Lonely Planet has just released its budget-friendly destinations to travel to in 2020.
The travel website publishes the best places to visit at the end of every year so if you’re looking to do some big travels soon, you might want to take note.
The likes of Tanzania, India, and Indonesia are some of the top-ranking countries on the list.
While these places might not immediately scream budget-friendly to you, the experts at Lonely Planet know their stuff.
They’ve suggested cities and towns overlooked by their more famous counterparts but offering equally appealing attractions.
Buffalo, New York, for example, is only 30 minutes away from Niagra Falls – and a whole lot cheaper than Manhattan.
For wine-tasting aficionados, instead of paying big bucks for South Africa’s Cape Town wineries, Lonely Planet suggests Cape Winelands for affordable samplings of local wines and cuisine.
Here is the full list of budget-friendly places to visit in 2020:
1. East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
These islands are home to pristine beaches that are quieter than those further west, and one of Indonesia’s best diving scenes can be found on the Alor Archipelago.
It is also said to have fewer crowds than on popular areas such as Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Compared to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, Budapest offers thermal baths for a few dollars. You can also expect buzzing wine bars and edgier ‘ruin bars’.
Other attractions include Keleti station (the best place to arrive in or depart Budapest). There’ll be plenty of Instagrammable content.
3. Madhya Pradesh, India
In Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife reserves, including Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Pench National Park, there’s lots to see beyond tigers; you can see wild boar, spotted deer and langur monkeys.
It’s quieter than the tourist-heavy neighbouring state of Rajasthan.
4. Buffalo, New York, US
Air routes are now expanding to Buffalo where you can visit the super-interactive children’s museum, Explore & More, which is new for 2020.
The recently restored Frank Lloyd Wright houses of the Graycliff Estate and Martin House Complex are another highlight.
And you can make a day trip out of seeing Niagra Falls, of course.
5. Azerbaijan
World Heritage Site Baku has a Caspian Sea waterfront and is home to ambitious architecture and new museums.
You’ll still be in Europe but close to a landscape of mud volcanoes and burning earth.
The north and west of the country have the ever-present Caucasus as a backdrop.
6. Serbia
The capital city of Belgrade is hardly a secret, known for its nightlife but Serbia also offers outdoor adventures, spas and wineries, ancient monasteries and monolithic memorials from the Yugoslav era.
7. Tunisia
Unlike Morocco, which offers similar attractions, Tunisia is trying to win back tourism so is offering amenities for cheaper
You can visit the Tunis’ Medina, the remains of ancient Carthage and the beachside suburb of Sidi Bou Said to offer an endless range of beach options. There’s also the Saharan dunes.
8. Cape Winelands, South Africa
Take a short journey from the food city of Cape Town to the country’s wine region, centred on the historic towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
You’ll find inexpensive tasting tours followed by lunches serving world-class food and local wines.
9. Athens, Greece
The capital offers plenty of free sights including museums and the Parthenon at night, which is free of charge.
You’ll stumble over Byzantine churches and neoclassical buildings, including the National Library and the University of Athen. If you’re more of a beach bum, you’ll find some nice beaches outside of the city.
10. Zanzibar, Tanzania
As opposed to the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands, Zanzibar offers accommodations by the beach for a fraction of the price.
In Stone Town, stroll the ancient alleyways and enjoy sunsets before taking advantage of the cheap dining options at the evening food market.
And if you’re coming in from mainland Zanzibar, you get two stamps on your passport. Score.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/top-10-budget-friendly-countries-to-travel-to-in-2020-according-to-lonely-planet-11266401/
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