US newspaper The New York Times has published a list of "52 places to go in 2020", their recommended travel destinations for the next twelve months. This list, with sites as varied as Washington DC, Greenland, Sicily, Mongolia and Lesotho, also features two spots in the "Catalan Countries", the area historically and/or linguistically Catalan: the island of Menorca and the Vall d'Aran.

Menorca, they say, offers "a sustainable and art-driven future for a UNESCO heritage island." "Beloved for its wild landscapes and unspoiled beaches", they say the island, a "UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is preparing to draw an artistic crowd in 2020". Among the highlights for the newspaper are a new contemporary arts centre and sustainable hotels.

In Vall d'Aran, meanwhile, "a once-remote Pyrenean valley gets adventurous." The newspaper mentions how the isolated location has preserved "its medieval villages, Aranese language and pristine wilderness", but that access has become easier in recent years. They recommend taking to the Baqueira-Beret ski resort before "refuel[ing] at lively wine bars and restaurants" in winter, or exploring the hiking and biking trails in summer.

Pack your bags! Our list of #52Places to Go in 2020 is here. https://t.co/5Rd5NZ6B4z pic.twitter.com/nmn8KK7wUK — NY Times Travel (@nytimestravel) January 9, 2020