10 destinations to visit in 2019

(Planning on travelling in 2023? Check out our suggestions for great destinations in 2023)

Do you dream of travelling?

And will 2019 be the year you tick yet another destination off your list?

If you dream of experiencing amazing destinations on the other side of the earth – in Africa, Latin America and Asia – is it not about time you did?

Below, you will find our 10 suggestions for travel destinations that you should visit in 2019.

Tanzania – Safari, mountain climbing and endless beaches

Tanzania is an excellent East African safari destination, where you will find Serengeti National Park, whose ecosystem is considered to be one of the world’s oldest, and the unique Ngorongoro crater, which is home to diverse and concentrated wildlife.

If you dream of mountain climbing, Tanzania is also the place to go. Climb Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest and world’s highest free-standing mountain – the ultimate challenge.

And in Tanzania, you can also round off your safari or mountain climbing on the amazing island of Zanzibar: white sandy beaches, fabulous cocktails and luxury by the bucket-load. What more can you ask for? Perhaps a day with a little culture? Well the island has that, too, as Stone Town’s labyrinth of streets offer unique, historic sights.

The best time to visit: The best time to visit depends on what you wish to experience. The climate of Kilimanjaro differs greatly to Serengeti National Park, for example. Generally speaking, however, you can expect Tanzania to be good all year round: From November to March, there are more baby animals than at other times of the year in Serengeti, and from late May to July, you can experience the Great Migration right up close.

Brazil – Charm and natural beauties

Brazil is one of South America’s most visited travel destinations, and the country boasts amazing sights from north to south.

Experience Brazil’s charm first hand in the city of Rio de Janeiro, which buzzes with life and happy days. The city centre offers numerous attractions, such as the Christ the Redeemer statue, which watches over the city from the top of Mount Corcovado. And if you arrive in February, you cannot escape becoming part of the carnival.

If you are into wildlife and beautiful nature, you should visit the Amazon, which is the world’s largest rainforest, or Pantanal, one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands where you can meet the capybara – the world’s largest rodent. Also visit the Iguazu Falls – one of the world’s largest waterfalls, located on the border between Argentina and Brazil. Here you can truly feel the full power of Mother Earth.

The best time to visit: Brazil can be visited all year round, but the country’s climate is highly influenced by its size. Brazil is spread over several climate zones, so the weather varies a lot depending on whether you are visiting the north or the south.

Japan – A melting pot of traditions

If you wish to experience Japan before the Olympics fill the streets of Tokyo in earnest in 2020, then 2019 is the obvious time to visit the country. Japan is unlike other Asian countries, and the Japanese culture will undoubtedly both amaze you and draw you in.

Here, you will discover a melting pot of ancient, fascinating Asian traditions coupled with the pace and modernity of the city.

Experience, for example, the exciting contrasts of the capital, Tokyo, which is a mix of state-of-the-art and traditional Japan. And if you really want to immerse yourself in the traditions, visit Kyoto – the heart of Japan – and discover thousands of shrines and feel the special historical atmosphere first hand. Wherever you travel in Japan, you have the opportunity to experience the unique Japanese food culture, which in many ways is an attraction in itself.

The best time to visit: If you wish to experience the cherry blossom, travel there between March and April. Beyond this, there are wonderful experiences to be had in Japan all year round.

Kenya – Classic safari and outstanding scenery

Kenya is one of Africa’s classic safari destinations.

Anyone travelling to Kenya can expect to be blown away by the overwhelming wildlife of the Kenyan National Parks.

In Masai Mara, you will find one of Kenya’s most famous areas of natural beauty, which houses vast and diverse wildlife on the endless plains. Experience, for example, all of the big-five animals, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, wildebeest and many, many other exciting animals – all year round. In Masai Mara, you can also experience part of the great migration, when the wildebeest make the dangerous crossing over the Mara River.

But Kenya offers many exciting areas of natural beauty, such as the bright red earth in Tsavo East, birds and hippos at Lake Naivasha and Kenya’s biggest elephants in Amboseli National Park.

The best time to visit: If you would like to experience the Great Migration, you should visit Masai Mara between June/July and October. If you want to avoid the rainy season, you should avoid travelling from April to the end of May (big rainy season) and from the end of October to December (small rainy season), which are the two rainy seasons in Kenya. However, Masai Mara is wonderful all year round.

Peru – History and mysticism

Unlike many of the other South American countries, Peru is not known for its stunning beaches, but if you’re into history, amazing scenery and unforgettable experiences, Peru is waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Walk in the footsteps of the Inca on a fantastic trek to Machu Picchu, one of the seven new wonders of the world, which attracts visitors from all over the world. The well-preserved Inca city is one of Peru’s biggest attractions and is an absolute must-see when in Peru. If you want to get even closer to the history of the Inca, visit the nearby city of Cusco, the old capital of the Incas. The city offers a host of fascinating experiences, including the sun temple, Korincancha, which was a very sacred place for the Incas.

A different, yet definitely worthwhile experience, is the mysterious Nazca Lines. The lines are geoglyphs in the desert sands, believed to have been made by the Nazca people more than 2,000 years ago.

The best time to visit: Peru can be visited all year round. However, you should be aware that the Inca Trail is closed in February. The best months to walk the trail are between April and November.

Thailand – One of the world’s most visited destinations

Thailand is not an up-and-coming destination, but has been one of the world’s most visited holiday destinations for many years. And for good reason!

