The 29 Best Places to Go in 2019 — Seriously for Serious

Jan 10

Jan 10 The 29 Best Places to Go in 2019

It’s that time of year again. All the major travel news organizations have put out their “best places to travel in 2019” lists which means I have put together my annual greatest hits list (here is the list for 2018). How it works: I compile the “where to go lists” from Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel and Leisure, CNN, and The New York Times into one massive list. Any place that multiple organizations mention are then placed on my greatest hits lists. If one organization lists a country, and another lists a part of that country, it goes on my list as well. This process weeds out the more idiosyncratic choices and leaves only the places that the Travel Powers That Be agree you should visit for a given year. They are not my personal recommendations.

This list, like most travel writing, is not in anyway shape or form balanced. There is only one place in Africa on it, and only one place in Asia, and even that required some fudging. The United States is, as always, over-represented. On the plus side, there are a surprisingly large number of places from North/Central America and MENA (Middle East/North Africa). But the full analysis will have to wait. Without further ado, here are greatest hits of travel for 2019.

Egypt

Egypt. The land of the pyramids and ancient pharaohs and a top spot on many a bucket list. Tourism in Egypt took a severe hit after the Arab Spring in 2011 largely due to safety concerns. However, it is on the rise again and is one top places to go in 2019. The Grand Egyptian Museum, a 1 billion dollar investment in bringing Egypt’s past to the 21st century, is scheduled to open this year. Both CNN and Travel and Leisure recommend the entire country, but if you need it narrowed down National Geographic recommends Cairo, where you can see not only the new museum and Giza, but also the UNESCO-listed 10th century historic city. If cities aren’t your thing, Lonely Planet suggests heading to upper Egypt and the ancient sites at Luxor, Aswan and places in between. Please note that while the country is safer, there was a terrorist attack that killed several tourists near the Pyramids at Giza in December 2018.

Northern Territory, Australia

Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is up there with the Sydney Opera House and a koala as one of the most iconic images of Australia. Uluru might be the best-known, but it’s only part of the area of the Northern Territory known as the Red Center, one of Lonely Planet’s top picks for 2019. There is also the ochre rock domes known as “the Olgas,” the town of Alice Spring, and the Outback itself to name a few. Travel and Leisure recommends the entire province, which includes the city of Darwin and Kakadu National Park, home of ancient aboriginal rock art. And remember, if you do go, respect Anangu (the region’s native people) traditions and do not climb Uluru.

Germany

Germany, one of Lonely Planet’s top picks, has a lot to celebrate in 2019. For one thing, it marks the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus movement. I had to ask an expert – aka one of my oldest friends who also happens to be an architect – what the Bauhaus movement was. According to her it’s an early modernist architecture and fine arts movement that took a holistic approach to all aspects of a building, both inside and outside, called “Gesamtkuntswerk.” National Geographic recommends an architectural tour of the country, which would include Weimar, the birthplace of the movement and one of CNN’s top picks for the year, and Dessau, another major Bauhaus city and a New York Times pick. If early modernist architecture isn’t your mug of beer, Travel and Leisure recommends Berlin, which is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. And if Bavaria is more your speed, The New York Times suggests you check out Munich, which has one of the best emerging opera houses in Europe right now.

Elqui Valley, Chile

Just a bit north from Santiago and slightly south of the Atacama Desert lies Chile’s Elqui Valley. Listed by The New York Times, Lonely Planet and Travel and Leisure this area boasts 320 days of sunshine a year and is the birthplace of Nobel Laureate for Literature Gabriela Mistral. The area, which has very little light pollution and is the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, is great for stargazers and those wanting to see the total solar eclipse in July. It’s also a wine producing region for reds such as Carmenere and the major production area for pisco, the key ingredient of the national drink, the pisco sour. I recommend you do not ask about Peru’s claims to pisco and the pisco sour – it can be a touchy subject for both countries.

Toronto, Canada

Both Travel and Leisure and National Geographic have recommended this Canadian metropolis for 2019. The city’s Museum of Contemporary Art is reopening after a major expansion. In September the Toronto Biennial of Art, a 90-day long contemporary multi-disciplinary art exhibition along the waterfront, will begin. In addition to the art scene, the city’s food scene showcases the city’s extremely diverse population.

Houston, Texas

Despite the devastating hurricane and flood damage of 2017, Houston is bouncing back with Lonely Planet, Travel and Leisure and The New York Times recommending this Texan city as a place to visit in 2019. The diverse city – America’s fourth largest by population – has a growing food scene with award-nominated restaurants and new food halls opening this year. The city’s museums are undergoing an overhaul, with the Museum of Fine Arts building an expansion and the Menil Collection opening a new drawing institute. July 2019 is also the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing, making it an excellent time to visit the Apollo Mission Center along with the city’s other museums.

