10 Trips We’re Going to Book as Soon as This is All Over (and Why)

Whether you're a frustrated food-lover or a shackled party-goer, these are the destinations we'll be visiting once this dystopian bubble has finally burst.

Escapism in the time of coronavirus: 10 destinations we can't wait to visit

Forte dei Marmi

Italy

Why? Help a brother out.

Lemons the size of human heads, craggy islands that fade into sky-blue waters and enchantingly haunted ruins: the Amalfi Coast has its perks. We suspect it might be a little busy once Italy starts welcoming visitors once again, so we'll be shuffling slightly along the shore to Forte dei Marmi on the Versilia coast. It's where Tuscans holiday - the Sunday market here is the stuff of fashion legend.

Where to stay: Villa Grey

Vilnius

Lithuania

Why? We might be out of the woods, but we're now in a recession, folks.

This deliciously affordable capital city has recently been brought to our attention. If we weren't in lockdown, we'd book a return ticket pronto. As it stands, this cutesy medieval enclave and the neighbouring "Republic of Užupis" - a tongue-in-cheek title given to the city's bohemian district - will have to wait.

Where to stay: Hotel PACAI

Omo Valley

Ethiopia

Why? To break out of our self-isolation echo-chamber.

If any trip could help us break free from this self-isolation echo-chamber, it's a sweep through the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. You'll find esoteric pockets of welcoming tribespeople and a group of diligent artisans known as the Dorze weavers turning out magnificent textiles as per local tradition.

Where to stay: Bale Mountain Lodge

Leipzig

Germany

Why? To ceremoniously welcome the return of mass gatherings.

It's Berlin's lesser-known sister city. Once mass gatherings are back on the cards, we'll be redressing the imbalance (financial, fun and otherwise) by dancing through the nights at Leipzig's warehouse parties and pootling about its contemporary art galleries during the days.

Where to stay: Meisterzimmer

Galway

Ireland

Why? For a much-needed palate cleanser (we're a bit bored of tinned beans to be honest). Since 2018, when it was named European Region of Gastronomy, this Irish city has been on the must-visit list of every food-obsessed travel junkie. It's not just about the city's salty-fresh seafood, though. We'll be hiring a car (freedom of travel, yippee) and visiting farm-to-table joints in the surrounding hills.

Where to stay: Inis Meái

Palawan

Philippines

Why? Because heaven is a place on earth, despite COVID-19.

You know that a remote island getaway is deserving of such a moniker when you have to take more than four modes of transport to reach it. Palawan is the sort of place which almost suffers from a nature glut. Catch us paddling through Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, hiking the forests and navigating the lagoons in full scuba get-up.

Where to stay: Amanpulo

Granada

Nicaragua

This is a city which bathes in the sun from November through to April. If you have either the time or inclination, look at the meteorological records and see for yourself.

Where to stay: Jicaro Island Ecolodge

Dakar

Senegal

Why? Please. Do we need to explain ourselves?

Sunny Senegal, the alliteration rolls off the tongue. This colourful coastal city on Africa's westernmost tip is a riotous place to live it large once livin' large is permitted. We're hitting up Tastemakers Africa for a street art tour of Medina, a traditional sabar dance class and a jeep tour of Lac Rose - yes, a bubblegum-pink lake. We're salivating.

Where to stay: Solo Bade

Lanzarote

Spain

Why? Because it's actually not as ordinary as you might think.

Okay, it might be that place where less-discerning tourists flock for cheap grub and a quick tan, but that's only half of the story. If you head north, you'll find looming volcanoes, glassy modernist architecture which slices through desert-like landscapes and a rippling vineyard or three.

Where to stay: Caserio de Mozaga

Aarhus

Denmark

Why? Apparently, Scandi cool has been medically proven to soothe coronavirus-induced hysteria.

We predict that people will be pouring into Copenhagen once the current pandemonium has blown over. You'll find us in Aarhus, Denmark's second city. It's no less achingly cool (perhaps even more so for its under-the-radar status) and speckled with a similarly generous number of art galleries, cycling routes and culinary festivals.

Where to stay: Hotel Oasia Aarhus City

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