Thailand is for adults and children, active people, food enthusiasts, history buffs, culture vultures and for those who just want to relax. And what’s more, Thailand is a great holiday destination!

The capital, Bangkok, is a big city that takes most people’s breath away, with a combination of amazing sights, such as the Grand Palace, which was the royal family’s home for 150 years, and the countless markets where you can practice the art of haggling. Up north in Chiang Mai, you will find an unusually charming town, which features, among other sights, the holy Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple, which is scenically located on a mountainside. And, of course, there are Thailand’s amazing islands in the south, which are perfect for a paradise end to any holiday.

The best time to visit: Thailand is fantastic all year round. However, there are major differences in climate, depending on whether you are in Northern, Central or Southern Thailand. Northern Thailand is best between October and March, Central Thailand and the coasts of Eastern Thailand are best between November and May, and Southern Thailand is best between November and March (west coast) and June and October (east coast).

South Africa – A rainbow of experiences

South Africa is a stunning, versatile and diverse country that in many ways has something for you, whatever type of holiday person you are. In fact, South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation, because the country is so ethnically and culturally diverse, and this diversity is one of the things that makes South Africa so fascinating to visit.

The diversity is found in the many different experiences that await you here.

Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest national park, is an impressive area offering fantastic safaris. It has a large concentration of different animal species, including mammals, reptiles and more than 500 different species of birds.

Wherever you go in South Africa, you can also expect to experience outstanding scenery. Drive along South Africa’s south coast on the famous Garden Route and experience rugged coastline, golden beaches and lots of charming towns and cities. And while on the subject of cities. The city of Cape Town, which has been voted one of the world’s best cities multiple times, is definitely worth a visit. The city offers a wide range of attractions, so there is something for everyone.

The best time to visit: South Africa’s climate makes it a fantastic travel destination all year round. Note, however, that in southern South Africa, it is winter when we have summer. There is also rainy season in Kruger National Park during the warmest months from November to February, so if you wish to avoid the rainy season, you should travel outside this period.

China – A thousand years of history

China is a vast travel destination – so big that you cannot possibly see it all in one lifetime.

You will rarely find a country with so many different cultures and “countries” in one. But once you have a visa, you can see it all – without having to cross any borders.

China is full of exciting sights you won’t want to miss. In the capital, you can explore the many historical sights that Beijing has to offer, such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and part of the more than 8,000-km-long Chinese wall, located north of the city. When visiting the country, you owe it to yourself to visit the more than 2,000-year-old Terracotta Warriors standing in line in Xi’an. And, if you venture even further west, you can get right up close to the endangered, but amazing, pandas in Chengdu Province.

The best time to visit: China can be visited all year round, but as China is a very large country geographically, there will be vast differences in temperatures and weather conditions, depending on which areas you visit when.

Colombia – South America’s best kept secret

Colombia might not be a destination you’ve considered before. The country has previously mostly been associated with drug cartels and high crime. But that’s all in the past. Colombia is an up-and-coming travel destination and perhaps one of South America’s best kept secrets.

One of Colombia’s main attractions is the pre-Columbian ruin complex of Ciudad Perdida or Lost City, which is Colombia’s answer to Machu Picchu. Lost City is situated deep in the jungle and can only be reached on foot, which is why only few people can say that they have seen this amazing ruin.

Thankfully, if you are not up to the physical challenge that it may take to reach Lost City, there are many other things to see and do.

Medellín is Colombia’s second largest city, and is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” thanks to its mild climate. In the past, the city was known for Pablo Escobar and drugs, but things have changed. Since 2002, the city has been transformed into an innovative centre, and Medellín was voted the world’s most innovative city in 2013. Come on a tour of the city and experience the crazy changes that have been made.

In the coastal city of Cartagena, you will find the colonial charm that is a hallmark of some of the South American cities. Explore the city’s many amazing neighbourhoods, each of which have exciting experiences to offer, such as the old quarter, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a maze of cobblestone streets.

The best time to visit: You can visit Colombia all year round. It is not the season that determines the temperatures, but the altitude. The best times to visit Colombia are considered to be from December to March and from July to August, when it is dry season. The dry season on the Caribbean coast, however, is from December to April – but you can absolutely visit during the rainy season.

Botswana – Exclusive safari and elephants

Botswana is one of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations. The government in the country has focused heavily on conservation of the country’s nature, which has included measures such as limiting the number of tourists they allow to enter the country.

One of the country’s top experiences is Chobe National Park, where you can enjoy a more intimate safari experience than in other safari countries in Africa due to these government measures. The national park is characterised by its spectacular, unspoilt nature. And there are lots of animals here.

Chobe is especially famous for its many elephants – in fact, Botswana is the world’s largest elephant population. Besides the elephants, you can experience the classic safari animals such lions, leopards and elephants. In Chobe, you will also find the Chobe River, which offers a different kind of safari – a river safari where you can experience some of the animals that live in the water, such as crocodiles and hippos.

The best time to visit: The national park can be visited all year round. If you wish to avoid rain, avoid January and February in particular, when it rains the most. The dry season is between May and October. During this period, it may become chilly at night.

Do you dream of going on the travel experience of your lifetime in 2019?

We have given you our suggestions for 10 wonderful destinations across three continents, and there is definitely something for you, too.

If you have any questions, you are very welcome to contact our travel consultants.

Have a great trip!

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller