Are you dreaming about travelling in 2020? We have chosen 8 places worthy of a visit.

Early winter brings darkness and cold days, at least here in Norway. But this is also the time to dream about sunnier days and book a trip to one of the many magnificent places this globe has to offer. If you need inspiration to choose we have gathered 8 places that we recommend visiting in 2020.

#1: Peru and Machu Picchu

Peru is a country of major contrasts, from the Pacific Ocean and the capital by the coast in the west to dry plains and lush forest in the Amazon in the east. Most known is Machu Picchu, the Inca city in the mountains. In the last few years restrictions have increased to preserve this man-made wonder. Visiting is unlikely to get less restrictive with the increasing tourism, so now is definitively the time to visit. If you are up for a challenge, walking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is highly recommended.

Tip: In Machu Picchu it is possible to hike up the mountain the city is named after. Tickets must be purchased in advance and this hike can offer a view most people have never seen.

Be aware that the Inca Trail closes every February for renovation and maintenance.

#2: Svalbard

Svalbard is a unique place with incredible nature and an interesting history. The seed vault can be found here, a project unlike anything else, located right next to the airport. A bit north of Longyearbyen is the Russian ghost town known as Pyramiden, offering a glimpse into the past and a chance to be among the northernmost people in the world for a short time. In addition to this there are many activities such as dog sledding, viewing the northern lights, exploring ice caves and experiencing a culture quite different from most other places. Be aware that Svalbard features the midnight sun or polar night most of the year, so plan the time of your trip accordingly.

Tip: SAS considers Svalbard a domestic destination in Norway and using frequent flyer points to get there can be substantially cheaper than paying regular fares. Even if you don’t have EuroBonus points it may on some occasions be cheaper to first buy points and then spend them on the flight rather than paying directly.

#3: Namibia

Africa is seen by many as a continent of war, famine and suffering. Southern Africa has on the other hand developed into an amazing destination and to us Namibia is the country that really stands out. All the way down to the coast in the west is the incredible Namib desert. The world’s second largest canyon is also located here, where you can get a feeling of visiting the Grand Canyon without all the other tourists. Wildlife is in an abundance and Namibia has what we think is one of the best national parks: Etosha National Park. In addition to the warm and dry areas the Caprivi strip stretches inland with green lush forests towards the Zambezi river, the river that creates Victoria Falls.

Does Africa sound a bit to scary? Check out our article here about safety in Africa and why you should consider this spectacular continent.

Tip: There are some great guided safari tours starting in South Africa, travelling through Namibia, Botswana and/or Zimbabwe and then returning back to South Africa again. On such a trip one can see a lot of what Southern Africa has to offer in an organised and quite worry-free way.

#4: Galápagos

We could not make a list like this without mentioning our favourite place. If you love wildlife the Galápagos Islands are the closest you can get to heaven. This may be the only place in the world where the wildlife still don’t see humans as a threat and you can get incredibly close to birds, sea lions, turtles and even sharks. Located right on the equator the temperature is stable year around, and although there is a rainy season it isn’t really that wet.

Tip: The islands are scattered across a lot of ocean and travelling from island to island can take some time. If you travel by ship (10-30 passengers, not large cruise ships) you get to see a lot in shorter time. The price is higher than land-based travel, but not necessarily more expensive when factoring in how much you get to see.

#5: Puerto Rico

A few years ago Puerto Rico and a large part of the Caribbean was struck by a huge hurricane, leading to a lot of destruction and lack of infrastructure. However, the island has now made great leaps in rebuilding and the need for income has lead to a focus on tourism. We experienced very friendly and welcoming locals and if you make your way here the money goes towards a place that really needs and deserves it.

Puerto Rico also has the only tropical rainforest in the United States!

Tip: It is possible to combine a trip to Puerto Rico with other destinations through cruise ships. Departure is typically from the US mainland where flights are cheaper and can be combined with a visit to for instance Florida.

#6: Luxembourg

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe, but that doesn’t stop it from offering a plethora of experiences. The capital is an old and beautiful city and other locations feature old castles, great nature and cultural experiences. The country has a reputation for being expensive, but if you do a bit of planning it can be quite reasonable. For 28 euros you get access to 60 museums and experiences as well as free public transport across the entire country for 3 days. Outside the capital the amount of tourists is also not that much.

Here we have gathered 10 reasons why Luxembourg should be your next destination.

Tip: There are trains running to Luxembourg from all over Europe. Therefore a trip to Luxembourg can be combined with for instance France or the other Benelux countries at a low price without the need of a rental car while still travelling conveniently.

7#: Faroe Islands

If you love the outdoors, but would like to stay away from large groups of tourists, the Faroe Islands is the place to go. In many ways it can be described as a small version of Iceland. Beautiful waterfalls, spectacular rock formations, tiny tunnels and hospitable locals is only a handful of so many great experiences on these islands. We have made a video with 8 places to visit in the Faroe Islands:

Tip: Save money, do a good deed and experience something truly unique. Every year for one weekend the Faroe Islands shuts down for tourists (yes, they really close the place down). This is done to to tidy the place up, or as they say, the islands are “down for maintenance “. As a tourist you can still arrive if you help out. Flights must be paid for by yourself, but they cover the accommodation. During maintenance the paths are cleared, signs are being fixed and other jobs to make the Faroe Islands ready for tourism again. This usually occurs around end of April.

#8: Western Norway

We currently live in Western Norway and sometimes forget how incredible this region of Norway is. Some of the great nature experiences here include the Pulpit Rock, Trolltunga, Geiranger, Kjerag and Flom. Move a bit east and seeing musk oxen in Dovre and hiking Galdhøpiggen, Norway’s tallest mountain, can be added to the list. North in Western Norway is home of the incredible Atlantic Road, where the next James Bond movie is being filmed.

Tip: Around Easter it is warm enough to travel to many of these places, but before the peak season starts. You get most of the places to yourself, but be aware that some roads may still be closed for the winter.

Have you been to any of these places or would like to go? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. 🙂