2019: 10 Of The Most Interesting Destinations to Experience In The World

Well. The end of 2018 is upon us and we’ve done our fair share of sojourning and experiences with more planned for 2019, God willing. May our pockets never run dry for this. Glory!

I went on my first two solo trips of this year to Copenhagen and Malmo in April and Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands & Luxembourg) in October and I had such a swell time that I plan on returning to at least one of these destinations in 2019.

Related: Malmo and Lund Affordable Day Trip from Copenhagen

There are so many things that make a great travel experience, but for many, the most important part is choosing the right destination.

I seem to have a knack for choosing expensive but interesting destinations such as Copenhagen and Grand Cayman. Ah well. I do love the fine things of life lol.

According to Booking.com, 45% of travelers these days have some kind of bucket list in mind and it is a list peppered with some truly exquisite destinations with amazing experiences to be had.

Without further ado, here are my top 10 most interesting destinations to add to your 2019 bucket list.

Prague, Czech Republic.

For so long the darling of Central Europe, Prague is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Impressive architecture? Check. Charming neighborhoods? Double check. Stunning winter beauty? Triple check.

What to See. Oh! You want more reasons to visit?

• Its medieval, fairy-tale elegance is in the Guinness World Record of the largest, validated castle complex in the world, Prague Castle.
• Prague Castle is over 70,000 square meters and includes the must-visit Golden Lane, a 16th c. street that once housed goldsmiths. Presently, Golden Lane’s souvenir shops and museums are painted brightly and I love coloured building facades so much that I look out for them in every city.
• Old Town Square. A historic square in the old town quarter of Prague where you can view its famous astronomical clock – Prague Orloj.
• Charles Bridge. Historic bridge in Prague that connects Prague Castle and Old Town quarter.

Furthermore, you can escape the city and pop into nearby towns and villages on day trips such as Ostrava and Sedlec, for the Sedlec Ossuary, an old church filled with thousands of skeletons arranged as interior decoration.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry. Enjoy a few drinks – beer is crazy cheap at around €1.20 – and stuff your face with delicious Czech foods like Palacinky (similar to French crepes) and Trdelnik (a traditional Slovak pastry dusted with sugar, nuts and cinnamon). It is one of the more affordable European destinations and I cannot wait to visit soon.

Perth, Australia

Once known as the most remote major city on Earth, it is now possible to fly direct to Perth from anywhere in the western world and never has there been a better time to explore this foodie haven and cultural hub.

What to See.

• Head to the Margaret River region in the south of Perth and check out some amazing wineries like Leeuwin Estate. If you visit in November, you can attend the Gourmet Escape; a unique event celebrating the food scene in Perth, and a good place to do some celeb-chef spotting.
• Rottnest Island. Just offshore Perth, it is a protected nature reserve and a former penal colony for male aborigines. There is a painful history here and if/when you do go, learn about the history of the native Noongar people and British colonization all through the 1950s. The island is best known for quokkas, sea lions and fur seals and if you seek a different atmosphere from bustling Perth, this is an interesting destination for you.
• Indigenous Experiences. Experience an authentic experience with Aboriginal owned and operated cruises that explore the history, language and culture of Whadjuk people of the Swan River. This experience not only educates foreigners on the original people & history of Australia but puts tourism dollars into their hands thus making them profit from their own land. This is also one of the ways to travel sustainably –> Rookie Tips on Sustainable Travel

Eat, Drink & Be Merry. There are many wineries, breweries, organic farms and gourmet food places to experience in Perth. You will be spoilt for choice in this far out interesting destination down under.

Matera, Italy

One of Italy’s best-kept secrets, Matera is located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. What strikes me the most about this place is how romantic and picture perfect it looks.

It is the sort of place that is ideal for couples and singletons alike to experience and explore history.

Matera is built into the rock of a ravine that gives it an ancient looking quality and it is known as ‘The Underground City,’ due in no small part to the ancient cave dwellings in Sassi.

It is the Italian host of the 2019 European Capital of Culture along with Plovdiv in Bulgaria.

What to See.

• Sassi. This is Matera’s ancient town in what is thought to be the first human settlement in present-day Italy. Until the 1980s, it was still poverty-stricken but it gained UNESCO World Heritage Status as the government became more tourism-oriented.
• Matera Cathedral. This is something I’d love to see because I love cathedrals and religious architecture so much. I’m always amazed at the craftsmanship and detailing of an era devoid of modern construction equipment. The cathedral boasts a bell tower with statues of Maria and Saints Peter and Paul.
• Ancient cisterns. Matera’s location within a rocky ravine made water collection difficult for settlements hence the early people built a collection of cisterns that filtered rainwater and transported it towards Sassi.

Related: Unique Religious Architecture Around the World

New York City

Okay, so I’m a little biased as a native New Yorker, but this is one of the best darn cities in the whole of the U.S. – maybe even top 10 in the world.

Tell me, where else can you go from Cantonese to Korean to French then across the Mediterranean to North Africa then across the Sahara to West Africa? I’m referring to our amazing food cultures not our ability to time travel lol.

