Whether you can’t wait to say goodbye to 2018 or are just looking forward to the promise of a new year, now is the time to start planning for your 2019 travels. We are firm believers that travel is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself. Visiting other cultures, tasting new foods, dancing to new sounds, meeting new people, and embracing the joys and challenges of travel teach us much about ourselves and our place in the world. The world is vast and there are more opportunities than ever to find the trip that answers whatever you’re hoping for in 2019. Here are just five ideas to spark your wanderlust.
Paris: Romantic, Easy Elegance
No city in the world epitomizes grace, grandeur, and glamour better than Paris. From the Eiffel Tower to Louis Viton, the French capital is synonymous with sophistication. But it can also be incredibly down-to-earth and easily accessible, even for first-time travelers with few language skills. Don’t let the city’s image scare you off. This is also the city of starving artists, picnics, and neighborhoods just begging to be wandered. Whatever your budget, Paris is ready to embrace you in the good life.
What to See and Do:
Everywhere you turn, Paris is full of iconic sites, and you could easily spend a week taking in the city’s greatest hits. The Louvre is the world’s largest museum, which boasts artistic greats like the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and the Venus de Milo, all housed in the largest royal palace in France. Notre Dame de Paris is a masterpiece of gothic architecture and you can get up close and personal with the gargoyles in the cathedral’s towers, while treating yourself to one of the best views in all of Paris. With more than 130 museums, ranging from world-class to the quirky and unsung, there’s something to see, even for those who aren’t typically museum people. If opulence is what you seek, nothing beats the Palace of Versailles, Louis XVI’s over-the-top abode about 45 outside the city center. But perhaps two of Paris’ greatest attractions are its least expensive. Grab a cup of coffee and a croissant at any local café and wind down the hours people-watching. Or explore the grand boulevards and winding medieval streets of Paris’ great neighborhoods, where you can get lost on your own or join one of several free walking tours. Either way, Paris is waiting to share its secrets with you.
When to Go:
Paris is one of those cities that is fantastic in any season. High-season for tourist runs from about April to September. The height of summer, while popular, is also somewhat brutal. Hordes of tourist clogging the sites and streets, coupled with stifling heat, can actually make it a difficult time to visit. I prefer spring and fall, where the weather is more comfortable and the crowds are more manageable. Prices get better the further from summer you get. While winter can be cold and rainy, there’s a certain charm to Paris when the weather is gloomy. And for city with a museum or café on nearly every corner, finding things to do inside is quite easy.
Where to Stay:
Hotels in Paris are more expensive than in many other cities, even in Europe. But if you’re okay with simple comfort, there are affordable options, even in the center of the city. AirBnB or other home share options are very popular in Paris, and you can often find great deals in the heart of the city while also getting a feel for local life. Some of the most popular and central neighborhoods that will put you close to the major sites include the Latin Quarter, the Marais, St. Germaine de Prés, and the area between the Opera Garnier and the Louvre. Another alternative is Montmartre, which is a bit further outside central Paris, but is one of the most quaint and interesting neighborhoods and has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay.
Hong Kong: Exotically Accessible
If your 2019 needs a taste of the exotic, then Hong Kong is your place to be. This semi-autonomous region of China is the perfect gateway to Asia. As a former British colony, English is widely spoken making it an easy transition for Western travelers. The city is a huge, modern metropolis where every Western convenience is available, which makes it the ideal place to get over your jetlag. Yet, this is still China, so the vibe is entirely East Asian. Plus, if you want to make the most of your long-haul flight from the US or Europe to go deeper into Asia, Hong Kong’s airport is one of the best in the world and offers low-cost flights to other Asian hubs, like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, or deeper into China.
What to See and Do:
You can easily spend more than a week exploring all Hong Kong has to offer. Ride the funicular tram up to Victoria Peak for amazing views over the city. Take a junk boat trip around Hong Kong Island to the coastal hamlet of Stanley, which has one of the best local markets and several welcoming seaside restaurants. Get in touch with your spiritual side with visits to any of the countless temples and shrines around the city, or take a sky gondola to the mountaintop Po Lin monastery and the nearby Tai Shan Buddha, the largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha in the world. If you’re feeling too Zen, you can always take in the high-octane hustle and bustle of the Kowloon district on the mainland. And when you think you’ve seen it all, you can take a day-trip to nearby Macau, the Las Vegas of Asia, or to any of the dozens of smaller beach-lined tropical islands that make up the rest of Hong Kong.
