2019’s hottest destinations

Japan

With the country hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup, and preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there’s more reason than ever to consider a trip to Japan if you’re a sports fan.

The various UK nations are playing in cities across the country’s islands to encourage visitors beyond Tokyo. And, with British Airways resuming direct flights to Osaka from the end of March, Japan’s second city and its famous foodie scene is also easier to reach.

If rugby doesn’t inspire, the nearby province of Setouchi is holding its Triennale, the contemporary art festival from April to November. Between Kyoto and Hiroshima, it’s set on an inland sea whose islands will be hosting some of the installations, a relaxing contrast to the capital’s high-octane buzz.

Matera, Italy

The 2019 European capital of culture ­— along with Plovdiv in Bulgaria (tempting, too, for its own Roman ruins, old town and bargain prices) — this unique and atmospheric city in southern Italy might finally find a well-deserved place on the map.

Known for its Sassi, the cave dwellings and churches carved into the rock, next year it will also host pop-up museums, art galleries and concerts, many held in the mountainside caves — plus you can stay in cave hotels and eat in cave restaurants.

Panama

Tipped as one of Lonely Planet’s top countries to visit in 2019, Panama is celebrating 500 years next year — guaranteeing a visit that will be even more memorable than usual.

Apart from the famous canal, there are white-sand beaches, tropical rainforests, centuries of culture and coffee production in the highlands. At the crossroads of the Americas, the country’s biodiversity is also showcased at the BioMuseo.

The USA

The United States is marking a string of anniversaries in 2019, not least the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, 400 years ago. With a new app connecting visitors to the historical sites throughout the state, you could also visit the country’s largest living history museum at Colonial Williamsburg.

Meanwhile, San Diego will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of its own founding, the first European settlement on the California coast — the original site overlooks the present-day Old Town.

Or, for a more recent event that defined a generation, it will be 50 years since the Woodstock Festival took place in the Catskills — another Lonely Planet pick for one of its top regions in 2019. These days, some of the biggest temptations are for foodies, but there’s also music planned for August 2019 to mark the festival’s anniversary.

Eilat, Israel

Agra, India

After a year hidden under scaffolding, the restoration of the Taj Mahal’s iconic marble dome and turrets will finally be over and the building is set to emerge looking more dazzling than ever.

The work has been hit by delays, with the unveiling postponed from 2018 to 2019 — but the world’s most famous monument to love should be gleaming once more before the year is up.

Berlin, Germany

Germany’s capital is celebrating two different anniversaries next year. It’s 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, which is being marked by exhibitions, concerts and events throughout the year.

It’s also the centenary of Bauhaus, with a festival held at the Akademie der Kunst in January followed by exhibits from the Bauhaus Archiv on display in a temporary exhibition space.

Charleston, USA

There are several new flight routes launching in 2019 to various US cities, including a BA direct route to Pittsburgh and extra flights with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester to Los Angeles.

But the most exciting new route is the first direct transatlantic link to Charleston, South Carolina. Starting on April 4, British Airways will be flying from Heathrow to the historic city, which dates back to 1670, and which saw the first battle of the country’s Civil War.

Corsica

One of the least well-known parts of France, Corsica has been tempting more and more tourists — bookings have been up 202 per cent year on year, according to lastminute.com. Now, as well as Air Corsica’s direct flights which started in summer 2018, British Airways will fly to Bastia in the north and Figari in the south, to make holidays on this beautiful island easier than ever.

And 2019 marks 250 years since the birth of Napoleon; the future emperor spent his childhood in Ajaccio, where you can still visit his home at Maison Bonaparte.

Durban, South Africa

South Africa’s third biggest city is taking some of the attention back from Cape Town in 2019: direct flights from Heathrow with British Airways launched two months ago, the only non-stop link from Europe to the city.

Perfect if you’re looking for winter sun — including some of the country’s best surfing — it’s also a great location for anyone interested in history, from Zulu heritage to the reopened Gandhi Museum and colonial architecture in the city itself.

Nearby, two new luxury lodges are also opening in the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, which is home to all of the Big Five, including elephants and rhino.

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