For those who don’t plan their vacation a year in advance, now is the last time to ask yourself: where would I like to go in 2019? There’s never enough time to explore world fully, but everyone can find a hole in their calendar for some travel. Doesn’t matter, if it’s a weekend getaway or a gap year. And if not – you probably wouldn’t be reading the article called “6 Countries to Visit in 2019” anyway.
How did we choose our recommendations for countries to visit in 2019?
First of all, we need you to know that we ONLY included places we have already been to. As much as we’d love to create a list of around-the-world travel destinations for 2019, we feel that we can’t recommend something we haven’t experienced ourselves. Which means, probably, we wouldn’t be going to most of these destinations in 2019. But when we visited these countries, we had a feeling that the best time to visit them is NOW. While Paris and New York might offer similar experiences no matter when you go, tourism in these particular countries is either rapidly changing or offering something new.
Here is our list of countries to visit in 2019.
Peru
When we were in Peru in 2018, it definitely made an impression on us, but so did Bolivia. So why does Peru make our list of countries to visit in 2019? The truth is that both Peru and Bolivia are amazing places, and while Bolivia’s most famous attraction is Uyuni Salt Flats, Peru is especially known for Machu Picchu.
There are many ways to visit Machu Picchu, and if you have read our article about Salkantay Trek, you would know that our original idea was to do something else. Machu Picchu is not the only Incan site in Peru, and one more is starting to get lots of attention. It’s called Choquequirao. Its architecture and origin are similar to Machu Picchu, but it’s not as easily accessible and has far less visitors. This is why we suggest that if you want to visit Choquequirao, do it now! Who knows, maybe just in few years it will be as busy as Machu Picchu is currently. If we were to go to Peru again, we would take a trek to Choquequirao (maybe even a 10-day trek including both sites), and explore the northern part of the country, since we’ve already been to the south.
Read also:
Getting Around Peru and Bolivia : to Hop or not to Hop?
Salkantay Trek: a Terrific Trail to Machu Picchu
Chile
Unless you are aiming to travel further to Atacama Desert, Bolivia and Peru, we’d recommend you to concentrate on Southern Chile this year, especially Patagonia. Chile just opened The Route Of Parks. It covers 2800 km and connects 17 National Parks with a single route – what an amazing experience it must be! Besides, the idea behind this route is based on conservation and preservation.
Read also:
Lollapalooza 2018 or What We Did in Santiago
Vietnam
We must admit we haven’t visited Vietnam in 2018, but at least one of us went there every year before that, starting from 2013. The change we’ve seen in Vietnam during these years is tremendous. One of our favorite countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is developing fast and constantly attracts more trade. Big chains like McDonalds, Burger King and Starbucks opened their doors in this country that has so much to offer. Truth is, they are not being too successful just yet, but that doesn’t matter. Big businesses are flooding into Vietnam, and we just hope that it will preserve its uniqueness in this ocean of opportunities. Besides, there are so many fantastic places to visit in Vietnam! So do it now, while you still get to eat Pho on the street and order thick Vietnamese coffee and a baguette from an old lady on the bike.
Read also:
Macedonia
Tourism in Macedonia has been increasing every year. Amount of tourists coming to the country have almost doubled during the last 10 years. And while it continues to grow, it’s a great time to put Macedonia on your list of countries to visit in 2019. You can drive to different national parks, small cute cities, lake Ohrid, canyon Matka and much more. If you are looking to combine it with something special, try traveling during the Balkan Folklore Festival – a yearly folk song and dance festival, held in Macedonia. Another interesting festival is Galicnic Wedding Festival. Check out this super cool article about the wedding festival by National Geographic.
Read also:
Macedonia in 1 Week | Sample Itinerary
Russia
In 2018 Russia was a host country for the FIFA World Cup. Not that Russia, the biggest country in the world, was lacking tourists before. Nevertheless, World Cup brought quite a few changes to the tourism industry. First, many travelers who went to Russia for FIFA2018, would’ve otherwise, maybe, never visited this extraordinary country. This means that many myths were debunked and people saw that there is no reason to fear traveling in Russia. In a long term this might bring Russia increased amount of tourists by word of mouth.
Russia granted visa-free access to everyone with Fan ID, not only for the championship, but until the end of the year. But FIFA2018 also brought a lot of improvements to the tourist experiences in Russia, especially in the host cities. And that means, while summer 2018 was hugely popular and crowded by football fans, 2019 might not be as crowded, but the positive changes are still there.
We don’t want to give our recommendations based on any political situations, except for the times when it’s dangerous to travel to the country. Russia has previously had some very bad press in western countries, some of it well deserved. But we urge to think above it and put Russia on your list of countries to visit in 2019. After all, it takes up almost 1/8 of the world land, and it’s really hard and not needed to ignore. Just make sure you take a look at what’s happening outside Moscow and St Petersburg too. Also, stay tuned, since more articles about Russia are coming up at Bearly Here in 2019. Sign up for our newsletter to get updates!
Read also:
7 Cool Things to do in St Petersburg
Moscow’s Underground Jem: Visiting Moscow Metro
Japan
I’m sorry, is there a time NOT to visit Japan? I don’t know of such. It’s one of our favorite countries in the world with absolutely amazing food, stunning nature, hospitable people and unique culture. You can go to the beach in summer, ski in winter, enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and autumn is a great time for some interesting festivals. Next autumn, rugby fans have even bigger reason to visit Japan: World Rugby Cup 2019. Besides, Summer Olympics 2020 will also be taking place in Japan, so country will be preparing for these two big events. Make sure you visit before the Olympics, unless you are planning to come as a spectator (or a participant).