When to Go:
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate, so summers can be very hot and wet. In the fall, you’ll have much milder temperatures and slightly less humidity and winter temps can get as low as the 50s F (10-12⁰ C). Typhoon season is runs from May to October, but direct hits are relatively rare.
Where to Stay:
Our recommendation is to base yourself on Hong Kong Island, either in the mid-levels or somewhere in the Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan, Central, or Wan Chai neighborhoods that form a line along the harbor coast. There are plenty of hotel and apartment rental options on the Island and the vibe is less chaotic than staying in Kowloon on the mainland. You can grab ferries to all of the surrounding islands from the quayside in Central or the high-speed ferry to Macau in Sheung Wan.
New Orleans: Cultural and Comforting
An American city unlike any other, New Orleans is everything you’ve ever wanted in a trip… even if you don’t yet know it. Sure, it’s famous as the country’s party town, but there is so much more to temp the traveler. World-class food at all budget levels, intriguing architecture, a complicated and fascinating history, and a mystical heritage all converge to make the “Big Easy” one of the most unique places on the planet.
What to See and Do:
Eat, drink, dance, learn, and wander. New Orleans is a city for all tastes. Beyond the party on Bourbon street, the French Quarter is home to a dozen or so venues dedicated to the history of New Orleans from its Spanish and French roots, to its integration into the newly formed United States and on through its legacy of slavery and the Civil War. There are also tributes to Hurricane Katrina and the city’s recovery. The city’s World War II museum is renowned as one of the world’s greatest history museums. And within an hour of the city, there are several plantations where you can walk in the grandeur of the antebellum South. Several of them do not shy away from the horrific legacy of slavery and its impact on the region. In the end, however, no trip to New Orleans is complete without an exploration of the city’s supernatural side. Voodoo, ghosts, vampires, and the macabre all have strong connection to this town, where what’s on the surface is never the full story.
When to Go:
If you’re looking for Mardi Gras, you’ll want to visit in February or March, depending on the year. The French Quarter Festival, a free celebration of music and culture takes over the streets of the Quarter each April, while Jazz Fest, the city’s international music festival, is typically held every year in late April and early May. But there’s always something going on, so come anytime and you’ll find the party. May to September tends to be very hot, and while evacuation-level storms are extremely rare, hurricane season runs June to October. But it’s often a time for some of the greatest deals.
Where to Stay:
While the French Quarter is one of the first places people think about when booking in New Orleans, in my view, it’s not where you want to stay. Aside from paying a premium, you’re always in the “party.” Just across Canal Street from the Quarter is the Central Business District (aka the CBD), where there is a wide selection of hotels at all budget levels. It’s a stone’s throw from the Quarter but with a much quieter vibe. The CBD is also where you’ll find many of the city’s best restaurants. It’s the chic and modern alternative to the Quarter. If you’ve got your own car or are happy taking a cab or ride share, the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods are also a great alternative. A bit further east from the Quarter, these areas are characterized by a vibrant arts scene, hip watering holes, and funky music venues that mix trendy aesthetics with a local home-grown vibe.
Faroe Islands: Natural Wonder and Fresh Air
Hidden in the North Atlantic about halfway between Iceland and Scotland, this archipelago of 18 small islands is home to one of the last Viking languages spoken on the planet. The capital’s name literally translates to “Thor’s Harbor”! Perched somewhere between off-the-beaten path and being on nearly every “hot new travel destination” list of the past few years, the Faroe Islands is one of the most striking natural beauties in the world. The Faroese have a hearty coexistence with nature mixed with an ancient culture that is equally at home in the modern world. Despite the hype and the influx of tourists, by comparison, it remains a quiet place where you won’t be inundated with other travelers… for now.
