travel

19 trips to add to your bucket list for 2019

By CNN Staff

Published January 4, 2019

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Whether you want to rest, explore or learn -- or all three -- we have the right spot for you. Some of these places are bouncing back after natural disasters, so you can do some good while on your travels.

Here are our picks in alphabetical order.

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Christchurch, New Zealand

After the deadly 2011 earthquake, colorful street art about hope and resilience -- like the "cardboard cathedral” -- appeared all over the city. You also won't want to miss the Christchurch Art Gallery.

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Egypt

The land of the Pharaohs has been welcoming tourists for so long. So what's different in 2019? Mummies, tombs and fresh pyramid mysteries have all been unearthed over the past year.

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Fukuoka, Japan

Fascinating history. Incredible eats. Natural beauty. If this Japanese seaside city isn't already on your radar, it's time to recalibrate your Japan travel plans.

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Ghana

In 2019, the country marks 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in North America. Cape Coast Castle is where many were held before being transported to America and the Caribbean.

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Grand Canyon

One of the world's most magnificent natural wonders, Grand Canyon National Park is marking its centennial anniversary in 2019. If you're feeling adventurous, take two days to hike to the canyon bottom.

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Hawaii Island

Following the volcanic eruption of Kilauea, Hawaii Island is back, warmly welcoming visitors to its slice of paradise.

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The Hebrides, Scotland

Get up close to the Callanish Standing Stones, which are believed to have been erected about 5,000 years ago.

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Jaffa, Israel

Jaffa's narrow streets are packed with jewelers, sculptors, antique dealers, candlemakers and painters. Don't miss a visit to the first whisky distillery in all of Israel. And yes, it's kosher.

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Kerala, India

There's sun, sea, sand, good food, houseboats, culture and wildlife. And despite of the severe floods during the summer, many of Kerala's top tourist destinations escaped unscathed.

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Liechtenstein

The world's sixth smallest country, which will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2019, has plenty to explore: castles, museums and spectacular hiking and biking trails.

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Lima, Peru

The 5,000 kilometer Dakar Rally, which starts and finishes in Lima, is just one of the highlights of 2019 in this food-and-sport focused city.

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New York City

The Big Apple is always a city worth visiting. Plus, it will host the world's biggest LGBTQ celebration in June and simultaneously honor the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

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Normandy, France

This year marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and Normandy boasts more than 20 cemeteries honoring war dead from Allied and Axis countries.

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Oaxaca, Mexico

This Mexican city, with its colorful colonial buildings and open-air marketplaces, is a sight to behold.

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Oman

With its golden dunes, epic mountain ranges and waters teeming with dolphins and turtles, Oman has it all. Visit from October to April to avoid the summer heat.

Courtesy Sarah Walton

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Wander the streets of Bulgaria's second largest city, from its Roman amphitheater to its colorful buildings.

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St. Barts, French West Indies

Hit hard by a hurricane in 2017, this elegant island has almost completely recovered. Most of the hotels and villas are back open and ready for its world-famous regulars.

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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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Weimar, Germany

Weimar may be a small town, but it's also a cultural heavyweight. Don't forget to add a visit to the Baroque Belvedere castle to your itinerary.

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