“Second city travel” is the biggest travel trend of 2020. There are several good reasons why we should embrace the movement, and why it’s just what the planet needs. Read on to find out how you can participate in and make the most of second city travel.

What Is Second City Travel And Why Do We Need It?

After a decade of Instagram highlighting the world’s most popular travel destinations and paving the way for record numbers of people to catch serious cases of wanderlust, the world in 2020 now faces “overtourism”. A new term coined to describe too many tourists visiting a particular destination, leading to direct damage of the location, overtourism adequately describes the current state of several massively popular cities around the world. To counteract overtourism, travel gurus have been promoting second city travel, the biggest trend of 2020. Put simply, second city travel involves exploring the lesser-known destinations of a country to reduce overtourism. This, in turn, helps to protect the environment from the structural damage that results from mass tourism. Not only does second city travel help to combat overtourism, but it also opens travelers up to new and exciting destinations that have traditionally been underrated and underappreciated. We need second city travel to protect the world’s most popular hotspots so that we can preserve them for years to come. But as the cherry on top, this trend will help us all to have richer, more unique travel experiences. RELATED: Micro-Escapes: Newest Travel Trend Of 2020

Milan, Cork, And Other Second Cities To Visit In Europe

There’s a long list of cities across Europe that have been affected by overtourism. These include tourist hotspots like Venice, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain. Choosing to embrace second city travel doesn’t necessarily mean travelers have to miss out on the wonders of Europe, though. Rather, it’s about choosing to visit destinations that still have lots to offer but aren’t on the verge of ruin due to overtourism. If you’re looking for a second city in Italy, try Milan instead of Venice. Located in the Lombardy region, Milan is home to a collection of world-famous sights and landmarks. Here, you’ll find one of the most strikingly beautiful cathedrals in Europe, the Duomo di Milano. Milan has a reputation for being a world-class shopping and fashion capital, so naturally, there are plenty of opportunities for high-end shopping in the historic city. If you’re traveling to Ireland, you might consider swapping the famous Dublin for the lesser-known but equally charming Cork. The second-largest city in Ireland boasts the legendary Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone. Other second cities to visit in Europe include Hamburg, Germany, Split, Croatia, and Bergen, Norway. RELATED: 10 Best Wineries In Europe To Visit

Kyoto, Kuala Lumpur, And Other Second Cities To Visit In Asia

Some destinations in Asia have become so popular over the last decade that they’ve had to be indefinitely closed to tourists to give the landscape a chance to recover. This is often the case with previously pristine beaches and coastal locations that no longer resemble slices of paradise, but trash-filled commercial centers. Although still popular, Kyoto is considered an Asian second city and receives fewer tourists than Tokyo, the Japanese capital. Kyoto served as the capital between 794 and 1868 so it’s filled with historic sites in addition to innovative architecture representing modern Japan. Kyoto is known as a center of Japanese culture, boasting temples, gardens, public baths, and imperial palaces. A second city to try in Southeast Asia is Kuala Lumpur, a city that often flies under the radar despite being the largest city in Malaysia. Fodors points out that Kuala Lumpur is surprisingly affordable despite being packed to the brim with high-end shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. Other second cities to visit in Asia include Da Nang, Vietnam, Jaipur, India, and Vientiane, Laos. RELATED: 10 Underrated Places In Asia To Put On Your Bucket List

Cordoba, Montreal, And Other Second Cities To Visit In America

There are a handful of destinations within North and South America that have been badly affected by sky-high levels of tourism, including New York City and Machu Picchu. But there are so many hidden wonders and unexplored gems across America that there’s no need to keep visiting the same old places.

Situated in the heart of Argentina, Cordoba is a second city that travel gurus are praising in 2020. It’s an ideal destination for history buffs, boasting a selection of Argentina’s oldest buildings. There are six universities in Cordoba, in addition to a host of graduate schools, making it a center for higher education and culture in Argentina.

Canada’s Montreal is another second city that should be on your bucket list. Home to gothic revival architecture, spectacular gardens, and the sublime Mount Royal, Montreal also has more restaurants per capita than any other city in North America. Foodies rejoice!

Other second cities to visit in America include Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, U.S.A.

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