What to See and Do:
Each of the islands has its own character and vibe, with its own sites and activities. When I booked my first 5-day visit, I wondered whether there would be enough to do to fill all that time. When it came time to leave, I wished I had several more days to play with. Walking among the puffins on Mykines, hiking the harrowing cliffs of Trøllanes, learning about folklore in Mikladulor, taking in one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls at Gasadalur, beer tasting at the islands’ oldest brewery in Klaksvik, or wandering the picturesque streets and the tiny capital of Tórshavn, there is always something to occupy your time. Faroese culture and cuisine are emblematic of the stoic naturalism you’d expect in the North Atlantic, with music and beer spicing up the long winter nights. Most of the 18 islands are connected by bridge or undersea tunnel. Those that are not, have regular ferry service. And if you’re in a rush, there’s also an inter-island helicopter service. If you have the time, you’ll be able to get anywhere your heart desires.
When to Go:
Situated just south of the Arctic Circle means that the time of year will have a huge impact on your visit. Summers see temperatures in the 50s and 60s F (10-20⁰ C) and sunlight late into the evening. The landscape is a deep green from May to September, making for the best hiking and photographs. Winter, while cold and dark, is also the best time of year for seeing the northern lights. No matter what time of year you go, be prepared for every type of weather. As the Faroese are fond of saying, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute. It will change.”
Where to Stay:
Many people find that basing themselves in Torshavn for the entire stay can be convenient if you have a car and don’t mind driving. While the islands have an extensive bus system that can get you almost anywhere you want to go, public transport can be slow going, which means having accommodations at your intended destinations may be your best option if you go by bus. All told, accommodations are still pretty sparse, so planning ahead is key. While Tórshavn, Gjogv, and Klaksvik have a handful of hotels, they tend to be on the pricier side. AirBnB and other home share sites often offer a much better selection at better prices, across all of the islands.
Lisbon: Hip and Historic
Lisbon has undergone a massive revival in the past decade, going from one of Western Europe’s grittiest capitals to the new darling of Europe. Covered in rolling hills and sporting a bridge that looks like the Golden Gate, the city is often compared to San Francisco. But the similarities don’t end there. With a vibrant food scene and quality home-grown wines, gourmands the world over are flocking to the city’s tavernas and restaurants. And with a tradition of public art, Lisbon is a bounty for the eyes, covered in delicate painted tiles and home to a budding modern art movement. If you haven’t been to Lisbon lately, you haven’t been at all.
What to See and Do:
Wander the streets of the Alfama, stopping for drinks and tapas whenever the feeling hits you, as you wind your way up to the castle. Stop at any of Lisbon’s dozen or so Miradouros, picturesque viewpoints were you can take in the sprawl of the city and grab a cocktail. Make your way to one of the informal Fado houses where the soulful traditional music of Lisbon will have you mesmerized. The center of the Enlightenment Age of Discovery, the Belém section of the city is where you can visit the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belém Tower, both integral to Portugal’s history as a seafaring empire. For more drinks with a view, visit the LX Factory, a repurposed warehouse district that is now the city’s newest arts center. Or take a cruise on a sailboat along the Tagus river, for a whole new perspective on this lovely city. No trip to Lisbon is complete without a trip to the nearby town of Sintra, where the hilltop Pena Palace is like something out of a fairytale.
When to Go:
Lisbon’s seaside Mediterranean climate means it has relatively comfortable winters and bright, sunny, hot, summers. Any time of the year is great to visit, but high season is definitely spring and summer. Our advice is to set a price watch on your favorite airfare tracking website and jump on the best price whenever you see it. You won’t regret it!
Where to Stay:
There are tons of hotels and apartment rentals available throughout Lisbon. Most first-time visitors will want to stay in the Bairro Alto, Alfama, or Baixa neighborhoods. Bairro Alto is the center of nightlife, with music clubs, bars, and restaurants everywhere. The Alfama is the old medieval quarter where you can still find old-world charm where Portuguese families mingle with tourists amid the winding streets and narrow staircases. Between these two neighborhoods on the flat expanse running from the river to the main train station is the Baixa district, where wider boulevards, shops, and restaurants decorate this chic commercial district. All three of these neighborhoods are the perfect base for visiting most of Lisbon’s highlights.
