2019 went by in the blink of an eye and we are now fast approaching Christmas. With so many of us getting ready for the new year ahead, that also means that some people have already started planning their 2020 holiday destinations and establishing travel plans. With the cold weather, dark days and budgeting, winter is a time where people spend hours daydreaming about escaping to warm, sunny climates and just being on holiday in general.
One trend which is booming within the travel industry is luxury travel, with more people booking faraway destinations, private villas and upgrading their travel choices. There are some destinations that are set to become even more popular in 2020, so here are some luxury holiday destinations to add to your travel bucket list.
Panama
Travel to south and central America is increasing in popularity as the years go by and as the countries become much safer from a tourism perspective. Panama is a stunning country and one which has had quite a low tourism trade, up to now. With eco-travel also becoming a huge trend, visitors to Panama are expected to increase thanks to the opening of the Islas Secas eco-retreat later this year.
This eco-retreat gives visitors access to 14 private islands which lay on the Gulf of Chiriqui and 33 nautical miles away from the main coast. This retreat offers visitors a full, off-grid escape and is designed with privacy in mind. With accommodation set in the island’s toucan-filled tropical forests, guests can also enjoy sights of whales, sharks, turtles and eagle rays in the clear ocean. This retreat was created with full sustainability in mind, with 100% of energy being generated by solar power, 100% of food waste is set to be turned into compost or recycled and 100% of wastewater set to be reused for irrigation.
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve, located on the southern coast of Portugal, has long been a popular tourist destination for families. However, the destination has recently been having a luxury overhaul and is now full of luxurious accommodation, restaurants, and bars, which are drawing in more visitors. Named as Europe’s Leading Beach Destination in 2019, the Algarve is set to become even more popular in 2020 thanks to having over 100 miles of beautiful coastline and 300 days of sunshine each year, alongside its growing luxury persona.
With sensational fresh cuisine on offer, there are plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants for you to sink your teeth into, beach-side bars, vast golf courses and a wide range of luxury Algarve villas, you’re sure to have a holiday which is filled to the brim with luxury!
Egadi Islands, Sicily
Sicily is popular for city breaks, but the five isolated Egadi Islands are set to make their mark in amongst other luxury travel destinations in 2020. With secret beaches and shipwreck ruins to explore, if you’re looking for a private, luxury getaway, the Egadi Islands have it all. Favignana, which is the largest of the five islands, has a skyline of mountains and lush-foliage lined streets, which are perfect for cycling along if you want to see more of the island.
If you’re looking for wildlife, then you’ll find an abundance of it here. The Egadi Islands offer one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in Europe and the ocean is home to vast areas of Poseidon seagrass, which provides valuable habitats for many seabirds and fish, as well as sea turtles and rare monk seals.
The Turkish Riviera
Just a few short years ago, the Turkish Riviera was mostly off-limits for travellers, however, the destination has recently come back thanks to a huge rise in interest. Many airlines have resumed their direct flights to the area, making the luxurious and secret beach spots, such as Bozburan and Datca, more accessible.
The Bodrum Peninsula has been redeveloped with luxury new apartments and the new coastal town of Kaplankya is making a name for itself with the offering of the stunning Six Senses Hotel and Spa, complete with five private beaches and numerous restaurants. Whilst the value of Turkish lira has fallen slightly over the last few years, this means that the Turkish Riviera is well priced, especially for the luxury you will receive in return.
