One thing I love about a new year is the opportunity to plan new adventures to exciting destinations.
In 2019, I plan to visit India, New Zealand, Bali, China, Mongolia, Russia, Norway and Iceland. Some of these are new destinations and a few I have visited before but will be adding in new places to explore.
The world is an awfully big place and there are so many amazing destinations offering incredible experiences. It’s hard to keep up and know which destinations will best suit you, your travelling companions, your budget and interests. To help with your decision making I have provided some top destinations for you to consider for 2019. All these places I have enjoyed some outstanding adventures in each destination for different reasons. From foodie hot spots to nature’s finest there is something for everyone in this collection. Happy travels!
1. New Zealand
For Australian’s, New Zealand is so close yet we often overlook it for more exotic locations like South East Asia. In just over 3 hours from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne you can fly direct to Auckland. There are regular flight specials and the country is serviced by a multitude of airlines given that is en-route to north and south America. Once you land it’s less than half an hour to the city centre by cab, airport shuttle or uber. New Zealand is a reasonably affordable place to visit with a favourable exchange rate and comparable costs to Australia.
Auckland is easy to navigate and getting around by foot, ferry and local bus will allow you to see many of the city’s highlights. A short break to Auckland can be done over 4 day weekend (remembering it is an international flight so there is a little more time required at the airport). Take in a day trip to Waiheke Island with its glorious beaches and boutique wineries, for a splash of culture visit Auckland Museum and Art Gallery and for shopping visit Ponsonby Road.
To explore further a field you will need to hire car or join an organised tour. New Zealand is well known for it’s breathtaking scenery and pristine natural environment. Visit in the summer months and camp in the numerous state and national parks or in the winter months and head to the ski fields located on the north and south islands.
Read more about a short break to New Zealand here.
2. New York City, USA
It’s a bit of a trek to get across the United States of America to get to New York but it’s certainly a city that should not be missed. Remember that you gain time on the way over but lose it on the way back so be aware when calculating the amount of time you need for your trip.
Situate yourself somewhere central for your first visit to New York. The subway system is exceptional and will allow you to move around the island with ease. That is once you work out the uptown/downtown locations, local vs express trains and decoded the coloured lines. There are numerous affordable boutique hotels around the Flatiron district. This is a central location extremely close to the Empire State Building and just a few subway stations from Times Square.
The 5 boroughs that make up New York City are all unique and if you have time make sure you visit each one.
Staten Island has a free ferry service that takes you straight past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Brooklyn is a great hub for food and art not to mention beach boardwalks and Coney Island. Manhattan will provide you will all the bright and shiny hot spots. Most importantly Times Square, Wall Street, Broadway, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Grand Central Station, Radio City, Central Park just to name a few. Be sure to head out to Queens for a Mets baseball game at Citi Field or visit the Bronx for a Yankees baseball game.
Read more about planning the perfect trip to New York City in my recent story for She Defined magazine.
3. Slovenia
This little country tucked neatly between Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy is perfectly located to be included in any European itinerary. Easily accessible by train and bus and of course flights Slovenia is extremely affordable from accommodation and activities right down to food. Highlights include Lake Bled which is surrounded by lush green mountains and featuring an island in the middle with an historic church. Visit the church with it’s beautiful friezes and ring the bell for luck. The country’s capital Ljubljana is certainly worth a visit featuring an historic old town, intriguing castle, and famous triple bridge. By day explore the cobbled lane ways home to bars, ice creameries and boutique shops. As night falls dining along the river is certainly the place to be.
Read more about Slovenia’s highlights Lake Bled and Ljubljana in my travel guides for She Defined magazine.
4. Portugal
For an amazing culinary adventure with a colourful history consider a visit to Portugal. One of the more recent hot spots being ticked off on everyone’s bucket list be prepared for crowds in the warmer months.
Visit the city of Porto, an evolving coastal city based on the Douro River. The name gives away one of the major industries here. There are numerous Port cellars open to the public that conduct tastings. Some are free and some charge a small fee.
Portugal is famous for beautiful patterned tiles and there is no shortage here. Visit the Bank of Materials where historic tiles are housed in a library of sorts to maintain the heritage buildings of the city. Harry Potter author J.K Rowling lived in Porto for some time. Fans may recognise some of her inspiration – from the spectacular bookstore, Livraria Lello to the cloak style uniform of the university students.
The capital of Lisbon is a city built into the coast line with steep stairways and winding alleys and lookouts across the harbour and hills of the city. Lisbon is the place to try many of the country’s famous dishes – Portugese Tarts (Pastel de nata), sardines, cherry liquor (Ginja) and cod fish fritters (Pasteis de bacalhau). A great place to experience a selection of dishes is the Time Out Market where famous chefs have small booths and serve a selection of some of the finest dishes.
Read about Porto here in my travel guide in She Defined magazine.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
We would love to hear where you are heading this year? Share your travel plans in the comments below.
If you have any questions about the destinations we would be happy to chat simply get in touch via email or social media @possandruby.
