If you’ve always thought about traveling but never made the leap, this might be the year to go for it. It’s a big, beautiful world out there and 2020 might be the time to go see it — well, after the coronavirus dies down, that is.
Even if you are a seasoned traveler, there are probably a lot of sights out there you probably haven’t gotten to you. From LA to Austin, Venice to Slovenia, there is a whole world of wonders worth seeing.
Since most of us are cooped up with time to spare at home, now is the perfect time to start planning your next vacation. After all, traveling enables us to experience new sights, tastes, and cultures. There are countless benefits to opening your front door. Check out these four reasons to travel in 2020.
1. America Is Amazing
You don’t need to leave America to experience the joy of traveling this year. From LA to Austin to New York City, the United States is a big and beautiful place.
And we’re not just a land of beautiful mountains and impressive buildings: we’re also a land of technology, art, and innovation. You can check out museums, monuments and even breakthroughs in technology. These days, there are even things like the LulzBot, which is a 3D printer capable of making bridges that fit together in segments with no adhesives.
If you’re more interested in experiences, places like Austin are great. Austin hosts music festivals year-round. Check out things like South by Southwest and the Austin City Limits Music Festival for a weekend (or week) you won’t soon forget.
Or you can go to New York City and see nostalgic classics like the LEGOLAND New York Resort. This is a family experience you won’t soon be able to forget; this entire theme park is centered around Legos and Lego characters. Whether you have kids or not, this could be an excursion you won’t soon forget.
On the other side of the country is Los Angeles. There are a ton of reasons to travel to LA: from the beaches to the food to major attractions, like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Beverly Hills. Go shopping, enjoy the nightlife, and experience this interesting and sprawling American city.
2. You’ve Never Visited Europe (Or Want to Visit Again)
If you’ve never hopped across the pond, now is the time. Europe, much like America, is a big and beautiful place. From top to bottom, end to end, there’s a nearly endless list of locations and cultures worth visiting.
Europe is home to both monuments of ancient history and modern pop culture icons. You can see the ruins of ancient Rome, or visit Croatia, where the recent Game of Thrones television series was filmed.
No matter where you go in Europe, you should take a food tour. Try local delicacies and restaurants. But, don’t overlook some old staples. Even though the average American eats 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate every year (about 11 pounds per person), no one in the world does chocolate like the Europeans. You might find this old favorite is a brand new experience when you indulge in some high-end European chocolates.
Travel might be limited right now, but there will be plenty of opportunities to book a flight later this year. Now is the time to book tickets in advance!
3. South America Is Breathtaking
South America is an incredible place and 2020 will be a particularly good year to visit it.
For example, on Dec. 13 and 14, both the Geminid meteor shower and a total solar eclipse will be visible. And the best place to see those celestial sights will be in northern Patagonia.
If you’re more interested in things down here on earth, you can bike through Mexico City or take in Rio de Janeiro, the world capital of architecture. Enjoy the beautiful weather after too much time spent indoors up here in the north.
4. There’s Even More World Out There
This is in no way a comprehensive list. There are so many more places in the world that are worth visiting. You could see the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. You could go camel camping in an Israeli desert. You could even try to spot rare giant pandas in China.
Don’t limit yourself to places you know and have already seen. 2020 is the year to try somewhere new and discover a brand new adventure that will create lasting memories. The beginning of a new decade should start off on the right foot; even though it’s been a rough go so far, there are still plenty of months left in the year to make it worthwhile.
How to Get There
No matter where you go, you need to get there. Luckily, there are a slew of transportation options for your next travel adventure. But keep in mind that not all are created equal.
If you are staying in the U.S., you could try to road trip. That offers up a number of possibilities of its own. Simply reserve a rental car of your liking and you’ll be well on your way to explore the world around you! You can take your time and see whatever sights you want as you move from one city to the next. Who knows what kind of gems you’ll find as you move between towns? Traveling by car also means that you make your own schedule.
However, driving comes with challenges and risks — and that doesn’t just mean flat tires. In 2017 alone, there were 5,172 fatal motorcycle accidents. While that’s a 3% drop compared to 2016, it’s worth noting that driving can be a dangerous way to travel. You should always travel with at least one other person to avoid falling asleep at the wheel. Additionally, driving drunk or otherwise impaired is a big deal. Avoid engaging in potentially dangerous actions that could bring your trip to a screeching halt (literally).
In contrast, going by bus, train, or plane takes the work out of your hands. All you have to do is get to the right place at the right time and all the rest of the traveling will be taken care of for you. While this means you might have to stick to a hard schedule, it’s worth it if you dread the thought of long car rides alone.
No matter how you decide to get there, live your travel dreams this year. Since most of us are stuck inside, there’s no better opportunity to plan and schedule fun activities for later this year. Try somewhere new or revisit somewhere old and rediscover it with fresh eyes!
