Dreams are allowed: our best travel stories from 2020

It dangles somewhere at the top of our wish list for 2021: a completely carefree trip. Here is a selection of the most beautiful destinations that we discovered in the past year.

More rain falls in this Brazilian desert than in Scotland

In the Brazilian village of Santo Amaro, there is no spectacle in glitter and luxury, but in photogenic nature: a stone’s throw away you will find the only desert in which freshwater lagoons flourish. Emerald water, undulating sand castles and cozy fishing villages – feel free to dream away from these statues.

Lençóis Maranhenses desert: a landscape of undulating dunes and emerald green freshwater lagoons.
© Éric Martin / Figarophoto

Winter retreat in a fairytale spa hotel in South Tyrol

For decades the Apfelhotel was a traditional apple farm. Thanks to the fourth generation, it became one of the most beautiful spa hotels in Northern Italy, where you can (literally) bathe in a magical ‘Lord of the Rings’ atmosphere.

Alpine traditions and Italian flair come together in the recently renovated Apfelhotel.
© Alex Filz

As an entrepreneur on a back-to-basics journey: ‘A total reset’

Life-changing, that’s how photographer Zeger Garré called his cure from the corona virus. Although existential crises were not new to him. A few months earlier, a back-to-basics trip with serial entrepreneur Peter Paelinck changed his life forever. This led to the creation of Cambussa, a travel concept for entrepreneurs who want to break free from their comfort zone.

A primitive road trip changed the lives of opposites Zeger Garré and Peter Paelinck.
© Zeger Garré

Welcome to St. Moritz, the Venice of the Alps

In addition to the beautiful mountain peaks, you can marvel at countless art galleries, fashion boutiques and exclusive clubs in this Swiss ski resort, a slash-cosmopolitan art city. The finer things in life are perhaps even more important here than fresh snow in the morning.

St. Moritz is so much more than a sleepy mountain village.

From Bath to Baden-Baden: here you get a cure in the footsteps of great writers

Bathing in spring water was a popular activity between the 18th and 20th century. Especially when doctors promoted water and fresh air as a remedy for tuberculosis. In retrospect it all turned out to be quackery, but the spas at the time were more than happy to help. Even today you can still enjoy the splendor of yesteryear, albeit in a refreshed version.

The Friedrichsbad has been the place to be for high society for centuries.
© Alamy

Not only Durbuy has almost changed into Knokke in Wallonia in recent years, the 18th-century Château de Vignée in the Famenne region was also renovated into a luxury hotel tailored to trendy Burgundians.

In the Château de Vignée you completely escape the corona color.

The most beautiful long-distance routes in Europe

Forget mountain huts and thermos coffee: even the biggest luxury horses started pulling in the summer of 2020. From the Portuguese coast to the Slovenian forests, these are our favorite long-distance trails in Europe, with stylish pit stops along the way.

The soon-to-be-completed English Coast Path will be the longest coastal path in the world.
© Shutterstock / Charlesy

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