If you are a traveler and thinking to visit somewhere in this world then these are the 10 places that you should visit in 2019.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is Turkey’s economic and cultural center and was home to three empires: Eastern Roman, Byzantine, and the Ottoman Empire. As a result, visiting Istanbul is a one-of-a-kind experience. Did you know that this city of 15 million is located on two continents: Europe and Asia? You can walk across the Galata Bridge and explore both the Asian and European sides, each full of rich history offering an authentic local experience like enjoying a cup of traditional Turkish coffee. Don’t miss the impressive Hagia Sophia, a former church, later a mosque and now a museum or Basilica Cistern, as seen in Dan Brown’s movie adaptation Inferno, starring Tom Hanks. Best times to visit Istanbul is from March to May and September to November, especially if you want to avoid big crowds and hot and humid summer.
Petra, Jordan
Petra is a historical city in southern Jordan and one of the seven wonders of the world. The history of Petra goes back to 9,000 BC. You can enter this ancient city through a remarkable gorge and explore impressively well-preserved rose-stone-carved architectural masterpieces and engineering marvels. Wait until dusk when the candles light up and create a magical atmosphere. Did you know that Petra was featured in numerous movies such as Indiana Jones, Transformers and others? Despite being located in a turbulent region, Petra is considered to be safe for travel which makes it an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Georgia
Georgia – country, not the US state, is one of the world’s hidden gems and one of the hot new travel destinations. Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia is one of the world’s oldest settlements. You can start your visit here and walk around the old city center, visit the famous thermal baths and try the local Georgian food. And continue your travel to the picturesque Caucasus mountains where you can ski in the winter, visit one of many UNESCO-listed monasteries or explore Georgia’s ancient cities. You can also stop at one of the numerous wineries. Georgia claims to be the birthplace of wine, with production dating back over 8,000 years. Georgia is a budget-friendly destination since most historic sights are free of charge and accommodation, food and public transportation is inexpensive – although using public transportation outside the capital can sometimes take some planning. Best time to visit Georgia is in May, June and September. And, of course in the winter if you like skiing. Summers can be hot and humid. Staying in Georgia for about 10 days should give you plenty of time for a full experience.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
New Orleans, a vibrant city located along the Mississippi river in the US state of Louisiana is one of the most unique cities in the world. New Orleans grew in popularity in recent years after it was revitalized from the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While New Orleans, which celebrated it’s 300-year anniversary in 2018, is probably best known for its Mardi Gras festival, it is also the birthplace of jazz and a culinary paradise. The city was founded by French colonists in 1718 and was the capital of French Louisiana until it was traded to the United States in 1803. Until the 20th century, New Orleans had miles of canals, exceeding those in Venice, Italy. Visit the historic French Quarter, experience Bourbon Street nightlife, visit one of many jazz clubs, and enjoy the typical Creole cuisine. Did you know that the modern version of poker was actually invented in New Orleans? The best time to visit New Orleans is between February and May when the weather is cool and there’s plenty of activities and festivals.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, a former imperial capital of Japan for over 1,000 years is also referred to as Japan’s greatest ancient city. It is full of ancient temples, shrines, gardens and castles. While Japan itself can be found on many hot travel lists, visiting Kyoto might just be the most pristine tourist experience of Japan’s history, culture, and nature. Experience the traditional tea ceremony and order a traditional multiple-course Japanese meal Kyo-Kaiseki, walk among the well-preserved historic streets and feel what life in traditional Japan was like. You’ll see kimono and yukata worn on the streets of Kyoto on a regular basis, and especially during the cherry blossoming and during festivals. Kyoto is easily accessible from Tokyo by a three-hour train ride and is located only 25 miles from Osaka, Japan’s third largest city. Best time to visit Kyoto is between March, April and May in the spring, and October and November in the fall. Staying in Kyoto for three days should provide enough time to explore the city, especially if you plan to visit some of the places nearby.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany. During the Cold War, the city was divided between the East and West with the infamous especially Berlin offers an amazing mix of history, culture, music, museums and art. It is famous for its nightlife, attracting over tens of thousands of party-seeking visitors every weekend. What better way to experience the recent history of the world than by visiting Berlin? Don’t miss attractions such as Checkpoint Charlie, the pass through the Berlin wall, an impressive parliament, Brandenburg Gate, and the Holocaust Museum. Best time to visit Berlin is during the Summer and in the months of May and September when it’s slightly less crowded and the weather is still good. We recommend a minimum of three days for the important landmarks and six to seven days for a more relaxed experience.
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakesh is one of Morocco’s four former imperial cities and an increasingly popular tourist destination, mostly because of its authentic architecture, charming streets, world-class traditional restaurants, and the atmosphere creating a sense of timelessness. The city was founded nearly 1,000 years ago and has managed to preserve its rich cultural heritage. 1,700 acres of Medina, Marrakesh’s old town is a UNESCO Heritage Site due to a high concentration of architecture and art masterpieces. While there is an array of bigger hotels available, you can book a room in one of numerous authentic and relatively inexpensive boutique hotels located close to city center. The best times to visit Marrakesh is between March and May and between September and November. We recommend staying in Marrakesh for three days, which makes it a great weekend destination from Europe.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Amalfi Coast is a picturesque Italian coastline located one-hour drive from Naples and about three-hour drive from Rome. The enchanting coastal road takes you through charming little towns, wrapped between the sea on one side and high hills with beautiful vegetation and flowers stretching directly above. Every turn seems like the new best selfie spot. Stay in one of many unique hotels in Positano, Amalfi’s most picturesque town, or take a boat ride along the coast to experience Amalfi from the other side. Dine at a local restaurant and finish the meal with a glass of traditional liquor made from Amalfi lemons called Limoncello. The island of Capri is also located nearby and makes for a great one-day trip. Best months to visit the Amalfi Coast is between April and September, and if you visit in May, the nature is especially charming. Try to avoid August since the place it’s packed with tourists. A minimum of three days should give you enough time to explore or add an extra day or two if you also want to visit Capri or nearby Pompei.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca is a state in southern Mexico full of indigenous archeological sites and colonial architecture made of lava stones. Oaxaca is one of the safest states in Mexico and is becoming one of the most desirable travel destinations offering a blend of culture and nature. Start your visit in Oaxaca City, the state capital with a beautiful historic center, and continue to the Oaxacan coast famous for exceptional seafood. Oaxaca is also a popular surfing destination and its best-known product is Mezcal, an increasingly popular drink similar to Tequila. You can plan your visit around The Day of The Dead in November and experience one of the most authentic celebrations of this traditional Mexican holiday. Otherwise, best times to travel to Oaxaca is between April and May and September to October since the summer months are usually more crowded and there’s more rain. We recommend staying in Oaxaca between five and seven days.
Singapore
Singapore is a small island nation in Southeast Asia. The country gained its independence from Malaysia in 1965 and has since experienced one of the most massive economic growths ever recorded. Today, Singapore is a global business hub and offers amazing tourist attractions, food and cultural experiences and is suitable for both budget and luxury travelers. Explore places like the amazing Gardens by the Bay, the largest indoor waterfall, visit Siloso beach on Sentosa resort island or grab a bite at one of the famous street markets and experience the vibrant local atmosphere.
