Bucket List City Destinations for 2019

A new year is here, and for many people, this means reflecting on all aspects of life, including travel. There are some destinations that will always remain on lots of bucket lists, for the simple reason that you can’t experience the unique vibe that a certain place offers anywhere else. Still, the tides do turn when it comes to top destinations. Old favorites become too busy and lose their charm, or new places open and become more accessible. Here are a handful of city destinations that you should consider adding to your bucket list in 2019.

Tallinn, Estonia

Northern Europe is generally not the cheapest place to travel, and this can put a lot of travelers off going. Finland, for example, is the second most expensive country in the EU zone, and Denmark, Norway and Sweden all have similarly high living costs. Still, these countries are beautiful, friendly and comfortable.

Enter Tallinn, a stunning city in Estonia with a reasonable cost of living and accessible pricing for travel. According to Google, three nights in a three-star hotel will set you back a little over £100. Tallinn, the country’s capital, earned the title of “Best Value Destination 2018” from Lonely Planet, but hasn’t yet become a top tourist destination despite being one of the best examples of a preserved early-medieval Old Town in Europe.

Tallinn is a remarkable city for history buffs or anyone who enjoys the feeling of strolling through cobbled streets and taking in a town that hasn’t changed too much (at least in design) since the 13^th century. Alongside the Old Town is a thriving modern city with all the luxuries of a capital.

Visit the Estonian Open Air Museum and Great Guild Hall or take in panoramic views from the Tallinn TV Tower. Eat delectable food and enjoy the sophisticated nightlife like concerts and opera as well as bars and pubs. Tallinn is a treat, and 2019 is the right year to go there.

Las Vegas, USA

Of course, there’s still no better place than Las Vegas if it’s nightlife you want. It’s a classic bucket list destination, and let’s face it: Vegas isn’t going anywhere. No matter if you already have plans to visit, 2019 is an excellent year to make it happen.

Vegas is known for its wild-party atmosphere, bars and casinos. After all, it’s called Sin City for a reason, and while there’s plenty to do in the way of relaxing, a trip to a tropical island somewhere is probably better for your overall health and stress relief. Vegas, on the other hand, is the destination to come to blow off a bit of steam.

You’re in the right place if you like casino gaming but be aware of what you play and the stakes. Games like roulette don’t take much learning, however. All you need to do is place your bets and let the croupiers spin the wheel. However, there are multiple types of poker games, and each has its own set of rules. You will want to learn about each variant (or at least your one of choice) before you hit the tables.

Vegas is constantly changing, and 2019 is no different. This year, you can expect immersive dance shows from Fuerza Bruta, concerts from U.K. pop star Robbie Williams and American singer/songwriter Britney Spears, and a brand-new mysterious sci-fi art project called Area 15. When you get tired of all the flashing lights, head out to the Grand Canyon to sweat it off and relax.

Cairo, Egypt

From the outlandish ways of Las Vegas, we offer you a completely different suggestion for your 2019 bucket list. Cairo is a city full of ancient wonders and opportunities for exploration, both of a civilization that has long perished and one that has since flourished. You can take tours of tombs and see the pyramids in all their glory and take in the sights and sounds of the 10^th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, Islamic Cairo.

The major attractions of Cairo are the pyramids and Great Sphinx of Giza, Museum of Cairo, Cairo Citadel, Al-Azhar Mosque and many more. New for 2019 is the Grand Egyptian Museum, set to open in January. Situated at the Giza Plateau, the museum will occupy 5.2 million square feet of space and house over 50,000 artifacts, including 5,000 pieces that belong(ed) to Tutankhamun. Ever wanted to see the boy king’s six chariots? Now, you can! The museum also has excellent vistas of the pyramid site.

In recent years, Egypt’s tourism has suffered a blow due to warnings about travel. Those warnings are still in place for certain areas (check your government website for official details), but Cairo and much of the Nile Valley is considered safer than it was. That makes 2019 a relatively good time to visit, as things have improved, but still, the crowds have not yet returned.

Go where you want to go!

I could have mentioned many cities in this bucket list. It is not meant to be a complete list, nor is it supposed to restrict your ideas of where to go. You could equally head to Belfast for a drink and a stroll or to Copenhagen in Denmark, voted “Best City to Travel in 2019” by Lonely Planet. The old architecture combined with cutting-edge modern living make Copenhagen a big hit, and many areas have been rejuvenated, with independent businesses replacing industrial land. Check it out! Ultimately, go wherever appeals to you.