From exciting festivals to up-and-coming destinations, 2019 promises to be an unforgettable year for exploring the globe. Here we select what to see, where to go and where to stay and reveal our number one experience for the 12 months ahead. Start planning your next adventure now.

Teeming with cruise ships and Game of Thrones fans, Croatia's capital Dubrovnik has become a little crowded for many. Enter Zadar: this city on the Dalmatian coast also has attractions aplenty, including the magnificent Sea Organ, a musical instrument that uses the ocean to create sounds and a charming Old Town. Outdoor enthusiasts should sign up for the Zadar Outdoor Festival in May which will feature a series of runs, cycle routes and a sailing regatta.

Featuring on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, Ardh Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher) is the biggest gathering of pilgrims anywhere in the world. Taking place from 15 January to 4 March it's held this year in the city of Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) in northern India. Four cities take turns to host fragments of the celebration over a 12 year period, with Ardh Kumbh Mela happening once every six years. The main event is the washing away of one’s sins in the Ganga river’s holy waters and has been a ritual ingrained in Hindu culture for thousands of years.

In celebration of 250 years since the birth of Alexander Von Humboldt - the Prussian explorer who placed Chile on the map - the Tomkins Conservation Foundation have opened up a new 1,740 mile-long hiking trail. The Patagonian Route of Parks – founded by activewear brands North Face and Patagonia – will connect hikers to 17 beautiful national parks, including Torres del Paine, pictured here. 

Tunisia has long been a favourite with British tourists but sadly, all that changed after a terrorist attack in 2015. Now, nearly two years after a ban for UK visitors to the country was lifted, Tunisia is seeing a sharp increase in holidaymakers. Highlights include the town of Sidi Bou Said, one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, and the clay marvel Ksar Ouled Soltane, pictured.

As part of an ongoing effort by the world’s most famous art gallery to preserve endangered heritage sites and cultural artefacts, The Louvre will host Forgotten Kingdoms: Heirs of the Hittite Empire from 2 May to 12 August. Housed in Hall Napoléon under the iconic Pyramid, visitors can view the enthralling sculptural collection of the fallen Syrian empire Hittite’s Tell Halaf site, on display after recent conservation efforts. 

Valletta, Malta and Leeuwarden, Netherlands, the 2018 European Capitals of Culture, will pass the torch onto Matera, Italy and Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Thought to be the third-longest continuously inhabited human settlement in the world, Matera (pictured) in southern Italy has not always had such a glamorous history. Condemned in the 1950s as the ‘Shame of Italy’, Matera hopes the new honour will restore its reputation as a historically and culturally rich city. Sixty years on and free of the most dire poverty, its cave dwellings have been preserved while museums and artist workshops draw visitors too.

From the Romans to communism, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, has a thrilling history and architecture to match. Take in the Roman theatre and stadium and don't miss the Regional Archaeological Museum. There is a packed programme of events throughout 2019 from a swing dance festival to summer cinema events in the park, showcasing Bulgarian and European films.

Each year, the European Youth Forum delegates one city as European Youth Capital. In 2019, the city of Novi Sad, Serbia, will snatch the crown from Portugal’s Cascais. There are over 100 youth-led civil society organisations in Novi Sad, spearheaded by the diverse and multi-national population of the city. Perched along the Danube, it is a town largely made up of students and artists who run many cultural festivities throughout the year, such as the world-famous EXIT music festival. Go now as the destination is set to get even more popular: it’ll be European Capital of Culture in 2021.

The windy city will be the new host town of The Star Wars Show; welcoming fervent fans of the franchise from around the globe from 11-15 April. It's also the convention’s 20th anniversary so there’s sure to be plenty of surprises in store among the entertainment, guest appearances, panels, interactive events, never-before-seen merchandise and special screenings. May the force be with you!

A trip to Taiwan is essential to any foodie’s bucket list, being the home of on trend yet unusual food trends like bubble tea and bao buns. A haven for street food, it’s no wonder it was recently dubbed by the New York Times as ‘Asia’s most food-obsessed country’. A country famed for its street markets and modern cities, there are also Chinese temples and the kaleidoscopic Rainbow Village to tempt you to this island too. 

It's set to be a big year in the Big Easy. In January the distinguished New Orleans Ballet Association celebrates its half century with an Evening of Stars at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts (pictured) on 26 January. Then in spring (the exact date is TBC) brace your liver for the Sazerac House Museum – three floors dedicated to whiskey cocktails – which will celebrate NOLA's famous tipple. 

Discover more things to see and do in New Orleans with our city guide. 

After closing V Fest which ran for 11 years from 1996 to 2017 across two sites in Essex and Staffordshire in the UK, Virgin Group billionaire Richard Branson is dipping his toes back into music festivals. Not much has been revealed about the entrepreneur's new endeavour, but we do know it will be held stateside in late 2019 and Branson will be working with the founders of already successful festivals, no doubt with an eye to rivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury. 

