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Each year our list of top destinations to visit in the new year grows longer, much faster than we can visit them all. However, it has become a fun tradition putting together our must visit destinations list for the upcoming year!
The list of best places to travel in 2020 we’ve put together this year is a little longer than usual because let’s face it… there are so many places worth mentioning! They are some you won’t want to leave off your must list either!
OUR BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL IN 2020
Our best places to travel in 2020 bring a little something from every corner of the world – from the South Pacific to North America, Europe and South Africa. Of course, Australia gets a mention too since it is our homeland and makes for an easy mini-break option!
Make sure you check out our previous lists in 2016, 2018 and 2019 and 2020 for even more top travel destination inspiration!
Book Your Trip
- Book your flights – We use WayAway or Skyscanner to research and book flights. You can set up a price alert for your travel dates, plus it compares most major airlines in one place.
- Book your Accommodation – We use Booking.com or Hotels Combined to book most of our hotel accommodation when we travel.
- Travel Insurance – World Nomads have insurance plans to suit all types of trips.
- Book your rental car – Compare the best car hire prices for your trip.
- Book your tours & attractions – Our favourite attraction and tour booking services are Get Your Guide and Viator. Booking ahead will mean you don’t miss out on popular tours!
Where to Travel in 2020
Here are our best places to travel in 2020 hit list, in no particular order or preference:
Vanuatu
Why not kick off our 2020 hit list with tropical escape? Vanuatu is an island paradise that brings images of relaxing poolside, drinking cocktails and perfect ocean views.
Right now I would love to take a cruise from Australia to Vanuatu and surrounding South Pacific islands as a perfect cruising family vacation. There are many options throughout the year that stop at some of the main islands that make up Vanuatu, such as Vila and Mystery Island.
Cruising is something we have not done a lot of… yet! And it is such an easy way to travel as a family because most are all-inclusive. Accommodation, meals, entertainment and sometimes even tours too.
Most cruise liners have loads of fun kid-focused activities and kids club too, which means mum and dad get to have a bit of kid-free quality time too.
Considering our last cruise was with a toddler to Halong Bay, we are definitely due for another. And before that was our honeymoon cruising in Fiji!
Check for current cruise deals to Vanuatu & the South Pacific
Northern Territory
Before or after exploring the South Pacific, head to Australia for a visit to Northern Territory. Considering Northern Territory is not that far from us here in Queensland, it’s actually a little shameful that we haven’t been yet. It would make an epic Australian road trip!
High on my list is the chance to see iconic Uluru at sunset and tour the national parks. This one I think we can make happen this year!
Kakadu National Park and Kings Canyon are must-visits in Northern Territory. Although what tops my list is the ultimate glamping experience at Longitude 131°, a luxury desert basecamp experience located in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Probably not in our budget for this year, but one day! This is the ultimate luxury travel, with exclusive views of Uluru from your private accommodation.
Check for accommodation and tours in Northern Territory
Sri Lanka
A destination we weren’t too familiar with until recently, Sri Lanka is definitely one of the must-visit destinations in 2020. It has it all – rich culture, beautiful beaches and natural scenery. Plus it’s one of the best places to go on a safari outside of Africa.
Sri Lanka would make an exciting family holiday with the chance to experience wildlife up close, which the kids will love. They will no doubt enjoy spending time at the beach too or stuffing themselves with the delicious local food.
Check out some of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka with family, including the cosmopolitan city of Colombo and UNESCO World Heritage listed island, Polonnaruwa.
I know for us, a must-visit while in Sri Lanka would also be to Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery.
Check for accommodation deals in Sri Lanka
Kruger National Park
While we are on the theme of safari, Kruger National Park in South Africa is definitely a place I would love to experience. With many family and friends recently having had this tour experience, it has moved much higher on my list of places to visit soon.
While we may not make this one happen in 2020, I know it will be one we want to do with our kids at some point, perhaps when they are a little older.
Kruger National Park has the big 5 animals, and is a high-density wildlife area, giving you very good chances of seeing a lot of different types of animals you would normally only see in a zoo. Far better to see them in the wild though!
This is a perfect chance to explore more of South Africa too since Africa is a continent we are yet to visit at all. We would definitely love to see Johannesburg, Cape Town and explore some of the beautiful natural scenery beyond the cities.
