Jumping on the 'Where To Go In 2020' train

The ethics of where to travel, the case for Venice & more

Dec 19, 2019

Hi there,

‘Tis this season of where to go in 2020 lists. These are always beautiful, inspiring, and flawed (listing small cities like Metz, France, for example, alongside Rwanda, an entire country, is one type of repeat offense that rightly irks people). Still, I like these lists for the photography and as a sign of where the general thought around travel is going.

Where to go in 2020 is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I recently moved to Dubai, so there are plenty of nearby options. India was on the list, but in light of this new citizenship law I’m more hesitant. (For a great background read check out this New Yorker piece). Talking about India and the hundreds of influencers there not mentioning the law or ensuing violence, a writer I admire posted this on Instagram:

“The act of travel is directly related to politics. The places we visit, the things we do, the food we eat, the culture we consume, the music we listen to are not separate from the politics that shape them. Western travelers may think that it is better for them to separate travel from politics. That espousing neutrality and projecting a sense of impartiality is the best route. But when they are silent on state violence, when they continue to exhibit the countries, cities, and disputed territories they visit without presenting the context of oppression, they are protecting their own privilege.”

This is something I’ve written about before, and for me there are two angles. If you’re a tourist, it all comes down to the money. Where is your money going? That’s how you can choose if visiting somewhere is something you’re morally ok with. If you’re a travel writer, blogger, or influencer, your responsibility is much greater. Not adding context to your articles and photos and pretending everything is beautiful and wonderful is disingenuous and dangerous. The entire point of travel writing is to create a sense of place, and if you’re ignoring what’s happening in the place you’re failing. The entire point of being an influencer is to influence, and if you are promoting a place where the government is killing people or detaining journalists or any number of other human rights abuses, and travel funds the government, then you are implicit. (There are nuances to this and I went way more into detail in my first ever, very basic IGTV video. Be nice, I am not good at talking on camera!)

Overtourism and the Case for Venice

Aside from human rights issues, there’s more to consider when creating your 2020 travel list. Overtourism is a big one. Avoid Dubrovnik and road trip elsewhere in Croatia. Give Iceland a break, or at least try to visit in the off season. Remember that Greece has islands beyond Santorini. Conversely, Venice, which is extremely touristy in parts of the year and literally sinking, could use your tourism dollars (just don’t go on a cruise, please). My friend Gillian, who lives in Rome and visits Venice frequently, has this to say:

“I know that it sounds a little crazy, but I want people to travel to Venice. What the city needs now more than ever after the terrible high water last month is visitors who are interested in being better travelers. Stay in Venice or even better a lagoon island for a few days. Stay somewhere owned by Venetians, shop at local food markets, eat in family owned restaurants & buy things from artisans. Do your part to help ensure that Venice will survive.”

That’s major. No matter where you go and even if you stay home, supporting local businesses keeps places vibrant and unique. (Anyone else feel like everything is starting to look the same around the world? Interiors, restaurants, entire cities).

Sustainable Travel

We should all be thinking about sustainability more when we travel, which might mean staying closer to home (the U.S. National Parks are some of my favorite places in the entire world, and there are so many cool, underrated cities around the country); traveling by train when possible; trying to take longer trips once a year versus a couple of shorter ones to minimize flights; or prioritizing places that are thoughtful in how they approach tourism and sustainability. Caveat: a lot of talk about travel and sustainability is important but comes from very privileged positions. If you have limited days off and/or limited resources, just relax and enjoy your trip. Your vacation isn’t the reason the earth is dying.

Where do I think you should go?

I know this seems like a lot to think about when planning a vacation. Sorry! On the brighter side, the world is huge and there is so much to see, even with a few restrictions.

I live here, so this year I’m going to say come to the Middle East! Dubai is on several ‘where to go’ lists this year. Do I think you should visit? Um, not really… Go to Oman, or Jordan, and especially Lebanon. As a cookbook author and food tour guide in Beirut recently told me, her tours are down 70% since protests started, but the economy is tanking and tourists are needed more than ever. The protests are mostly peaceful and easy to avoid if you really don’t want to be involved. Egypt’s tourism never fully recovered after the Arab Spring, but hopefully that’s changing. Go there too, and Tunisia. If you have a passport that can swing it, maybe go to Iran–but again, be conscious of where you spend your money. And no matter where you go, if you’re a travel writer/blogger/influencer–add some context to your posts please!

My 2020 travel list is far from finalized, but I’m ending the year in Kyiv for Christmas and northern Spain for New Year’s. Bittersweet, as I’m excited for both trips but it will be the first Christmas ever I haven’t spent in Wisconsin with my family. Come follow along.

So, where do you think we should go in 2020?

Gifting

If you’re looking for holiday gifts for travelers in your life or yourself, I stand by everything on last year’s Curiosity holiday gift guide, but would add this Caudalie spray. I’m addicted to it on long travel days.

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful holiday and a very happy new year!