Which Of The 2020 Travel Trends Have You Excited?

With a new year on the horizon, now’s the time to sit down with the family and have a think about where you’d like to go on holiday and what you’d like to see and do. Checking out the latest travel trends is always a good idea as it may inspire you in all sorts of ways – who knows what you could get up to in 2020?

The Independent has rounded up some of the holiday predictions from a range of travel experts, which could prove particularly useful when it comes to planning your next big trip away.

CV Villas, for example, believes that 2020 will be the year that we see ‘friendmoons’ really take off, a trip you plan to take before you get married but instead of going with your partner you take a group of friends with you instead.

Morocco product manager Carolina de Capell Brooke explained that honeymoons are no longer the sole preserve of happy couples looking to get away from it all together. Instead they’re now keen to “escape to sunnier climes in the company of their nearest and dearest – hence the rise of the friendmoon”.

Interestingly, numerous experts are saying that train travel is looking to be big news over the coming 12 months so if you had planned on seeing a country by rail, it seems you won’t be the only ones.

Director-general of French ski resort La Plagne Remy Counil noted that the Greta Thunberg effect is now encouraging travellers to really consider how they can reduce their environmental impact, now “turning to alternative methods of transport instead of flying. A 2012 study commissioned by the Ski Club of Great Britain, showed that 70-80 per cent of the CO2 emissions related to an alpine ski holiday are from the flight”.

Pet-friendly holidays are also going to prove themselves popular options as well in the new year, according to Booking.com, with the platform claiming that 42 per cent of those with pets around the world would pick a holiday destination based on whether their pet can come or not. And almost half would be happy to pay more if it meant they could stay somewhere pet-friendly.

Perfect Stays, meanwhile, says that transformative travel is going to be a hot topic of conversation for 2020, with people now looking for experiences that help to shape them, whether that’s learning new skills, contributing to the places in which they’re staying or spending more time with locals and in local communities.

In terms of destinations, it would also be worth checking out this Independent article detailing some of the places that travel experts believe will be seriously popular over the next 12 months.

Abercrombie & Kent, for example, thinks that Egypt is going to be big news in 2020. Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open next year, which promises to be the biggest archaeological museum in the world – with 30,000 never-before-exhibited Egyptian finds.

Airbnb, meanwhile, thinks that Milkwaukee over in the US will be a must-visit, describing it as a “historic gem on the shores of Lake Michigan” with a thriving bar and restaurant scene and attractions like the Calatrava-designed museum. Cyclists will also find what they’re looking for here, with miles of scenic bike trails to explore.

Or you could check out what Lonely Planet thinks will be a top place to go next year and pay Bhutan a visit, a destination that is “shrouded in mystery and magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments”.

Some of the top attractions include The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, found on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. Make sure you visit the Drubkhang cave, which is where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three months. You’ll find a statue of Dorje Drolo there, the shape the Guru took on to fly to Taktshang on a tigress!

If you’re thinking you’d like to stay closer to home, however, Rough Guides has named Galway as the place to go – next year’s European Capital of Culture. It’s famed for its seafood, festivals and cosy pubs, so perfect for a fun getaway without having to travel too far.

There’s some amazing countryside to be discovered on the west side of Ireland and if you love nothing more than pulling on a pair of hiking boots and getting out and about in the fresh air, you’ll find that Galway is absolute paradise.

The Suck Valley Way 10km walk will give you a real glimpse of what life is like in rural Ireland, taking you through lots of friendly little villages, past lowland farms and through boglands. Or make your way to Connemara National Park, where you’ll find almost 3,000 hectares of mountains, heaths and woodlands to be explored. There are three walks inside the park to choose from, with ones to suit walkers of all ilks.

Even closer to home than Galway is Kent, which i-escape expects to be a popular destination in the near future. The region is becoming famous for its premium winemaking, with the holiday company saying it’s not hard to see why trendsetters are now describing it as Chateau Britain.

“And with its ancient castles, iconic White Cliffs and 350 miles of coastline, there’s never been a better destination to make the most of the great British countryside,” it said.

Of course, there are all other countries to visit and places to go – this is just a taste of what’s likely to be popular in 2020. We’d love to hear where you have in mind to go in the new year, so get in touch to let us know, whether you’re planning on a charming staycation or a bigger trip abroad somewhere far-flung.

Wherever you do plan to go, you can really help take the stress out of the actual journey itself by sorting out luxury coach hire to get you to the airport and back home again safely.

Those of you considering a staycation might want to think about booking a coach holiday so no one has to drive and everyone can have a lovely relaxing time. It might well be that Kent is high on your list of places to visit with the family, keen to explore all those beautiful beaches and see what towns like Margate have to offer!

Wherever you want to go on a staycation this year, whether that’s here in the UK or somewhere in Europe, the team at A Class Coach Hire will make sure you have an amazing time. Your trip could be anything from a skiing holiday to a tour around Europe, a weekend away or a longer coastal break… we’d love to take you!

The ski holidays we run are always a popular option among our customers and all our resorts include three-star accommodation and coach hire at your disposal without any hidden extras… so no nasty surprises All you’ll need to remember is your ski pass!