SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Another decade comes to pass and another begins.

Is now the time to seize the opportunity to experience something new and different in 2020 by travelling to a destination you would have never thought of visiting?

After all, most of us have done the usual rounds offered by local travel companies and tour operators so maybe this year is the perfect moment to break out of our comfortable travel bubble.

Whether beaches are your thing, discovering rich heritage or culture or experiencing new and exotic cuisine, we’ve rounded up EIGHT of the must-visit places in 2020.

But although the world in 2020 could very well be your oyster, don’t forget to travel safe and Staysure Travel Insurance is once again on hand to help you along the way.

“Ideally, you should get your travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday and it’s best not to leave it too late,” said Julian Kearney, who is CEO of Staysure.

“There are many different kinds of travel insurance depending on the kind or number of trips or even possible medical conditions or ages.”

Lebanon

With beautiful beaches, mountains and steeped in rich history, Lebanon is one of the top destinations of ‘places I would never think to visit’. The capital Beirut has trendy cafes and a vibrant club scene. Contrary to what many people may believe due to the political uncertainty in large areas of the Middle East, safety in both Beirut and Lebanon is not an issue. In fact, Lebanon is one of the safest countries in the region. Beirut also boasts a thriving arts scene, from graffiti and street murals to impressive museums and architectural landmarks. The local cuisine - a Middle Eastern style of cooking that includes an abundance of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, starches, meat, fresh fish and seafood - is also great.

Flying time from London: 4hrs and 45min

Average temperatures: Jan (13’C), Feb (12’C), Mar (14’C), Apr (17’C), May (22’C), Jun (25’C), Jul (27’C), Aug (28’C), Sep (27’C), Oct (24’C), Nov (19’C), Dec (14’C)

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Costa Rica

Described as the happiest place on Earth, Costa Rica is renowned for its majestic natural beauty and sunshine. When Steven Speilberg sought out his perfect location to shoot Jurassic Park, the criteria demanded lush forests untouched by man. Need I say more! But there’s also so much more. With over 800 miles of coastline (that is usually around three to four degrees hotter than the inland capital San Jose) and both a Caribbean and a Pacific coast, Costa Rica has some of the best beaches and ticks plenty of boxes for snorkeling enthusiasts. There’s also a great nightlife as Costa Ricans love to party!

Flying time from London: 11hrs and 20min (to San Jose)

Average temperatures (in San Jose): Jan (21’C) (Feb 23’C), Mar (24’C), Apr (24’C), May (23’C), Jun (23’C), Jul (23’C), Aug (23’C), Sep (23’C), Oct (21’C), Nov (22’C), Dec (22’C)

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Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Partially destroyed during the Bosnian War in the early nineties, the beautiful city of Mostar still bears scars of the past but this year will mark 25 years of peace. Developed as a 15th-century Ottoman frontier town, the old buildings have been rebuilt or restored in the 25 years since peace finally came to the region. Local and international artists regularly decorate the abandoned structures with colorful murals. The local bars, cafes and restaurants are also hugely popular. There are no direct flights to Mostar and the usual method of transport is a direct flight to Split or Sarajevo and then a 2-hour bus ride to the city.

Flying time from London: 2hrs and 30min (to Sarajevo)

Average temperatures: Jan (8’C), (Feb 10’C), Mar (12’C), Apr (16’C), May (18’C), Jun (23’C), Jul (25’C), Aug (26’C), Sep (20’C), Oct (17’C), Nov (13’C), Dec (6’C)

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Jamaica

With James Bond returning to the big screen in April this year in ‘No Time To Die’, Jamaica will once again play host to England’s favourite spy. Author Ian Fleming had created his famous character from his villa - which you can now rent - in Jamaica and it’s not hard to see where he got some of his inspiration from. Life takes on a beat of its own in the Caribbean country and Jamaica truly is the ultimate paradise getaway. Whether it’s palm trees on lagoons or the sizzle of jerk over a crackling grill, there is so much to see and do..

