While the northeast region of the United States has produced some world-class ballers, unfortunately for Maine, they only have one lone wolf to ever make it to the pros in former NBA power forward/center, Jeff Turner. Hailing from Bangor, Maine Turner took his future into his own hands and played all four years of his collegiate basketball at Vanderbilt University (1980-84). Turner eventually made his way to the NBA Draft being selected 17th overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets.
Turner played three seasons with the Nets before heading overseas to play in a professional Italian basketball league. The lefty made his way back to the NBA signing a contract with the Orlando Magic where he played from 1989-1996. While averaging an uneventful 6.0 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game, he did have a rather successful pro-ball career and even won a gold medal as a member of the Men's US National Basketball Team in the 1984 Olympics.
Wondering where to go in 2020 for an amazing deal, to beat the crowds, or for a truly once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? These destinations are on travel addicts’ radar for rightfully hyped 2020 events, new offerings, and recent developments that make them a must-visit right now.
On top of the majestic scenery its long been known for, Montana is a newly trendy nature getaway celebrated for its expanding luxury hotel scene, culinary offerings, and shop-local boutiques, according to an American Express study detailing where cardholders are traveling in 2020. But Montana is also about to get more accessible than ever before thanks to emerging flight routes sure to stir up competition. Launching two brand-new seasonal routes to Big Sky country, American Airlines will fly from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Bozeman and Kalispell, Montana, beginning mid-year and continuing through Labor Day. Take advantage of the new direct route before the secret gets out, and so that they’ll continue next year.
One of the cities featured in Booking.com’s travel trends for 2020, Urugay’s capital Montevideo is a stable and LGBT-friendly destination to visit in South America—a continent that’s seen dips in tourism of late thanks to political instability in travel destinations like Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. Travelers identified the city as a trending travel destination for anyone seeking an immersive, one-stop escape; according to the study, “over half (54 percent) of global travelers say they want to go on one long trip to a place that has all of their favorite activities and sights close together.” Montevideo’s offerings include beaches, nightlife, markets, theaters, culinary prowess, and festive Gay Pride Day celebrations in September.
Europe’s intensely overtouristed spots (Venice, Barcelona, Santorini) have new Eastern European hotspots to thank for stealing away some of the spotlight: Romania is making a name for itself as one of the top five most trending Airbnb booking destinations for 2020. The nation that’s home to Transylvania, Dracula’s castle, and well-preserved medieval towns nestled among rolling hills has seen a 298 percent annual increase in Airbnb bookings.