn was founded in 1st century BC as a Roman settlement and is one of Germany's oldest cities. The birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven caters to a variety of interests: it has beautiful castles, numerous museums, beautiful botanical gardens, architectural wonders, and the Roman Catholic Bonn Minster, one of Germany's oldest churches.
Steeped in history, this city is the perfect blend of “art, culture, and Rhine romanticism”.
Top attractions: Schloss Drachenburg, Beethoven-Haus Bonn, Drachenfels, Poppelsdorf Palace, Museum Koenig, Kunstmuseum Bonn
Quebec City, Canada
Perched on the Saint Lawrence River in Canada's mostly French-speaking Québec province, Quebec City dates back to 1608. One of North America’s oldest and most beautiful settlements, the piece de resistance here is the picturesque Old Town. A Unesco World Heritage site, it exemplifies living history, courtesy the 17th and 18th century houses, towering church spires, and narrow cobblestone streets.
Partake of history and culture in the fortified colonial core, and then stop off at the bistros and boutiques in Petit Champlain district.
Top attractions: Old Quebec, Montmorency Falls, La Citadelle de Québec, Parliament Building, Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Tel Aviv, Israel
The Land of Creation has become a tourist magnet in recent times, and Tel Aviv, a city founded in 1909 on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, tops most to-visit lists. Reminiscent of Los Angeles, Tel Aviv-Jaffa is home to 450,000 people and is Israel’s hub for business, arts, and entertainment. The “White City” is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The vibrant city is rich in striking architecture, crafts markets, stylish boutiques, open air cafes, and umpteen outlets for art, dance, music, and theatre.
Home to more Bauhaus architecture than any city on earth, Tel Aviv is set to become the world's first complete wi-fi zone.
Top attractions: Jaffa Old City and Port, White City, Carmel Market, Tel Aviv Museum, Eretz Israel Museum, Bahaus Museum, Park Hayarkon, Beach Promenade, Neve Tzedek
(Edited by Evelyn Ratnakumar)