Flying time from London: 9hrs and 55min

Average temperatures: Jan (26’C), (Feb 26’C), Mar (27’C), Apr (27’C), May (28’C), Jun (29’C), Jul (29’C), Aug (29’C), Sep (28’C), Oct (28’C), Nov (27’C), Dec (27’C)

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Georgia

Named among the top 2020 destinations by the Association for British Travel Agents (ABTA), Georgia is ideal for those looking to avoid big, bustling crowds of tourists. The country is a hidden gem when it comes to untouched beauty while the capital Tbilisi is a fascinating city to explore. Georgia boasts an array of fine wines and an incredible countryside while the country is mostly covered by forests. For those looking to travel somewhere totally different this year, Georgia is certainly worth a look.

Flying time from London: 4hr and 55min

Average temperatures: Jan (-2’C), (Feb -2’C), Mar (4’C), Apr (10’C), May (16’C), Jun (20’C), Jul (24’C), Aug (23’C), Sep (17’C), Oct (11’C), Nov (5’C), Dec (0’C)

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Luang Prabang in Laos

Looking to head to Asia this year? This ancient city is a remarkable mix of temples and French colonial buildings but it’s not just about it’s cultural attractions and scenic routes. Luang Prabang also has brilliant cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Luang Prabang is the English translation for ‘City of the Golden Buddha Phra Bang’ - the statue said to be the source of the city’s protection since the 14th century. Cycling enthusiasts will really be in for a treat. There are so many different things to see and experience from Buddist monks and markets to incredible waterfalls. Direct flights to Luang Prabang from London are few and far between so expect stopovers.

Flying time from London: 11hrs and 10min

Average temperatures: Jan (21’C), (Feb 23’C), Mar (26’C), Apr (28’C), May (29’C), Jun (28’C), July (28’C), Aug (28’C), Sep (27’C), Oct (26’C), Nov (23’C), Dec (20’C)

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Swedish Lapland

It’s on many people’s bucket list but also one of the things many holiday travelers keep putting on hold. The Northern Lights are a magical experience everyone says must be seen at least once in a lifetime and today, they are more accessible than ever. Most travellers head to Iceland to get a glimpse of them but Swedish Lapland is home to one of the best places in the world to see the natural phenomenon, the Abisko National Park. Lapland is traditionally one of the top cold weather destinations but is also great during other seasons too. With virtually no light pollution and the incredible Icehotel, there really is nowhere else like it in the world.

Flying time from London: 3hrs and 30min (to Kiruna Airport)

Average temperatures: Jan (-11’C), (Feb -10’C), Mar (-8’C), Apr (-4’C), May (6’C), Jun (13’C), Jul (15’C), Aug (13’C), Sep (4’C), Oct (-1’C), Nov (-6’C), Dec (-9’C)

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Namibia

The ultimate destination for adventurers, thrill-seekers and solo travellers, Africa continues to be one of the top places to visit in the world and it wouldn’t be fitting to leave it out of any travel guide! Namibia is not only an extraordinary safari destination but also ideal when it comes to outstanding wildlife and surreal desert scenery. Being one of the lowest population densities on the planet, there is also a sense of calm and tranquility particularly in the Namib Desert. Etosha Park is also infamous for its African wildlife safaris. Temperatures vary in the country which sees extreme differences in temperatures during the day and night, especially in the desert.

Flying time from London: 10hrs and 50min

Average temperatures: Jan (24’C), Feb (23’C), Mar (21’C), Apr (20’C), May (17’C), Jun (15’C), Jul (14’C), Aug (17’C), Sep (20’C), Oct (22’C), Nov (23’C), Dec (24’C)

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With up to 50,000 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, Staysure offers up to £15,000 on cancellations*, unlimited medical expenses, no upper age limits on their polices as well as pre-existing medical condition cover.

Staysure can tailor travel insurance policies to suit the individual needs of customers and also offer optional extras for cruise, golf and winter sports holidays.

For more information, visit the official website by clicking here or telephone Staysure direct on 0800 069 6167.

*Available on comprehensive policies only, subject to medical screening and not available online