Zadar, Croatia

Croatia has been a tourist hot spot for a while now, with travel writers and travelers alike now bemoaning the crowdedness of places like Dubrovnik. But there are still exciting, less-traveled corners of Croatia that are garnering notice, and this year Lonely Planet and The New York Times suggest Zadar, on the Dalmatian Coast. The city’s Old Town has all the bars, restaurants, and cafes a hipster traveler could want. The city also boasts both Roman and Venetian ruins, fitting as it’s the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. And of course there is the beauty of the Adriatic Sea and the Croatian coast.

Dakar, Senegal

Dakar, Senegal is one of those cities that flies under the radar of many Western travelers. The West African city doesn’t have wildlife safaris - a key tourist draw for many African countries. But it has excellent beaches, particularly for surfing, along with its own high fashion scene, and colorful, chaotic markets. The city is also known for its music and nightlife, which merge in its stylish nightclubs. Senegalese hip-hop plays along with mbalax – Senegalese dance music which blends traditional Wolof music with Western African-diaspora musical styles. The Museum of Black Civilizations opened in December 2018. The museum showcases the cultures, histories, and works from both the continent and the diaspora. Senegal has requested France return artifacts from Senegal, which would be placed in the new museum. Lonely Planet, National Geographic, and The New York Times all suggest you check out this corner of West Africa this year.

Mexico City, Mexico

Named the World Design Capital in 2018, is it any wonder that National Geographic and Lonely Planet recommend Mexico City for 2019? Not only the home of colonial cathedrals and pre-Hispanic buildings, and museums, the city has a growing creative class which celebrates and embraces Mexican identity and heritage. If you travel on your stomach, never fear. Already home to the world-renowned Pujol and Quintonil – the 11th best restaurant in the world in 2018 – National Geographic also discusses the renewed interest in indigenous strains of maize and the humble tortilla by chefs and eaters alike in the city.

Argentina

2019 brings even more reasons to visit Argentina beyond the perennial allure of Patagonia and tango. If you missed the 2017 solar eclipse which hit swaths of the United States, never fear, there will be one in northern Argentina in 2019. Lonely Planet recommends the entire country for travelers, but if you need to narrow it down – Argentina is quite large – National Geographic suggests the Isla de los Estados, off Tierra del Fuego. The isolated island contains forests, fjords, and is home to plenty of wildlife including rockhopper and Magellanic penguins. I’ve only visited Mendoza - the heart of Argentina’s wine-making region - but I wholeheartedly recommend it as well.

South Island, New Zealand

If you weren’t able to visit in 2018, no worries, New Zealand is one of the top travel destinations in 2019 as well, only this year travel writers are focusing on the South Island. Travel and Leisure recommends the whole island, which is known for sky diving and bungee jumping. National Geographic suggests the Canterbury region of the island where GODZone – a seven-day expedition race where teams traverse wilderness without any support – is taking place. The New York Times has a less extreme outdoorsy suggestion: The Paparoa Track, a new 34-mile trail winding through a national park of the same name. If none of those are your thing, never fear. CNN recommends the city of Christchurch, which has rebuilt after a major earthquake in 2011. The South Island also contains the Marlborough region, home to New Zealand’s world-famous Sauvignon Blanc. Pro-tip - I’ve been informed by several Kiwis it’s simply called “a sav” there.

Scotland

Scotland may be the home of the historic and exciting cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, but in 2019 it’s Scotland’s more rural attractions that are getting the focus. Travel and Leisure recommends the country’s rural and photogenic locations for travelers to stay. Lonely Planet focuses on the Scottish Highlands and islands and one of Scotland’s key products – whiskey. The region is seeing the largest distilleries boom in well over a century, and visiting one provides not just top-notch whiskey, but a window into the region, much like wine does in other parts of the world. If whiskey isn’t your thing, CNN recommends the Hebrides, particularly the Isle of Lewis and Harris, home to the Callanish Standing Stones, which were erected roughly 5,000 years ago. And if you want to visit a larger town for your Highlands stay, The New York Times suggests Aberdeen.

The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon needs no introduction. It’s not even a hyperbole to say it’s considered one of the greatest natural wonders of the world (seriously, it’s been voted that). Well, 2019 sees the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of the Grand Canyon National Park making it one of CNN and Travel and Leisure’s top picks for the years. Even if the park has only existed for 100 years, the area has been inhabited continuously for nearly 12,000 years. Whether you want to spend days hiking or want the best possible Instagram photo, 2019 is a good year to knock the Grand Canyon off your bucket list.

