From visiting food festivals in Tasmania to enjoying spicy laksa in the streets of Singapore, or wandering through flower markets in Hong Kong and seeing polar bears in Canada; 2019 heralds in a new year full of so many travel opportunities and experiences. So what are you waiting for? Grab your passport and get ready for a serious case of wanderlust, as we list our top picks for your 2019 travel bucket list. Make sure you book your flight and airport transfer soon though, before everyone else catches on that these are the places to be in 2019.
Hong Kong
An eclectic mix of towering skyscrapers and urban forest, high-end shopping boutiques and street markets where you’ll haggle to your heart’s delight, modern cruise ships and traditional ‘junks’ trawling along the harbour, and a sprinkling of its British, Portuguese and Chinese influence; Hong Kong is a city full of contradictions that somehow work perfectly in tandem. Catch a Star Ferry to one of the surrounding islands or nearby Kowloon (on the mainland); take the (very!) steep tram ride up to The Peak, where you’ll be treated to incredible views overlooking the impressive cityscape and bustling Victoria Harbour; and walk along the neon-lit Nathan Road.
Shoppers; there’s a market here for just about everything you can think of! From the famous Temple Street Market on Nathan Road spruiking everything from jewellery to souvenirs, electronics, watches, clothing, bags and noodles, to the Flower Market in Kowloon selling yep, fresh flowers, to the Jade Market, the Ladies Market… just make sure you leave enough room in your suitcase for your souvenirs!
Don’t miss: A visit to Lantau Island to visit the Big Buddha; a bronze statue and the largest seated Buddha in the world.
Travel: Fly into Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) (also known as Chek Lap Kok Airport). Airport transfers are available from Hong Kong Airport to Hong Kong Island on Jayride.com.
Tasmania, Australia
Renowned for its unbridled wilderness, fascinating (and sometimes grim!) history, eclectic art museums and fantastic foodie scene, Tasmania punches well above its weight in the culture, cuisine and outdoor beauty stakes. Browse the handmade wares at the buzzing Salamanca Markets in the state’s capital of Hobart before getting your art and culture fix at the Museum of Old and New (MONA), showcasing evocative artworks and exhibitions.
For history buffs, a visit to Port Arthur is a must; visitors can learn about Australia’s convict history at this important historic site (for those brave enough, you can even book a ghost tour!) and enjoy some pub grub at one of the state’s quirky, historic pubs.
Food-lovers, you’re in luck; Tasmania seems to be in a constant state of celebration when it comes to the delicious food produced here, and festivities include the Taste of Tasmania festival, Tasmanian Beerfest, Festa Italia, dark MOFO and Savour Festival, just to name a few; so bring your appetite! The brisk weather means Tasmania grows excellent cool-climate wines, and there’s been a recent boom in spirit distilleries, with the region producing some fine whiskies and gins.
And we haven’t even started on the beauty of the place! Untouched forests, crystal-clear waters, turquoise beaches, formidable mountain ranges, and alpine regions all make for a nature-lovers dream; whether you wish to embark on a multi-day hike across Cradle Mountain, wonder at the orange lichen-covered boulders of Bay of Fires, cruise along the picturesque Derwent River or admire the unbelievable blue waters of Wineglass Bay, Tasmania will leave you feeling like you’re at the ends of the world, in the best possible way!
Don’t miss: A trip up Mt Wellington, the looming guardian of Hobart, to enjoy a birds-eye view of the city. If you’re lucky, it might be snowing!
Travel: If you’re visiting Tasmania, you’ll likely fly into the state’s capital, Hobart International Airport, which is the gateway to the island’s south region. Private transfers from Hobart Airport into the city of Hobart start from just USD$51 on Jayride.com. Other airports in the state include Launceston Airport and Devonport Airport, and Jayride.com works with local transfer companies at both.
Singapore
Singapore might be nothing more than a necessary stopover for many travellers, but this island city-state deserves so much more than just a quick jaunt. Huge skyscrapers are juxtaposed next to old architecture and flanked with greenery – you’ll be surprised with how much green foliage adorns this concrete jungle – and Michelin-starred restaurants stand side by side with cheap (and tasty!) hawkers, tempting passerbys with aromatic wafts of spicy laksa and dim sum. Surrounding neighbourhoods are destinations in themselves; from the street art and café scene of Kampong Glam and the shopping mecca of Orchard Road, to the irresistible curries of Little India. Of course, no trip to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the Supertree Grove at Gardens By The Bay. The instantly recognisable man-made vertical gardens are an icon of the Singapore cityscape, with towering canopies sculptured with thousands of plants. The real highlight however is seeing these imposing sculptures at night, when they light up, with the impressive Marina Bay Sands in the background.
Don’t miss: Sipping on a Singapore Sling at the famed Raffles Hotel.
