When winter is in full swing, it's nice to dream of warm countries and start planning your vacation for body and soul. So the editors of Bloomberg have already chosen in early 2019 top tourist destinations, preferred countries and cities for tourism. And we, in turn, have selected ten of the best of them.
Among the main advantages of these areas are:
- well-developed tourist infrastructure;
- the rapid growth of cultural values;
- opening of large hotels and new restaurants worth visiting.
To help you get the most out of your vacation, each item is guided by exclusive data from Google and travel expert advice.
10. Bhutan
When is the best time to go: from mid-November to February - the number of guests in hotels is small, and the sky is clear after the monsoons. In spring, the rhododendron forests are stunningly beautiful, and the weather is fine.
When not to go: showers and hazy skies can overshadow holiday prospects in the summer months. And in April and October it is crowded.
Bloomberg's top 10 destinations to be prioritized this year will open the world's only Buddhist kingdom. Previously, it was visited mainly by connoisseurs of temple architecture and antiquities.
But the large number of hotels and the recently expanded airport mean Bhutan is firmly establishing itself as one of the top destinations for tourism. It combines the influences of the new time with originality, serenity and religiosity, without its fanatical manifestations.
It is curious that in addition to temples and dzongs (half-fortresses-half-temples), there are a lot of images of male genital organs in Bhutan. They are believed to bring good luck. They are associated with Lama Drukpa Kunley, who tried to direct others to the true path by rather strange methods. For example, if a demon met a lama on the way, he beat him on the head with a phallus, and the demon turned into a good spirit.
You will not find crowds of travelers in Bhutan, the fact is that you can get into the country only by paying for a tour in one of the licensed agencies. And the cost of the tour is quite high, for one person it is $ 290 per day. It is cheaper to book a group tour.
9. Houston, USA
When is the best time to go: The weather is excellent in spring and autumn, and azaleas bloom in March.
When not to go: July, August and September are hot and humid months and there is a risk of hurricanes at this time.
Houston is ready to start. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Americans' landing on the moon (if they were there), Johnson Space Center is restoring everything inside the original Mission Control Center, down to the consoles and trash cans, to look exactly as it did in July. 1969, during the flight of Apollo 11.
Closer to the city center is the Museum of Fine Arts, which has grown with an impressive $ 450 million in funding. It now has a roof garden and an amphitheater.
8. Turkey
When is the best time to go: Istanbul is charming in April, during the International Tulip Festival.
When not to go: in July and August, the busiest tourist months, hotel prices are as high as the air temperature.
Three years after a spike in terrorism that severely degraded Turkey's tourism industry, the country has triumphantly returned to the top 10 priority travel destinations. And among the Russians, she did not leave this rating. We have already written in detail about Alanya, Kemer and others the best resorts in Turkeywhere there is all the entertainment that only your heart desires.
And history buffs can visit the port city of Canakkale, home to the Troy Museum with more than 5,000 exhibits, including copies of the Iliad and the sarcophagus of Polixenes (500 BC).
Bloomberg experts recommend choosing Istanbul Edition Hotels for your stay. With its picturesque pools overlooking the Aegean Sea, celebrity endorsed beach clubs, spas with steamy hammams and olive groves, this popular holiday destination is a worthy alternative to Saint Tropez and Mykonos.
7. Madhya Pradesh, India
When is the best time to go: if you need to choose one month, let it be February, when you can watch wildlife and local cultural events without bumping elbows with other tourists every minute. Otherwise, you can go any time between November and March.
When not to go: the air starts to warm up in mid-April and the national parks are closed during the monsoon season, from June to October.
India has the largest population of wild tigers in the world. For travelers, this means that these majestic animals are almost guaranteed to be seen in India, especially in Madhya Pradesh, on safaris in the Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks.
Not only does the state have more protected parks than neighboring Rajasthan, but it is also less crowded. Madhya Pradesh is also famous for its ancient temples with erotic sculptures carved from stone.
6. Balearic Islands, Spain
When is the best time to go: May, June, September and October are ideal, especially if you want to relax on the beach. And in September, Mallorca hosts a cheerful grape harvest festival.
When not to go: wet, cold weather from November to April can ruin your trip.
After several turbulent seasons in which Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca were inundated with tourists, Spain has taken steps to restore a sense of lazy, languid idyll on its islands. The country's authorities have banned Airbnb rentals and ended new hotel licenses in hopes of curbing their overdevelopment.
In the Gothic city center of Palma de Mallorca, you will find the Es Princep, a modern 5-star hotel overlooking the ocean, as well as the cozy Can Bordoy with a spacious private garden teeming with lush vegetation.
Of course, getting to the archipelago is half the fun. If you are driving through Madrid, you can visit the Prado Museum, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Or head to Barcelona, to the local culinary temple elBulli 1846, founded by Ferran Andria, the best chef in Catalonia.
5. Paris, France
When is the best time to go: from April to June or from September to October. You will find the city in all its glory, with a minimum number of tourists and optimal weather
When not to go: in July and August, when the city is hot and there are many tourists.
