Destinations to Watch 2020
From far-flung dream landscapes of Patagonia and Ladakh to city escapes like St. Petersburg, Dubai and Tel Aviv to the entire coastline of Turkish Riviera, here are 15 exceptionally beautiful places that are being added to the bucket lists of luxury travellers in the know.
The map of the world is sprinkled with well-known cities in prominent serifs, usually hiding away equally glorious lands that enchant with their remarkable wonders. Tucked inside the continents or lingering in their own archipelago, 2020’s most anticipated destinations lure with otherworldly terrains and cultural legacies, all set to inspire at the arrival of the new decade.
Patagonia
Dramatic landscapes of ice and fire, with stark grasslands and deserts dominate the skirts of the icy fjords that lead to Los Glaciares in Argentina’s Patagonia. A gargantuan ice sheet covers the remarkable Moreno Glacier, wonderfully carved with winter hands and whispers striking glacial roars from its frosted body. The evening covers the dramatic icy scape with terror, but mornings illuminate the stark, blue colours into immaculate white backdrops that shine with diamond-like facets.
It is a region divided—one given to the icy chill of the Andes where gauchos thrive in their thick woollen coats, riding their horses while leading their cattle. Jovial ranches are hidden within the snowy depths, making a perfect stop-over for long drives. The stark mountains are accessed through a photogenic trip through the Seven Lakes, where strong winds blow between the glassy waterscapes and the snow-capped peaks. Bariloche, a swoony Alpine-like town, brims with the thoughts of hot chocolate and skiing, with stunning lake views lead to a string of quaint hangouts filled with campers. La Trochita, a steam-powered train, pierces through the railroads of Esquel and into the backwater towns of Bajo Caracoles. One’s greatest undertaking, one should note, is the El Chaltén, the most sought-after hiking destination in the world, with scenic hikes filled with forests and waterfalls, with sumptuous stops to many Patagonian restaurants to quell the hunger.
The other half of Patagonia is one dedicated to Argentina, a summary sight in blue, lodged at the tail of Rio Negro where the southern right whale occasionally peeps through the waters. At Puerto San Julián, Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan made his first step into the soil, encountering the lofty Patagones tribesmen whose mythical prowess gave birth to the region’s name. Magellan found his way into Patagonian living. A strait was named after him, one that leads to the dramatic Cabo Virgenes, a mystical island capped off with a lighthouse and a grand colony of wobbling Magellanic penguins.
Ladakh
A wistful landscape of sandy dunes, set beside sun-dappled stream-like rivers and overlooked by an array of icy mountains— Ladakh is a miraculous contrast of nature’s ultimate gifts, one that is almost supernatural to behold. The stony, icy terrain gazes down from above, cautiously keeping a secret beneath its robes, for inside its jagged exteriors is a kingdom sacred to men. As boots crunch on the jagged rocks, there is, at a distance, the faint sound of chanting, for the Buddhists have thrived here in secret, often leaving flags in sacred caves where they utter their purest prayers.
The concealed state of Ladakh is nestled in the northern edge of India. Created as a new state, Ladakh is a revelation, with a vast plain spreading in the east, a series of lakes that lead to a glorious winter-swept realm. Leh, the heart of Ladakh, is embraced by the raw peaks of Ladakh Range, beaming at the world with earthly colours and an extensive collection of Gompas that are seemingly carved out of stone. These Buddhist monasteries, wonderfully erected on the cliffside, offer the most panoramic views from above, all while dousing one with a sacred, meditative air that heals the heart.
At Nimmu, frothy white waters ripple downwards, creating a path for rafting. The mountainous landscape beckon for trekking—the Karakoram Ranges befit climbers with a gripping expedition with its stony facets and remote stupas, hidden in the valleys, become a medal to every rocky conquest. Snowy passes become thrilling terrains with a 4x4 vehicle piercing through its wintry tracks. At Pangong Tso, sunrise becomes the most awaited event, with the golden rays beaming at the white tents spread across the shore. The hidden lakeside view is most beautiful at night, where millions of stars bespeckle the indigo sky, giving one a peek of the distant universe.
St. Petersburg
Pastel clouds, as if painted by a skilled artist’s paintbrush, are reflected over the tepid canals of Russia’s other imperial capital, whimsically lined with luxury homes and hotels to the end of the street like gems of a crown. Water boats traverse through its watery navel, sublimely making way to the Neva River where bigger ships cruise elegantly during summer, most of them crooning with an intimate serenade by its decks. It is the Venice of the North, exuding the same decadence and romance with its rustic stone walls and ornate metalwork. St. Petersburg however enchants with a few more wonders.
Nevsky Prospekt, the main street, is a generous display of Russia’s most iconic landmarks, all clad in their rustic stone facades that bear tales told by time. The historic boulevard, adorned with many baroque-style palaces, lingers with an old-world air; the State Hermitage Museum now occupies the Winter Palace, an imposing architectural spectacle that was once the residence of Russian royalties. The second-largest art museum in the world is the ultimate place to absorb a spark of genius, from Picasso’s best paintings to remnants of the Italian Renaissance.
History and recollection become a recurring theme in St. Petersburg, for there is also the Russian Museum, spread over four sprawling palaces, and the more modern Erarta Museum, which curates contemporary pieces. Just within reach are a slew of cathedrals, all majestic in their own right, and globally acclaimed theatres that showcase highly satisfying performances of ballet, opera, and orchestra, for the more refined audience. For the lovers of souks, Eliseyev Emporium beckons with its Art Deco-inspired interiors, with its walls decked with souvenirs, chocolates and delectable caviar.
