From sailing around the Adriatic coast to dining your way through Osaka, here are the top travel trends to look out for in 2020
By Zoë Delmer-Best
The Best Ways to Travel in 2020
Foodie Tours
Being a foodie tourist is a great way to travel a country. There is a myriad of places to venture from provincial France, where flavour and freshness is everything, to Jerusalem, a country full of sumptuous Middle Eastern flavour combinations and succulent lamb dishes.
Where: For the ultimate foodie tour, there is no place like Osaka. Dubbed as the kitchen of Japan, Osaka is a city busting with everything food-related from street food stalls where you can pick up delicious morsels of teriyaki salmon, to high-end restaurants which boast numerous Michelin stars, this a city that generously celebrates everything about food.
Stay: For utter luxury, stay at the Conrad. A new hotel, the Conrad occupies the uppermost floors of a skyscraper, meaning that guests get amazing panoramic views of the whole metropolis and beyond. Rooms are clean-cut and modern in design with tasteful Japanese influences. There’s a 24 hour on hand concierge team, a fitness centre with spa and a restaurant boasting rave reviews. The Conrad Osaka has everything you need to conduct your foodie expedition.
Eco-Travel
Eco-travelling is becoming increasingly popular. There are many options for the eco-conscious holiday-maker to make their trip more sustainable, from swapping carbon-guzzling plane tickets for the less polluting option of train journeys, to choosing locations closer to home and staying at eco-friendly destinations that focus on sustainable living.
Where: Many tend to overlook our lovely isle in favour of warmer climes, but the UK is underrated. Both Scotland and Cornwall have lots to offer for the pioneering traveller. With rugged landscapes, sandy beaches and diverse cultures, they both make great options for those who crave that away feeling whilst keeping their feet planted firmly on the ground.
Stay: The Croft 103 is devoted to eco-living and all things sustainable. Located on the edge of Loch Eriboll in north-west Sunderland, it boasts stunning views of the diverse Scottish landscape. With a contemporary design, the buildings boast all of the luxuries we’ve come to expect of modern-day living but without the damaging cost to our planet.
Sailing
In recent years, the Adriatic coast of Croatia has been experiencing quite the moment, with an average of 18.5 million visitors per year. However, it may be time to explore the rest of the Adriatic coast to avoid the throngs of tourists and get that well-deserved peace and quiet on the beautiful calm seas.
Where: Both Montenegro and Albania boast stunning coastlines evocative of ancient greek mythology. Temperatures in the summer are often a balmy 27°C and the sea is the perfect place to cool off. The ports are generally less crowded than in Croatia and the delicious Mediterranean cuisine is some of the best you’ll have.
Stay: Porto Montenegro makes the ideal place to moor up if you are searching for glamour and luxury. Often compared to Monaco, the beautiful port is brimming full of swanky restaurants, cocktail bars, and designer brands. If you were to feel a little seasick, there is a selection of high-end luxury hotels with beautiful health spas, gyms and pampering where you can regain your sea legs.
The Desert
When thinking of a desert, you often imagine an otherworldly, scorching landscape of sand and rocks. Yet in reality there’s a huge variation in the landscape, culture and diverse animal and plant species that exist in the arid habitat.
Where: Oman provides the ultimate desert wonderland for all intrepid explorers. From exploring the old city of Muscat with its myriad architectural styles and delicious culinary offerings to delving deep into the plentiful oasis of natural beauty and wildlife, Oman is a country begging to be traversed.
Stay: If opulent relaxation is on your mind, then Six Senses Zighy Bay is the place to stay. Located on the northern Musandam Peninsula, the resort is set between jagged mountains on one side and bordered by a serene sandy beach on the other. Remote and yet easily accessible, there’s plenty of activities to do during your stay including paragliding and scuba diving.
Northern Europe
Northern Europe has plenty to offer the traveller. Boasting impressive scenery with beautiful skies and interesting geographical formations, this area not only makes the ideal escape for nature lovers, but the cities are amazing hubs of architecture, design and culture.
Where: With its rich history, famous love of culture and eco-conscious way of life, Denmark is the perfect place to escape to for a feel-good break. Both Copenhagen and the surrounding rural areas offer plenty to do for the traveller from scenic hiking to design exhibitions.
Stay: Villa Copenhagen, opening in April 2020, has transformed the city’s century-old post office into a stylish, forward-thinking eco-hotel. Situated in the centre of the capital, the hotel hosts 390 guest rooms and has a generous selection of amenities including a heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, 24-hour gym and a rooftop urban garden – one of the few urban green spaces in Copenhagen.
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