A KINGDOM that has pledged to become completely organic by next year and the city that will toast the centenary anniversary of the world’s most important classical music festival are among the top destinations to visit in 2020, as chosen by the tastemakers of travel guide Lonely Planet.

In the category of best country, the kingdom of Bhutan took top honors for its pledge to grow only organic products by 2020. Rounding out the podium is England and North Macedonia.

The best city to visit is Salzburg, Austria, poised to become the classical music capital of the world, as the city fetes the 100th anniversary of its famous Salzburg Festival, the largest and most important event on the classical music calendar.

To compile their top 10 lists, which also include top regions and top best value destinations, Lonely Planet starts with nominations from their contributors, which are then whittled down by their in-house experts. Destinations are chosen for topicality, unique experiences and “wow” factor. Here is the list of countries to explore:

1. Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan, located on the Silk Road in South Asia, claimed the No. 1 spot partly for its majestic beauty and because it is set to become the first fully organic nation by 2020.

The kingdom has lush subtropical plains in the south and sub-alpine Himalayan mountains in the north, which include Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan’s highest peak and believed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

2. England

While tourists may flock to Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, Lonely Planet suggests visitors should travel to England’s coastal towns instead.

The English seaside gives locals and visitors the chance to search for marine life in rock pools, find fossils in cliffs — and of course, eat fish and chips.

In 2020, new sections of the England Coast Path will continue to open, making it easier to explore the country’s coastline.

3. North Macedonia

If you want an alternative to Europe’s more popular travel spots, North Macedonia could be for you. Its mountain trails are “blissfully quiet,” the locals are “unfailingly helpful,” according to Lonely Planet. Among its destinations is Ohrid, a charming, old town dotted with medieval ruins and churches, lined with cobblestone streets and overlooking Lake Ohrid.

4. Aruba

Tourists know this Caribbean getaway for its white-sand beaches, sparkling waters and laid-back resorts.

Aruba’s temperatures usually stay around 27 degrees Celsius — making a dip in the water seem too good to pass up.

5. eSwatini

The kingdom offers a variety of climate and topography differences, and is known for its wildlife, including more than 500 bird species and 107 mammal species. The nation has seven nature reserves, four frontier conservation areas and three wildlife reserves.

6. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is beloved for many reasons, from its coffee to its epic surfing.

It’s also notable for its reliance on green energy sources. In fact, 90 percent of its energy is created by renewable sources, such as wind and hydro. It is also one of the world’s most biodiverse countries — home to half a million species. And of course, no trip to Costa Rica is complete without a visit to the Sloth Sanctuary.

7. The Netherlands

Visit the Netherlands for its art history and world-class galleries, its perfectly flat cycling routes along canals and past fields of tulips, or for the charm and nightlife of Amsterdam.

Beautiful rainbow fields of crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips burst into flower each year between March and May.

In the year that marks 75 years of freedom since the end of WWII, the Netherlands is ready to celebrate with events across the country.

8. Liberia

In Liberia, travelers will find Sapo National Park, one of West Africa’s best national parks. In the dense forests there, you stand a chance of running into chimpanzees, forest elephants and Liberia’s famous pygmy hippos — no larger than a Shetland pony.

9. Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco, known as the place the sun sets, is a romantic and exotic destination, and it’s known as a safe place to visit. Many people are drawn to its beaches, but its ancient cities, such as Casablanca and Marrakesh, attract the most visitors. In recent years, visitors have headed to the Atlas and Rif mountains and their hiking trails.

10. Uruguay

The country provides innumerable special experiences for visitors, from the eclectic, historic streets of Montevideo to welcoming hot springs and laid-back beach towns.(SD-Agencies)