12 Best Countries to Visit in 2020
Waving goodbye to 2019 and welcome the brand new year of 2020. Let’s finish another year strong and tick more off your travel bucket list! Super looking forward to 2020 with the mission of “New year, New countries”.
What is more exciting than travel to celebrate the beginning of a new decade? We have listed below the 12 best countries you should visit every month in this brand new year, the country’s highlights and why is it the best month to visit. Guess which ones in this list we will be travelling to?
January : Malaysia
Highlight: Dry Season, Chinese New Year
It is the year of Visit Malaysia 2020. We have so much to offer from pristine beaches, tropical rainforest, amazing cityscape to rural homestay experience and more. You name it. Our beloved country is the melting pot of cultures and a 101% food and shopping heaven, thanks to the multiracial community! We have a lot of big sales throughout the year. As Chinese New Year falls on end of January in 2020, this month will give you strong festive vibe with red decorations and Chinese New Year songs blasting in the streets or malls. Great time to visit the country because you get to know more about the Chinese community in Malaysia and experience the festive season. Did we forget to tell you it is a must to gain some weight and go home with a food baby?
February : Norway
Highlight: Winter, Northern Lights
Thinking of huskies and snowmobiles, sparkling snow and incredible sceneries, Norway is the perfect definition of winter wonderland. Although there is only few hours of sunshine during winter and the temperature can go as low as -2 degree celsius, you can avoid the crowd who normally visit the country in warmer months. Plus, February is the most best time to catch the stunning Northern Lights in places like Lofoten Islands and Tromsø. Experience a stay in SnowHotel! Curl yourself up in the thermal sleeping bag in the room with hand-crafted carvings and get vodka from glasses made of ice.
March : Egypt
Highlight: Shoulder Season, Pleasant Weather, Pyramids of Giza
A trip to Egypt is like watching live documentaries and movie for history, heritage and culture lovers. Ticking off the iconic Pyramids of Giza off your travel bucket list is even a dream. Visit cities and temples in South Egypt while cruising the timeless Nile River, drive through deserts and visit Bedouin Villages or hunt the best street food in Cairo and Aswan, these are some of the best things to do. It is an ideal time to visit during this shoulder month for its pleasant weather, also good for sunbathing, snorkelling or diving in the Red Sea. Planning a trip to Egypt? We are proud to present The Most Wanted Egypt Travel Series which gives you the best inspiration for an Egypt vacation!
April : Netherlands
Highlight: Spring, Pleasant Weather, Tulip Season
Imagine yourself in the dreamy sea of more than 7 million Tulips bloom in Keukenhof. There is no where in the world you can see this incredible scenery but Netherlands. April is the ideal time to see Tulips at their best even though end of March through May is the blooming season. Discover canals, cycling tours, windmills, cheese markets and the iconic Van Gogh Museum in beautiful weather. Expect crowd during this season but this beauty is just too difficult to resist.
May : Turkey
Highlight: Spring, Shoulder Season, Pleasant Weather
Turkey looks magical during winter, but spring really brings out its charm more. Hunt spices and local craft in Grand Bazaar, cruising through Bosphorus Strait, visit the iconic Blue Mosque in Istanbul, experience hot air balloon and stay in cave hotel in Cappadocia, soak in the thermal pool in Pamukkale. There are just so many amazing things to do in the country. Not to mention, Turkish food is also one of our favourite cuisines in the world! Find yourself sipping Turkish coffee or Apple Tea while enjoying the exquisite Turkish delight and Kebab that taste heavenly. Turkey will never cease to amaze you in so many ways.
June : New Zealand
Highlight: Beginning of Winter, Low Season
Everyone has a NZ dream and nothing beats having a road trip exploring the majestic country in a camper van! While the warm weather in summer attracts more tourists, it simply means you need to pay extra for everything. During winter, the mountains are covered with white snow, roads are empty and hiking trails are not crowded with tourists. At some point, you can basically have the whole amazing place to yourself. It is the perfect time of the year to hit the road in camper van as the rates are at the lowest (great deals for hotels and lodges as well). Make your friends in home country jealous of your beautiful photographs!
July : Croatia
Highlight: Summer, Beach Vacation, Rich Culture and Heritage
July is the peak season as tourists flock into Croatia for the summer holiday. Still, it is a good time to visit for the sunny skies, good food, parties, music festivals and nightlife. The country has a very rich history and cultural heritage with its old towns, some serious good looking churches and cathedrals. Remember to also get the most out of Croatia’s natural beauty, stunning views, national parks, and pristine beaches! Croatia is definitely the ideal summer vacation destination that won’t cost you a big hole in your pocket and it will be the next big hit destination in social media too, so make sure you make yourself there before everyone does!