Top 5 best cities for tourists in 2019 opens the city of kings and yellow vests. It doesn't need much introduction, but this year will bring several cultural events that can take you away from the typical Parisian attractions.
This year, Gabrielle Chanel will open on the ground floor of the Palais Galliera with 200,000 pieces of clothing. It will be the first to showcase the creations of several renowned fashion designers.
Also in 2019, the Pinault collection will be presented at the city's Museum of Modern Art.It will include 3,000 items from the personal collection of François Pinault, a famous businessman, art collector and philanthropist.
4. Norway
When is the best time to go: if you need more sunshine, visit the country from May to August.
When not to go: from October to January the weather is cold, humid and darkens quickly. On the other hand, these are the best months to see the northern lights or go skiing in the fjords.
As travelers seek more isolation and peace with time and money, the journey to the north of Europe is rapidly gaining popularity in the tourism industry.
However, Norway has not yet benefited from this trend. Mainly because there are few places to stay; high salaries make Norwegian hospitality a very expensive business proposition. Slowly but surely, entrepreneurs are finding workarounds, namely, creating small hotels with a minimum number of staff.
Known for being the best spot for viewing the Northern Lights, Lyngen Lodge has eight well-appointed rooms to keep out noisy neighbors. Also this year, the country estate Amot, located north of Bergen, will move from an exclusive villa to a boutique hotel. This means that you can book one of eight apartments instead of the whole house. It is a great place for fishing and kayaking in the rugged landscape of mountains and icy rivers.
3. Costa Rica
When is the best time to go: early December and May, beginning and end of high season. You get great weather and don't overpay for the hotel.
When not to go: during the rainy season, from June to October, when the morning is clear, but there is heavy rainfall almost every day.
The large number of good hotels, pleasant climate and stunning biodiversity of the country make it a convenient destination for nature lovers in the coming year. Thrill-seekers can kayak past caimans on the Caño Negro River, or stroll along the frozen lava flows on the active western side of Arenal Volcano.
For lovers of a relaxing holiday, we recommend the Manuel Antonio National Park, which has tidal pools, beautiful beaches and well-groomed walking paths. Or the Corcovado National Park with beautiful flora and varied fauna. And there is also a cave in which, according to legend, the treasure of the corsair Francis Drake is buried.
2. Poland
When is the best time to go: in April or October when the weather is good and there are few tourists.
When not to go: skip July and August when cruise ships flood Gdansk.
Focus your attention on the capital of Poland - Warsaw; it is the largest cultural center of the country. There are beach nightclubs along the Vistula River, and there are cozy and inexpensive coffee shops near the city's Museum of Contemporary Art.
One of the oldest countries in Europe, it boasts a large number of stately castles. The most famous of them are the Royal Castle (visit if you want to see which quarters were the kings of the past), Malbork Castle, turned into a museum of medieval artifacts and Wawel Castle, which combines the styles of different eras.
And in Poland there is one of the most terrible evidences of how far a person can go in the destruction of his own kind. We are talking about the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, which has now been turned into the State Museum.
1. Vietnam
When is the best time to go: December, before the Christmas rush. The rainy season is ending (although it can still be drizzling in Hanoi), chilly at times, and the crowds of tourists have not arrived yet.
When not to go: Christmas, Easter, and Vietnamese New Year (early February) can be quite crowded. And if you're heading to central Vietnam, skip October - typhoon season.
Vietnam is often overshadowed by its popular neighbor, Thailand. And completely undeserved, because there is something to see in this country. Some of the most famous landmarks (with a distinctly eerie flavor) are the Kucha Tunnels in Saigon.Using this underground system, Vietnamese guerrillas launched covert attacks on American troops.
More peaceful Vietnamese attractions include Hoan Kiem Green Water Lake, Phong Nya Kebang National Park, and the Marble Mountains, which boast amazing temples and lookouts with stunning views. And, of course, we must not forget about delicious street food and strong coffee for which Vietnam is famous.
Should Russians wait for the opening of Egypt in 2019?
As for Egypt, one of the most popular destinations for Russian tourists, there is still little clarity.
Ivan Shkarubo
CEO of Scanner.Travel - online travel booking system.
“The issue of charter flights between the countries was discussed at the highest level in October 2018 in Sochi, at a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdul-Fattah Khalil. The Egyptian side stated that it had fulfilled all the conditions of the Russian authorities to restore air traffic. As a reminder, it was discontinued back in November 2015.
We are preparing to restore full-fledged direct communications between countries by May 2019. Provided that this scenario is implemented, the number of tourists will multiply and may well return to the figure of 3 million people a year - against 120 thousand at the end of 2018. It can be assumed that travelers "missed" the country during the period of a rather long ban, and Egypt could enter the TOP 5 popular destinations for a short time.
On the other hand, Russian tourists have already found alternative destinations, and the Egyptian side will need to remind of themselves with interesting proposals for the period of the buildup of the tourist flow. "