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Bhutan is carbon neutral and also plans to be the first fully-organic nation by 2020
England has been listed as one of the best countries in the world to visit next year by travel experts Lonely Planet.
The guide’s newly published Best in Travel 2020 guide puts England in second place behind only Bhutan, the small Himalayan nation famed for its spectacular scenery and Buddhist temples.
Rounding out the top five behind England were North Macedonia, Aruba and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland).
As The Guardian reports, the entry for England read: “Brexit uncertainties have dominated the headlines in recent years but one constant amid all the confusion has been the timeless treasures that England is famous for: the historic castles and cathedrals, the quaint villages and rolling countryside, and of course, the seaside.”
Here’s a look at the full list of the best travel destinations for 2020:
1. Bhutan
Surrounded by more high-profile Himalayan regions in India, Nepal and Tibet, it’s easy to miss Bhutan. But this tiny mountainous nation is growing in stature when it comes to tourism, especially - as Lonely Planet puts it - “with green travel and overtourism on the minds of many travellers”.
The kingdom, which requires all visitors to pay a hefty $250-per-person-per-day surcharge to the government, is already carbon neutral but also plans to be the first fully organic nation by 2020, says The Independent.
2. England
With a potentially catastrophic no-deal Brexit on the horizon, England’s ranking on the list may come as a surprise to some. But not Lonely Planet, which suggests that the opening of new stretches of the England Coast Path next year will “provide travellers with more access to the wonders of the English shore”.
“Taking a bracing walk on a windswept pier, eating delicious fish and chips, searching for marine life in rockpools, finding fossils in ancient cliffs, building sandcastles and dolphin-spotting on picturesque beaches are just some of the activities offered by the English seaside,” the travel guide says.
3. North Macedonia
Known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (or simply Macedonia) until a historic agreement with Greece last year, North Macedonia is a naturally diverse nation in the southern Balkans featuring dramatic mountains, canyons and lakes.
The country, whose grandiose capital Skopje is one of the most architecturally striking cities in southern Europe, is characterised by a complex but fascinating national identity and millennia of history.
4. Aruba
The Caribbean island of Aruba is a controversial choice as it is not technically a sovereign nation (rather a part of the Netherlands) but its picture-perfect beaches, complete with palm trees and white sand, have landed it a place in the top five.
“With a flurry of new home-sharing accommodation and experiences on offer, an authentic, more affordable, and sustainable Aruba awaits among its palm-fringed and pristine beaches,” Lonely Planet says.
5. Eswatini
Eswatini is another country to have undergone a major rebranding effort recently, having been known as Swaziland for decades prior to 2018.
Offering world-class safari experiences for intrepid travellers, the country is currently one of the least-visited in Africa, but this is set to change in 2020 with the opening of a new international airport and improved road network.
6. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long been a mainstay for Americans looking for warmer climes and blue waters in winter, but the country looks set to open up to the wider world in 2020.
Like others on the list, the country is courting the travelling community by promoting sustainability, with 90% of its energy created by renewable sources.
7. The Netherlands
The total number of foreign tourists visiting the Netherlands in 2017 was 16.2 million, making it one of the more mainstream options on Lonely Planet’s list.
However, that doesn’t make it any less desirable as a destination for laid-back travellers, with one of the best rail networks in Europe transporting visitors between a whole host of historic sites, tulip fields and trademark windmills.
8. Liberia
Perhaps the most unusual presence in the top ten is Liberia, a country plagued by conflict, violence and disease for decades until recently.
Lonely Planet says that the country, founded by freed slaves from the US in the 1800s, is chock full of “natural wonders” such as “idyllic beaches” and dense rainforest that could lure visitors next year. But the travel site appears to be alone in that assertion: the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warns that the threat of terrorism, violent crime and malaria all remain high.
9. Morocco
Morocco’s tourism sector suffered badly in the wake of multiple revolutions and deadly terror attacks from 2011 onwards, but appears to be on the mend despite a number of troubling incidents in 2018 and 2019.
For its relatively small size, Morocco is teeming with remarkably diverse landscapes, from surfing beaches and bustling cities to arid deserts and freezing mountaintops.
10. Uruguay
Argentina’s chilled-out neighbour is slowly gaining a reputation among travellers heading to South America for its gorgeous beaches, spectacular food and willingness to pave the way on social causes.
“From marijuana legalisation and the open embrace of LGBTQ+ rights to the promotion of sustainable tourism,” Lonely Planet says, Uruguay has “proudly championed a progressive social agenda in recent years”.