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The Best Trips to Take in 2020, According to National Geographic

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Where do you plan on traveling in 2020? Somewhere overseas, or maybe you plan to keep it domestic?

Either way, the new list of “transformative travels” from National Geographic will definitely get you thinking about where you might want to explore next year.

George Stone, executive editor of travel at National Geographic, says, “Best Trips is our annual list of where to go, what to know and how to see the world in the year ahead. To build the list we worked with National Geographic editors around the world as well as photographers, writers, explorers and, of course, passionate travelers to report on the essential sites to see and places to be in 2020.”

Here are the lists from National Geographic, broken down into different categories: Culture, City, Nature, and Adventure.

Culture Picks

1. Asturias, Spain

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So glad to be back ? . Because it’s the rainy season this time of year, we were afraid it would rain the entire duration of our stay in Northern Spain, but Oviedo greeted us with sunshine and warmth ? . It’s interesting to come back to the first place that inspired me to travel, 4 years later, with a new perspective. I still feel at home here and appreciate the classic beauty, friendly faces and pace of life of this tiny town in the mountains. ?? . Which place first inspired you to travel? ✈️ . . . . . #oviedospain #turismoasturias #oviedoasturias #visitasturias #travelgram #lovetotravel #spainlove #asturiasspain #españa #lovespain #visitspain #northernspain #spainmyworld

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2. Guizhou Province, China

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Huangguoshu Waterfall #waterfall #huangguoshu #黄果树风景区 #huangguoshuscenicarea #huangguoshuwaterfall #huangguoshufalls #huangguoshunationalpark #nationalpark #黄果树 #黄果树瀑布 #黄果树大瀑布 #rhinocerospool #baishuiriver #白水河 #zhenning #zhenningcounty #镇宁 #anshun #安顺 #guizhou #贵州省 #贵州 #guizhouprovince #guizhouprovincechina #china #中国

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3. Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

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#göbeklitepeturkey #tarih

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4. Maya, Guatemala

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Guatemala #visitguatemala #americacentral #latinoamerica #maya

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5. Mendoza Province, Argentina

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Provincia de Mendoza • Egzaminy i projekty skończone w pierwszym tygodniu, drugi wolny na podróże. W sobotę spakowałam plecak, a w nocy w niedzielę dopiero zdecydowałam w którym kierunku jadę w poniedziałek. Ale chyba dobrze trafiłam, prawda? ?☀️ ••• Exams and projects done in the first week, the second free to travel. On Saturday I packed my backpack and on Sunday I decided where I were going to on Monday. But I ended up nice, didn’t I? ————————————————- #mendoza #potrerillos #lake #andes #mountains #argentina #mendozaprovince #experiencesouthamerica #backpacker #girlswhotravel #backpackersintheworld #southamerica #polacywpodrozy #podrozniczka #podroz #travel #mochilera #hitchhiking #nature #amazingworld

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6. Abu Simbel, Egypt

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?Abu Simbel, site of two temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II (reigned 1279–13 BCE), now located in Aswān muḥāfaẓah (governorate), southern Egypt. In ancient times the area was at the southern frontier of pharaonic Egypt, facing Nubia. The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. By means of a complex engineering feat in the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by erection of the Aswan High Dam. Photo ? by: @alexinavannes . Follow @antiktarih ? _ Follow us for more Archaeological Photography ? ??@archeo.photo ?? ? _ ?#archaeology ?#archeology ?#archeologia ?#arqueologia ?#arkeoloji ?#археология ?#arqueología #archéologie ?#archäologie ?#abusimbel ?#ancienttemple

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City Picks

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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WPW shot of Billy watching the sunrise, as he does every morning, keeping watch over our fair city and all of her inhabitants, as we wake up for a new day. With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I have to say I am very thankful for my family most of all, but the success of our business this past year was quite unexpected, thanks to all of you, our loyal followers, so thank you all for all of your support over the years!! Really means a lot! ______________________________________ Equipment: Mavic 2 Pro Editing: Lightroom Location: Center City, Philly Settings: ISO 100, 10.26mm, f/2.8, 1/30sec ______________________________________ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #depthdiscovered #visitphilly #philly #philadelphia #shotzdelight #yophillymag #artofvisuals #trappingtones #gramslayers #instagood #citykillerz #depthobsessed #wanderlust #illgrammers #citygrammers #way2ill #howphillyseesphilly #stayandwander #trappingtones #unknownperspectives #agameoftones #theimaged #moodygrams #phillyphire #heatercentral #drone #meistershots #roamtheplanet #williampennwednesday #rawurbanshot 

