People Share Some Of Their Best 2020 Travel Photos Against All Odds
We all surely agree that 2020 has been nothing but one surprise after the other...and not good ones, either. Yet, the biggest surprise was living in a new world where travel became limited if not banned for a long period of time internationally.
That didn't stop these people from embracing the world around them as much as they possibly, and safely, could. Here are some of the memories they shared.
Landour Cantt, Mussoorie, India
![Upside Down View woman takes picture of view with her upside down](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Upside-Down-View-56776.jpg?width=800&height=1000)
"Addicted to the adrenaline rush."
No need for a travel companion to take mesmerizing pictures of you and the view. A selfie will do the trick when the sunset over the mountain steals the show anyway.
Regina, Saskatchewan
![having coffee with a view two girls having coffee with a view of a cathedral](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/having-coffee-with-a-view-18250.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=288&left=0&zoom=0.740740740741)
"We were supposed to be taking photos at Barcelona's Sagrada Familia at this very moment...but Regina's cathedral and this coffee will do for now."
Travel is about embracing what your surroundings have to offer, even in the littlest things, without having to go very far.
Ella, Sri Lanka
![hanging off the train hanging off the train in a dress](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/hanging-off-the-train-97596.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"The train trip from Ella to Kandy in Sri Lanka, or the other way around, is considered to be one of the most beautiful train trips in the world.
"This train ride is seven hours long and takes you through stunning landscapes of green and lush tea plantations and mountain views. The train trip between Kandy and Ella is one of the highlights of Sri Lanka in our opinion, and we love it!"
Moab, Utah
![woman stares off cliff woman stares off cliff in black hat and yellow sweater](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/woman-stares-off-cliff-14483.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"Looking into 2021, it looks less bad this way."
Nature can be found anywhere. Whether you live in a desert area, by the mountains, the beach, or a forest, a little day trip can do just the trick to transport you into a more peaceful world, without cars, noise, or restrictions.
Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort
![woman in pool bar woman in pool bar looks to the side](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/woman-in-pool-bar-76452.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"After 9 months of staying at home, we booked a mid-week staycation for three days. After calling the property and ensuring safety precautions are in place, we drove down to the property and spent a very safe, isolated, almost private space in the pool.
"The last nine months were stressful and challenging, to say the least, and we all deserved some safe escape. Here's looking forward to being able to travel someday soon!"
Scotland, The United Kingdom
![animals stare into the picture animals stare into the picture](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/animals-stare-into-the-picture-89811.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"Travelling in the U.K. can be just as much of an adventure as traveling abroad...especially if you were to come across one of these crazy characters."
Can we also address how these guys have better hair flow than the rest of us?
Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, India
![winter wonderland winter wonderland over bridge and frozen lake](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/winter-wonderland-33511.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"After five days of continuous snowfall. The roads and bridges connecting different parts of Spiti Valley are submerged in snow, and now it looks like a postcard from a wonderland."
Not all vacations are meant to be relaxing, sometimes a little adventure is in order.
Vineyards Anywhere Count
![woman leading boyfriend woman leading boyfriend into vineyard](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/woman-leading-boyfriend-10911.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=275&left=0&zoom=0.740740740741)
For many of us, the only way to get through lockdown was drinking a bottle of wine a day. That quickly turned into having wine every day to cope with the entirety of 2020. So why not make a trip out of it and actually indulge in a full wine experience?
Mykonos, Greece
![Mykonos White Church mykonos all white church in the blue sky](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mykonos-White-Church-90415.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"The lovely church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) Paraportiani is among the most photographed churches not only in Mykonos but in the whole world.
"It is located at the entrance of Kastro neighborhood, right by the sea. Its name (Paraportiani) actually means standing next to the entrance door, meaning that the church was next to the Castle door."
French Toast Koffie Kafee, South Africa
![colorful key locks man stands in the middle of colorful key locks](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/colorful-key-locks-99521.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"If you lose the key to my heart, don't worry, just knock, I will let you in." That was the quote he chose to accompany the sentiment of standing surrounded by love locks, which symbolize promises of happiness and hope.
We should hold that same sentiment when looking forward to the times to come.
Port Denarau, Fiji
![quinoa salad and salmon meal quinoa salad and salmon meal in Fiji](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/quinoa-salad-and-salmon-meal-92392.jpg?width=800&height=599)
The cuisine is an integral part of the experience of any vacation. In fact, it's half the fun to expect to return at least five pounds heavier and full of carbs.
