As we enter into the second half of 2019, I am already looking ahead and thinking about where to travel in 2020. This is still very much a work-in-progress article, but here is my current list of travel ideas for 2020.
DUBAI
Dubai is on my radar for 2020 because of Expo 2020 Dubai, which kicks off in October 2020 and lasts until April 2021.
I must admit that I am a bit of a World Expo fan. I have been going to World Expos around the world for some time now. As an anthropologist by training, I just love the fact that you can experience and learn so much about different countries in a festive and convivial atmosphere. The last World Expo I went to was Expo Astana 2017 that took place in the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan. Astana was not exactly the first destination that came to my mind when planning a holiday. But it was a place that I was curious about for some time. So, I was glad to finally have the opportunity to visit the brand-new capital city on the steppes.
With the huge investment that the Emirate has made to date, I am pretty sure that Expo 2020 Dubai will be once in a lifetime experience. Their promotional video looks amazing!
Tokyo
My hometown, Tokyo, always makes it to my travel list! But 2020 is a special year because of the Summer Olympic Games 2020. I will most probably go to Tokyo regardless of the Olympic Games, but the question here is: “Will I go there during the Olympic Games?”
For now, I am not very sure. First of all, it will be very crowded during the games, and the flights are going to be very expensive. Secondly, summer is not my favorite season in Japan. It gets too hot and humid, not the best season to move around.
But having said that, I would still consider going to Tokyo during the Olympic Games if there are volunteering opportunities. With only one year to go before the big event, I should really start researching about such opportunities.
Les Flâneries 