8 Ideas for Top Places to Travel in 2019

Still have no ideas on where to go in 2019? Here we pick 8 top places for you to consider based on the recommendations by Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, National Geographic and Travel + Leisure. Whether you want to seek for a leisurely pace, have close contact with lovely animals, savor the tasty food or explore the ancient wonders, there is always one to make your dream come true.

For slow rhythm

1. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is rated as the top 1 best country to travel in 2019 by Lonely Planet. This island country certainly surprises us since the civil war ended in 2009. Small as it is, Sri Lanka boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in total.

A scenic train ride

Sprinkled with stunning nature, rich wildlife and delicious food, every inch of Sri Lanka makes your nerve more relaxing. Some diverse experiences should not be missed, like trekking in the Hill Country's tea Plantations, taking a scenic train ride to gaze over verdant tea terraces, valleys, tunnels and bridges and villages for a feast of eyes, having a unique experience of surfing and diving, going on a safari with the lovely elephants, or visiting ancient cave full of Buddha statues. In other words, this laid-back country is a great alternative to Kenya for safari, Siem Reap for temples and Bali for surfing.

Stunning beach and tea terraces

Read more: 10 Reasons to Visit Sri Lanka

2. India

CNN Travel sees the backwaters of Kerala, India an idyllic place to stay on a houseboat with a nickname "God's Own Country", featuring sun, sea, sand, fantastic food, houseboats, culture and wildlife in one.

Maybe you know India's Golden Triangle-Delhi, Agra and Jaipur quite well. So about Kerala? Kerala is a state in the southern part of India, known for its scenic backwaters. With a mazy system formed by over 900 km of waterways, it's worth taking houseboat to cruise along the waterway fringed with coconut palms and catch the charming sunset seeing while you have meals. Also, it's a good chance to see the real life of Alleppey people.

Panoramic view out of the City Palace

India is a land kissed by fortune and you can always find yourself in a slow rhythm except for Kerala. Udaipur is an unmatched gem of Rajasthan, which packs so many treasures into one small city. How to spend a perfect day there? Have a boat trip on the pristine Lake Pichola that's the soul of this city in a splendid sunset and overlook the marble Lake Palace and magnificent City Palace shines in various color. Stroll in the narrow and crooked streets filled with shops selling all sorts of dazzling products, like sari costumes, cloth bags, handmade notebooks or chat and play with the wandering children…

Read more: 15 of the Most Instagram-Worthy Places in India

For animal lover

1. Peru

Peru is another country among the list of CNN Travel's 19 places to visit in 2019. Being the host country to the Pan American and Parapan American Games, it would be very lively at that time!

There are numerous reasons to travel to Peru, from one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, City of Sky Machu Picchu to the self-fashioned Floating Uro Island where indigenous Uro people live… It is worth mentioning that Peru is actually a terrific wildlife destination.

No photo of Peru without the cuddly alpacas would be complete. With a long neck, big eyes, soft fleece, this little superstar is regarded as the national treasure. They are often used as the pack-animals for their surprising stamina. Alpaca is more like a little girl. Sometimes she is shy, and wouldn't take food until the feeder leaves even her master; sometimes she loses her temper, and spits at others; sometimes she is sad, and makes the sound of her suffering. In the Cusco and Machu Picchu areas, you can find out several other species of South American camelid.

The lovely Alpaca in the Machu Picchu

There is more than alpacas for the wildlife-loving travelers who have been to Peru. From the elusive puma and endangered spectacled bear, from the handsome Humboldt penguin to the pink dolphin, from the hairless Peruvian dog to the chubby vizcacha (between a rabbit and a squirrel), all of them will feast your eyes!

2. Kenya

It's no surprise that Kenya is on the list. If you have to describe Kenya in one word, what would it be? As you definitely know, Kenya's vast savannahs pepper with immerse wildlife where many contests between wisdom and life take place. It's raw and real. So if you are an animal enthusiast, this East African country is a perfect place for you to get closer to animals of all shapes and sizes.

Every June, July to August are the liveliest months for Masai Mara, of wildebeest and zebras migrating in their millions in the green savannas. You can certainly see the herds of deer, lion and cheetah shuttle forth and back, which will blaze in your memory long after you've left for the power of life.

The elephants and zebras in the savanna

Do you remember one of the most impressive scenes in the American movie Out of Africa where an enormous flock of flamingos roused as a biplane glided through a lake, evoking the glamour in the Lake Nakuru National Park? This park is best known for its millions of flamingos nesting along the shore. To have a bird's-eye view, the Nakuru Lake where the flamingos gather seems to be an unparalleled pink carpet.

All kinds of animals in Kenya

Read more: When to Visit Kenya for your Safari

For Food Lover

1. Cambodia

The temples of Angkor Wat seem to be the ultimate goal of worldwide travelers, however, why not have a food trip of Cambodia in 2019? Those who have tasted the food here are surely impressive by them, although it's overshadowed by Thailand and Vietnam food.

The typical Cambodian cuisines usually include soup, salad, fish, vegetable and rice, and the common ingredients are very similar to those of other Southeast Asian countries, including sticky rice, fish sauce, garlic, coconut milk, palm sugar and lemon-grass, etc.

The mouth-watering food in Cambodia

You are bound to find something that takes your fancy and there are several Cambodian dishes you should not be missed: Fish Amok, a dish consists of fish with fresh coconut milk and Khmer curry paste and is usually served in a banana leaf; Lap Khmer, a lime-marinated Khmer beef salad in ceviche flavor; Lok Lok, a fried beef dish with a lime and pepper flavor; Kdam Chaa, a dish of fried crabs with local pepper and garlic chives that's the most popular way to enjoy the crab in Cambodia...

Read more: A First-Time Visitor's Guide to 10 Beautiful Temples in Cambodia

2. Thailand

Seemingly, Thailand is an anticipated destination since its Visa on Arrival fee waiver will be extended until April 30, 2019, which is really good news. As the supreme food kingdom in the Southeast Asia area, what's the charm of its food?

The most distinguishing feature of the Thai food is sour, sweet, bitter, hot and salty. With fresh texture and bright color, Thai food brings our eyes a strong shock. In addition, a rich taste is usually offered for the abundant ingredients, such as coconut milk, green lemon and curry and so on.

Street food like "Banana pancake", "Coconut ice cream", "Durian ice cream", and "Mango sticky rice" are mouth-watering and cheap enough. Now move on to a grand banquet in Thailand, you may incredibly fall in love with "Tom Yam Gong", which is known as one of the three world-famous soups and combines a strong flavor of sour, hot and sweet in all.

Delicious street snacks and dishes in Thailand

Read more: 10 Ways to Get Find or Arrested in Thailand

For ancient wonders lover

1. Israel

With more boutique hotels and new flights to and from Las Vegas to be launching in Tel Aviv in 2019. This year is definitely an exciting year for tourism in Israel.

With retained Jews' customs, ancient miracles from the Bible, Israel is absolutely mysterious for those who are heading for here. Why not stroll in the holy wonders of Israel and breath in history?

Holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem is a must-see on the traveler's bucket list. Like any other Jews, you can stand before the Western Wall, a link between Israel's past and present, for prayer or weeping to release yourself. Or walk on to the Temple Mount area to appreciate the Dome of the Rock that is an Islamic shrine with a golden roof and the Al-Aqsa Mosque that's another holy site of Islam with a silver-colored dome, stroll in the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.

Dome of the Rock (top left corner), Western Wall (top right corner), Via Dolorosa (left bottom) and Al-Aqsa Mosque (right bottom)

2. Jordan

History in Jordan is more like an encyclopedia of world history, and Jordan boasts with masses of world heritage sites. Not only can you experience the awe-inspiring ancient wonders, but also can take some incredible photos of Instagram almost anywhere. Maybe you're the next internet celebrity in 2019.

Having disappeared for centuries, Petra, this rose city remained unknown until it was rediscovered in 1812. You must be familiar with Petra since it's the spot where the well-known film like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was filmed. Within the city, the unparalleled Al-Khazneh carved out of sandstone rock will stir your soul. Another archeological site is Jerash that's said to be the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy, which is a blend of ancient Greece and Rome and Arab style. Beyond the view of the time-honored cities, Jordan boasts scenic desert landscape, Wadi Rum. It's the closing thing to Mars one can be found on the earth while is known as the Valley of the Moon. Don't miss that!

The Rose city, Petra (top left corner), ruined Roman city, Jerash (top right corner) and desert landscape Wadi Rum (at the bottom)

Which one has blown your mind and inspired your next trip? Feel free to let us know and customize an itinerary uniquely for you.