Read also:
5 Types of People Who Should Visit Japan
We hope that this list of countries to visit in 2019 will bring you some ideas for your future trips. Feel free to surf our website to find other recommendations. If you have questions and requests about any other destinations – let us know in the comments. And don’t forget to sign up for our email newsletter to stay updated with our new articles.
Bearly Here wishes you an unforgettable 2019, filled with new destinations, incredible adventures and fantastic experiences.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What an amazing list of places! I couldn’t agree with you more about Vietnam, I love it there.
I would love to see Chile one day. I just met a friend from there, so I may even have a guide?.
Thank you, Brett! It is so cool to have a local show you around, wherever you go! 🙂
That is a super unique list! I rarely see travel blogs about Russia so I’m excited to follow along and see what it’s really like!
Elizabeth, thanks! We will be posting more about Russia in 2019 – few other locations, as well as our experience with Trans-Siberian, so stay tuned! 🙂
Ugghhh I would LOVE to go to every single country on this list. Wow! Russia has been on my list for so so long. AND Peru! You compiled a wonderful list.
Thanks Anna! So, so recommend to go to each of them, if you can. Peru is classics and Russia is just more than worth exploring!
I totally agree with Japan! I visited in 2018 as well, and it’s the most amazing place I’ve ever been. My mum said she’s never seen me grin the way I do on the videos I made there. There are so many things to see, one trip just can’t cover it all. Most people just do Tokyo, but there is so much more. Best thing about it, you don’t need a car!
Agreed, Japan is simply amazing! Recently we did a series of polls in our Instagram stories, where we got people to vote between two different countries they would rather go to in 2019, until in the end out of many there was only one left. And Japan won! We also absolutely loved it.
Great list! good to see Russia and Macedonia included (they rarely are in these things) Thank you for sharing this, its great!
Thanks, Mel! We did include them for quite a specific reason – it’s good to go NOW! In 10 years situation might be different, prices might be higher and the amount of tourists as well 🙂
I’ve been to 2 of these and am going to be visiting Peru and Chile this year, so this is rather timely. I clicked on your Bolivia post and have bookmarked that one, because I am also visiting there, too.
I couldn’t agree more with visiting these amazing countries. I absolutely loved Vietnam and Japan is so freakin’ cool!
Hi Taryn! Thanks for stopping by! We are a bit jealous that you get to go to Peru and Chile – we loved it last year! And of course, Bolivia, one of our all-time favorites. Hope you enjoy your trips!!
I’m searching too on what to visit this year. I really hope to visit Peru soon. I really like Japan during spring and autumn 🙂
If you can, please do go to Peru 🙂 and there’s never bad time to visit Japan! Skiing in winter, cherry blossoms in spring, beautiful colours of leaves in autumn and well, summer in summer 🙂
I really appreciate this list. I had never considered Macedonia. I too loved Japan. I visited Russia last year but in a cruise so only one day. Your pics make me even more excited to visit. Vietnam is on the top of my list to visit. It must be special if you keep visiting!
Hi Marcia!
Thanks for your comment. Vietnam is definitely very special for us, I hope to go this year again, at least for a weekend, if I can. Hope you get to visit it!
Scrolling down for last was like reading my own travel wish list, although I’d never considered Macedonia before I will now! Some great suggestions, thank you!
Thanks Katie!
That’s a great list! Actually, we are just discussing whether to visit Colombia or Chile & Bolivia… Still unsure, as we have visited a few Central & South American Countries having similar landscape as Colombia & I really want to visit Atacama & Uyuni… on the other hand, you can better go scuba diving in Colombia… arghhh…
Hi Mario! I have only been to Colombia for a short visit to Bogota, but heard wonderful things about it. Atacama and Uyuni are so worth visiting, please do if you get a chance! You can check out our article about amazing experience we had in Uyuni here: https://bearlyhere.com/our-visit-to-uyuni-salt-flats/
We must be in sync, all the countries you’ve mentioned are high on my list. I’ve never done Machu Picchu but Choquequirao. Sounds more for me if it’s less accessible and less people, great tip!
Oh, Vanessa, I so wish I had your travel list lined up for this year! 🙂 And Choquequirao, mmm… if I ever go to Peru again, it’s totally on my list. Thanks!
Oh man, Chile is my number 1 at the moment. I can’t wait. National Geographic voted the country as the most adventurous one in the world. It has everything I want … Vietnam and Japan also look amazing!
Alice, thanks for your comment!!! Hope you enjoy Chile!
I love your list. I am planning to visit Japan this year. So looking forward to it. I hope I can make it to the other places too soon 🙂
Anisha, we hope to make it to Japan this year too. Hope you enjoy it! And let us know when you plan to travel 🙂
Thank you for sharing this list, very interesting choices. Peru, Chile and Japan are on my bucket list, but not sure if 2019 will be the year.
Great to hear, Anna! Good luck with your travels this year 🙂
I am impressed by your travel plans. Good luck! I want to visit Estonia and Morocco this year. I hope I can do it.
Hi Przemek! These are actually not travel plans, but recommendations for this year 🙂 We’ve been to these places already and think that 2019 is a great year to visit it. Let me know if you need any tips about Estonia – that’s my home 🙂
Inspiring! I have been to 3 countries so far this year (and another in March), but I don’t think I’ll make 6!
Hey, who knows right? If you hit 3 in 2 months and you have 10 months left – you can definitely visit 3 more! But of course it’s not about the amount of countries, as long as you get out and enjoy your trips, even in your own home country!