Top 5 Countries You Need to Visit in 2019

With the end of the cold days and the reviving of the year in the late spring months, the travel bug is probably itching you already and you are planning your next memorable trip. However, where do you go this year? In case you want to visit a place that is not on the popular travel trips radar for the past few years and you still want to enjoy the place no less than the more popular destinations, this guide will help you by inspiring you to consider top five destinations you have probably not even thought of recently. With a whole summer worth of travel and adventure and so many new and emerging in popular destinations and some favourite classics, here are our top five travel choices for 2019.

Rwanda

If you are tired of the classic and well-known wildlife destinations, but you still want to appreciate the beauty of unique nature, we have some good news for you and Rwanda is under our radar in 2019 as a new, exciting, and emerging wildlife and culture destination. The African country offers you unique opportunities to see and meet gorillas in their natural habitat since Rwanda is the home to hundreds of mountain gorillas living their best life in the rainforests of the Virunga Mountains. In case you want to enjoy a unique experience and still indulge yourself with some luxury, you will be happy to find out that the area is currently enjoying the open of many luxury lodges which offer the perfect blend of relaxing holiday plus a close glimpse of these kings of the jungle and the unique nature of Rwanda. Make sure to reserve some time for visiting Volcanoes National Park in the country too.

The national park is encompassing the Rwandan side of the Virunga Mountains the country shares with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the place you will be able to see not just the mountain gorillas but also golden monkeys. You can have a glimpse of chimpanzees and other primates when visiting Nyungwe National Park. However, if wildlife is not the only goal of your travel, Rwanda is still a great place to visit is one of Africa’s most beautiful countries.

Don’t miss to enjoy the capital Kigali that is nestled in a picturesque valley between the mountains. For a cultural meet and great with Rwanda’s traditions and lifestyle, you will be able to enjoy a lot of local crafts, traditional music, and lively markets. There are also a few surprises for the visitor since Kigali is home to a lively and trendy coffee house scene and you will be able to have a taste of the local-grown coffee. The restaurant scene is booming too, while local galleries will make you reconsider your perception of African art. The World Economic Forum listed Rwanda as the ninth safest country in the world in 2017.

Kyrgyzstan

With the Silk Road and all the magical and exciting countries and places dotted along it growing back in popularity as great holiday destinations, it is a shame that Kyrgyzstan is getting not enough attention and remaining one of the undiscovered and neglected countries on the map. Located in the very centre of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan has neighbours such as China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, which contributes to an impressive cultural blend in the country, but Kyrgyzstan has also its very own and unique character and atmosphere. The country is mainly known as the home of the apple, but apples are only one of the delicious fruits and overall foods you can try and enjoy in this country.

The local cuisine is influenced by Turkey, Iran, India, and China, so you can expect an extremely delicious mix of spices, flavours, colours, and unique dishes. The traditional nomadic welcome will, for sure, last for long in your heart and mind and you will have the great opportunity to enjoy Kyrgyzstan’s culture and lifestyle firsthand through a network of homestays with local families. Trekking is also a popular way to have some adventure in the country as Kyrgyzstan is a home to many beautiful mountains, valleys, and remote areas where you will be able to meet just a handful of people. The capital Bishkek is also a gem, so don’t miss to visit it.

Panama

Laying on a strategic piece of land between North and South America, Panama is an exciting blend of history, lifestyle, experiences, culture. Panama has long been a meeting point for people from all around the world, however, it is arguably one of the newest countries in the world but still home to old history and architecture. The Old Town dates to 1673 since it has been rebuild after completely burned by pirates in the 15th century. Old churches and palaces make an impressive juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers in modern Panama City.

Picturesque and beautiful ruins in the city have been restored with the help of Unesco and turned into hip cafes, galleries, boutiques, and even nightclubs. The cuisine is influenced by Africa, France, China, Spain, and the USA, which gives the country even more international and multicultural feel and atmosphere. In addition, Panama has the largest rainforest in the Western Hampshire outside of the Amazon and you can enjoy it once you visit the Canal Zone itself. Off the Caribbean coast is where the San Blas Islands are located and home to the indigenous Guna people.

Seychelles

The Seychelles islands are located 1,000 miles off the coast of East Africa and often assumes as the luxury destination for uber-rich people and honeymooners, but don’t let this misconception stop you from visiting one of the most beautiful and special pieces of the earth under the sun. Thankfully, Seychelles are now attracting a new range of travellers and visitors to their white-sanded shores, green lands, and turquoise waters. The new policy ‘One island, One hotel’ is promoted by the Ministry of Tourism in the country and designed to ensure its sustainable future, when a hotel will be able to apply for an exclusive use of a section of the island but only as long as it uses a portion of its turnover to restore and maintain the island’s ecosystems.

This pretty much means that soon native species will be turning to the islands and visitors will be able to enjoy the giant Aldabra tortoises and hawksbill turtles in their natural habitat. As a result, hotels will also compete to be more eco-friendly. The best part is that around half of the islands’ landmasses is protected national park and single-use plastics are banned since 2017.

Switzerland

Whenever you are considering a summer holiday in Europe, you are maybe thinking of the Riviera, but if you desire a more unique holiday experience, make sure to swap the sparkling waters and sunny coast for the picturesque lakes and mountains of Switzerland. Every 20 years the Fete des Vignerons is held in celebration of the wines grown in the Lavaux region and in 2019 you have the rare chance to visit the historic event from July 18th to August 11th. The well-heeled lakeside town is a perfect spot not only for watching the grand spectacle, but also to enjoy the idyllic and vibrant nature of Switzerland.