Top 5 most Insta-worthy travel spots of 2020

When it comes to picking a destination for your next big holiday, word of mouth is everything. Some people turn to their Gran, while others turn to the ‘Gram.

It’s 2020, folks! Let’s face it, we live in a world that revolves around travel bloggers and social media influencers. And you can deny it all you want (your Screen Time doesn’t lie), but we all spend way more time than we’d like to admit carefully curating our Instagram pages to maintain a flawless feed.

Which means that our priorities when planning a trip are becoming less about the experience itself and more about getting that money shot!

So, whether you’re an aspiring Instagram model boasting a business profile or you’re like the rest of with an Insta-feed full of pet pics, food shots and the occasional selfie to keep things interesting, here are the top 5 most Insta-worthy travel spots of 2020:

1. Santorini, Greece

Now, trust us when we say that Santorini is a serious Instagram hotspot and arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world! This luxurious location has travel bloggers flocking in from across the globe to get a majestic sunset pic in front of its’ iconic white houses with the blue rooves - making it one of the most Instagrammed destinations on the planet!

Let’s just say that any picture taken in Santorini is almost guaranteed to go viral on the ‘gram. Or any Greek island for that matter. Santorini, Mykonos, Ios - the bluer the water the better!

Travel Money Tip:

The way you go about organising your travel money in Greece will all depend on your travel itinerary. Planning on getting around Santorini on the back of a quad bike or scooter? Then don’t forget your credit card - you’ll need it to pay the bond when you go to hire one of these bad boys.

On the other hand, when it comes to ordering Gyros, a round of ouzo shots or buying some keyrings for your mates, cash is where it’s at.

Currency used: Euro (EUR)

2. Phuket, Thailand

Next on our list of top travel spots to grace the ‘gram is… Yep, you guessed it - Phuket, Thailand! Ah, Thailand. From its’ alluring aqua-coloured waters to the luxurious villas that are fit for royalty, who needs filters when the views are that good, seriously? #NoFilter

And if you start to get sick of sipping Pina Coladas by the pool (yeah right), then don’t forget that no Instagram’s complete without a snap or two of the Thai wildlife. Oh and make sure you check out the markets and do some beach-hopping while you’re there too.

Travel Money Tip:

Fun Fact: Did you know that Thai currency depicts royalty? In fact, disrespecting it could actually get you in trouble with the law over there. Piece of advice, never step on a Thai banknote!

Currency used: Thai Baht (THB)

3. California, USA

From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran to the infamous Hollywood walk of fame in LA, California truly is the land of hopes, dreams and endless photo-ops! Especially if you head over in April to make the event of the season. Let us fill you in… 

Countless artists, two weekends, one festival: Coachella. Now, in case you’ve been living under a rock, Coachella is only one of the biggest (and most Insta-worthy) music festivals in the world which takes place in Palm Springs, California each year.

Scoring a Coachella ticket is the millennial-equivalent of winning the Golden Ticket in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and a candid shot at the festival is basically a rite of passage for any budding Insta-model. Coachella’s always crawling with celebrities, so bonus points if you get a pic with one!

Travel Money Tip:

Now, Americans are big on tips. So, be sure to keep some spare change in your back pocket or load some extra money onto your prepaid travel card ahead of the festival to cover tips!

Currency used: United States Dollar (USD)

4. Tokyo, Japan

From the cute kawaii-themed photobooths and karaoke bars to the quirky little themed cafes and Harajuku girls - If you were lacking inspiration for your next Instagram post, then you’ll be sure to find some in Tokyo!

If you can, try to time your Japan trip with Cherry Blossom season. Cherry Blossoms are in bloom from the end of March to the start of May, which gives you plenty of time to create loads of quality content for the ‘gram. Not to mention, an excuse to incorporate the cherry blossom emoji wherever you can in your post captions!

Travel Money Tip:

Planning to shop ’til-you-drop in Tokyo? Japan is still a predominantly cash-driven country, so be sure to carry cash. You can withdraw cash from the ATMs found in most convenience stores and post offices.

Currency used: Japanese Yen (JPY)

5. The Maldives, South Asia

Undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places in the world, the Maldives is set to be one of 2020’s top Insta-hotspots. Renowned for its crystal clear waters, milk-white sand and trails of gorgeous little over-water bungalows, this tropical paradise has all the makings for a viral Insta pic!

Depending on where you’re from in the world, the Maldives isn’t exactly the easiest place to get to. From Sydney, it’s a 15-hour-plus flight to Malé (which usually involves a stopover), then either a ferry, seaplane, speedboat or all three to get to your final destination. But that hasn’t deterred the hundreds of lifestyle vloggers from attending the many big-brand PR trips that have been hosted over there.

Travel Money Tip:

Now when you’re travelling it can be tempting to test out your bargaining skills and in many places, this would be totally acceptable - just not in the Maldives. As a general rule of thumb, haggling just isn’t part of the Maldivian culture, except perhaps in small souvenir shops.

But, as they say, “when in Rome do as the Romans do”. So if you’re headed to the Maldives, you’re better off leaving your haggling skills at home.

Currency used: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)

Don’t forget to visit our travel money comparison tool to find the right travel money option for your next big trip. Head to our travel money section for travel money news and guides.