You don’t really need an excuse to travel, but with so many awesome events taking place in 2019, it can be tricky figuring out which places to prioritise. Here you’ll find our second half of Skyscanner’s list of recommended destinations covering chilled, challenging, and pretty much everything in between.
Boryeong, South Korea
Since the last Winter Olympics, South Korea has been speedily rising to the top of many a travel bucket list. There’s the incredible buzz of Seoul, the majestic temples, and something a bit different, a mud festival. Taking place in the second half of July, it’s a kind of mud playground with a giant mud bath, a mud super slide, a mud swimming pool, mud massages and something called the “mud mime character performance”. Splash mud over strangers, push them into mud or just cover yourself from head-to-toe, and revel in dirty delight with a clear conscience. In a country where beauty treatments are taken very seriously, the special minerals found in the mud are a cause of celebration.
Singapore
National Day in Singapore is always a big event. Held every August 9 there’s always a parade and fireworks, but this year there’s extra cause for celebration. After the success of Crazy Rich Asians, Singapore has welcomed an influx of tourists ready to experience the decadent beauty they saw on screen. Once there, you can visit locations like Gardens by the Bay, the waterfront nature park where Collin and Araminta had their wedding reception, and Marina Bay Sands, where the rooftop bar scene from the end of the movie was filmed. And if you’re not on a “crazy rich” budget, the country is home to the world’s cheapest Michelin star restaurant, Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle.
Málaga, Spain
The Costa del Sol hasn’t always had a reputation as a culture hub, instead being a favourite among British holidaymakers looking for an easy sunny escape. Today, however, city of Málaga holds just as much appeal for art lovers. There’s always been a strong link thanks to Picasso having been born there, but new museums have really turned the city into a cultural destination. In September – to mark World Tourism Day – you can visit them for free. Top of your list should be the Pompidou Centre – a huge, multi-coloured cube right on the waterfront - where the Modern Utopias exhibition is running all year and features work by Kandinsky, Chagall and Miró. After that there’s at least another 20 others to explore. For another artistic experience, try the Taberna Uvodoble where chef Willie Orellan takes classic tapas dishes and gives them a contemporary spin, all in sleek surroundings.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
You could be forgiven for thinking that Amsterdam is simply a party town but just wait until Amsterdam Dance Event kicks off. Starting on October 16, it’s described as “five days of total electronic music emersion”. It’s a mix of conference and festival; by day you can watch masterclasses and panels with DJs and producers, ideal for anyone trying to break into the industry, while at night it’s one big party with 2,500 artists performing in 140 venues across the city. And if you need to slow things down, you can swap dance music for jazz at Bar Oldenhof, a hidden cocktail and whiskey bar that’s cosy, sophisticated and proudly stuck in the 20th century.
Perth, Australia
National Geographic calls Perth “the world’s most remote major city” but don’t let that put you off as it’s well worth the effort. Perth has got the kind of laid-back atmosphere you’d expect from somewhere that gets 265 days of sun a year, and has more than a dozen beaches. And in 2019 some epic beach barbecues are planned as part of the Gourmet Escape food festival. With 10 days of events in Perth, Margaret River and Swan Valley starting from November 9, it has an unrivalled reputation amongst foodies, a relaxed atmosphere and amazing produce, wine and seafood, attracting everyone from local suppliers to celebrity chefs.
Val d’Isère, France
How cool would it be to see out the end of 2019 on the slopes? If you get excited about ski lifts, get to Val d’Isère where the old four-person télécabines which debuted in 1966 are getting replaced by beautiful new gondolas inspired by Ferrari and Maserati. The first of their kind in France, they will have heated seats, hold 10 people, and halve the journey time from La Daille up to the Folie Douce. If you prefer fancy hotels to luxury ski lifts, wait for Le Refuge de Solaise, which is opening in December. At 2551m it is France’s highest hotel, with rooms possessing an elevated rustic charm, along with a restaurant, a screening room and spa, and the top attraction of being the first on the slopes every morning.
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