Five Great Destinations Making a Comeback in 2020

Five Great Destinations Making a Comeback in 2020



Travel
trends come and go, and with them some great destinations
flutter in and out of the holidaymaker’s spotlight. If you thought
Malta
was only good for retirees, that Marbella was all pool parties and
champagne and that casino culture defined Las
Vegas
, be prepared to have your mind changed.

Five comeback destinations we can’t wait to visit in 2020


Marbella

Spain

Reputation: Pool parties and champagne
spray

Unsung hero: River canyons, historical farmland
and stargazing

Travel inland from Marbella to get a taste of Spain before the
tourists came. A two-hour drive will take you to the historical
farming region of Andalucía, dotted with crumbling ruin,
traditional ranches home to cattle, bulls and goats and untouched
hills best explored on horseback. Alternatively, head to the
Guadalmina River (about 30 minutes’ drive) to visit the cavernous
canyons and untouched wilderness that define the countryside. The
sky comes alive by night; an evening stargazing will offer a
meditative experience that’s within easy reach of the hotel
hotspots and yet feels worlds apart.

When to go: Travel between May
and August
to experience the clearest night skies.

Where to stay: Puente Romano combines the polished side of
Marbella with more than 100 experiences for guests to enjoy, many
of which celebrate the region’s culture. Check in to one of its
suites or villas before enjoying masterclasses in local cuisine as
well as private sessions with sommeliers on days when staying put
appeals.


Kiev

Breadway Bakery

Reputation: Politically uncertain

Unsung hero: The underground nightlife and
music culture

Those looking for a party destination that hasn’t become
oversaturated with tourists and teenagers at the end of exam season
will find solace in Ukraine‘s gritty rave scene, underground clubs
and hidden bars. By day an art space and lecture theatre, the
former factory Closer continues to attract creatives after
dark, when it transforms into a thriving club. Those in-the-know
head here after drinking at one of the city’s “secret” bars:
Barman Dictat or Alchemist. Despite not having a dedicated physical
space, club night Cxema has also become one of the most talked-about
events in Ukraine. It was established after the 2014 economic
crisis as a way of spotlighting local techno DJs and it takes place
in urban public spots like skate parks and garages.

When to go: Check the schedule for Cxmea to
time a trip with one of its events.

Where to stay: Stamped with the Design Hotels’
mark of approval, 11 Mirrors is one of Kiev’s coolest places to bed
down. Dark walls, plush velvet furniture and abstract art will set
an appropriately alternative tone for a weekend in the city.


Las Vegas

United States

Reputation: Casino culture

Unsung hero: The culinary scene

The culinary scene isn’t the most talked-about reason to visit
Las Vegas, but foodies might be surprised to
know that it extends beyond the glamorous hotel restaurants that
line the main strip. Journey 20 minutes by car to Desert Shores and
enjoy a welcome respite in its calming rural setting. The lakes
here are beautiful, so book a table with a view at Marche
Bacchus
. The French bistro has attracted locals for more than
20 years and serves up classic dishes such as pan-seared duck
breast, charred octopus and beef tartare. Just half an hour’s drive
in the opposite direction will lead to the picturesque Old Town in
Boulder City where those looking for authentic all-American diners
and drive-thrus won’t go unsatisfied. Fox Smokehouse
BBQ
is one of our favourites – order chilli-cheese fries,
burgers and burritos followed up by larger-than-life sundaes for
dessert.

When to go: Vegas is always in season.

Where to stay: Located in the heart of the
strip and brimming with all the brightly-lit glamour of a classic
Las Vegas hotel, The Cosmopolitan is OTT in the most playful way. It also
has its own little hidden gem of a restaurant; the New York-style pizzeria known as Secret Pizza.
Hidden down a hallway lined with iconic album covers on the third
floor, it’s standing room and buy-by-the-slice only, but room
service and full pizza options are available for hotel guests.


Malta

Malta

Reputation: Retirement retreat

Unsung hero: The coastal hiking trails in
Gozo

Just off the coast of Malta, accessible from the mainland by
boat or plane, the lesser-known island of Gozo offers a rustic,
back-to-basics experience that feels disconnected from its sister
destination. Its Mediterranean position – south of Sicily and east of Tunisia – means the waters are crystal clear, the
landscape is picturesque and the food is flavoured by diverse
cultural influences. Long walks along the rocky, winding paths are
the best way to explore the coastline. Trace the coast trek from
Marsalforn to Mġarr; the 16km trek passes picturesque sandy
beaches, the mythical Calypso’s Cave (mentioned by Homer in The
Odyssey) and tranquil rural valleys. Alternatively, make your way
to Xlendi Bay to cool off in the waters that surround it.

When to go: May to September,
with the months at either end being prime weather for walking.

Where to stay: The beauty of Gozo is that it’s
not yet a tourist hotspot and hotels are small, considered and
limited in quantity. Thirtyseven Gozo offers a stylish boutique
experience that will only enhance a stay on the island.


Tbilisi

Georgia

Reputation: Sombre after the Rose
Revolution

Unsung hero: The fashion industry

The fashion industry’s fascination with Tbilisi has steadily increased since Sofia
Tchkonia founded Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2015 and native
designer Demna Gvasalia shifted into the spotlight with his cult
label, Vetements. It came at a poignant political time for Georgia
and the event offered a platform for the city’s young creatives to
showcase their experimental approach to design. Today, names
including Matériel, Anouki, Situationist and Mach & Mach are
celebrated the world over, and their collections feel particularly
contextual behind the doors of the city’s coolest concept stores.
IERI is
the ultimate cheerleader for local talent – it exclusively stocks
homegrown labels – while a mix of local and international labels
can be found at Pierrot le Fou. Vintage shopping is somewhat unique
in Tbilisi too, and the best place to hunt for one-of-a-kind
clothing, trinkets, antiques and homewares is the open-air bazaar
of Dry Bridge Market.

When to go: Fashion Week runs in May and
October
each year, so time a trip with the event to experience the city at
its most stylish.

Where to stay: Once a Soviet-era publishing
house, the historic building of Stamba Hotel has been updated with 70s-inspired
interior design, transforming the space and rooms with
floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, opulent roll-top baths and
tan-leather accents.

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