19 best places to visit in 2019

Many of our 19 sites to visit in 2019 are bouncing back from the natural disasters that hit their economies hard. You can do good while enjoying the beach in Hawaii, Kerala or St. Barth.

Or you can mark the 50th anniversary of the first human walk on the moon, the 100th anniversary of Grand Canyon National Park, the tercentenary of Liechtenstein and most importantly, the year of Ghana's return marks the 400 years of the arrival of African slaves in North America.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Many people badociate Christchurch with the most tragic event: the 2011 earthquake that razed much of the city and left 185 people dead. But it's not the natural disaster that defines a city, it's the way they choose to regroup and rebuild.

A few years later, Christchurch was rebuilt with respect for the inhabitants and the environment, creating a city full of hope and dynamism. Vendors who used to sell a container mall now install in physical locations, followed by loyal locals. A colorful street art about hope and resilience has appeared throughout the city. Musical performances often take place in the city's rotating venues rather than in a single opera or concert hall, allowing more people to attend.

Egypt

The country of the Pharaohs has been welcoming tourists for so long, it is a miracle that archaeologists have not discovered hieroglyphs depicting backpackers.

Unfortunately, tourism in the country has recently suffered from security problems and political unrest preventing many visitors. An attack of December 28, 2018 that killed four people near the pyramids of Giza shows that there are still serious security problems.

Although this may deter some, others will continue to return to a country that seems to be taking a step back on the traditional tourist circuit.

The mummies, sphinxes, tombs and mysteries of the new pyramids have all been unearthed in the past year. Egypt has proven time and time again that many other secrets were yet to be revealed.

And while security concerns persist, hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Giza pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings perform uneventfully each year. Similarly, the main seaside resorts of Egypt on the Red Sea are considered safe.

Fukuoka, Japan

Fascinating story. Amazing eat. Natural beauty. If the Japanese seaside town of Fukuoka is not already on your radar, it's time to recalibrate your trip plans to Japan.

It is the ideal destination for those looking to go beyond the busy destinations such as Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto and discover a new corner of Japan.

But we kept the best for the end: the food.

Ghana

The nation that is displaying West Africa for economic success and political stability hopes to trade its tourism status for 2019, with a campaign targeting the African diaspora whose ancestors were victims of the trade. brutal slaves of past centuries.

The legacies of the slave trade are inevitable. The Cape Coast Castle, one of many historic coastal forts, was the gathering place for slaves before being sent to America and the Caribbean. This brutal and fascinating reminder was visited by the Obama in 2009 and by Melania Trump in 2018.

Despite the sobriety of this anniversary, visitors to Ghana are also expecting the warm and intoxicating embrace of a country completely at home with its identity that rushes to a bright future.

The capital, Accra, is crackling with the dynamism of a booming city, with nightlife at its height. For those wishing to escape its unrelenting enthusiasm, the 335-kilometer-long Ghanaian coastline is home to empty surf spots like Cape Three Points, while its many wildlife-protected areas, including the National Park. Mole, are home to wild elephants, warthogs and spotted hyenas.

Do not miss: Tongo, a village in the hills of Tengzug in northeastern Ghana, is home to Whistling Rocks – spectacular arrangements of giant granite slabs that produce strange sounds as the winds blow from the Sahara.
Barry Neild

Grand Canyon, United States

It does not matter that the canyon is five or six million years old, with rocks dating back 2,000 million years.

There are human artefacts dating back nearly 12,000 years from the Paleo-Indian period, and the area has been continuously occupied until today.

It was first protected by the US government in 1893 and became Grand Canyon National Park on February 26, 1919, offering the 1.2 million acres park the greatest possible protection from the government American.

Of a length of about 277 km and a depth of one kilometer to the other, the park has attracted for the first time more than 6 million visitors in 2017.

Yet most people see the Grand Canyon by the beautiful south shore, while some visit the north in season (it closes for the winter).

The more adventurous can take two days to walk to the bottom of the canyon. (Riding on a mule is an easier option.) Hikers who walk edge aboard can take three days one way, while rafters can take two weeks or more.

Hawaii Island, United States

After a few difficult months, Hawaii Island is back, warmly welcoming visitors to its paradise.

Following the devastating volcanic eruption of Kilauea in May 2018 that affected the quality of the air, destroyed homes and put a brake on tourism, the island of Hawaii (the locals you ask not to call it "the big island") is once again ready to show off its gorgeous beauty, surprisingly diverse landscape and laid-back island pace.

Although there are still closures on the island and in the park, the number of new offers is impressive enough to satisfy even the most ambitious travelers.

The Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom

The most famous of the lot, the island of Skye, is on the list of tourist sites not to be missed. But less known visitors, Lewis and Harris, the most northerly island of the northernmost part of the island of Hebride also deserve to be present.

The birthplace of Harris Tweed, the famous woven fabric, dyed and spun by islanders for centuries, also houses its own Stonehenge-style mystery in the Callanish Standing Stones.

Unlike Stonehenge, visitors can approach the Callanish Rock Circle, which was erected around 5,000 years ago.

