Ok, so maybe you didn’t travel as much this year as you would like to. The good thing is, a new year is approaching and it’s the perfect time to set new goals and intentions. 

According to a recent AAA Travel Survey, one-quarter of Americans have plans to go on an international vacation in the next 18 months. The top places in mind for Americans are Dublin, London, Paris, Rome, Mexico, and the Caribbean. 

CNBC recently reviewed many “best places to go” lists and spoke to travel experts about the best times to visit certain destinations. 

If traveling is one of your top priorities for 2020, we’ve got tips for places to go, things to see, and times to visit.

Where Should You Go?

Salzburg, Austria

Fortress Hohensalzburg (castle top), Churches and Salzburg Cathedral, Salzburg, Austria
Getty Images

Lonely Planet released a Best in Travel 2020 list and they picked Salzburg, Austria as the top city to visit next year. 

Washington, D.C. came in second and Cairo, Egypt was the third top destination. 

Lonely Planet writer Kerry Walker says, “The Salzburg Festival [July 18 – August 30] is turning 100, and this heart stealer of an Alpine city is singing about it at the top of its voice.”

If you’re into musicals, Walker reveals, “One of the world’s greatest classical music shindigs, the festival is always a riotous feast of opera, classical music, and drama — and never more so than in 2020.”

Bhutan

Taktshang Goemba or Tiger Nest Monastery was blessed and sanctified as one of the most sacred religious sites in Bhutan.
Getty Images

According to the Rough Guides list of the 4 Best Countries to visit next year, Bhutan came in the top spot. Other countries on the list include Ethiopia and Montenegro. 

Lonely Planet also highlighted Bhutan as the top country to visit next year with England being second and North Macedonia coming in third. 

Joe Bindloss, writer for Lonely Planet says, “A dozen nations vie for the title of real-life Sangri-La, but Bhutan’s claim has more clout than most. This tiny piece of Himalayan paradise operates a strict ‘high-value, low-impact’ tourism policy, compelling travelers to pay a high daily fee [$250] just to set foot in its pine-scented, monastery-crowned hills.”

For more places, Fodors put out a Go List for 2020 which includes 52 destinations.

If You’re Into Luxury Travel…

The luxury travel network Virtuoso shared luxury travel trends in its 2020 Luxe Report.

Young fashion woman on Ponte Santa Trinita, in Florence, Italy, Ponte Vecchio in background.
Getty Images

The report shares: “Italy continues its reign as the global favorite, as well as the top spot for solo travelers. While Croatia heads the list of emerging destinations, attracting buzz due to the Game of Thrones effect as well as its rich history and convenience to other major European hubs.”

The survey shows Antarctica as the top destination for adventure travel in 2020. Greece took the top spot for traveling millennials and third place for honeymoons. 

When Should You Travel?

Kelly Sunderland, travel trends expert for travel site Hipmunk says, “If budget is your number one priority for travel in 2020, it behooves you to consider flying in winter months as nearly all major US cities boast their lowest median booking price in either January or February.”

So there, you have it — let’s all make 2020 the year we travel more!