You might also like: 24 Hours In… Singapore
Travel: Fly into Singapore’s Changi International Airport, which is located around 23 kilometres from Singapore’s CBD. Private airport transfers from Changi Airport to the CBD start from just USD$39 on Jayride.com.
Berlin, Germany
There’s always something exciting going on in Europe’s capital of cool; a city where the artsy, laid-back vibe is in stark contrast to its turbulent past. Evidence of Berlin’s tumultuous history is around every corner, from the street art that paints the Berlin Wall, to Checkpoint Charlie, the infamous crossing point of the Berlin Wall between East Berlin and West Berlin, and the Holocaust Memorial. It’s not all doom-and-gloom though; the sobering history of Germany has inspired a generation of creatives, and today Berlin is full of artists, musicians and innovators all trying to make their mark. You’ll find everything from opera to punk music, street art to galleries, poets and speakeasies, and of course, Berlin is famous for its nightlife; there’s live music, clubs and beer flowing into the wee hours of the morning.
Don’t miss: A visit to the impressive Brandenburg Gate.
Travel: There are two airports that service Berlin; Berlin International Airport (BER) and Berlin Tegel Airport (TXL). Jayride.com works with local Berlin airport transfer companies at both airports, and private transfers from Berlin Airport to the city start from just USD$51.
Churchill, Canada
Two words; polar bears. A truly bucket-list worthy experience, heading north to the arctic tundra of the Great White North is an adventure like no other. Churchill in the Canadian province of Manitoba is known as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’, so if you’ve ever dreamed of seeing one of these magnificent beasts in the wild, this is the place to do it. It’s not just bears though; Churchill is a great place to spot majestic beluga whales; you can opt to board a passenger boat to watch these oceanic mammals play about, or if you’re feeling adventurous, kayak with them for an experience you’ll never forget!
Don’t miss: Trying to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights during the winter months.
You might also like: Where To See The Northern Lights In the USA and Canada and 7 Unforgettable Ways To Experience Canada.
Travel: Chances are you’ll be flying into one of Canada’s major airport as your base and making your way up north from there. Jayride.com works with transfer companies at Toronto Airport, Montréal Airport, Vancouver Airport and Winnipeg Airport, just to name a few.
Alice Springs, Australia
If you haven’t ventured into Australia’s iconic Red Centre and made your acquaintance with ‘Alice’, make 2019 the year to do it. It’s the perfect base to explore the vastness of Australia’s Outback; whether you want to watch the changing colours of Uluru during sunrise, climb up Kings Canyon doing your best Priscilla Queen of the Desert impression, run your hands through the unbelievably red sands of the Simpson Desert or witness the rock formations that make up the Devil’s Marbles, Alice Springs is a great place to base yourself.
Of course, there’s plenty to do in town, too. Alice Springs is one of the best places to admire (and purchase) genuine Indigenous art, and there are galleries galore to explore, while for adventurous foodies, there’s plenty of bush tucker to try. Emu, crocodile, kangaroo and camel all feature on the various menus, but there’s standard pub food, Asian-inspired flavours and cafés in Alice, too.
Don’t miss: A helicopter ride over the West MacDonnell Ranges for a truly spectacular view of the Outback.
Travel: Fly into either Alice Springs Airport, or start your outback adventure in Darwin or Adelaide and make your way to the Red Centre from there. You’ll find airport transfers at all three into each CBD on Jayride.com.
Nashville, Tennessee
There’s no better time to visit the USA’s Music City; though Nashville delights more than just music lovers. A visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame is unmissable where you’ll find everything from Elvis to Rolling Stones memorabilia, followed by a jaunt down Music Row near downtown Nashville, home to the famous RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded more than 250 songs, and Dolly Parton recorded her hit Jolene. Catch a live recording at the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running radio show, and then relish in Nashville’s happenin’ nightlife and have boogie along to some honky-tonk at Tootsie’s Famous Orchid Lounge, or along one of the many joints at Broadway (also known as the Honky-Tonk Highway!).
After your fill of music history, time to enjoy a tipple; Nashville has a booming craft beer and spirit scene. Pop by the Jack Daniel’s Distillery if you’ve got time, or head along to the Tennessee Brew Works for a thirst-quenching brew. Then it’s time to visit Germantown; Nashville’s oldest neighbourhood and home to some great cafés and restaurants, with a healthy dose of quaint European charm.
Don’t miss: Bowling at Pinewood Social; it’s an eclectic space that’s perfect for a coffee, cocktail or meal with a cheeky game of bowling, too.
Travel: Fly into Nashville Airport (BNA) and book an airport transfer to get to your hotel in Nashville.
What’s on your bucket list for 2019? Wherever you go, make sure your trip gets off to the best start with an airport transfer. Search and compare thousands of transfers on Jayride.com for a seamless start to your trip.
