The 2019 adrift Destination Inspiration List is simple: I’m sharing my recommendations for eight destinations and experiences, personally vetted by yours truly, to hopefully inspire you as you map out your 2019 travel plans.
There’s no time to waste in the hunt for the best deals. Let’s get right to it.
#1 – the Nordics
Yes, I’m extremely partial (for anyone who missed the memo I’m half Swedish half Finnish). But also, I encounter so many people who haven’t been but it’s “on their list” – a list that’s been percolating for a while – including my close friends. 2019 is the year! Whether you’re more partial to city slicking in Stockholm, Copenhagen, or Helsinki, or disappearing into the countryside (perhaps with some hiking above the Arctic Circle), taking a budget flight itinerary via Iceland, being in a constant state of awe in the vast fjords of Norway, or something entirely different, there’s something for you.
When to go: The glorious, warm, light-filled summer months or just before Christmas.
Read more: anchored & adrift tips for you on Sweden (overview, Stockholm at Christmas, Midsummer), Helsinki, Copenhagen, and Norwegian fjords.
#2 – Seoul
Seoul has your full trip fully figured out. From the moment you land in the shiny, organized, and playful Incheon airport, the tone for the entire trip is set. Virtually everything is shiny (fresh and clean), organized, and playful, from the delightful jingle for arriving trains in the spotless, queue-ruled, ultra-modern subway to the selfie-taking, instagram-ready, hanbok-clad visitors at the historic, dignified palaces. With a long list of sights to visit, food to eat, and k-beauty, styles, and pop to shop, Seoul is a fully immersive, wildly enjoyable adventure.
When to go: April – June or September – November.
Read more: Read anchored & adrift’s Seoul guide.
#3 – New Orleans
New Orleans has a seemingly eternal hold on travel critics’ imaginations for its standout culture, food, and disfunction – for good reason. Despite Hurricane Katrina, critical social and economic issues, and a mixed bag of beautiful and crumbling structures, pizza and daiquiri-consuming revelers and sophisticated, culinary-snob visitors alike can find a unique, musical, flavorful, and one-of-a-kind experience.
When to go: Avoid the peak season of Mardi Gras and Jazz Festival (dates change each year). Instead, go slightly earlier to still experience Carnival and parades, balls, and parties with less tourists and cheaper accommodations, or later to catch one of the several other festivals or just day-to-day New Orleans.
Read more: anchored & adrift detailed a weekend in New Orleans here.
#4 – Istanbul
If Turkey, with its current domestic and international involvements and politics, isn’t for you, I completely understand. Tourism numbers have recently rebounded and I have good Turkish and Turkish culture-interested friends who wouldn’t blink at recommending a trip, but the economic fluctuations, terror attacks a few years ago, domestic politics, and Turkey’s actions in Syria can cause personal and moral concern. All that side, the “cultural bounty,” as the New York Times calls it, of Istanbul, is undeniable, especially as it sits hundreds of miles away from the activities near the country’ southern border. The Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, and many more destinations are absolutely worth the touristy visits. Tour programs to walk you through and make sure you are appropriately covered for the different venues are prevalent in multiple languages and can provide a feeling of organized comfort. Beyond the sights, there is endless food, drink (try a Turkish coffee or a raki), culture, and history stemming from the very birth of civilization to explore.
When to go: Spring or early summer
Read more: This May 2018 Conde Nast Traveler piece has a realistic take on tourism to Istanbul vs. Turkey at large.
#5 – Jamaica
The Caribbean at large needs some post-hurricane season(s) love, and Jamaica is a timeless, action-packed, or completely relaxed tropical vacation. Mountains, rainforests, beaches, reefs, and gleaming resorts all await on the island. For my fellow 007 fans, Jamaica is also home to Ian Fleming and the writing of all the Bond novels (and the GoldenEye Resort, Fleming’s former home), and classic scenes such as Ursula Andress emerging from the water by Dunn’s River Falls as well as several other scenes from both Dr. No and Live and Let Die. You don’t need to tell me (to live) twice.
When to go: November to mid-December. Happy holidays!
Read more: Check out Lonely Planet’s info here.
#6 – Greek Isles
To borrow and convert Audrey Hepburn’s phrase: Greece is always a good idea. anchored & adrift has seen a lot of glorious summer trips, but nothing says summer more to me than a sun-drenched, Mediterranean, island vacation. In fact, I am never happier than when my life relatively resembles Mamma Mia! (Swedish, occasionally singing, often dancing, blonde woman is happy but restless on a gorgeous Greek island with a dashing, British-accented, tan, also singing and dancing, man… but I am getting off track). Mykonos and Santorini are busy with tourism, but you must go (perhaps 1-2 times for Mykonos, more for Santorini). If you can, stay in a white washed cave with a built in pool built in to the cliffs of Santorini. If that isn’t worth dodging a few tourists in the main thoroughfares, I don’t know what is.
When to go: May-September
Read more: HOW have we not written about this. Stay tuned. If you’re just hungry for something Mediterranean (and amen to that), catch some French Riviera coverage here and the Italian Riviera here.
#7 – Try a cruise
I encounter so many people who have never been on a cruise and think it is just endless buffets, gaining weight, and lots of drinking. Trust me, if that was the case, my family and I wouldn’t have been on fourteen (FOURTEEN!) together already. Avoid the buffets except to grab a snack for your room or by the pool. You’re paying for a culinary experience as well as the actual cruise – take advantage of it. First time cruisers who actually venture to the dining rooms are always blown away when they realize perfectly cooked filet mignons, lobster, and scallops (they would be impressed by the frog legs or escargot as well if they only tried it…) are included – no additional cost. In fact, cruising can be such an engaging -and active, if you so choose- departure from regular life that you lose weight! Cruises are also an opportunity to revisit the golden age of travel with a modern flair – evening dress codes, ranging from smart casual to formal, are a rare occasion to dress for an occasion every night – and it makes the cruise that much more distinguished from day-to-day life. If you live near a major coastal city, chances are you can drive to a cruise. From San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale, the cruise industry is still experiencing major growth (hello, behemoth new ships) and the range of embarkation ports has never been better.
A personal favorite: combine #6 and #7 and take the Princess Cruises Greek Isles itinerary. It will be amazing.
When to go: Anytime. The ships migrate all over the world depending on climate patterns. During hurricane season, ships are crawling all over Europe and Alaska, etc. In the winter, cruise to Hawaii or around the Caribbean, etc.
Read more: Cruising from San Francisco & cruise trends
#8 – Move by train
If you’re doing regional travel anywhere aside from the US (save DC + Northwest), chances are you can travel with less stress and cost via train for some part of it. For example, some folks might stress through airports to hopscotch across Europe within a limited few days, but each time, you’re spending time traveling out of the city, perhaps with a pricey taxi, to then go through security, possibly experience delays, and then repeat the travel time and expense to get back into your destination city. Instead, cut down on your itinerary and take the scenic route – you might save both time and money in the process. Train stations are typically located in the city center for quick access, and you can roll your luggage cost- and weight check-free onto your carriage. Often, the seats are wider and more comfortable, and there’s something to be said for watching a beautiful countryside or residential areas of a foreign country go by, and taking the time to appreciate your adventure.
When to go: Whenever. From summer Eurostars to winter funiculars, do them all.
Read more: Why the US needs to embrace trains
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What are your thoughts on these anchored & adrift recommendations? What are your 2019 travel plans? See you out there!
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