Have you started planning out trips for 2020 yet? Well if you have, consider squeezing in one of the destinations listed below, and if you haven’t yet, then consider setting some time aside to look into taking a trip to any of the amazing places that are about to mentioned in this blog post. Whether you’re planning on a long-haul trip or maybe just road tripping through your home state, be encouraged to travel somewhere new and unfamiliar.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver is one of the most wonderful cities in the world where you can find nearly every element in one place: city life, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re visiting in the summer or winter seasons, you’ll most likely find people on the beach playing volleyball or bicycling through Stanley Park; Vancouver’s largest urban park, shopping in Gastown, or driving through the Sea-to-Sky Highway to hike, ski, or take a gondola up the flourishing mountains. If you’d like to read a more descriptive itinerary of what to do in Vancouver, check out the “Must-See: Vancouver” blog.
Budapest, Hungary
Ranked among one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest is a must-see city that most people have heard of, but seldom tend to visit. Growing in its popularity due to its underrated beauty and relatively cheap tourism, Budapest’s hidden gems of history and culture are a world traveler’s dream. The Hungarian Parliament Building is one of Hungary’s largest buildings and home to hundreds of parliamentary offices. Tours are available throughout the day in different languages. Next on the list is Gellért Baths, a local Hungarian’s personal favorite especially during the winter months. This spa centre includes an open-air pool, effervescent swimming pool, and a range of other saunas and plunge pools. Lastly, for one of the most spectacular and rewarding views, make the trip up to Fisherman’s Bastion, built in the early 20th century, this neo-Gothic style medieval monument specifically acts as a panoramic viewing platform. An unforgettable view.
Aspen, Colorado
If you’re looking to venture deep into the mountains, but still want a luxurious experience, then do some research into Aspen, one of Colorado’s most expensive, beautiful and luxurious destinations. Sitting 8,000 ft above sea level, besides indulging in the skiing and snowboarding culture, the fabulous dining and shopping experience will have you walking around the city centre all day. Once you’ve finished shopping around stores like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Ralph Lauren, take the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain to the Sundeck where you can grab lunch and be in-awe of 14,000-foot peaks. Once you’ve come down from the gondola, head back to your hotel and take a dip in your heated pool (if you’re visiting in winter). Hotel Aspen is one of the best city centre hotels in Aspen, without breaking the bank. With complimentary breakfast, a cozy fireplace, and courtyard pool deck and hot tub, what else could you possibly need to entice you to spend the week or weekend in Aspen? If you’re looking to stay in Aspen, check out our “Must-See: Aspen” blog for a detailed itinerary of ideas.
Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida
Sometimes trips aren’t all about the actual destination, but instead the reason for visiting. If you’re wanting to bring a little bit of your childhood back and need a gentle reminder of all of the magic that’s in the world, then look no further than the magical world of Disneyworld as your next big adventure. Whether you’re five or fifty, Disneyworld has the potential to appeal to all and have activities that all members of the family can experience. Staying on Disney property is a bonus and includes transportation to all parks, which makes traveling much less expensive and hassle free. With your Disney ticket, you have the opportunity to visit all three parks in one day: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot.
The first destination for most first-time travelers is Magic Kingdom where you enter through Main Street; the main street of Magic Kingdom that has boutiques, shops, and restaurants that are sure to get you immediately excited to explore the rest of the park. “Wishes”, Magic Kingdom’s Firework show is Magic Kingdom’s finest firework display happening nightly and consistently gathering huge crowds (so plan watching the show accordingly and snag a spot at least an hour in advance). Once you’ve taken your picture in front of Cinderella's Castle, head over to Animal Kingdom where you can experience Pandora-The World of Avatar and it’s newest rides like “Flight of Passage” and the “Na’vi River Journey”, or to Epcot where you can blast off on the new Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction or indulge in Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is located at the foot of the Alps on the border with Germany. If you have any interest in history, then you’ll be pleased to know that Salzburg survived WWII with very little damage, so most of the old, Baroque buildings remain in their original condition. With being nestled in the Alps, Salzburg is one of the most jaw-dropping, painting like cities you will ever encounter. And if you’re ever so slightly a lover of musicals, you’ll be pleased to know that Salzburg is the location where the “Sound of Music” was filmed, with a tour indicating the locations where it was filmed. Besides strolling through the endless luscious forest roads and admiring the Bavarian Mountains, take a slight walk up a steep path to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe’s largest castles at the time, it was built in 1077. Finish off the day of walking and digesting hundreds of years of culture with some fine dining. Esszimer Restaurant is a Michelin-starred restaurant if you’re looking for a gourmet meal, and Augustiner Brausteuble is a beer garden and restaurant with a long history in Salzburg, and among the locals favorite places to end the day.
