“Not long ago, Austria was viewed as the meringue of the Germanic world: beautiful to look at, yet somewhat dry when one actually bit in,” John Wray wrote for Travel & Leisure. “But the country has reinvented itself, pouring resources into cutting-edge arts institutions while lovingly elevating the cultural jewels that made it so beloved in days gone by.”
Vienna has poured $240 million into a redevelopment project surrounding the central train station, which includes hip new hotels like Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere and Belvedere 21, Wray reported.
2020 is also a special year in Austria because it marks the 150th birthday of legendary concert hall Musikverein and the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, according to Wray.
The Douro River, Portugal
“Portugal remains a popular getaway – and in 2020, it’s all about experiencing it from the water,” Hannah Walhout wrote for Travel & Leisure.
Viking River Cruises launched a Douro River itinerary last year, followed by AmaWaterways debuting the AmaDouro cruise on the picturesque river, according to Walhout.
“On land, wineries like Quinta do Portal and Quinta do Seixo serve light reds, vinho verde, and the ubiquitous port,” Walhout wrote. “Stay in Porto at recent additions like the Art Deco stunner Le Monumental Palace or the art-filled Torel 1884, whose 12 rooms and 11 standalone apartments feature art inspired by fabrics, materials, and spices from faraway lands.”
Lille, France
“Crowned as the World Capital of Design 2020 for its advances in urban development, the once-struggling industrial city of Lille is on its way to enjoying optimized public spaces thanks to a slew of sustainable design initiatives,” Sarah Souli wrote for Travel & Leisure. “It’s also quickly becoming a cosmopolitan oasis with new galleries, museums, restaurants, and boutiques.”
Highlights of the northern French city include “La Piscine, an Art Deco indoor swimming pool turned art museum” and “jaw-dropping restaurants like Coke, a brasserie and hotel serving French classics beneath ornate moldings and crystal chandeliers,” according to Souli.
North Macedonia
“Refreshingly free of big-box chains and tourists (fewer than 1.5 million visitors were recorded in 2018), the Republic of North Macedonia won’t fly under the radar for much longer,” Courtney Lichterman wrote for Travel & Leisure. “The newly renamed country has a wealth of historic sights, like the Kale (or fortress) in the capital, Skopje; Kokino, a megalithic observatory; and the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, on the outskirts of Bitola.”
In 2020, North Macedonia will host a food festival called Terra Madre Balkans, which will bring in chefs and experts from around the world to celebrate the “slow food” movement, according to Lichterman.
