Lonely Planet unveiled its annual collection of the best travel destinations, trends, journeys and experiences to have in the year ahead and Sri Lanka is leading the list.
‘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.
There’s now more than ever for families, adrenaline junkies, eco-tourists, wellness seekers and foodies of all budgets. Even the north and east, including areas previously off limits, difficult to reach or lacking in services, deliver new discoveries’ – www.lonelyplanet.com
“These are the places to experience in 2019,” said Lonely Planet Destination Editor Trisha Ping. “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.”
Each year, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel is selected by a panel of judges based on nominations from Lonely Planet’s vast community of editors, researchers, locals and influencers. 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.
Sri Lanka, Germany and Zimbabwe topped the top 10 countries list. Egypt’s Southern Nile Valley took the top spot on the best value destinations ranking. And Copenhagen — Denmark’s capital of cool, according to Ping, thanks to its vibrant food and design scenes — was No. 1 on the best cities roster, with China’s answer to Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, ranked second. Two U.S. cities — Miami and Seattle — made the cut, as well.
Sources: www.mercurynews.com, www.prnewswire.com and www.lonelyplanet.com
Photo: www.lonelyplanet.com
