The world is a highly accessible place for those of us lucky enough to travel. And sometimes it feels like there’s too much choice. So for those of you planning out next year’s adventures and looking for guidance, here’s a round-up of how the 2020 travel landscape is shaping up.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: sustainability.

In every aspect of our lives, sustainability is a major player. And travel is no exception. The industry may make up 7% of the world’s carbon emissions, but there are ways to travel sustainably and responsibly as we enter a new, defining decade. Sustainability is embedded at the core of 2020 travel.

And it’s not all bad news…

Staycations have become a popular choice to uncover the charms of the world a little closer to home. It’s accessible, planet-friendly and - without flights to pay for - often cheaper!

There are ways to spice up a staycation too. Especially now that England has started producing WINE.

We’ve still got a long way to go to compete with Napa Valley, Okanagan or Australia’s wine region…

But that’s no reason to discount wineries like Bolney Wine Estate in West Sussex. Located on the beautiful south downs, a mere 14 miles from the coast, this family-run business sits across five vineyard sites. It ticks all our boxes!

Your boozy holiday might still leave you with guilty reminders but none concerning your environmental impact. You really don’t have to compromise your lifestyle to be sustainable!

However, if you want to fly, have you heard the news? Easy Jet now offset the carbon for all their flights. This might not be enough to convince some - understandable - but that doesn’t stop you planting a few trees or donating money to an offsetting programme as well.

Easy Jet fly 1100 routes across 35 countries in the regions of Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East. So you won’t feel restricted by choice! New flight routes in 2020 include:

London Gatwick to Dubrovnik from May 2020
London Gatwick to Bodrum may not be a new route but from March 2020, flights from Gatwick will increase from 2 to 7 flights per week - Turkey’s back baby!*
Other destinations include Tirana (Albania), Enfidha (Tunisia), Verona (Italy) and Pula (Croatia)

There are still plenty of us, looking to go further afield and travel long haul. Here are a few different approaches to choosing a long-haul destination.

Venture off the beaten-path and dare to experience life unlike anything close to home

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan: Not as crazy a suggestion as you might first imagine. The locals are welcoming, the architecture of the mosques in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) is breathtaking while there are other sights that will leave you feeling incredulous! Amidst the heat of the Karakum desert, lurks the Darvaza crater. This 230-foot wide hole - also known as the ‘Gates of Hell’ - has been on fire for over 40 years.

What’s even cooler, is that you can experience all of this with a sustainable tour operator who offset the carbon from their trips. Experience the heart of the Silk Road with Intrepid Travel's Tashkent to Ashgabat itinerary (from April 2020).

Re-imagine a classic destination

Say you’re a hardcore traveller and you’ve been to India before and were beguiled and mesmerised by the gems along the Golden Triangle route. but India is home to a myriad of treasures and, as in many countries, there are regional differences.

Kochi, India: Originally an important spice trading centre on the Malabar coast (c. 14th Century), Kochi was known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

Here awaken your taste buds by delighting in Keralan food. You’ll find fish, poultry and red meat used here and flavours of coconut, tamarind and asafoetida are common.

It’s also a shining example in renewable energy (hello, sustainability, my old friend) having launched the world’s first solar-powered airport which won the UN Champions of the Earth award back in 2018.

And the cherry on top of the cake, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale has put India firmly on the contemporary arts festival map (the next event will take place in 2020). This region is steeped in heritage while embracing its newfound cool.

One word: JAPAN.

It’s a big-time for Japan. The rugby world cup has just taken place and the upcoming Summer Olympics are just a mere few months away! Japan is truly deserving of the spotlight it’s currently receiving - and the perfect all-year-round destination:

Spring: Cherry Blossom (Sakura) in Maruyama Park among the teahouses and temples of Kyoto

Summer: As well as the 2020 Olympics, it’s also a great time to visit Okinawa Island for sun, sand and sea

Autumn: Koyo Autumn foliage, and a great time to see the deer in Nara

Winter: Skiing in Hokkaido or Tokohu (North) or Niigata or Nagano (South)

Wherever you choose to visit this year, home or abroad, you can be sure that there are ways to make your travelling sustainable. Enriching both for you and for the world.

Written by Caroline J, also @carolinej294 on Instagram

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