Even regional North American foods abound and let’s not start on unique shows, events and our annual New Year’s ball drop in Times Square. There is honestly so much to experience in this very interesting destination in all seasons and 2019 will see novel restaurants and experiences to be had.

Even having spent a portion of my life in New York, she is still a city that never fails to amaze me. Apart from the conventional sights to see, these to-do points below will amaze you too.

What to See.

• There’s plenty to see and do here, from Liberty Island to Central Park, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As an introvert, I have devised a guide for amazing tips that will help you enjoy NYC as a frugal introvert. There are plenty of ideas that can take you to the most amazing corners of New York City in 2019.
• Go beyond Manhattan to Dumbo in Brooklyn and explore the waterfront, iconic Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Ice cream factory before it closes at the end of December 2018. Run! Don’t walk…and experience what to do in a day in Dumbo.
• Ride the A train to Upper Manhattan for the Cloisters, a medieval museum constructed with artifacts shipped from Europe decades ago. It houses religious architecture from centuries ago left in ruins in France, Spain and Italy. This is a very interesting destination for a day trip within NYC and you’ll be in awe.
• More explorations abound on the revamped NYC waterfront which can be experienced via the NYC Ferry from Wall St. to Rockaways and experience unique adventures on the NYC ferry.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry.

Where do I even begin? Seriously. I don’t know where to start as food is so diverse for every palate. I’ll do a mixture of diverse places that satisfy all budgets and tastes as this is NYC, baby! Lol.

• As a pescatarian, I love Shaking Crab! If you’ve never had it and you LOVE seafood, it serves seafood and sides (crab, mussels, lobster, corn & potatoes) with mild to spicy sauce in a bag. Yes…in a bag with a bib and gloves because fingers are the best cutlery. You need to experience this to understand.
• Eataly is an Italian marketplace with food, recipes and a restaurant all from Italy. There are two locations – Flatiron district and Westfield Mall, downtown NYC, and the pizzas are great.
•  My fave French spot is Petit Poulet on 32nd St/6th Ave and it is a cozy restaurant with the most amazing French onion soup I’ve ever had. I always take away their delicious Cornish hen.
• In the interest of space and time, just explore 14th St./Union Square and a bit further for interesting restaurants from all nationalities. My fave fusion Asian spot in Union Square is Spice.

Banff, Canada

Banff is the ultimate bucket list destination for those who love to be active and indulge in nature. Outdoor enthusiasts should definitely experience this amazing Alberta town nestled in the Rocky Mountains that offers stunning hiking trails and water sport activities.

What to Do.

• Tunnel Mountain. It has extreme sports activities such as white water rafting that you must ensure are covered as part of your travel cover. Banff is stunningly beautiful, and it offers so much in terms of active adventure travel so this is one place you absolutely need to make sure you visit.
• Lake Louise. A very popular and Instagrammable view – if you’re into that – of natural landscape and quiet. My ideal kinda place.
• Surprise Corner. Scenic view overlooking Sulphur Mountain with more nature to gawk at.
• Bow Falls. Local waterfall landmark that some daredevils raft on. Good luck!

Windhoek, Namibia

I always notice that when travel lists curate interesting destinations and cities, they tend to leave out the whole continent of Africa.

It’s frustrating that in 2018, we’re (disclaimer: I’m continental African) still thought of as poverty-stricken, hungry and undeveloped, where that is very untrue.

Granted, there are some poor areas, just like in every single country, but cities are bustling and full of history, culture and life and Windhoek is one of the more serene cities to experience.

What to Do.

• Daan Viljoen Game Reserve. The park has walking paths and tourists can travel by themselves and experience flora and fauna here.
• Desert tours & safaris. The Namib desert offers a unique ecosystem to be experienced and this is something I really want to do. From orange-red dunes and overnight under the stars, you get to experience desert tours and safaris under the African sky.
• National Art Gallery. Here, you get to experience Namibian, African & European art. Namibia has a long and painful history of German colonization with some British influence (they were the master colonizers of the day), and you might get to see this history in art form.

Fact: Do you know that the Namibian genocide carried out on the Herrero people by the Germans at the start of the 20th c. is said to be Germany’s practice for the Holocaust three decades later? Now you know.

Muscat, Oman

I’ve only ever been to Dubai in the Middle East but I want to explore more of the Gulf. I know people that are apprehensive to visit because of safety issues but I politely remind them that thousands of people are scared to visit the U.S. because of our shootings and racial violence broadcast to the world. They fall silent. Lol.

From Dubai, Oman is about a 2hr drive and I feel like that can be done as a day trip from the Emirates to maximize travel by squeezing in another Gulf country.

Muscat may not be as cosmopolitan or lively like Dubai or Amman but it does offer a change of pace. Out in the countryside, there are desert and wadi tours where you get to experience the rugged nature of the Gulf.

What to Do.