Panama

The county of Panama is better known for its Canal then for tourism. But that might change in 2019. The country, one of Lonely Planet’s and The New York Times’ top picks, boasts largely unnoticed beaches and rainforests along with marine preserves and new luxury hotel options. In addition, Panama City, recommended by Travel and Leisure, marks its 500th anniversary this year. The city’s UNESCO-listed Colonial Quarter has been slowly restored over the past two decades and now is filled with top restaurants, boutiques, and of course, centuries of history.

Israel

Israel is one of Travel and Leisure’s top destinations for 2019. It has built high speed railways linking Ben Gurion Airport – the country’s main airport – with Jerusalem and in 2019 it will link Jerusalem with Tel Aviv. Getting from the historical and religious sites of Jerusalem to the beach and food scene in Tel Aviv will only take a 30-minute train ride. Next to Tel Aviv is the town of Jaffa (also written Yafo), one of CNN’s picks for the year, which is known for its art scene and is also an ancient port. Other travel infrastructure includes Ramon Airport opening in Eilat, a resort town on the edge of the Red Sea and one of The New York Times’ picks, much more accessible to travelers.

Vevey, Switzerland

If you’re anything like me, upon seeing that The New York Times and National Geographic recommend Vevey, Switzerland because of wine festival, your response will be along the lines of “Switzerland makes wine?” Apparently, the answer is yes, yes they do, and in 2019 the city of Vevey will be celebrating the Fete de Vignerons, a massive celebration of the Lavaux wine region’s traditions, culture, and favorite beverage. The fete is only held five times a century and was first held in 1797. If you aren’t interested in trying Swiss wine, Vevey has a Chaplin’s World, a museum honoring Charlie Chaplin. The town also has a statue of him – Chaplin moved there after he fled the US.

New York City, New York

New York, New York, it’s a wonderful town and one worth visiting. So what makes 2019 different? It marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a key event in the push towards equality for LGBTQ people in the United States. NYC will host a massive pride celebration in June in honor of the event, leading CNN to recommend this year in particular to visit. The New York Times also recommends the city (completely without any bias I’m sure), particularly the Hudson Yards in Manhattan which is also a Travel and Leisure pick. Hudson Yards is undergoing major gentrification, including both massive investments in real estate, but also a new five-acre park and a cultural arts center called “The Shed.” The Museum of Modern Art’s massive expansion will also open this year.

Belize

Despite being less well known than Costa Rica or Guatemala this tiny Central American country has a lot going for it. Listed by National Geographic and Lonely Planet for 2019, Belize is home to an incredible barrier reef system (part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef), one that is no longer in danger thanks to the country’s conservation efforts and is home to a number of endangered species. It’s also home to the Blue Hole, a large marine sinkhole that is popular with divers. If you want to stay on dry land, Belize has a number of Mayan ruins, the most spectacular of which is Caracol.

Russian Far East

I’m cheating a bit here. Lonely Planet recommends the Russian Far East for 2019, and The New York Times listed Olkhorn Islands, in Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal – the world’s deepest freshwater lake – forms the wester-most border of the Russian Far East so the overlap is debatable, but this was also the only way I could get a place from Asia on the greatest hits list outside the Middle East so here we are. Lake Baikal has thousands of animal species, including one of only three species of freshwater seals in the world, and Olkhorn Island is home to one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Asia. The area is also under threat from everything from climate change to rising tourism. Further east is the dramatic wilderness and geology of Kamchatka, and the city of Vladivostok, which is upping its cultural cachet with the Fabrika Zarya Arts Center and new spaces opened by the Hermitage and the Mariinsky Theater.

Oman

Oman has everything a you could want from a trip to the Arabian Peninsula. Ancient forts and souqs? Check out Nizwa. Steep canyons and picturesque views? Visit the Hajar Mountains. And if you are looking for desert sand dunes out of Aladdin, Oman’s “Empty Quarter” is one of the largest sand deserts in the world. The sultanate (the country is a sultanate) has even revived its horse culture and travelers can go riding in mountains or along the beaches. And in coastal resorts and high-end hotels in the capital city Muscat, and anyone can see why National Geographic, Travel and Leisure, and CNN all suggest visiting this Middle Eastern country in 2019.

Perth, Australia

Perth is no longer the forgotten city of Australia. The city, the only one of over 100,000 people in Western Australia and fully on the other side of the continent from Melbourne and Sydney is one of the top 2019 destinations according to The New York Times and National Geographic. The city is both more accessible thanks to new non-stop flights from London, and has undergone a huge development boom for the past decade, with new shopping, restaurants, and bars, the last in particular thanks to the liberalization of liquor laws. There is also plenty of the sun, surf, and wine that Australia in known for.

