The new year may seem a long way off, but we’re already planning our escapes to some of the top holiday destinations for 2019. (It’s a well-known fact that the best antidote to winter blues is a ticket far, far away.) So, where to go in 2019? From a few forever favorites to the lesser-known spots to discover, these are the destinations on Vogue’s travel hit list.
Zanzibar
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Why to go:
Beaches, beaches, beaches, beaches. We’re talking the sparkling sand, shimmering water and palm-tree-lined variety. The archipelago off the coast of East Africa boasts some of the most brilliant shores around, making it a dream-worthy holiday destination. But more than that, the local delicacies are delicious, the street markets are lively, and the culture is vibrant.
Where to stay:
Zanzibar is dotted with boutique beach hotels and luxurious resorts, most offering decadent sleeping quarters where you can wake up to breathtaking panoramas of the Indian Ocean – from the private paradise of Mnemba Island to the design-led, eco resort of the Zuri Zanzibar Hotel.
What to do while you’re there:
Enjoy ample sun, sea and sand (and a fourth s – safari, if time and resource allows).
Turkish Riviera
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Why to visit:
The varying vista of mountains, pine forests and sea, as well as charming Mediterranean architecture and ancient ruins, make the Turkish Riviera – known popularly as the Turquoise Coast – a beautiful, and easily accessible, holiday destination.
Where to stay:
The Maxx Royal resort in Kemer is ideal for families – with several beaches, swimming pools, dining options and plenty of child-friendly activities. The boutique Tuvana Hotel, in the Old City of Kaleiçi, is ideally located for exploring, although tearing yourself away from its oasis of a garden might be difficult.
What to do while you’re there:
The natural surroundings and historic sights might be the scene-stealing features of the region, but the show-stopping element comes from the local cuisine – make sure you try all of the mezze that you can.
Scottish Highlands
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Why to visit:
The Scottish landscape is dramatic year round – from lochs and glens, to mountain ranges and beautiful beaches, which make for a vacation of variety. It isn’t only the flora that draws visitors to its rugged – and relatively untouched – terrain, the fauna here is also remarkable, with bottlenose dolphins, grey seals, minke whales and red squirrels among its residents.
Where to stay:
Located in Highland Perthshire, the turreted, five-star Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa boasts unparalleled views from its Tummel Valley perch, surrounded by Ben Vrackie and Loch Faskally. Stately castle hotels are frequent in the region, as are cosy B&Bs where the owners can usually advise on the unmissable nearby attractions and impart local historic tales. For something a little different, the Caledonian Sleeper Train – which runs from London up into Inverness – is the most magical way to travel.
What to do while you’re there:
Curl up in front of a roaring fire after a bracing day of exploring.
Canada
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Why to visit:
It’s easy to see why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly chose Canada as the destination for their honeymoon. Its key metropolises are buzzing with culture – from Montreal’s booming jazz scene to the newly-opened Remai Modern in Saskatoon, home to an 8000-work collection featuring Picassos and Braques. Yet, the country’s real selling point is still its pristine landscapes, whether its the Gwaii Haanas National Park off the west coast or Nova Scotia’s whale-filled Bay of Fundy in the northeast.
Where to stay:
Where to begin? Take advantage of the best fresh powder at Vagabond Lodge in British Colombia. Experience the wilds of Newfoundland by checking into what might just be the world’s most remote design hotel, Fogo Island Inn – perched on a tiny island off the coast. Or make like a royal and visit the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta’s Jasper National Park, a 700-acre retreat on the shores of Lac Beauvert.
What to do while you’re there:
Get as close as possible to the staggering wilderness (and wildlife that it supports), whether that means trekking in the Nahanni reserve or spotting polar bears in Churchill.
Sri Lanka
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Why to visit:
Exactly a decade on from the end of its civil war, the teardrop of India is more alluring than ever. There’s a 2000-year-old culture to discover through mind-blowing ancient ruins; countless national parks filled with elephants, water buffaloes, and leopards; and lush tea plantations to visit in the highlands. Exhausted from taking it all in? Unwind on one of its deserted golden beaches.
Where to stay:
Visitors to Sri Lanka are spoiled for choice in terms of hotels. Our suggested itinerary? Take glamping to another level by booking into one of the 28 exquisite tents at Wild Coast Tented Lodge on the edge of Yala National Park – then relax in the spa at wellness destination Santani outside of gorgeous Kandy.
What to do while you’re there:
It’s a mistake to visit Sri Lanka without making a pilgrimage to King Kasyapa’s ancient rock fortress Sigiriya.
Rwanda
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Why to visit:
It’s no secret that Rwanda offers the best chance to see some of the world’s 880 remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Where to stay:
Set within a working tea plantation, Nyungwe House is the ideal place to retreat to after a day of trekking (think full body massages in scenic outdoor tents) – while Bisate Lodge near Volcanoes National Park is a masterpiece of sustainable design.
What to do while you’re there:
Take a moment away from the rainforest to visit the incredibly powerful Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Argentina
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Why to visit:
Argentina marries vibrant cosmopolitan life and stunning natural beauty – and with a brilliant exchange rate, there’s never been a better moment to visit. Start your trip in Buenos Aires, where you can watch beautiful tango dancers in the streets of San Telmo, feast on steak at a neighborhood grill house, and take in a fútbol match in La Boca. Then, head for the wilds of Patagonia, which are still just as mind-blowing as when Bruce Chatwin set out to explore them nearly 50 years ago. Still have time to spare?Participate in gaucho culture in Areco, or visit Bariloche in the Lake District.
Where to stay:
Experience the best of Buenos Aires’s grandeur at Alvear Palace Hotel in the refined Recoleta district, then make the exquisitely designed Tierra Patagonia your base for trekking through Torres del Paine and its surrounds.
What to do while you’re there:
No matter what your planned route through Argentina, make sure it includes a detour to Iguazú Falls, a chain of hundreds of waterfalls set over more than three kilometers.
Hong Kong
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Why to visit:
Hong Kong is more than a lively financial hub with a breathtaking skyline. Between its skyscrapers are beautiful relics of its ancient history – not to mention a thriving avant-garde scene, from the tongue-in-cheek street art decorating the Sheung Wan district to Police Married Quarters, a former station that now houses works by up and coming artists and designers.
Where to stay:
For true decadence, it’s hard to beat the Hong Kong Peninsula. It’s no accident that the 90-year-old hotel is nicknamed the Grande Dame of the Far East. There’s even a heliport on the roof in case guests fancy a private tour of the city from above.
What to do while you’re there:
Catch the bustling Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour; feast on every imaginable variety of dumpling at Temple Street Night Market; and savor a tranquil hour in the incense-filled Man Mo Temple, built during the Qing dynasty.
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This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk
