<strong>19 places to visit in 2019: </strong>Whether you want to relax by the beach or explore ancient ruins or a support a community recovering from a natural disaster, CNN Travel has plenty of recommendations from which to choose. Here are our picks in alphabetical order. <strong>Christchurch, New Zealand </strong>is now home to a beautiful "cardboard cathedral" which has become a symbol for regeneration in the wake of a 2011 earthquake.
19 places to visit in 2019: Whether you want to relax by the beach or explore ancient ruins or a support a community recovering from a natural disaster, CNN Travel has plenty of recommendations from which to choose. Here are our picks in alphabetical order. Christchurch, New Zealand is now home to a beautiful "cardboard cathedral" which has become a symbol for regeneration in the wake of a 2011 earthquake.
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<strong>Egypt: </strong>Visitors can explore the Nefertari complex at the ancient Egyptian temple of Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser. Egyptologists have also been discovering exciting finds, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/ancient-egypt-things-to-see/index.html" target="_blank">some of which are now open to the public</a>.
Egypt: Visitors can explore the Nefertari complex at the ancient Egyptian temple of Abu Simbel on the shores of Lake Nasser. Egyptologists have also been discovering exciting finds, some of which are now open to the public.
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<strong>Fukuoka, Japan:</strong> For people who want to see a lesser known part of Japan, Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu is just one of many places to explore off the beaten path in Fukuoka.<br />
Fukuoka, Japan: For people who want to see a lesser known part of Japan, Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu is just one of many places to explore off the beaten path in Fukuoka.
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<strong>Ghana: </strong>The country marks the Year of the Return in 2019 -- the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arrived in North America. Cape Coast Castle, shown here, is where many were held before being transported to America and the Caribbean.
Ghana: The country marks the Year of the Return in 2019 -- the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arrived in North America. Cape Coast Castle, shown here, is where many were held before being transported to America and the Caribbean.
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<strong>Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States:</strong> The Grand Canyon is about five or six million years old, but the national park turns just 100 years old on February 26, 2019. This is the view of Colorado River and the Watchtower as seen from the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States: The Grand Canyon is about five or six million years old, but the national park turns just 100 years old on February 26, 2019. This is the view of Colorado River and the Watchtower as seen from the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village.
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<strong>Hawaii Island, United States: </strong>A helicopter view of Kilauea Volcano's Halemaumau crater shows the extent of the largest overflow of the lava lake in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in April 2018. Hawaii Forest & Trail's new <a href="https://www.hawaii-forest.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Volcano Unveiled tour </a>takes guests on an off-road adventure to explore changes to the crater.
Hawaii Island, United States: A helicopter view of Kilauea Volcano's Halemaumau crater shows the extent of the largest overflow of the lava lake in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in April 2018. Hawaii Forest & Trail's new Volcano Unveiled tour takes guests on an off-road adventure to explore changes to the crater.
C. Parcheta/U.S. Geological Survey/AP
<strong>Hebrides, Scotland:</strong> Lewis and Harris, the most northerly Outer Hebridean Island, has its own Stonehenge-style mysterious stone circle, the Callanish Standing Stones. Get up close to the boulders at Callanish, which are believed to have been erected about 5,000 years ago.
Hebrides, Scotland: Lewis and Harris, the most northerly Outer Hebridean Island, has its own Stonehenge-style mysterious stone circle, the Callanish Standing Stones. Get up close to the boulders at Callanish, which are believed to have been erected about 5,000 years ago.
Martin Zwick/REDA&CO/UIG/Getty Images
<strong>Jaffa, Israel:</strong> Jaffa's narrow streets are packed with jewelers, sculptors, antique dealers, candlemakers, painters and more. The city also now has new boutique hotels -- <a href="https://www.thejaffahotel.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Jaffa</a>, <a href="https://www.thesetaihotel.co.il/?lang=en" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Setai </a>and <a href="https://www.thedrisco.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Drisco.</a>
Jaffa, Israel: Jaffa's narrow streets are packed with jewelers, sculptors, antique dealers, candlemakers, painters and more. The city also now has new boutique hotels -- The Jaffa, The Setai and The Drisco.
noamarmonn / Pixabay
<strong>Kerala, India: </strong>This area of<a href="https://cnn.com/travel/destinations/india" target="_blank"> India</a> has sun, sea, sand, good food, houseboats, culture and wildlife. Its spectacular natural landscapes has earned the region its nickname: "God's Own Country.
