Time to update your travel bucket list with these 10 cities, which Lonely Planet named the best bets for visiting in 2020.
Each year, the guidebook publisher and travel site gathers nominations from its staff, writers, bloggers, publishing partners and more. The nominations are then whittled down by a panel of travel experts to just 10 countries, 10 regions, 10 cities and 10 best value destinations.
Here are the top cities. Learn more about these destinations and what to do while you’re there at www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.
1 Salzburg, Austria
It’s not just the hills that are alive with music. Salzburg is considered Austria’s “most inspiring city” with its Baroque architecture, uniquely preserved city center and 27 stunning churches set against the backdrop of the alps. Add in 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and you’ve good plenty of inspiration
2 Washington, DC
Our nation’s capitol is a hotbed of politics, but it’s also filled with museums, galleries and history, making it one of the most visited cities in the world.
3 Cairo, Egypt
Home to 9 million residents, Cairo offers a rich tapestry of ancient history and the modern world.
4 Galway, Ireland
Galway is known as the City of the Tribes, named for the 14 merchant families that led the city at one time. Visitors will find plenty to see and do there, including touring a fine assortment of castles.
5 Bonn, Germany
Bonn’s ancient roots date back to Rome. Bonn was considered the capital of West Germany and many still consider it to be despite the reunification of East and West.
6 La Paz, Bolivia
Nuestra Señora de La Paz — Our Lady of Peace — is a cultural center of Bolivia, and blends the arts and politics like a chilled Chuflay (a tradition drink of ginger ale and singani, a native spirit distilled from white Muscat de Alejandría grapes, served over ice).
7 Kochi, India
Kochi, known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is a thriving port city that served as the center of spice trading on India’s West Coast. It is ranked high as a tourist destination.
8 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
This coastal seaport city of Western Canada, is the most populous city in the British Columbia province. Vancouver, originally named Gastown, began as a settlement around a makeshift tavern, and is now a thriving city.
9 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai, a former fishing and trading community, grew rapidly with the discovery of oil off its coast. The glittering city has become a tourist magnet.
10 Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City is a jewel in the Rocky Mountains, where its residents and visitors take full advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities, as well as a lively night life.