Matera, Italy

Italy is bursting with history, both extremely well-known, like the Rome’s Colosseum, and the lesser known. Matera, a town in southern Italy and a pick by both National Geographic and Travel and Leisure, falls under the latter category. The town is home ancient cave dwellings dug into the rock as early as 7,000 BC. The Italian government condemned the cave dwellings and cleared out the inhabitants in the 1950s due to unhealthy living conditions. However, the caves, known as sassi, are now a UNESCO heritage site and travelers can enjoy an incredible historic area along with boutique hotels and great food and wine.

Puerto Rico

The US territory is still mending from the severe damage wrought by Hurricane Maria in 2017. That hasn’t stopped the island or tourists visiting it, and both Travel and Leisure and The New York Times recommend it for 2019. Travelers can always enjoy historic San Juan or the bioluminescent bay in Vieques. But in 2019, Lin Manuel-Miranda will be reprising the titular role in Hamilton at San Juan’s Centro de Bellas Artes. The show will raise funds for the arts on the island.

Normandy, France

75 years ago this coming June, the Allied Powers invaded Nazi-controlled France on what is known as D-Day. It marked the turning point in the War in Europe in WWII is part of why CNN and Lonely Planet listed this French province as one of their top destinations for 2019. But Omaha Beach is not all Normandy has to offer. There is Mont Saint Michel, a Gothic Abbey built on a rock off-shore that only accessible via foot during low tide. Travelers can also visit Bayeux, home of the Bayeux Tapestry. The medieval work shows a famous military invasion in the opposite direction – the 1066 Norman invasion of Britain.

Salvador, Brazil

If Salvador, Brazil is known for only one thing, it’s music. The city, picked by both National Geographic and The New York Times, is a coastal town in the province of Bahia. Its historic center is a UNESCO heritage site, largely due to the Portuguese Renaissance architecture. But it’s the music that gives the city its true fame. Samba, bossa nova, and tropicalia – an artistic form that emerged in the ‘60s and includes music, theater, and poetry – all emerged from this city. In addition, the city has its own Afro-Caribbean-Brazilian pop music called Axe (ah-shay). Music can be enjoyed year-round of course, but its also on full, exuberant display during Carnival.

Alberta, Canada

2019 is the year to be Alberta bound. The Canadian province is one of Travel and Leisure’s picks. Skiers already know about the trails in Jasper and Banff. But the area has more to recommend it than the Canadian Rockies – even with the reintroduction of bison to Banff. In Edmonton visit the Royal Alberta Museum, the largest in Western Canada, which has several collections devoted to indigenous cultures and history via archeology. The city of Calgary, recommended by The New York Times, has a new Central Library is both a destination for those interested in architectural design but also contains a performance hall and links Calgary’s downtown to the previously-neglected East Village neighborhood.

Tunisia

Tunisia is the biggest success story from the Arab Spring, and is one of Travel and Leisure’s top picks for 2019. Travelers can see Roman ruins and great beaches all over Tunisia, but the top site for visitors is the capital city of Tunis, a New York Times pick. Tunis was also once the ancient city of Carthage, and travelers can still visit the Carthaginian ruins. In addition, travelers can visit the 12th century medina, and the world-class Bardo National Museum. And if all that history gave you appetite, there is Tunisia’s French-influence North African cuisine.

Wyoming

This western state, one of The New York Times’ recommendations, is best known for its rugged outdoors, highlighted in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. But Wyoming was also the first place in the US to grant women the right to vote, and 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of that historic step. Women’s suffrage is being celebrated at a number of museums and the state’s Capitol Building. One of the many places to celebrate women’s suffrage in Wyoming is the town of Jackson Hole, recommended by Travel and Leisure. Jackson is no longer just the province of the retired and wealthy, thanks to more low-key, affordable hotels and a population whose median age is only 33.

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Bulgaria has been the stomping grounds of empires for millennia, and their architectural stamp can be found in Plovdiv, recommended by The New York Times and CNN. One of the most important Thracian cities thousands of years ago, the city has some spectacular Roman ruins, particularly the stadium and the amphitheater, which is still used for performances. For more recent history, there is the Bachkovo monastery, founded in 1083, and the Dzhumaya Mosque, built by Ottomans in the 1300s. It’s not all ancient cultures though, as Plovdiv was nominated as one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2019 and there are hundreds of events planned in the city and surrounding areas.

French Polynesia

If you want to get away from everything, it’s difficult to find a better place than French Polynesia. National Geographic recommends you relax and enjoy all the islands and atolls and the beauty of the ocean itself in 2019. The New York Times recommends Tahiti in particular as the island, along with others in French Polynesia have increased their conservation and ecotourism efforts to combat the threats from climate change. 2019 is also the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s arrival in French Polynesia, which is a mixed legacy to be sure. But for a place to relax, maybe paint if you’re a Gauguin fan, and otherwise get away from it all, it’s hard to beat this part of the Pacific.