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2. Telč, Czech Republic

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Wonderful autumn panorama of colorful #UNESCO-protected #Telč This small town is a definition of #picturesque ? with charming gingerbread houses, ancient churches and an imposing Castle? That's @de_weg_ here with #visitCZ IG takeover? Go straight to the stories to see more of the beautiful #CzechRepublic⬆ . . . . #city #street #architecture #citylife #cityscape #cities #travel #instatravel #travelstyle #explore #exploring #photooftheday #buildings #citylights #town #instadaily #cityphotography #oldtown #oldcity #architecturephotography #citycenter #citybestpics #cityview

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3. Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

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All around #FortKochi ?? #RoseDaily #RoseTravels2019 #RoseTravels #RoseToTheWorld #India #WhenInIndia #Kerala #WhenInKerala #Kochi #Cochin #FortCochin #WhenInKochi #WhenInKochin

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4. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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#mostar #visitmostar #oldbridge #starimost #balkan #bosnia #visitbosnia #visitbalkan #wonderful_places #igersbosnia #travel #traveling #instatravel #photooftheday #reisen #ig_exyu #ourplanetdaily #discoverearth #travelgram #hobbyfotografie #hobbyphotography #bosnahersek #reiselust #beautifulview #explorebosnia #outdoorbosnia #ovojebih #bihy #lavidabosnia

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5. Parma, Italy

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Parma, Italy ? @marylouu89 #parma #italy

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6. Puebla, Mexico

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In the past, all Cuetzalan was inhabited by the majestic birds called "Quetzales", their feathers were used as an offering being given as tribute to the Aztecs by the cultures that lived here. Hence it is believed to be one of the reasons for the name of this Town, Cuetzalan, or as its name says "Abundant Place of Quetzales." Who do you want to tour Cuetzalan with?  Share it! ❤️??⛰️ ?Cuetzalan, Puebla. _ En el pasado, todo Cuetzalan estaba habitado por las majestuosas aves llamadas "Quetzales", sus plumas eran usadas como ofrenda siendo entregadas como tributo a los aztecas por parte de las culturas que aquí vivian. De ahí es que se cree que es uno de los motivos del nombre de este Pueblo, Cuetzalan, o como su nombre lo dice "Lugar Abundante de Quetzales". ¿Con quién quieres recorrer Cuetzalan? Comparteselo! ❤️??⛰️ ?Cuetzalan, Puebla. . ?Fotografía y derechos propiedad de…@omargonval . Equipo MEXICOFORALL??… @diego_lazaro_mtz . Recuerda etiquetarme y usar el #mexico_for_all para futuras menciones! ?‍♂️?‍♀️

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Nature Picks

1. Magdalen Islands, Quebec, Canada

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How majestic does #magdalenislands look?! ?️? @mathieu_dupuis_photo says this spot in #québec  is one of his “favourite locations in all of Canada” as it’s “heaven on earth.” ⬇ PHOTO OF THE DAY?June?11?2019? _____________________________________________ ? Location: #ilesdelamadeleine #quebec ⭐ Photos credit by?@mathieu_dupuis_photo? ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ⓒ ⓞ ⓝ ⓖ ⓡ ⓐ ⓣ ⓤ ⓛ ⓐ ⓣ ⓘ ⓞ ⓝ ⓢ follow @livelovecanada Tag #livelovecanada . ? #cliffs #explorequebec #ig_color #ig_captures #banff #explorebc #explorecanada #canada #montreal #edmonton #ottawa #calgary #novascotia #6ix #mississauga #winnipeg #usa #saskatchewan #yukon #nyc #streetsoftoronto #tofino #toronto #ontario #alberta

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2. Kalahari Desert, Botswana

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The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa. One of the most interesting Kalahari Desert facts is that it is not a desert in the strictest sense of the word, as it receives too much rainfall – between 5 and 10 inches annually. However any rain filters rapidly through the vast expanses of sand, leaving nothing on the surface, turning the Kalahari into the "thirstland". The name “ Kalahari” is derived from the Tswana word Kgala, meaning "the great thirst", or Kgalagadi, meaning "a waterless place". . . ? @beautifuldestinations ? #Kalahari #kalaharidesert . . #botswana #namibia?? #southafrica #visualsofafrica #africantourism #nomadsafaris  #traveladdict #safariadventure #africangeographic  #discoverafrica #iloveafrica #safarilife #africanwildlife  #giraffe #africanroadtrip #bushveld #savanna #southernafrica

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3. Bialowieza Forest, Belarus/Poland

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Puszcza Białowieska. Photographer Yuri Lapicki #беловежскаяпуща #беловежскаяпуща???? #bnwphotography #bnwlife #sunset_pics #sunset_vision #sunset_stream #sunset_ig #sunsetphotography #беловежскаяпуща#sunsets #białowieża#sunset#sunsetporn #bialowiezaforest#sunset_stream #naturephotography#sunset_pics #nature_photo#nature_photography #puszczabialowieska #dziendobry#goodmorning

