TOP TRAVEL: Lonely Planet have released the top 10 must-visit destinations for 2019 (Pic: GETTY)
Looking for holiday inspiration? Youll be pleased to hear Lonely Planet have just revealed their top travel destinations for 2019.
This years list of top 10 countries includes some far-flung and exotic offerings.
Sri Lanka has been voted the number one holiday hotspot for next year. The island nation, which lies south of India in the Indian Ocean, has been increasing in popularity over the past few year.
With ancient temples, lush jungles and adventurous animal safaris, its easy to see why the country has made it to the top spot.
WINNER: Sri Lanka has been voted the number one destination for next year (Pic: GETTY)
Lonely Planet said: “Sri Lanka is decidedly having its moment in the equatorial sun and change is coming swiftly.
“Already notable to intrepid travellers for its mix of religions and cultures, its timeless temples, its rich and accessible wildlife, its growing surf scene and its people who defy all odds by their welcome and friendliness after decades of civil conflict, this is a country revived.”
Germany came in second place, while Zimbabwe came in third and Panama in Central America was fourth.
In at number five is far-flung Kyrgyzstan. The rugged Central Asian country is along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean.
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WILDLIFE: Forget Kenya, Zimbabwe came in at number three (Pic: GETTY)
Each year, Lonely Planets Best in Travel lists start with nominations from Lonely Planets vast community of editors, researchers, locals and influencers, and are then decided upon and ranked by a panel of judges.
The outcome is an eclectic list of destinations with unique, compelling and topical reasons to visit in the year ahead – as well as underlying travel trends to look for.
“These are the places to experience in 2019”, said Tom Hall, Lonely Planets Editorial Director. “They might be coming into their own, celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime event or simply have been overlooked for too long – whatever the reason, now is the time to plan a trip.”
BEAUTIFUL: Kyrgyzstan is located between between China and the Mediterranean (Pic: GETTY)
Here are the top 10 countries for 2019 according to Lonely Planet:
1. Sri Lanka
2. Germany
3. Zimbabwe
4. Panama
5. Kyrgyzstan
6. Jordan
7. Indonesia
8. Belarus
9. Sao Tome and Principe
10. Belize
The experts at the worlds leading travel authority also picked the top 10 cities to visit next year. Denmarks “capital of cool”, Copenhagen, was named the number one city as it boasts a world-renowned food scene and credentials as a design powerhouse.
Here are the top 10 cities to visit in 2019:
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Shenzhen, China
3. Novi Sad, Serbia
4. Miami, Florida, USA
5. Kathmandu, Nepal
6. Mexico City, Mexico
7. Dakar, Senegal
8. Seattle, USA
9. Zadar, Croatia
10. Meknes, Morocco
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SURREAL: The Atacama Desert looks like the moon and is one of the best places to go stargazing (Pic: GETTY)
Last year Chile was named the best travel destination for 2018. Lonely Planet said the South American country topped the list due to “the impenetrable wilds of Patagonia” and the vibrant capital of Santiago.
Its also home to the stunning Torres del Paine National Park and the Atacama Desert, which is one of the best places in the world to see the stars.
In San Pedro de Atacama – where the desert is location – travellers can also trek Moon Valley, marvel at Geysers and spot flamingos at the gorgeous Flamencos National Reserve.
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