Kerala, India: This area of India has sun, sea, sand, good food, houseboats, culture and wildlife. Its spectacular natural landscapes has earned the region its nickname: "God's Own Country.
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<strong>Liechtenstein: </strong>The Principality of Liechtenstein, which will celebrate its tricentennial in 2019, is the world's 6th tiniest country but still offers plenty to explore: castles (like Gutenberg Castle shown here) museums and spectacular hiking and biking trails.
Liechtenstein: The Principality of Liechtenstein, which will celebrate its tricentennial in 2019, is the world's 6th tiniest country but still offers plenty to explore: castles (like Gutenberg Castle shown here) museums and spectacular hiking and biking trails.
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<strong>Lima, Peru: </strong>The 5,000 kilometer <a href="https://www.dakar.com/en" target="_blank" target="_blank">Dakar Rally, </a>which starts and finishes in Lima, is just one of the highlights of a fabulous 2019 in this food-and-sport focused city.
Lima, Peru: The 5,000 kilometer Dakar Rally, which starts and finishes in Lima, is just one of the highlights of a fabulous 2019 in this food-and-sport focused city.
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<strong>New York City: </strong>New York pride is always a big deal, but 2019 will be even bigger. The city will host <a href="https://2019-worldpride-stonewall50.nycpride.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">World Pride</a>, the world's biggest LGBTQ celebration, and simultaneously honor its own history with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
New York City: New York pride is always a big deal, but 2019 will be even bigger. The city will host World Pride, the world's biggest LGBTQ celebration, and simultaneously honor its own history with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
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<strong>Normandy, France: </strong>Normandy will mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019. There are more than 20 cemeteries honoring the dead from World War II, including the Normandy American Cemetery close to Omaha beach in Colleville-sur-Mer.
Normandy, France: Normandy will mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2019. There are more than 20 cemeteries honoring the dead from World War II, including the Normandy American Cemetery close to Omaha beach in Colleville-sur-Mer.
Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Oaxaca, Mexico: </strong>Oaxaca is home to colorful colonial architecture, mole-dominated cuisine and the Monte Alban UNESCO site, which includes these buildings along the Grand Plaza at the Gallery of los Danzantes. It's a large pre-Columbian archaeological site.
Oaxaca, Mexico: Oaxaca is home to colorful colonial architecture, mole-dominated cuisine and the Monte Alban UNESCO site, which includes these buildings along the Grand Plaza at the Gallery of los Danzantes. It's a large pre-Columbian archaeological site.
Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket/Getty Images
<strong>Oman:</strong> The Rub al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter desert, is the world's largest sand desert. Head to the coast to enjoy waters teeming with dolphins and turtles.
Oman: The Rub al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter desert, is the world's largest sand desert. Head to the coast to enjoy waters teeming with dolphins and turtles.
Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis/Getty Images
<strong>Plovdiv, Bulgaria: </strong>With its Roman ruins, like this amphitheater, Plovdiv will shine as one of two European capitals of culture for 2019. It's now home to many summer festivals.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria: With its Roman ruins, like this amphitheater, Plovdiv will shine as one of two European capitals of culture for 2019. It's now home to many summer festivals.
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<strong>St. Barts, French West Indies:</strong> Hit hard by a hurricane in late 2017, this elegant island has almost completely recovered from the storm's effects. Most of the island's hotels and villas are back open, hosting many of the rich and famous on their beaches.
St. Barts, French West Indies: Hit hard by a hurricane in late 2017, this elegant island has almost completely recovered from the storm's effects. Most of the island's hotels and villas are back open, hosting many of the rich and famous on their beaches.
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<strong>Space Coast, Florida:</strong> The Kennedy Space Center will be one of many space-focused sites marking the 50th anniversary of humans walking on the moon.
Space Coast, Florida: The Kennedy Space Center will be one of many space-focused sites marking the 50th anniversary of humans walking on the moon.
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<strong>Weimar, Germany: </strong>The Baroque Belvedere castle built for house-parties in Weimer is one of many spots to visit during the year. The region will also be celebrating the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus art school -- now Bauhaus University
Weimar, Germany: The Baroque Belvedere castle built for house-parties in Weimer is one of many spots to visit during the year. The region will also be celebrating the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus art school -- now Bauhaus University
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