Everybody likes to escape for a holiday and get away from the day to day stresses while exploring somewhere new, and no matter how often you travel there will always be more places to add to your bucketlist.
If you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration for where to travel to in 2019, we thought we would give you a little helping hand and talk you through some of our most popular destinations. Read on to see if there’s anywhere you might like to jet off to yourself!
Colombo
A trip to Sri Lanka is an enchanting experience, and it’s no wonder that Colombo is one of our most popular destinations! You won’t find warmer, more hospital natives, and the weather is warm and inviting too.
Although there are lots of fancy hotels and skyscrapers in Colombo, there’s also so much culture and nature to enjoy and soak up, with a whole lot of history thrown into the mix too. Highlights include the Gangaramaya Temple, Petteh Market, National Museum of Colombo, and Independence Memorial Hall.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +5.30 hours
Official language: Sinhala and Tamil
Currency: LKR
Average flight time: 11 to 12 hours
Bangkok
Thailand is on many people’s bucketlist, and Bangkok is one of our most popular destinations. It is a city full of life, with a great nightlife, lots of great food, and a strong cultural and spiritual heritage.
Be sure to check out the Grand Palace, a huge complex of buildings at the heart of the city which is the home of the King, and the Wat Traimit Temple, where you’ll find a 9.8ft tall Golden Buddha.
If you’re a shopaholic, you will definitely feel at home in Bangkok as there is everything from street markets that sell handmade goods to the Asiatique riverfront shopping centre.
If you head to any of the temples, it’s important to remember that you are in a place of worship and will be expected to be respectful!
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +7 hours
Official language: Thai
Currency: THB
Average flight time: 9 to 10 hours
Delhi
Delhi is a modern metropolis, but built upon the ruins of several of its past incarnations, as there were at least eight historical Dehlis before this one. This means that the city is dotted with ancient monuments and pieces of history, and vibrant ancient temples.
Be sure to head to the famous markets and bazaars in New Delhi before you head home, to pick up souvenirs and gifts to take back home with you. They are packed with treasures, and you’ll spend hours browsing.
The food in Delhi is, as is to be expected, absolutely wonderful. Here you will find some of the most delicious food in the world, and you’ll find flavours from all across the subcontinent. Curries, kebabs, potato patties, and decadent desserts are just some of the culinary treats you will get the chance to sample.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +5.30 hours
Official language: Hindi
Currency: INR
Average flight time: 12.30 hours
Orlando
Florida, aka the sunshine state, is one of the world’s most popular destinations with good reason, and Orlando is a really fun place for a holiday whether you’re travelling with family, friends, or as a couple.
With Walt Disney World Resort and the Universal Studios theme park, there is a whole lot of excitement to be had, and you can even pay a visit to the Kennedy Space Center and maybe even see a rocket launch for yourself!
And, of course, there’s much more to Orlando than theme parks. Head to Winter Park for fantastic options for shopping and eating out, or take an airboat tour through the everglades and keep an eye out for wildlife.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT -5 hours
Official language: English
Currency: USD ($)
Average flight time: 19.30 hours
Tokyo
Tokyo is an exciting city where traditional Japanese culture and history meets the modern world, and it is one of our most popular destinations. Despite being a large city, it’s less daunting than you might expect, and lots of the signs at in English.
You’ll find plenty of art and culture to enjoy, from centuries-old performing arts to galleries and museums spanning the art and history of Japan. There’s even a scale model of an anime robot!
If you love Japanese food then you must add Tokyo to your 2019 bucket list. You’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice, as the city boasts many famous chefs and restaurants, but equally has lots of well-loved casual joints too.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +9 hours
Official language: Japanese
Currency: JPY
Average flight time: 9 to 10 hours
New York
Everybody should visit New York at least once in their lives, as it’s a city unlike any other. Most of us probably feel some level of familiarity with it, as it has been made famous and accessible in popular culture, so it’s no wonder that people flock there in droves to see its famous sights with their own two eyes.
If you’ve always wanted to see the famous sights like Central Park and the Empire State Building, see a show on Broadway, or see the filming locations of your favourite shows, you should definitely add New York to your list of places to visit in 2019.
New York is filled with things to see, do, eat and experience, from museums and galleries to fun bars and eateries, so you’ll be spoiled for things to do.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT - 5 hours
Official language: English
Currency: USD ($)
Average flight time: 20 hours
Mumbai
Mumbai is a city of bright lights and vibrant colours, flavoursome food, and plenty of warmth from both the weather and the locals. It is one of our most popular destinations, and if you decide to visit in 2019 it just might become one of your favourites too.
This city is famous as the heart of Bollywood, and is the financial powerhouse of India. In the heart of the city you will find colonial-era architecture, alongside bazaars, temples, restaurants and nightlife.
The best time to visit is generally between October and February, as the weather is dry and mild, avoiding monsoon season and the heat of the summer months.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +5.30 hours
Official language: Hindi
Currency: INR
Average flight time: 14 to 15 hours
Beijing
Beijing is an incredibly modern city, but it has a history that goes back over 3,000 years, so you will find ancient sites such as the Forbidden City alongside more modern landmarks like the Beijing National Stadium.
Major attractions include Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, and, of course, the Great Wall of China. The Back Lakes district is a lovely place to go for a walk, do some shopping, or have a bite to eat.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +8 hours
Official language: Standard Chinese
Currency: CNY
Average flight time: 11 to 12 hours
Seoul
Seoul is the capital of South Korea, and a very fashion-forward city. You’ll find cutting edge buildings, but also palaces, temples, and mountain trails to explore. The city has really softened the edges of its industrial image over the past decade or so, and is now full of beautifully landscaped parks, green spaces and cycle paths.
Seoul is open for business 24/7, with galleries, bars, street food, markets and even self-service karaoke. There’s also plenty to explore outside of the city, and public transport makes it really easy to do so.
Highlights include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok village, the Myeong-dong shopping district, and Lotte World, a fun water park for thrill seekers or families.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +9 hours
Official language: Korean
Currency: KRW
Average flight time: 11 hours
Zürich
One of the richest cities in the world, Zürich is also the top destination in Switzerland, and one of our most popular destinations here at Globehunters. You’ll find Michelin Starred restaurants and high-end fashion stores in amongst the ancient buildings and churches that line the streets.
The Dada art movement was born in 1916 at Cabaret Voltaire, a cafe and bar that you can still visit to this day, and you’ll find plenty more art around the city and in its various museums.
In the summertime, Zürich is home to the world’s largest Techno party, the Street Parade. Hundreds of thousands of electronic music fans take to the streets to dance and enjoy music on seven stages around the Lake Zürich basin.
Key facts:
Time difference: GMT +1 hour
Official language: German
Currency: CHF
Average flight time: 23 hours
We hope that this has given you a little insight into some of our most popular destinations, and perhaps given you some inspiration for your travels in 2019!