• Al Alam Palace. This is the royal residence of the Sultan with blue and gold columns.
• Bait Al Zubair. This is a cultural museum showcasing an open air Omani village, cultural and historical artifacts, weapons and costumes.
• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. One of the most visited places in Muscat, its interior is resplendent with ornate decor. It has five minarets and is in classic Islamic architecture.
• Mutrah Souq. This is a traditional bazaar selling spices, antiques, clothing and trinkets. Great for bagging authentic souvenirs.
• Corniche. It is a waterside area with a view of the mountains with shelters where you can plop down for shade. It is a popular tourist attraction.

Bear in mind that as a tourist, you will either have to rent a car or splurge on taxis. Some attractions are close in vehicular distance but not on foot thus a vehicle is required.

There is a hop-on hop-off bus but the wait between stops is said to be longer than usual.

Kigali, Rwanda

Rwanda is the fastest, most developing country in Africa and considering the genocide it went through two decades ago, it has come a long and hard way and her success is well deserved.

Kigali is small but very modern and if this is your first time to Africa with pre-conceived notions, I’m glad to say that all negative thoughts would be dispelled on arrival.

What to Do.

• Genocide Memorial Centre. This is a moving tribute to the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi with the remains of over 200,000 interred here. There are reading material and videos to watch of survivors and stories on how the lead up to the genocide began. You can spend a whole day here.
• Caplaki Craft Village. You may choose to buy handmade crafts here or in the local market but as with all Africa, you have to haggle for a price agreeable to both parties. Click To Tweet
• Nyamirambo Women’s Centre. The Centre offers a walking tour, delicious lunch and beautiful handmade crafts with Rwandan women. This empowers them and puts money in the hands of local women who in turn invest in their communities.

Fact: After the genocide, there were more women remaining than men, and so, they set out to re-build their country. As of September 2018, Rwanda was the only country with the most women in Parliament – 68%.

 

 

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

After Czech Republic, Croatia is my next fantasy destination to experience. If you’re a keen GoT fan like me, then you understand why.

A city on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is awash with history that is still evident in the old town and its architecture. It is a highly interesting destination in the Mediterranean and in 1979, it was made a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to Do.

• Dubrovnik Cathedral. As stated above, I love religious architecture, especially cathedrals – and this is one sight that I’ll not miss here. It is an 18th c. Baroque masterpiece with more Italian masterpieces within.
• Stradun/Old Town. This is Dubrovnik’s limestone cobbled main street that runs through Old Town. The 17th c. houses here are fairly new after a fire destroyed older architecture in the 1660s but there are many historic edifices here thronged by tourists.
• Srd. This is a small mountain with cable car access to a 19th c. fort, food and amazing views.
• Walls of Dubrovnik. These are defensive stone walls surrounding the city. Walking tours are available for fit folks and stairs can be steep. Probably unsuitable for the mobility-impaired and small children but apparently, the views and food along the way are well worth the walk.
• Lokrum. If you’re keen on a cheap day trip from the city, Lokrum is a literal island with regular ferry service from Dubrovnik. On the island, there is a Benedictine monastery, botanical garden, a retaining pond called Charlotte’s Well and a small salt lake called the Dead Sea, popular with scuba diving tourists.
• Game of Thrones Walking Tour. For the die hard fans, you know that King’s Landing and its magnificent castle is set here and of course, there are walking tours to be experienced. A cruise can also be taken to Split to see the set of Mereen and other real life places shown on the series.
  

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Eat, Drink & Be Merry.

• Black Risotto. Made with squid ink for colour, it is a popular main dish usually with mussels added.
  
• Fresh seafood. Dubrovnik’s coastal location grants it the freshest seafood of clams, mussels and fish for authentic Dalmatian cuisine.
• Ston Cake. This is a tourist favourite as it is so unique in ingredients. It is made with penne pasta compressed with nuts, chocolate and butter into – you guessed it – a cake! This is worth a try just for the description alone. Lol.

There are so much more authentic Dalmatian cuisines to be had in Dubrovnik that you might leave Croatia with the “freshman 10”. Lol.

Reykjavik, Iceland

I have been through Reykjavik four times but never left Keflavik Airport. This was during my two solo trips to Europe in spring and fall 2018 and I loved what I saw of it even though the expense was jaw-dropping.

Iceland is one of those countries whose landscape pictures resemble a fantasy painting. Pulsating green sky from the northern lights over a thundering waterfall…those are pictures I hope to see in person soon.

There are a number of things I’d like to see and do in Iceland and I have to  plan this very expensive trip because even three days away is expensive.

What to Do.

• The Golden Circle. This is a popular tourist destination in southern Iceland containing the most unique activities to be experienced such as Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall.
  
• Blue Lagoon. The most popular tourist destination in the country, it is also very expensive. To save money, there are less popular but cheaper geothermal baths available.
  
• Aurora Borealis. Also known as the Northern Lights, it is what every tourist to Iceland hopes to see…and there are no guarantees of the time of its appearance.
  
• Natural experiences like whale watching, ice cave exploring and volcano hiking are also popular experiences to be had in this most interesting destination. See more Iceland experience packages.

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These represent some of the most amazing and exciting locations for travel in 2019 and beyond. They can also be experiences in all seasons too if you want a change from summer travel.

If you think of any interesting destination you feel I should consider, please don’t hesitate to comment and share. See you on the social streets!

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