Search for Kruger National Park tours and deals
Check out these family-friendly road trips for Africa travel as a family.
Toronto
Canada as a whole is a destination set to be one of the top places to visit in 2020 and for us, it has been somewhere we have wanted to visit for a while. There are many parts of Canada that we want to see, and a short trip just would not do the country justice.
A visit to Toronto appeals to us as a family-friendly stop while making our way around some of the more touristy parts of Canada too.
With museums, the zoo and the Aquarium, plus lots of outdoor spaces, it gives plenty of options for spending a few days with kids. And of course, hopping on a ferry to visit some of the nearby islands, with beaches and an amusement park.
For Simon, it’s especially appealing due to the fact there are several craft breweries around Toronto to appeal to his favourite hobby of beer tasting. Oh and sport… a chance to watch a baseball match would be a fun experience to have.
Book accommodation and find attraction tickets for Toronto
Planning a family road trip? Check out these must-do road trip routes for North America.
Boston
Just like Toronto, Boston is known for being a great place to visit for families, with many great kid-friendly attractions to experience. Best of all, it can also be a budget-friendly USA city.
Whether you are staying in Boston for a weekend or extending your trip longer, it is one to consider for 2020 places to visit.
There are so many different museums in Boston, with many appealing to children as well as adults. And just like Toronto, if you love wildlife, there is a zoo and aquarium also.
Spend time outdoors at Boston Common or take a city tour on the Old Town Trolley. This would be a fun way to explore the sights together.
And if like us you are travelling to Boston Massachusetts all the way from Australia, it’s a good reason to extend that stay longer to experience more of the USA.
Book accommodation and find attraction tickets for Boston
Over the past few years, we have had a couple of incredible USA trips – Nashville, Anaheim, Los Angeles. We have loved them all but have hardly even scratched the surface yet! We have big plans for a future USA road trip. That is currently the big bucket list trip!
Costa Rica
Central America was not previously high on our list, however, the more we hear about Costa Rica and many other incredible destinations in the region, the more we can’t wait to visit!
While Mexico is the only Central America country we have been to so far, Costa Rica is one for the 2020 bucket list.
One thing that I love is the fact that almost all of the beaches in Costa Rica are protected, which means they get to stay beautiful. Team that with jungles and volcanos, hot springs and wildlife.
If you are travelling with older kids or teens, or without any kids at all, Costa Rica has plenty of adrenaline-filled fun, with zip lines and outdoor adventure activities galore.
Then for something a little more slow-paced, take a cruise to one of the islands or visit a wildlife sanctuary and see a sloth up close. How cool!
Book Costa Rica accommodation deals
Amalfi Coast
Italy is one of the first countries I ever wanted to visit when I was young. While we did not get there during our first European holiday, Simon and I did go on our second and it was every bit as amazing as anticipated. During that trip, we visited Rome, Venice, Florence and a few other Italian cities along the way.
The Amalfi Coast was not part of that trip though and right now it is very high on my ultimate wanderlust destinations! Especially after family members just visited and shared photos of the stunning region. Especially Positano.
With the Mediterranean influences and beautiful scenery in every direction, it is one I know the kids would enjoy too.
While they may not appreciate the architecture and views quite so much, or the incredible walks, they would make up for it by stuffing themselves full of spaghetti and gelati.
The Amalfi Coast offers better chances of great weather all year compared to the highly touristy Cinque Terre.
Book Amalfi Coast accommodation deals
Finland
It has been far too long since we had our last White Christmas and while we would love to spend another white Christmas in Zakopane, there are so many other winter destinations that would make for a spectacular 2020 Christmas vacation.
One that would be truly special is a December spent in Finland. It is pretty much home to Santa anyway with Lapland in Finland.
Plus the high chance of seeing the Northern Lights as well. How incredible that would be.
When travelling with kids, destinations like this truly bring the magic of the holiday season for the whole family. Plus there is that added fun of playing in the snow and drinking hot chocolate – two things our kids adore already!
Although Finland looks just as amazing during the rest of the year too, with the chance to enjoy walks, visit castles and fortresses and explore the many beautiful cities.
Apparently watching an ice hockey match is also a must, as it happens to be the countries national sport!
Book Finland accommodation and attraction tickets online
Want more travel inspiration?
Check out these posts that are sure to help inspire your wanderlust: