Bucket list beaches
Best holiday hotspots at home and abroad
It’s a fascinating time to be a tourist. Travel is cheaper than ever, and countries most of us only ever dreamt of visiting are finally opening their doors to tourism. But you don’t need to travel far. There are a few exciting developments in our own backyard. So here are 20 places for a New Zealander’s bucket list in 2020.
Niue
This tiny little Pacific paradise, three hours from Auckland, is one of the world’s smallest countries.
Just 1500 people live there, on the tip of an extinct volcano. It’s not your average Pacific island, with rock pools instead of beaches, great fishing and, around August, the island is a temporary home to humpback whales using the sheltered waters to give birth. Don’t miss a chance to snorkel with them.
Catlins, Otago
The sparsely populated slice of New Zealand between Balclutha and Invercargill is a nature lover’s dream. Take the winding roads to visit a Jurassic forest, waterfalls, spot dolphins, penguins, seals, and Cathedral Caves that dwarf the Coromandel’s version.
The beaches and coastline along the Catlins are some of the country’s most dramatic.
Bay of Islands, Northland
The Bay of Islands has seen some exciting accommodation pop up, most notably the underground fortress that is Donkey Bay Inn.
The luxury boutique hotel is buried under 270 tonnes of dirt and garden, and each room has been extravagantly styled. The resort even has its own beach, which is a favourite for nudists.
Budapest, Hungary
Hungary’s capital has spectacular architecture, ornate thermal baths, a rich history and sensational food, including langos – a fried flatbread with toppings such as sour cream and cheese.
But what makes Budapest most attractive is the price. Airbnbs are cheap and plentiful, as are the hotels, with four-star rooms available for around $120-$150 a night.
Greenland
Forget Iceland, which is overrun with tourists. Greenland is one of those last frontiers that is slowly opening up to tourism. The enormous county – about eight times the land area of New Zealand – is almost entirely covered by an ice cap.
That means there are no roads to connect towns, it’s all done by air, dog sleds or boats.
Greenland isn’t easy or cheap, but its wild beauty won’t remain off the radar for much longer.
South Georgia
This remote and inhospitable island, which sits two days’ cruise from the southern tip of South America, is a sub-Antarctic wonderland.
Millions of penguins line the beaches, framed against soaring mountains and hulking glaciers.
South Georgia was once one of the world’s largest whaling hubs, with more than 160,000 whales taken from its waters.
Whangarei
Northland’s largest city is best known as a transit point to the Bay of Islands. In other words, most tourists drive through.
But that could change in 2020.
Artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser brought worldwide attention to the tiny Northland town of
Kawakawa, after creating the Hundertwasser toilets. The small roadside bathroom is visited by a gobsmacking 250,000 tourists each year.
Next year, after years of planning, a waterfront Hundertwasser arts centre is due to open in Wha¯ nga¯ rei’s Town Basin. The elaborate building could be the most significant thing to happen to the city’s tourism prospects.
Maldives
The Maldives are exploding in popularity, with 20 new resorts opening this year alone. If you ever dreamt of staying in an overwater villa, this is the best country to start as there are now more than 160 resorts scattered in the archipelago.
There has also been an explosion in budget accommodation opening up on the local islands, where the workers live. There are now more than 500 guest houses, offering basic bed and breakfast service, often for less than $100 a night.
Singapore
If you want an easy introduction to Asia, look no further than Singapore. It’s simple to get around, ultra-modern, clean, and the food is a sizzling fusion of Chinese, Indian and Malaysian.
The other reason you need to see Singapore in 2020 is its airport. The new Changi Jewel terminal has a five-storey indoor waterfall, canopy park, and enormous shopping mall.
Mongolia
Tourism in Mongolia is growing more than 10 per cent a year, and it’s easy to see why. The vast wilderness areas, deserts, snow-capped mountains, and nomadic reindeer put the country firmly on the bucket list of any adventurous traveller.
But get in quick, tourist numbers are rising, with more than 60 resorts spread across the sparsely populated country now.
Borneo
It’s estimated that wild orangutans could be extinct within 10 years, although they can still be spotted in the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra. Borneo is also home to sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres where sightings are guaranteed.
Aside from the jungle, there’s a wealth of eco-resorts, beaches and snorkelling to enjoy.
Tokyo
Yes, some of us would rather forget the Rugby
World Cup, but Japan will burst into the spotlight again in 2020 with the Summer Olympics. If you always wanted to visit Japan, and have an interest in sport, this is the time to go.
Just get in quick, before prices get too high.
Hawaii
Fares to Hawaii were incredibly cheap this year – sometimes less than $500 return – as Air New Zealand and Hawaiian Airlines fought a price war.
Next year is looking no different, so be on the lookout for specials and you could nab flights cheaper than a trip to Australia.
Auckland
Exciting things are happening in Auckland, and all will be revealed in 2020. With the America’s Cup in 2021, a massive amount of construction is under way around the Viaduct.
Later in 2020, a pedestrian-friendly Quay St and new public spaces are due to be completed.
If you haven’t been to Auckland in a few years, you won’t recognise the city.
Egypt
The youngest traveller to visit every country in the world, 21-year-old Lexie Alford, believes Egypt is one of Earth’s most underrated countries. Tourists are returning following a turbulent time since the Arab Spring uprising. Visit now, before the world realises Egypt is back online.
Angkor ruins
Cambodia’s jewel in the crown is the stunning Angkor Archaeological Park, a series of more than 1000 temples that once formed an early super-city. It includes the world’s largest temple, Angkor Wat.
Tourism is booming. In the mid-1990s, just 7500 visited each year. Now, it’s more than 2.6 million.
And the increase looks set to continue, so see this magnificent place before over-tourism strikes.
Papua New Guinea
One of the world’s least explored countries is beginning to crack open the door to tourism.
Papua New Guinea needs care and attention, but if you are willing to take the time, you will experience a country where many still believe in a fascinating traditional way of life.
You can also experience the largest cultural event on Earth, the Hagen Show, where more than 90 performing groups come from all over the country. On the coast, intrepid divers can experience some of the world’s best diving in the outer islands, such as New Britain.
Slovenia
One of Europe’s last off-the-radar gems offers Swiss-style mountains, combined with towns full of old-world architecture.
Slovenia, about half the size of Canterbury, is heaven for skiers, walkers and hikers.
Southern Italy
August and September is a chaotic time to visit Europe. The main summer holidays are under way, and tourist attractions are jammed. But October and November are much quieter and, in places such as Southern Italy, the days are still long and warm. We also found the accommodation much cheaper – one resort was almost $350 in peak season, but $45 in shoulder months.
Dubai
Most people see Dubai from a plane window, in transit to Europe. However, 2020 is a great year to add a stopover. The emirate is hosting Expo 2020, which will attract up to 100 million people over the six-month show.
It’s designed to celebrate ‘‘culture, collaboration and innovation’’. There will be plenty of events to experience the wild desert landscapes the region is renowned for.