Flight of fancy: top travel destinations for 2020

The most exciting new flight routes, expert picks and travel anniversaries – here’s what should be in your diary for 2020

There’s nothing like the grey days of winter to inspire some holiday planning — and choosing one of 2020’s hottest destinations is the quickest way to brighten up a new year. From the biggest travel trends to little-visited city breaks, here’s what should be inspiring your next 12 months of travel, with our pick of the places to see in 2020.

CELEBRATE MAYFLOWER 400

Four centuries ago, The Mayflower made its pioneering voyage across the Atlantic from Plymouth to New England, setting sail on 16 September 1620. And over the next 12 months, the UK and USA are both celebrating the journey.

Illuminate in Plymouth kicked off events this year but there are 11 English locations taking part during 2020, including Doncaster, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, as well as Harwich in Essex, Southwark in London, Southampton in Hamp

shire, plus Dartmouth in Devon. There’ll be everything from exhibitions to heritage trails with a new app giving details of what’s on. mayflower400uk.org/app

Across the water, there will be more celebrations in Massachusetts and Connecticut too, including a chance to see a replica of the original ship in Mayflower Sails 2020. plymouth400inc.org

WALK ENGLAND

More sections of the England Coast Path are set to open in 2020, part of the grand scheme to grant access to the country’s entire coastline. Once it’s complete, it’ll be the longest continuous trail of its kind in the world, stretching for almost 3,000 miles.

The new sections include England’s Creative Coast, linking artworks along the Kent, Sussex and Essex coastline, as well Cumbria’s Hidden Coast, with a 40-mile trail from Whitehaven to Millom including art installations and adventure activities. nationaltrail.co.uk/england-coast-path

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

This trend only gets bigger each year — 2019 saw the start of ‘flight shaming’ and more travellers are set to choose the train this year, especially for short breaks.

As overtourism continues to be an issue for many cities, there’s also a new focus on undertourism as more people skip the traditional escapes for less popular destinations.

And with the world’s oceans in the spotlight, countries making moves to cut down on plastic are getting a boost, while ghost-netting holidays for divers — removing nylon fishing nets and lines from the world’s seas – are a another new holiday option.