The Best Travel Destinations for 2020

Written by: Poppy Skinner Created: 16 December 2019

Where to go in 2020.

Kyoto, Japan

Japan is a wonderful country; a vibrant mix of old and new where history and innovation merge to create a wonderfully fascinating country. Take Kyoto for example, just a couple of hours away from the frenetic capital of Tokyo lies the more peaceful Kyoto. Don't get me wrong, Kyoto is home to some glistening mega malls and shopping centres but the true beauty of this city is that in amongst all this are some of the most beautiful temples and shrines you will find in Japan. Life moves at a slower pace in Kyoto, with many restaurants and independent  shops closing dead on six, another quaint fact about this city. So, with the Olympics coming to Japan in 2020, hotels have been springing up all over the country and thanks to its proximity to Tokyo, Kyoto has been singled out as one of the main cities for hotels to expand in. With the Olympics kicking off in June, get over there before then to enjoy this wonderful city in all its pre-celebration glory.

Panama

We all know the name, but few of us will know what a beautiful, unspoilt and now eco, paradise lies on the isthmus linking Central and South America. Famous for its coffee, straw and fish, this crossroad country looks set to become an eco-paradise  thanks to the opening of the Islas Secas eco-retreat later this year. Not only will this much buzzed about hotel bring new awareness to the region, but with the opening of the retreat, 14 smaller islands on Panama's sun-drenched Pacific Coast will also become accessible. 

Previously small fishing lodges, this new luxury, off-grid eco escape will sleep up to 18 on each  island. Designed to give you the upmost privacy, each hut boasts an outdoor deck  and plunge pool. Not only this, but the marine parks boast one of the largest coral reefs in the Pacific, home to eagle rays, humpback  whales, hammerhead sharks and the endangered Green Olive Ridley turtles. 

Qingdao, China

When you think of China, you don't immediately think of ecological pursuits but all that looks set to change thanks to the China Eden, the first of its kind outside of the UK. Built in collaboration with the same architects behind the UK's Eden Project in Cornwall, this eco-centric learning centre is being built on a large plot of reclaimed and environmentally damaged land, previously used for salt production and prawn farming. Much like it's UK counterpart, the eco-attraction is set to be built around water and will house the world's highest indoor waterfall, 164ft, the same as Niagara Falls. 

Paris, France

Bien sur, we all know how very chic and bucket-list worthy the City of Lights is, but recently thanks to a wave of not so nice happenings, the city has gone down on travellers wish-list's somewhat. Well, thanks to  a whole host of fantastic hotel openings, Paris looks set to whizz back up to the must-travel lists worldwide. 

So what's to see. Firstly there's the Bulgari Hotel  Paris which will open with their signature spa, an elegant pool and an Italian restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef, Niko Romito. Then the new Cheval Blanc is set to open early 2020 on the banks of the Seine. Housed in the old Art Deco  La Samaritaine building, three-starred Michelin-starred chef, Arnaud Donckele, will set diners appetites on fire with his stunning menu and glass rooftop bar. As if all that is not enough, France's first Kimpton hotel is due to open early 2020 with a brand new Soho House not far behind. Phew. 

 Siargao, Philippines

If you love Bali but don't love the throngs of holidaymakers that flock there in droves, then Siargao is for you. Once described as Bali,  30 years ago, this surfers paradise is  lined with pristine beaches, mangroves and coconut palms. While this little island might be best know for it's breaks, Kelly Slater is a frequent visitor who goes to surf the legendary Cloud 9 barreling  wave, in 2020 not only will there be 12 flights  to the island daily, but a slew of new independent hotels including Bulan Villas and the sustainability-conscious Harana Surf Resort, will have Bali quaking in its boots. 

Written by: Poppy Skinner

Poppy covers a wide range of topics at Billionaire, having spent the past 13 years at companies including Singapore Tatler, Her World Plus and Harpers Bazaar UK. She has a passion for fashion, jewellery and travel as well as an avaricious fascination with crime novels. Follow her at poppypskinner on Instagram.