Lonely Planet has released their ranking of the must see destinations in the world in 2020. Looking at the results of the best regions to visit, the second position immediately captures out attention as it is occupied by the Italian region of Marche. Let's have a look at the top 5 places on the ranking elaborated by Lonely Planet:
Silk Road, Central Asia
A rich area in the past thanks to trade and travel, the Central Asian Silk Road region is once again at the centre of world interests. Its ancient cities, lively bazaars and wild landscapes attract more and more people seeking adventure on one of the world's most legendary travel itineraries. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan now allow visitors from almost anywhere in the world to enter without a visa or with an electronic visa, and the region is also taking steps to create a unique visa. Meanwhile, massive investments in transport and infrastructure, largely supported by the Chinese government's Belt and Road Initiative, make the so-called 'New Silk Road' more accessible than ever.
Marche, Italy
After decades in a somewhat secluded role, Marches is finally ready to take centre stage and tops the list of things to do in Italy. The region will move to the forefront in 2020, when the walled city of Urbino, one of the area's most evocative cities, will lead the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of the death of the great Renaissance painter Rafael. This is the perfect opportunity to start discovering an incredible territory, in many ways still largely unknown. And probably one of the reasons for its great charm is precisely the fact that visitors are able to explore, in relative solitude, majestic Roman ruins, rising Gothic architecture, enormous medieval castles and sublime Renaissance palaces that house art collections among the richest in Italy.
Tōhoku, Japan
Japan will be a country full of buzz in 2020, when the eyes of the world will be on Tokyo for the Olympic Games, and perhaps no region of the country will be more eager to participate in the celebrations than Tōhoku itself. This area, which somewhat lacks tourists, is still recovering from the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in 2011 and has also worked hard to restore transportation, develop new long-distance trekking routes, and rebuild and improve tourism infrastructure. Already known in Japan for its spectacular natural landscapes, cultural heritage, traditional festivals, good food and warm hospitality, Tōhoku is a breath of fresh air for adventurous travellers tired of crowds, and is only a few hours from the capital by high speed train.
Maine, USA
The largest state in New England has always shown great pride, but it is in 2020 that this feeling will reach its peak, thanks to the bicentennial celebrations of its institution. Maine's small and large cities will host exhibitions, concerts and festivals to commemorate its 200-year history. But even without that milestone, this is the perfect time for a trip to Maine. In recent years, the culinary scene has experienced a real boom, with farm-to-table restaurants, artisan bakeries, coffee roasters and craft brewers spreading throughout the territory. And despite the growing popularity, it's easy to escape the crowds by heading to the vast forests and spectacular coastline dotted with charming lighthouses.
Lord Howe Island, Australia
Located well and truly in the middle of nowhere, 600km off the Australian coast, this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage island is breathtaking at first sight. Two towering green mountains dominate a magnificent lagoon and the world's southernmost coral reef and perfect sand crescents and beautiful hiking trails through lush forests offer many possibilities of outdoor activities. The isolation of this land, born from a volcano, has determined the life of many species native to the island and a rich bird life. A shining example of sustainable tourism management, a maximum of 400 visitors are admitted at any one time and are invited to participate in a number of ecological projects. Lord Howe's remoteness makes this a simply idyllic destination.
Article seen at: Best in Travel 2020 - Top Regions (Lonely Planet)
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