Happy New Year, Friends! It's the start of a new year and a new decade. It seems like the turn of the millenium just happened, and already we’re here. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2020. We’re seeing adventure travel get more adventurous as people venture farther off the beaten path to places such as the Faroe Islands. We’re seeing Portugal’s popularity continuing to soar. We’re seeing wellness travel continue its rise to the forefront. We’re seeing exciting new hotels open. We’re seeing new ways to experience old standbys such as Italy, Hawaii and food & wine travel. These are a few of the big events we’re looking forward to in 2020.
Cayman Cookout
Attracting such chefs as Jose Andres and Eric Ripert, the annual food festival is centered around the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and will take place Jan. 15-19. Days start off right with yoga and Krug and continue with food and drink tastings, cooking and cocktail demonstrations and general merriment. The festivities begin and end with special dinners at Ripert’s BLUE restaurant, and there’s plenty of eating and drinking in between.
Oberammergau Passion Play
Every 10 years, the Bavarian town of Oberammergau puts on a rendition of the final hours of Jesus’ life. The tradition dates to the 1630s, when villagers vowed to put on the play if God would spare them from the devastation brought on by an outbreak of bubonic plague. The plague subsided, and the people of Oberammergau kept their word. This year will see five performances a week from May 16 to Oct. 4.
Euro 2020
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championship soccer tournament, UEFA is holding Euro 2020 in 12 cities across 12 countries as opposed to the tradition one or two host countries. Turkey and Italy will kick off in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on June 12 to open the tournament, with the final taking place July 12 at London’s Wembley stadium. In all, 24 national teams will compete for the top spot.
Tokyo Olympics
More than 11,000 athletes are expected to compete in the Tokyo Games, which take place July 24-Aug. 9. After hosting the 1964 games, the Japanese capital is poised to put on “the most innovative ever organised, and will rest on three fundamental principles to transform the world: striving for your personal best (achieving your personal best); accepting one another (unity in diversity); and passing on a legacy for the future (connecting to tomorrow).”
Dubai Expo
Beginning on Oct. 20 and continuing into April 2021, the exposition will focus on opportunity, mobility and sustainability. The event will include more than 200 food and beverage stands with delicacies from all over the world. The first Emirati opera will perform, bringing to life the history of the United Arab Emirates. More than 100 global innovators will share their ideas about building a more sustainable world as part of the expo’s goal: “connecting minds, creating the future.”