G Adventures has put together their top places to travel in 2019, a list created specially for G Adventures travellers, to show you how many amazing places there are to discover.

In their must-see list, you’ll find different tastes, cultures, and ways of life in each destination!

 

12. Ecuador and the Galápagos

Wildlife spotting in Ecuador and the Galápagos isn’t a test of patience or skill. These diverse lands and waters are flourishing with so much birdlife, marine life, and animals, you’ll feel like you’re visiting Mother Nature’s zoo. With several islands to explore, each with its own personality and native species, a Marine tour offers the structure and comfort to ensure you hit all the marks of a trip to the Galápagos. 

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• See red-footed boobies on Genovesa Island • Bartolomé Island viewpoint • Floreana and Española Islands • Spot flightless cormorants and penguins • Visit the largest marine iguana colony in the Galápagos

 

 

 

11. Bolivia

With the highest-altitude capital on the globe, it’s an understatement to say that trips to Bolivia are elevated. In La Paz, 3,500m (2.2 mi) above sea level, you’ll find vibrant squares, historical landmarks, and lively markets, not to mention some tasty cuisine too.

The sights only become more mesmerizing outside of the city, like the awe-inspiring Uyuni Salt Flats and its sweeping landscapes. At every turn, encounter hints of Bolivia’s Indigenous culture and colonial history that make this a destination worthy of a closer look.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Jukil Community Experience and Lodge • Uyuni Salt Flats • Bolivian Hacienda Experience • La Paz city tour • Sucre orientation walk

 

 

 

10. Patagonia

On the southernmost tip of the continent, this Argentinian region continues to capture hearts and camera lenses while challenging endurance levels in spectacular fashion. Patagonia is filled with stunning peaks, lush forests, and majestic glaciers, not to mention some tasty cuisine in between. Hiking Laguna de Los Tres is an incredible way to experience the region, but you can also take a slower pace with morning yoga practices and peaceful hikes on our new eight-day Wellness tour in Patagonia.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Laguna de los Tres hike • Perito Moreno Glacier • Torres del Paine National Park • Local delicacies in Bariloche, Argentina’s Patagonia region • Class III rafting in Glacier National Park

 

 

 

9. Italy

You may have already seen and done Italy’s greatest hits, but its destinations off the beaten path are what have earned it a spot on the list. Beyond the busy cities lie unique experiences that few travellers have yet to discover.

G Adventures’ new Local Living – Coastal Tuscany trip takes you to the medieval village of Capalbio and the archaeological site of Cosa. Savour incredible food and drink here, as well as on other Local Living Italy tours: think limoncello from an organic lemon farm in Sorrento and home-cooked dinners in the hills of the Amalfi Coast.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Olive oil tasting • Farm to table cooking class • San Gimignano medieval wall • Stay at a locally owned agriturismo • Wine tasting in Chianciano Terme

 

8. Ethiopia

Ethiopia might be in sub-Saharan Africa but its location just next to the Middle East gives this nation’s culture, history, and people a distinction that begs to be explored further. It’s not only ancient history (archaeological sites in Axum, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela), but also stunning terrain (Simien Mountains National Park, the Blue Nile Falls) that attracts adventurous travellers eager to experience a unique chunk of the continent.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Axum historical sites • Simien Mountains trek • Historic castles in Gondar • Boat trip on Lake Tana • Excursion to Blue Nile Falls

 

 

 

7. Iceland

From iceberg-filled lagoons to active volcano systems, this tiny country (population 340,000) sure packs a punch when it comes to incredible experiences in nature. Go further off the beaten path and hike on the Sólheimajökull glacier, follow a hidden path to a secret waterfall, and relax in a hot spring naturally warmed with geothermal heat.