For a legitimate gastronomic getaway, wandering around Rubinstein Street leads to many delicious openings, with a line-up of contemporary dining venues that stirs St Petersburg with a lively nightlife. At nightfall, this avenue gains an eager crowd of fiery foodies, all geared up to absorb festive meals served with a hint of Russia’s multicultural flavours.
Mauritius
It is a modern-day Eden; an island marooned deep into the Indian Ocean, wonderfully cared for by its tropical winds and verdant, blue-green seas. Powder white beaches lead into its unsung paradise, where sunsets and sunrises throw gracious palettes on the luminous sea. Further into its forested zones, waterfalls ambiently cascade down its rocky cliffs, surrounded by green ferns that dances at the cool breeze. The Black River Gorges, boasting of the island’s best vistas, opens possibilities for a fresh hike, affording one to gape into the lush hills and strips of waterfalls. The Mauritian kestrel might show itself to unexpecting visitors, circling through the air with its long, white tail.
From Flic en Flac, where the towering cliffs create the perfect stage for the palm-lined shore, is a turquoise lagoon most sought for diving expeditions. Drop off at La Cathédrale, where a glorious landscape of ledges and stipples burst with colourful reefs, home to many marine species. Groupers, angelfish, lobsters, and snappers slither through the cavelets, while lobsters appear handsomely in their pincers. Rising from the west coast is Chamarel, a spectacular village that awakens the gastronomical adventurers. Tucked in its road town are fine-dining establishments that serve with a riveting Mauritian fare. Not to be missed is the Terres de 7 Couleurs, a singular museum that engages one’s senses.
Lodged at the east coast of the island, Île aux Cerfs is the best venue to conquer the winds and water. The
Deer Island, admired for its white sand beaches and gorgeous lagoon, is the best itinerary for water skiing and parasailing. Surrounded by lush greenery, a dormant volcano with a distinct, watery crater lies at Trou aux Cerfs. Murr’s Volcano, as it is locally called, rises 605 metres above the sea and creates a spectacular landscape from a distance. Jogging within its trails lead to jawdropping views of the Rempart Mountain, shaped like a sharp fang, the island’s most famous trekking destination.
Dubai
Towering skyscrapers light up the futureforward oasis tucked inside the sweeping Arabian Desert, revelling in its untamed environment while thriving with its swanky, excessive surprises. It is the playground for luxury, where globally cherished signature brands are common playthings, and cosmopolitan caves are gloriously decked with all kinds of opulence, including hints of gold in unexpected corners. Expansive shopping malls indulge the thrillers with decadent offerings, while on the horizon marks a picture-perfect spectacle as the sun glides up against the rising steel-andglasswork perched all over the capital.
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, shaped like the sail, is perched by the sandy shore, tickling one’s penchant for the sea while affording most stunning views of the city from its breath-taking deck. Downtown Dubai dazzles with the sight of Burj Khalifa and the bustling beehives of souks and epicurean feasts. Deep within its contemporary façade are traces of its history, translated through its diverse landscape and opulent Bedouin tents tucked in remote parts of the desert.
The world turns to Dubai with a delighted gaze; during Expo 2020, experiences are made superlative, and the city flings its doors open to the world’s most indulgent convention. For 173 days, Dubai hosts its global guests with opulent gifting of sensorial immersion, from the glimpse at the Hyperloop, a taste of world-class flavours, an expansive gallery of art, and a series of heart-stopping performances to entertain its outdoor crowd. Astonishing and ambitious, Dubai does not hold back, pleasuring every beholder with imaginative, almost jaw-dropping concepts of breaking the impossible into tangible innovations that spark change and transform the world, one indulging experience at a time.
The southernmost island of Japan bears a vibrant, tropical eccentricity, where coastlines are decorated with volcanic peaks and heartstopping rock formations among the vibrant hilly landscape, creating the ideal stage for an extended summer. At its heart, Fukuoka charms with its cosmopolitan gifts—a gargantuan shopping district perched above a canal, a towering observation deck, and tranquil parks around the lakes, affording one quiet moments of meditating. The biggest city in Kyushu is home to grand castles and museums, as well as its satisfying cuisine, best taken in its local yatai. The food carts, at night, are enthusiastically flooded with night owls partaking beer and the much-loved Hakata ramen, served with thick broth stewed from pork bones.
Just nearby, Nagasaki bears the memory of World War II, not as a ghost of remorse, but as a beacon of light to remind the coming generation of better paths to take. Hashima Island still bears abandoned mines but, quite aptly, has become a favourite location for many Bond films. Decked with iconic churches, blissful shrines, and a grand harbour, the city sings with a song of memorial that beautifully keeps the atmosphere at peace.
At Nichinan, waves ripple with energy as local surfers break along the blue coast. More water wanders are seen in Kurokawa, an onsen bath perched at the edges of a steep gorge that offers the best of a ryokan holiday. Ibusuki steams with its volcanic sand baths, where bodies are doused with the heated soil that promises many wellness properties. A beating volcano is also the backdrop of Kagoshima, whose majestic peaks watch over the island across the city bay, constantly puffing out a fine coating of ash that drapes the landscape with a snow-like blanket. As Tokyo swarms with tourists at the opening of the Olympics 2020, a shinkansen to Fukuoka avoids the sight of the crowds and an opportunity to revel at Japan’s other opulent offerings.