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4. National Blue Trail, Hungary

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Országos Kéktúra Tapolca – Badacsonytördemic 5.szakasz 17,3km #országoskéktúra #hungary ??#magyarorszag #kéktúra #kektura #induljelegyúton #végigakéken #nationalbluetrail #kéktúrazöldkaland #okt #túrázás #túra #kirándulás #természet #természetjárás #természetfotó #várak #naturephotography #lásdmegaszépet #landscape #tájkép #landscapephotography #adventures #photoofhungary #beautifulhungary #castle #balaton #hikephotography #treking #másfélmilliólépésmagyarországon

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5. Canary Islands, Spain

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One of the most stunning natural parks is found in #fuerteventura Do you recognize this crystal waters? ? by @ele.lr #canaryislands #naturalpark #travel #unlimitedparadise #canarias #spain #enjoyfuerteventura

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6. Maldives

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#Doubletap if you’d go here!♥️ Tag someone you’d bring!?

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7. Grand Canyon, Arizona

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Sedona is Beautiful from Above ❤️? @jonhuynh1

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Adventure Picks

1. Tasmania, Australia

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A picture postcard of tranquil coastal life at Stanley and the Nut captured by @fourwhoexplore. A town of perfectly preserved colonial buildings, genteel cafes and quaint B&B cottages, Stanley is a 1-hour drive west of the city of Burnie on @visitcradlecoast. The history, heritage and homeliness of this restful town settled at the base of The Nut (a 150-metre-high volcanic plug) make it the perfect spot for a spring getaway. ??☀️ Thanks for tagging #discovertasmania, guys!

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2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria

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Die Großglockner Hochalpenstraße… Was für ein Bild von @agnesinaustria! #repost ? Bis 3. November hat die schöne Panoramastraße heuer noch geöffnet, bevor es in die Winterpause geht! ❤ . . . #großglockner #hikingworldwide #grossglockner #panoramastrasse #grossglocknerhochalpenstrasse #kärnten #salzburg #grossglocknerhighalpineroad #carinthia #austria #österreich?? #hohetauern #amazing_places #top10kärnten #bergauf #bergwelten #alpenüberquerung #alpenpanorama #wanderful_places #kärntenisleians #wanderlust #mototravel #bikelife #austrianalps #austriatravel #austriagram #highalpine #karintie #großglocknerhochalpenstraße

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3. Wales Way, UK

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? New Quay, Ceredigion on The Coastal Way – a 180-mile (290km) odyssey that threads between blue seas on one side and big mountains on the other. by @wearekingingit

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4. Tohoku, Japan

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達沢不動滝 秋Ver? 2019/11/2 夏に続き、秋も達沢不動滝へ訪問しました。 以前投稿した 塔のへつり に行く前、朝方を狙いました。 タイミングとしては落葉が進んでいて、ギリギリセーフといった感じでした? 相変わらず糸を引くような流れに日差しが入り、水がキラキラと光る光景と、紅葉?との組み合わせがとても綺麗✨でした? 良く撮られるのは男滝と呼ばれるほうですが、左隣には女滝があります。此方も一緒にアップします? #絶景 #フォトジェニック #達沢不動滝 #紅葉 #滝 #滝好きな人と繋がりたい #いなわしろ新八景 #ふくしまの水三十選 #自然好きな人と繋がりたい #写真好きな人と繋がりたい #写真撮ってる人と繋がりたい #ファインダー越しの世界 #けしからん景色 #絶景辞典 #福島県 #猪苗代町 #東北 #行くぜ東北 #秋の東北インスタキャンペーン #極上の会津 #tohoku #fukushima #japan #zekkei_delic_j #dokoiku #retrip_nippon #spira_spot #bestphoto_japan

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5. Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

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Озеро в кратере вулкана Горелый Пожалуй, один из самых доступных вулканов для восхождения. До него достаточно легко добраться – на проходимой машине ехать 4 часа, находится он в 75 км (по прямой дороге) от Петропавловска-Камчатского. Восхождение на него занимает от 3 до 6 часов в зависимости от подготовки путешественника. Высота 1829м, набор высоты по вертикали 900м, уклон пологий 25°. Подъем хоть и затяжной, но весьма лёгкий, осилить его сможет каждый, чтобы самому увидеть эту красоту! ?@victorr_joy

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6. Zakouma National Park, Chad

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This dry and dusty time of the year in Zakouma create the most spectacular sceneries in the last light of day at sunset. Photo by @lifethroughalensphotography #zakouma #zakouma_national_park #kordofan #giraffe #conservation #wildlife #safari #explore #africa #chad #africanparksnetwork

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Have you visited any of these destinations? Or maybe now you want to after these recommendations?

Share your travel thoughts and plans with us in the comments!