Never heard of Anatomy Lab Live? You soon will. After impressing on the UK version of Dragon's Den (pictured) and securing a £90,000 ($114k) investment, the interactive show has become a cult hit and will tour in early 2019, beginning in the UK and travelling through Western Europe. As the world’s only live, human dissection experience, this is not for the faint-hearted. Audience members will observe and participate in examining and repairing organ structures using surgical equipment, all in the name of medical education. 

Lake Bled and Lake Garda may be among the most famous landlocked bodies of water in Europe, but there are many lesser-known and equally beautiful lakes on the continent. Spanning 1,000 square miles, Macedonia's Lake Ohrid is one of the continent’s deepest and oldest lakes with more than 200 species native to its waters. There’ are great spots for swimming and water sports as well as stunning vistas as well as ancient theatres, Orthodox monasteries (pictured) and other historical monuments neighbouring the lake.

At Baltimore’s Inner Harbor you’ll find premium local retailers, upscale crab shacks and fantastic tourist attractions, including the National Aquarium. If you’re in the harborside area between 1-10 November, you can’t miss the Baltimore Book Festival and Light City: the unification of two of the city’s flagship events in literature and art. The largest city in Maryland will be illuminated with literature by day and light art by night. Expect book signings, light art installations, poetry readings, performance art and more.

Since Harry and Meghan were named as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in May 2018, the spotlight has fallen on the two English counties. And there's lots to see and do in the area, with the coastal resorts of Bexhill and Brighton top destinations not to miss. But if it's pampering you're after then South Lodge, one of the area’s most exclusive retreats, will open its state-of-the-art spa early next year. Moulded into the rolling green landscape of the South Downs it will feature an indoor infinity pool with countryside views and a thermal suite, perfect for royals and commoners alike. 

After a dark period in Rwandan history, the mountainous country has returned to travellers’ radar in recent years. The jewel in the country’s crown is its renowned Volcanoes National Park where visitors can seek out chimpanzees, mountain gorillas and ultra-rare golden monkeys among the stunning safari reserve. There are a number of recently (or to-be) opened luxury accommodation options in and around the park, too, including Singita’s Kwitonda Lodge and Wilderness Safari’s Bisate Lodge.

From deep, green jungles to quirky colonial cities, Colombia is a country full of great food, incredible wildlife and amazing luxury getaways. It’s high on the list for those who wish to take a digital detox – a developing travel experience that’s fast becoming all the rage – as you can get lost in the ecosystems and remote tropical ranges. If you’re enticed by helicopter rides, coffee farming and friendly locals, Colombia is a trending destination that needs to go to the top of your list.

From Cannes in France to Sundance in Utah, film festivals are always a great way to see upcoming movies. Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary film festival taking place from 25 April to 5 May. Springtime in Toronto will see over 200 international documentary features projected to audiences, with over 200,000 drawn to the city. Expect the cutting-edge, the tear-jerking and the heartwarming to be the big hits of the year. Plus it's a fantastic excuse to sample Toronto's varied food scene, excellent hotels and fun neighbourhoods.

One of the more unusual attractions to open for business in November 2019 will be Kind Heaven in Las Vegas. Opening at The LINQ Promenade, Kind Heaven is an immersive journey taking visitors on a virtual train ride to experience the senses of south-east Asia. Visitors can purchase wristbands with a cryptocurrency to buy Asian street food as well as curated cocktails inspired by feelings and emotions. The multi-levelled attraction is projected to cost £78 million ($100m) and will feature holograms, fake trees and temples and a concert hall. Only in Vegas...

There was a time when, thanks to a civil war and the Ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone was in the news for all the wrong reason. But those in the know are returning to this destination, with the beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast a big pull. At Sierra Leone’s Freetown Peninsula (pictured) you can surf in the tropical waters at the increasingly glamorous beach resorts.

Part of the Marriott Group, Moxy Hotels have been established with adventurous types in mind, offering a budget-friendly yet high-end boutique experience. Think complimentary cocktails, karaoke rooms and shared social spaces. They already have residences in New York City, Denver and New Orleans while Washington D.C., Nashville and Minneapolis can look forward to welcoming them during 2019. And that’s just the US: Portugal, Germany and the UK all have Moxy Hotels scheduled to open in the new year too.

Total solar eclipses –  when the sun, the moon and Earth are completely aligned – happen a maximum of two times a year. In 2019 you can catch a total solar eclipse in the small city of San Juan in the Tulúm Valley of Argentina on the evening of  2 July. The modern city (rebuilt after much of it was destroyed in the 1944 earthquake) is famous for its fossil collections, world-class concert halls and distinguished wineries.