This vacation meal in Fiji was made of a quinoa salad, mahi-mahi with mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.
Dead Sea, Israel
![blue water paradise person sits on piece of sand in blue water](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/blue-water-paradise-50091.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"When you're surrounded by nothing but your favorite color...I can't describe this place any other way other than magic..."
Here's another way to describe it: "paradise." That looks like pure serenity and, thanks to travel restrictions, it wasn't too crowded for them to enjoy it.
Zakynthos Town, Greece
![Sitting over the town young woman sitting on rock, watches over the town](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sitting-over-the-town-29318.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"Changed the view from the mountain to the sea."
This looks like the best spot in town to take in a view of the whole city, part water, part residences. All that we need sometimes is a fresh perspective, which a change of scenery can do wonders for.
Mungo, Australia
![Kangoroo works the camera Kangoroo works the camera while standing on the grass](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Kangoroo-works-the-camera-38914.jpg?width=800&height=533)
If you have to stay away from people, this is the perfect opportunity to get closer to animals and become one with nature. This is why it would have been the perfect opportunity to visit places like the Mungo National Park in south-western New South Wales.
Praia Dos Estudantes, Lagos, Portugal
![Woman Stands On Beach Woman poses in beautiful beach scenery](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Woman-Stands-On-Beach-49768.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"Everything will be alright, I've checked!"
That's the spirit! It may not seem that way sometimes, but once you're surrounded by beautiful scenery, overlooking the ocean as it keeps going on seemingly forever into the horizon, everything does start to feel alright.
Ostuni, Italy
![Woman Going Up Alley Stairs woman looks back as she goes up the stairs in a narrow Italian alley](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Woman-Going-Up-Alley-Stairs-78309.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=332&left=0&zoom=0.740740740741)
"I'm screaming because this place made me think twice why I’m living in a country where 50 shades of gray are the colors I see on a daily basis.
"Is it me. or this shot looks like the ones you see on the cover page of a magazine like: '5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Italy.'"
It definitely does look that way, and she's selling it.
Cappadocia, Turkey
![Two women in car in front of hot air balloons two women throw their hands up in a blue car in front of hot air balloons](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Two-women-in-car-in-front-of-hot-air-balloons-79304.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=244&left=0&zoom=0.740740740741)
Flying in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia should be on everyone's bucket list (when they're able to travel).
The rocky landscape was initially shaped by volcanic eruption and erosion. Then locals and religious refugees worked the scenery into an impressive network of underground chambers, tunnels, and cities thousands of years ago.
Cappadocia, Turkey
![Woman Poses In Front of Ruins Woman Poses In Front of Turkish Ruins in Brown Jumpsuit](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Woman-Poses-In-Front-of-Ruins-32521.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=255&left=0&zoom=0.740740740741)
"One of the most magical places in Turkey." This particular photo was captured in the Museum Hotel Cappadocia.
Photoshoots are often a fun component of vacations, and this woman went above and beyond matching her entire outfit to the ruins.
Gelmersee, Switzerland
![Woman Stands In Front Of Scenic view woman in bright pink shirt and white skirt stands in front of mountain lake view](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Woman-Stands-In-Front-Of-Scenic-view-69231.jpg?b=0&c=0&width=800&height=533&top=66&left=0&zoom=1.04166666667)
"While in quarantine I was checking for all the hidden and amazing locations in Europe when I came across Gelmersee. Finally, after speculations and safety concerns, I could be in this place of my dreams.
"We were mesmerized by the mountain silhouettes on the turquoise emerald lake water. Quickly it was all covered by the clouds and mist creating a dreamy and mysterious unworldly place to be. I am still daydreaming about this day when we chased the clouds to reach the mountains."
Paros Island, Greece
![Woman Stands In Arch woman stares out the distance in greece](https://www.exploredplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Woman-Stands-In-Arch-79693.jpg?width=800&height=533)
"As the summer starts to come to an end, I thought it was a good time to reflect on the past few months. Honestly, they have really flown by. Or perhaps it's just that it all sort of meshes together with much of the rest of this crazy year."
It may have been a crazy year, one that will go down in history books, but we made it on the other side, and we have a whole world to still explore and take care of.