August : Maldives
Highlight: Beach Vacation, Honeymoon, World Class Dive Sites
Living its name The Sunny Side of Life, The Maldives is more like a heaven on earth. Calling all the ocean lovers to enjoy the crystal clear water. From swimming with dolphins, fishing trips, spa retreat to honeymoon and more, as well as from home stays to ultra luxury escapes, Maldives is an ultimate paradise for everyone. August is the best time to visit because it is the beginning of the monsoon, low season. Most of the resorts are offering their room rates at a cheaper price. Do expect some short but heavy downpour in the evening during your visit, however due to the monsoon and water current, it brings in a lot of planktons to the Eastern side of the country. Thus, this is the best time to go diving, where there is high possibility to spot Manta rays and Whale sharks – some of the most beautiful and cutest sea creatures in the world!
September : Peru
Highlight: Peak and Dry Season, Trekking & Outdoor Activities
Peru is also known as “The Richest Country in the World” in terms of the different experience that you could get in the country. We couldn’t agree more for the cultural diversity, incredible nature and heritage site. Are you ready for an adventurous journey and breathtaking views in Peru? September is the best time to visit Peru as it is dry and sunny in the Andean highland, where you can hike to the world famous Machu Picchu and take a selfie with the Llama, visit the insanely beautiful desert oasis Huacachina, see the Rainbow Mountain with your own eyes and explore the vibrant historic cities of Cuzco or Capital Lima. Peru is definitely an unforgettable destination for anyone.
October : Japan
Highlight: Autumn, Stunning Blend of Yellow, Orange and Red Leaves
For us, Japan is one of the most unique countries that you can never get tired of, no matter how many times you have visited. Some icons from Japan that we love the most – Mount Fuji, Japanese food and the amazing train system. While everyone flocks into Japan for Cherry blossoms in Spring during the peak season, we have a soft spot for this romantic Koyo (Autumn in Japanese) season with yellow, brown, orange and red leaves adorn the pavements and gardens. During the Koyo season, you should get lost in Japan by discovering temples in Kyoto, crossing the Akihabara street in Tokyo, having Japanese food in Osaka and lastly don’t forget to hop on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Kanagawa to soak in an Onsen with the Mount Fuji view in this sweater weather. What a gorgeous season to travel in Japan!
November : South Africa
Highlight: Spring, Shoulder Season, Pleasant Weather
Thinking of South Africa, those “Waka-Waka-Eh-Eh” lines comes out naturally. South Africa is not only about football and wildlife, in fact this country is incredibly, amazingly beautiful, it will leave you speechless and might give you a jaw drop. November is the best time to visit with the cool weather. Visit vibrant cities like Cape Town, where you can hike to one of the new seven wonders of the world – Table Mountain or Lion’s head for spectacular panoramic view of the city, Safari adventure in Kruger National Park to see the famous Big Five or head down to the Southern tip of South Africa to go cage diving with the Great White Shark. There are so many scenic spots and things to do in Cape Town. South Africa is simply one of the most beautiful countries in Africa.
December : United Arab Emirates
Highlight: Winter, Pleasant Weather, Dubai Expo 2020
Thinking of United Arab Emirates (UAE), the hot desert climate is the first thing that comes to everyone’s mind. In fact, December is actually the winter season, it is very pleasant and comfortable to travel around. Dubai and Abu Dhabi amongst others, are the most famous cities in UAE because it is easy to access by the two major airlines. Some of the well-known usual activities in UAE are – The world tallest Burj Khalifa, helicopter ride in Jumeirah, desert safari, Grand Mosques and Ferrari World. However, one thing you must not miss in 2020 is the Dubai Expo 2020. It is the first time in history that the expo is happening in the region. The World Expo is only happening every five years, so make sure you do not miss this great opportunity. Moreover, this time they will be featuring and showcasing a total of 192 countries (first time in history) – we are talking about food, architecture, innovative landscapes, arts and culture.
For us, every country is unique by its own and we would love to have all amazing 195 countries in the list. However, these 12 countries are carefully selected by us according to the month and their best time to visit. This is to ensure you have a wonderful time in the destinations and enjoy the places at their best. When wanderlust strikes, you know it is time to book a flight and just embark on your adventure!
We felt so grateful for all your love and support throughout our journey this year. We will continue to curate greater, genuine and the most wanted travel content! Hope this blog post will inspire you to visit your favourite countries and discover new places. With that said, Happy new year and Happy travels to all of you!
The Most Wanted
– JANET & VINCENT –
Thank you for reading our blog.
All contents are ours and are based on unbiased opinion. We just want to share good stuff so don’t be shy to approach us for any travel related questions!