Alongside G Adventures’ popular Classic and Active tours, their Wellness tour in Iceland (new for 2019) give you even more opportunities to connect with the Earth through mountaintop meditation sessions and yoga practise on a black-sand beach.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Geothermal farm visit • 
Walk on a glacier • Jökulsárlón Lagoon • 
Soak in a natural hot spring • Discover black-sand beaches

 

 

 

6. Jordan

Let your inner archaeologist run free in Jordan’s archaeological ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Site-deemed ancient sites. Explore the stone city of Petra, where excavations of the millennia-old site are still continuing, and the Roman ruins of Jerash.

Get active with a hike in a nature reserve and keep your adrenaline pumping with a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. But if you just want to unwind in a Turkish-style bath or with a float in the Dead Sea, G Adventures is totally with you.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Amman Citadel • 
Tour to the Madaba mosaics • Mount Nebo • The Stone City of Petra • Wadi Rum desert excursion • Float in the Dead Sea

 

 

 

5. Northern Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is already on G Adventures' radar, but truly curious travellers are heading to the country’s remote northern region to experience idyllic isles and fascinating cultural crossover.

In Jaffna, witness how colonial history merges with Tamil traditions and Indian influence too. Visit peaceful Neduntheevu (also named Delft Island by the Dutch), snorkel in coral reefs off Kakerativu Island, and see the limestone shoals of Adam’s Bridge. Since some of these islands are without accommodations, a Marine tour takes care of the essentials so you can concentrate on soaking in northern Sri Lanka’s best.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Nagadeepa Viharaya temple • Jaffna city tour • Hammenheil Fort • Adam's Bridge • Coral reefs off Kakerativu Island

 

4. Taiwan

If eating your way through a destination sounds like your kind of trip, Taiwan should be at the top of your list. The night markets in its capital, Taipei, are famous for testing the limits of your stomach with fermented bean curd, oyster omelettes, and barbecued squid on a stick.

There are plenty of worthwhile ways to work off your dinner in Taiwan, like a cycle around Sun Moon Lake and hiking in Taroko National Park. Taiwan might be farther away from Asia’s typical traveller hotspots, but it’s all the more reason to discover what this country has in store.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Taipei night markets • Sun Moon Lake cycling tour • Baiyang Trail Hike • 
Try fermented bean curd • Tea farm visit

 

 

 

3. Senegal

With its capital on the westernmost tip of the continent, Senegal is a kaleidoscope of languages, colours, traditions, sounds, and natural wonders. Discover a rich French colonial history then dip into Dakar’s bustling markets and spot incredible birdlife in the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary.

Camp in the desert of Lompoul among orange sand dunes then kick up your feet along pristine beaches and calm waters in Somone to refuel for the next leg of your trip.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Lompoul Desert stay • 
Tour Saint-Louis on a calèche • Djoudj National Park • 
Local Wolof village visit • Touba Grand Mosque

 

 

 

2. Uzbekistan

This Central Asian country may be off the typical tourist trail but that’s all the more reason to visit before your friends do. Uzbekistan combines incredible cultural highlights like the mosques of Samarkand with immersive adventures like camping in a local desert yurt (and, yes, riding a camel).

It’s one of the most compelling of the ‘Stans (alongside Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, to name a few) and the proximity of each makes it easy to hit several of these countries in one go.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Amir Timur Mausoleum • Bazaars of Samarkand • Alexander the Great fortress • Yurt camping • The city of Khiva, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

 

 

1. Japan

Japan is a land of contrasts, paying homage to its distinct history while barrelling at top speed into modernity. Explore the past through sacred sites like Itsukushima’s “floating” torii gate and samurai castles in Matsumoto, before visiting eclectic, buzzing cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Some of its most compelling destinations, like the seaside town of Tottori and the rural region of Hagi, lie further off the beaten path, giving you a true taste of Japan.

 

Must-sees and Dos:

• Homestay in Hagi City • 
Tottori fish market visit • Matsumoto Castle • 
Walk through modern Tokyo • Hike Mt Fuji

 

 

For more information, please visit gadventures.com