Where to Go to Avoid the Crowds in 2020

Whether your New Year's resolution is to travel far from the beaten path or you're simply tired of battling crowds on vacation, there are plenty of overlooked destinations that are worth exploring in 2020. Here are 20 places where you can skip the lines and travel at your own pace in the new year.

This scenic region in southern Chile is ideal for a laidback getaway, offering visitors beautiful views, access to impressive national parks, scrumptious seafood and so much more. Plan your visit for mid-December 2020 and you'll have a shot to experience a total solar eclipse.

Nature lovers need not look any further than Dominica when planning their first trip of 2020. After all, the island nation is home to natural hot springs, vast jungle and the Caribbean's first-ever long-distance hiking trail in the 115-mile-long Waitukubuli National Trail. What's more, the destination has bounced back incredibly well in the wake of a devastating 2017 hurricane season so infrastructure won't be a concern.

There are so many ways to experience underrated Kyrgyzstan, whether hanging out with locals in one of the country's many charming villages, following the ancient Silk Road or swimming in one of the country's amazing alpine lakes. Visitors to Kyrgyzstan can immerse themselves in tremendous culture and nature without the hordes of tourists.

Eastern Europe is a phenomenal region for travelers seeking history and culture without the crowds. Estonia is just one example. Although it boasts a population of just 1.3 million, it offers visitors as many as 250 museums and more than 1,000 castles and manors dating back as far as the 13th century. Visitors will also find plenty of modern attractions and amenities here, including a vareity of relaxing spas.

This French territory in the South Pacific is easily among the world's least visited destinations but those who make the long journey to these islands will be rewarded with stunning beaches and world-class scuba diving. The capital, Noumea is also a paradise for foodies and shoppers.

Sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, the tiny but rich European nation of Liechtenstein is a destination renowned for its eye-popping architecture as well as its picturesque setting in the Alps. Instead of battling the crowds at Walt Disney World's Cinderella Castle this summer, head to Liechtenstein to experience authentic castles dating back centuries.

Travelers will discover Sao Tome and Principe off of the west coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea. The latter island is a heavily eroded volcano believed to be more than three million years old and was named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2012 as new plant and animal species are still being discovered.

One of the safest places travelers can visit in 2020, the Marshall Islands are perhaps best known for Bikini Atoll, which was the site of U.S. nuclear testing in the mid-20th century. Today, gorgeous coral reefs and an array of sunken ships make the Marshall Islands a premier scuba diving destination.

This overlooked city in western Germany is best known for its unique suspension rail system (Wuppertal Schwebebahn). Located east of Dusseldorf, Wuppertal offers visitors plenty of calm via several inviting green spaces, including Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden and the Botanischer Garten Wuppertal. Meanwhile, The Von der Heydt Museum is a must for art enthusiasts.

If you're goal is to escape the hustle and bustle without leaving the U.S. in 2020, Idaho is the perfect destination. There's no shortage of amazing scenery to take in regardless of whether you prefer forests, lakes, mountains or waterfalls. Idaho is also home to a plethora of charming small towns like Wallace, a historic site for silver mining.

The isolated South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu is under threat of rising sea levels so travelers will want to go soon before it's gone. The country is home to some of the prettiest beaches you're likely to find anywhere in the world. Nonetheless, it only hosted 2,000 international tourists in 2017 so visitors shouldn't expect to have too much company.

Easily overlooked on the Horn of Africa, Djibouti is an otherwordly country that doesn't attract nearly as many visitors as some of the continents more well-known destinations. Here, travelers will discover one of the saltiest bodies of water found anywhere on the planet in Lake Assal. While there's certainly too much natural wonder to experience in just one trip, Moucha Island is also a worthwhile stop for activities like scuba diving and kitesurfing.

Anguilla isn't as well-known as Caribbean hotspots like the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. However, the British territory offers fewer crowds than those places and thus one of the most authentic Caribbean experiences. Visitors can look forward to an epic vacation without having to fight for space on the beach or navigate a sea of selfie sticks while touring the island and its surrounding cays.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a destination on the rise that travelers will want to explore in 2020 before it gets even more popular. A premier destination for sailing, this tropical paradise is ideal for solo travelers, couples seeking a romantic getaway and even families in search of a vacation somewhere warm and far from home.

If you love wine but don't want to deal with the crowds in Napa Valley or similarly popular regions in Western Europe, consider Moldova. The former Soviet republic is famous for its vineyards and wineries. The town of Codru is even home to some of the world's largest cellars. It's not all about the vino here though, as Moldova features plenty of historic charm in the form of monasteries, castles and other architecture.

Not to be confused with the southern U.S. state, the country of Georgia remains one of the world's most underrated destinations, oozing nature and culture at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Visitors to the capital of Tbilisi will learn a lot about the country's remarkable history while touring top sites like the ancient fortress of Narikala and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in nearby Mtskheta.

Travelers have lots of excellent options when visiting Europe so why not consider a destination that isn't overrun with tourists like Belarus? Your first stop should be Independence Square in the capital of Minsk but Lida Castle and Braslav Lakes National Park are other worthwhile sites to add to your Belarus vacation in 2020.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of several underrated Balkan destinations travelers should be able to find affordable flights to in the new year. Whether you only have a couple of days or an entire week, there are lots of medieval villages and astonishing landmarks to check out. Meanwhle, visitors to the capital of Sarajevo can learn all about the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand along with other interesting local history.

If you're planning to avoid the crowds in New Caledonia this year, you might want to add Vanuatu to your itinerary. This lesser-known Pacific island country is located only 340 miles to the northeast and has as much to offer visitors below the ocean surface as it does on dry land, including fascinating shipwrecks like the SS President Coolidge.

You can bet West Virginia will be every bit as wild and wonderful in 2020. There's no better place to unplug than this mountainous, tree-covered state rich in nature, wildlife and history. Highlights include but certainly aren't limited to the impressive New River Gorge Bridge-which was once the highest and longest arch bridge in the world-the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.