Just in time for travel in 2019, Uzbekistan has relaxed its visa entry requirements, meaning citizens from 51 countries can now apply for an e-visa for travel to the nation. Once central to the Silk Road trade route that linked the Mediterranean to China, the central Asian country has beautiful cities including Tashkent and Samarkand. Islamic architecture has withstood tumultuous times in the region and highlights include ornate mosques, mosaic-covered city limits gates and the 15th-century Registran: a collective of religious schools of momentous significance in Islamic history. 

Held ‘once a generation’ (translation: more-or-less every 21 years) the Fête des Vignerons, aka Winemakers Festival from 18 July to 11 August is held on Lake Geneva and a must for both professionals and those who simply love their wines. Inaugurated in the 17th-century by locals, it now welcomes 5,000 visitors and participants. Held in an alfresco theatre, expect to see parades trailing through the festival made up of dancers, floats and musicians.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is set to open during 2019 (exact date tbc) featuring treasured artefacts from cinema history, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers and props from Ridley Scott’s Alien among hundreds of thousands of other iconic items and 12 million photographs. The museum has been designed by acclaimed architect Renzo Piano and will, in addition to the 300,000 square-feet of exhibition space, include a 1,000-seat theatre and terrace, allowing for sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills.

Canada's smallest province is the spot for cute clapboard lighthouses, deserted beaches and adorable towns on the Atlantic coast. However PEI (as the locals affectionately call it) is also building a fabulous reputation as a foodie destination, with seafood its crowning glory. Local businesses and chefs are making the most of the top quality Malpeque oysters with around 10 million harvested every year. Can't make it to the island? You can still get a taste, as PEI's seafood is exported around the globe. Find out more about Prince Edward Island with our guide. 

184 years after Charles Darwin arrived in the Galápagos Islands, Celebrity Cruises will unveil one of the world's most innovative new cruise ships designed specifically for sailing through this inspiring territory. Based at Baltra Island off the Ecuadorian coast, Celebrity Flora invites guests to indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Go 'glamping' on deck under the stars of the Pacific Ocean (available to four guests per night) or hang out in one of the luxurious cabanas and tuck into campfire-inspired grub, including wine and s’mores as you take in distinctive wildlife from giant tortoises to tropical penguins.

Before Tokyo will host the 2020 Olympics, Japan will welcome the 2019 Rugby World Cup (20 September to 2 November) and for sports fans there’s no better time to visit the Land of the Rising Sun. The games will be held across 12 stadiums up and down the nation and could each act as excellent pit stops during a sensational six-week tour, allowing you to explore not just the capital but also lesser-known Japanese metropolises, including Sapporo, Kobe and Toyota. See our brilliant ideas for easy weekend breaks from Tokyo here.

Less trammelled and expensive than the neighbouring island of Santorini, Ios is a best-kept secret among Greek island hoppers. In 2019 there's an extra reason to visit thanks to a brand-new luxury hotel Calilo which will be welcoming guests to its five-star spa resort from June. With only 30 suites, each with a pool and hot tub for secluded relaxation, the private beach setting will make leaving your sun lounger to explore the rest of the island a little tricky.

The new live-action Aladdin film from Disney, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Will Smith and Mena Massoud is set to be released in May 2019. Much of the filming took place in Wadi Rum, a desert in southern Jordan. Thanks to its mountains, red canyons and prehistoric rocks it's a landscape that's been compared to Mars – the perfect backdrop for the sometimes dark retelling of the story of Jafar, Aladdin, Abu and Princess Jasmine. 

Once overlooked in favour of the capital of Seoul, South Korea's second city has lots to offer visitors. Connected to the capital of Seoul via an easy train route expect beautiful temples such as Haedong Yonggungsa, pictured and beaches in this seaside city. Don't be put off by the country's more noisy near neighbour North Korea either: South Korea remains one of the most hospitable and exciting countries to visit in the world.

Mid-year, twenty additional monuments were declared by UNESCO to be part of the world’s heritage and under the protection of the organisation. These include: the ancient port city of Qalhat, Oman; the caliphate city of Medina Azahara, Spain (pictured); the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains in South Africa and Fanjingshan, an island off the coast of China, among many others. They haven’t been listed for any old reason – they’ve been carefully chosen for their cultural, historic or scientific significance, showcasing the majesties of the world.

While the Grand Canyon may have been moulded over millions of years, it's only been a National Park for a century and the official 100-year birthday of the national monument is 26 February. Hopefully the anniversary and programme of events will inspire you to join the six million other visitors who stroll, hike and swim at one of the USA’s greatest natural beauties each year.

Discover our 101 bucket-list experiences not to miss in your lifetime. 

Sri Lanka is a favourite port of call for travellers from all over the world, but most visitors tend to stick to the capital of Colombo and the beaches of the south. Decades of civil war and a few natural disasters have been catastrophic for the north of the country, but it has now been recognised as a worthwhile destination in its own right. The beaches are serene and the local history is almighty, featuring 17th-century fortifications and towering temples, such as the Nallur Kandaswamy (pictured).

Now see 50 amazing photos of worldwide wonders we've only just discovered.