For that and the other wonders of Lewis and Harris, it's worth going to Ullapool, near the northern tip of the Scottish mainland, and taking the two-and-a-half hour ferry across a rugged stretch of the Atlantic to explore these islands. Alternatively, there is the Glasgow plane directly to Stornoway, the capital of the island.

Each island of the Hebrides has its own atmosphere, but they are all rooted in a community spirit similar to that of a small town. Islay, the southernmost island of the Hebrides, known for its whiskey distilleries and incredible beaches, offers a real sense of island life. While circulating, visitors are more likely to meet cows than people, but any encounter with an islander will likely spark a "wave of Islay" – a friendly acknowledgment from another driver.

Jaffa, Israel

Tel Aviv-Yafo is often grouped together in a single unit for the convenience of an airport and Google Maps, but Yafo, 4,000 years old (often spelled Jaffa in English), is as different from Tel Aviv as Brooklyn does East of Manhattan.

Do not miss: Jaffa is home to the first whiskey distillery in Israel, the aptly named Milk + Honey. And before having to ask – yes, it's kosher.
Lilit Marcus

Kerala, India

Severe floods during the summer of 2018 have wreaked havoc in this southwestern state, but many of its major tourist destinations have escaped unharmed.

Visitors are likely to land at Kochi International, an airport powered entirely by solar panels. The ancient port city of Kochi, formerly occupied by the Portuguese, is a multicultural center offering many things to do and see. It's a great place to discover traditional Kathakali dance, the narrative dance form known for its colorful and intricate costumes and masks from Kerala.

Kerala is also ideal for beaches, especially in the south of the state. Kovalam is a hotspot for surfing, while Varkala is great for relaxing.

The backwaters of Kerala are famous for a reason: a network of waterways connecting the villages of the regions and best explored via kettuvallam – a traditional wooden barge. It's worth spending a single afternoon to a week on one of the many rental barges available, taking in the sights and sounds that drift.

Munnar and its tea gardens are also among the most popular excursions, as well as Periyar National Park, a wildlife refuge offering guided hikes in the jungle.

Do not miss: The food – spice shops from Munnar to Coconut, which is ubiquitous in Kerala and was used to prepare one of the most iconic dishes of the state: the shrimp curry in Kerala.
Francesca Street

liechtenstein

The sixth smallest country in the world is very packed inside its borders.

Nestled between Austria and Switzerland, the tiny Principality of Liechtenstein covers only 160 square kilometers.

Yet castles, museums and spectacular hiking and biking trails are all attractive in this alpine mountain range which is also a powerful banking center for extremely wealthy international clients.

During the 300 years of the Principality, most Liechtenstein tourists have gone unnoticed in Liechtenstein, but the tercentenary of 2019 puts the country – with its 37,000 inhabitants – in the spotlight.

The capital of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, houses a handful of museums presenting works of art, cultural objects, postage stamps, etc. The treasure chamber of the principality contains valuables belonging to the princes of Liechtenstein.

Do not miss: The country's most valuable treasure is perhaps its spectacular alpine setting, complemented by strategically perched fairytale stone castles like Gutenberg Castle in Balzers.
Marnie Hunter

Lima, Peru

The athletes and the adventurers of the race will redouble their appetite in Peru in 2019.

The Dakar Rally, which begins and ends in Lima, is an 11-day odyssey involving more than 300 participating vehicles – from motorcycles to trucks – on a 5,000-kilometer road in Peru.

All this effort deserves a delicious reward and Lima is ready to feed you.

New York City

Like all major cities in the world, New York has its ups and downs, constantly changing and progressing, but it is still a destination that deserves to be visited. So why now?

The event was an important moment for the advancement and recognition of LGBTQ rights in the United States, and its half-century marks that New York will always welcome people in need – as long as you do not try to push your way in the subway before everyone went down.

Normandy, France

Idyllic Normandy on the north coast of France has long had a strong historical footprint. This is the place from which a conqueror named William set sail to tame England almost 1,000 years ago.

But in 2019, we will focus on the 75th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, the course of world history was changed because of the pbadage of the Channel by World War II, which triggered the liberation bloody France by the Allies of the Nazi regime.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca, in central Mexico, may not have attracted as much attention as Mexico City or Tulum, but it does not need to strive to impress its visitors, whether by its cuisine, art, its ruins or its mezcal.

This Mexican city, with its colorful colonial buildings and open-air markets selling a seemingly endless number of ingredients to make the mole, the city's claim to fame, is a sight to behold.

Casual dinners (and all others) should try other regional products from Oaxaca: the tlayuda. A large grilled tortilla filled with beans, pork fat and cheese, which can be found in the city's restaurants and food markets, such as the Mercado 20 de Noviembre.

Oman

For golden dunes under panoramic skies, epic mountain ranges and waters teeming with dolphins and turtles, Oman has everything you need.

The evocative name of Empty Quarter is the largest sand desert in the world and you can venture there with guides for your own adventures of Lawrence of Arabia. Sharqiya Sands offers resorts, camps and activities such as camel racing, sand skiing and 4WD Dune Bashing.

