Architectural Digest: The Top 20 Places to Travel in 2019

AD consulted with the industry’s leading experts to uncover the hottest destinations for design lovers in the new year

TEXT BY

LAURA ITZKOWITZ

Posted November 12, 2018

Where should you plan a trip in 2019? We found the places celebrating major anniversaries and other cultural events, consulted travel experts about emerging destinations, and compiled the hottest new hotel openings. It wasn’t easy narrowing this list down to just 20 places around the world, but a few key places stood out from the rest. In 2019, the Southern Italian city of Matera will be crowned a European Capital of Culture, drawing countless visitors to see its architectural and cultural heritage. The Taj Mahal will emerge from a yearlong restoration of its iconic dome. And Berlin will celebrate the centenary of the Bauhaus as well as the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Of course, these are just a few highlights. From remote safari spots and off-the-beaten-path islands to well-trodden cities with new reasons to visit, these are the locations at the top of our list for 2019.

NAPA VALLEY

After last year’s destructive wildfires, the Napa Valley is back and welcoming travelers with a spate of new luxury hotels. This fall, the Francis House opened in a landmarked 1886 home with just five luxurious rooms, and the Villa at The Estate Yountville—comprising two hotels, a spa, shopping, and a dining complex on 22 acres—completed a $45 million renovation. In 2019, Napa Valley’s first Four Seasons will open in Calistoga with 85 guest rooms, 20 villas, and its own vineyard and winery. If you go, be sure to check out Ashes & Diamonds, the next-gen winery with a midcentury modern–inspired tasting room and bold Cabernets that have landed on wine lists at the country’s top restaurants.