According to travel pros who have “been there, done that,” these are the 10 travel destinations are the best up-and-coming places to visit in 2019. They are, so far, more off the beaten track and less visited than most travel destinations you may think of to put in your travel bucket. You’ve probably never even thought of going to most of them. But they are beginning to see more visitors and may be places you wish to travel to in 2019 before they become crowded tourist hot-spots. I’m not sure if the original writer put these 10 travel destinations in a specific order, but here is the list.

1. Asturias, Spain
2. Germany
3. West African Coast
4. La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
5. Tbilisi, Georgia
6. Shikoku, Japan
7. Bisbee, Arizona
8. Mainland Honduras
9. Belgrade, Serbia
10. Panama

In my short post, I am going to focus on only two – the first is in one of my favourite countries, which I visited many times when I lived in the UK and where family and friends still visit. The other is a bucket list destination I have not been to yet that I hope to experience in the not too distant future.

Asturias, northwest Spain, Europe

Church in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
Photo by Anne Wipf on Pixabay

Calle Mon, Oviedo, Spain.
Photo by Héctor Martínez on Unsplash

Most people who go to Spain head to the south: Barcelona, Valencia, Murcia or Malaga. But Asturias, on the Bay of Biscay in north western Spain is, according to travel pros, one of the best up-and-coming travel destinations in 2019. The Bay of Biscay is bejewelled with rugged evergreen cliffs, hidden, unspoiled bays, and beautiful mountain landscapes. There is plenty to do in the area, such as visiting the many religious sites and medieval architecture, including San Salvador Cathedral in Oviedo, the region’s capital, hiking the winding trail through Cares Gorge in the Picos de Europa National Park, and, of course, sampling local Spanish cuisine in the many cafes, bars and restaurants found in villages and towns.

As a side note: If you’re on a road-trip to or from Biarritz, France, you’ll pass through the northern edge of the Pyrenees Mountain chain. If you have time, take Le Train de La Rhune which stops at a restaurant in the mountains, where you’ll discover stunning a 360 degree panoramic view. Many moons ago, on a short road-trip from Biarritz, when I stayed with a French family, I enjoyed a ride up La Rhune and also visited a quaint town in northern Spain called San Sebastián. It was siesta time and I enjoyed meandering through the quiet streets, sight-seeing and taking photos without crowds of people.

Panama, Central America

Casco Viejo, Panama City.
Photo by “lapping” on Pixabay

Church Square, Panama City Centre
Photo by Albert Dezetter on Pixabay

Panama is the bridge between two oceans that connects North America and Central America to South America. It is also home to one of Central America’s most cosmopolitan city, Panama City, and some of the world’s richest biodiversity. Panama will be celebrating its 500th anniversary on August 15^th, 2019 so now might be a great year to visit as they prepare for the festivities and begin to celebrate. (If you visit in August be sure to book your accommodation ahead of time, as it might be in short supply.)

Panama can be visited during an ocean cruise between Miami, Tampa or New York and Los Angeles where you’ll navigate the 48-mile long Panama Canal and see the sights in Panama City. Or, if you’re on route to Peru or Argentina via Copa Airlines, you can stay in Panama City on a free stopover of up to 3-days. You’ll have time to explore the highlands, bathe in the azure waters or visit the elegant Casco Viejo and Church Square in the city centre. For a longer stay, you can fly to Panama City from Toronto and other major Canadian gateways with various airlines.

If any of the travel destinations on the list pique your interest, or you’ve already visited them and have interesting insights, let me know in the comments. I’d be happy to feature them in a later post or share your experience.