The Hajar Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the steep canyons, can be explored on foot or on horseback and can be combined with a tour of the ancient city of Nizwa, with its fort and legendary souk.

The Turtle Reservoir of Ras al Jinz is the beach where green turtles nest, while generous spots for dolphins await you along the generous coastline of Oman, including Muscat, the capital of the port.

La meilleure période pour visiter se situe entre octobre et avril, afin d’éviter les fortes chaleurs estivales.

L'aéroport international de Mascate, nouvellement agrandi, avec son terminal pbadagers d'une valeur de 1,8 milliard de dollars, est prêt pour un afflux de visiteurs dans cette destination moins connue du Moyen-Orient.

Do not miss: La grande mosquée du sultan Qaboos à Muscan est un exemple spectaculaire d'architecture islamique. Sa salle de prière est remplie d'un magnifique tapis persan de 70 mètres sur 60 mètres, tissé par 600 femmes sur une période de quatre ans.
Maureen O'Hare

Plovdiv, Bulgarie

Connu pour ses ruines romaines, Plovdiv était également le lieu de prédilection des Grecs et des Ottomans. Son emplacement est-ouest-occidental témoigne d'un mélange d'influences culturelles, notamment à la mosquée de Dzhumaya, vieille de plus de 600 ans, et à Chifte Banya, de l'ère ottomane – un bain public du XVIe siècle qui abrite aujourd'hui des expositions d'art moderne.

Do not miss: Les ruines romaines – du stade, commandé par l'empereur Hadrien au IIe siècle de notre ère, aux ruines du forum romain qui était autrefois le centre administratif de Plovdiv. La pièce maîtresse des reliques romaines est le théâtre antique de la ville, qui a été restauré au milieu du XXe siècle et constitue l'endroit idéal pour badister à un spectacle.
Rue Francesca

Saint-Barthélemy, Antilles françaises

L'ouragan Irma a frappé les Caraïbes et certaines parties du sud des États-Unis en septembre 2017, laissant derrière elle des destructions sans précédent et la lourde tâche de reconstruction.

Des îles telles que Barbuda, Turks et Caicos, Tortola et St. Martin ont subi des dégâts considérables.

Saint-Barthélemy (nom officiel de Saint-Barthélemy), réputée depuis des décennies pour les milliardaires et les célébrités, a également été endommagée. Mais il se rapproche du rétablissement complet.

Selon la Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, la plupart des hôtels et des villas de l'île sont ouverts, ce qui signifie que les clients peuvent profiter des eaux cristallines et de la végétation tropicale luxuriante tout en repérant ses habitués de renommée mondiale (en se promenant le long des plages de sable blanc, pas moins).

Cheval Blanc – St. Barth Isle de France, Le Sereno, Hôtel Manapany et The Christopher ont déjà rouvert leurs portes et des établissements tels que Le Guanahani et Eden Rock – St Barth prévoient de rouvrir fin 2019. (Les villas d'Eden Rock sont déjà ouvertes .)

Do not miss: À visiter pendant les fêtes de Noël et du Nouvel An 2019. Une litanie de noms audacieux (peut-être Leonardo DiCaprio, Barry Diller, Ellen DeGeneres) peuplent les plages, les restaurants et les discothèques avec leur faste, comme l'armada de superyachts et de bateaux à voile appartenant à des capitaines internationaux l’industrie et les oligarques russes flottent au loin. Les habitants disent que le meilleur endroit pour voir le spectacle de feux d'artifice du Nouvel An est au-dessus de la Cour Vendôme ou sur les quais du Général de Gaulle.
Brekke Fletcher

Space Coast, Floride, États-Unis

Êtes-vous prêt à explorer l'espace? Bien que personne ne puisse vous promettre une aventure touristique sur la lune – du moins pas encore – les fans de l'espace peuvent toujours explorer les cieux paradisiaques lors d'un voyage sur la Space Coast.

Le 50e anniversaire de la première marche de l'humanité sur la Lune aura lieu le 20 juillet 2019 et le littoral atlantique de la Floride centrale est prêt pour les foules qui veulent voir où Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin et Michael Collins se sont envolés de la Terre pour entrer dans les livres d'histoire.

Weimar, Allemagne

In what is surely one of the exciting periods in the country's history, Weimar — a small city of 65,000 in Thuringia — was not only the birthplace of the new republic but also the seat of a modernist revolution in art and design, with repercussions that would be felt around the world.

The Bauhaus art school — now Bauhaus University — was founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius and gave us artists such as Paul Klee and Wbadily Kandinsky.

For this little town is a cultural heavyweight — in the late 18th and 19th centuries, it was the birthplace of German Clbadicism, giving us the writers Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.

Composers Franst Liszt and Johann Sebastian Bach also made music here.

You'll be tripping over UNESCO World Heritage sites as you wander through the town, from the Goethe House to Belvedere Castle.

This story was written by CNN's Katia Hetter, Forrest Brown, Karla Cripps, Brekke Fletcher, Marnie Hunter, Stacey Lastoe, Lilit Marcus, Barry Neild, Maureen O'Hare and Francesca Street, and was edited by Hetter.