So, Lonely Planet have compiled their top 10 list of countries to visit in 2019. And Sri Lanka, The ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, has only gone and made it to the number one spot. We’ve always known this gem of an island has been a spectacular place to visit. There’s a never ending list of things to see and do. Now it has deserved recognition by one of the world’s leading travel authorities for being one the world’s most diverse, beautiful and encapsulating countries. A real bucket list must!
21 top things to do in Sri Lanka
“Endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavourful food.” Lonely Planet
“Whether you’re a family traveller or an adrenaline junkie, a wellness seeker or a foodie, in Sri Lanka you’ll find all the magic you’d expect from South Asia bundled into a resurgent, medium-sized island-nation that’s friendlier and – with improved tourism infrastructure and transportation – more accessible in 2019 than ever before.” Lonely Planet spokesperson Chris Zeiher.
Meanwhile Lonely planet’s destination editor for Sri Lanka, Joe Bindloss said “This fascinating island nation has always offered timeless temples, stunning sand and prolific wildlife, but now, with improved tourism infrastructure and transportation, even the north and east of the country are ripe for exploration, opening up areas that were long off-limits to travellers.”
“Whether you come to temple-hop, surf the South Coast breaks or just unwind in an Ayurvedic spa, you’ll find a country moving on from the troubles of the past and looking to the future.” Joe Bindloss, Destination Editor | Lonely Planet
Destination editor at Lonely Planet Matt Philips explained why Sri Lanka was named as the Top Destination to visit in 2019. “It’s changed so much”, he says, “so quickly and in a lot of ways that makes travel much easier”. Sri Lanka has evolved massively, coming a long way from the years of civil war. The country has bounced back and now includes opportunities beyond the bog standard beach holiday; from eco-tourism and yoga retreats to visiting national parks to see elephants and leopards.
Did you know these 26 things about Sri Lanka?
“It is good to see that Sri Lanka is finally getting its due place in the global tourism map.” John Amaratunga
Here’s the list of Lonely Planet’s best cities for 2019
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Shenzhen, China
3. Novi Sad, Serbia
4. Miami, FL, United States
5. Kathmandu, Nepal
6. Mexico City, Mexico
7. Dakar, Senegal
8. Seattle, WA, U.S.
9. Zadar, Croatia
10. Meknes, Morocco
Their best countries for 2019
1. Sri Lanka
2. Germany
3. Zimbabwe
4. Panama
5. Kyrgyzstan
6. Jordan
7. Indonesia
8. Belarus
9. Sao Tome and Principe
10. Belize
And their best regions for 2019
1. Piedmont, Italy
2. The Catskills, U.S.
3. Northern Peru
4. The Red Centre, Australia
5. Scotland’s Highlands and islands
6. Russian Far East
7. Gujarat, India
8. Manitoba, Canada
9. Normandy, France
10. Elqui Valley, Chile
“These are the places to experience in 2019, they might be coming into their own, celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime event or simply have been overlooked for too long; whatever the reason, now is the time to plan a trip.” Tom Hall, Editorial Director | Lonely Planet
Why not celebrate New Year’s Eve in Sri Lanka?
So seen as this beautiful island Sri Lanka has been voted the number one country to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet, why not spend New Year’s Eve here? Sri Lanka is an island of tea plantations, ancient temples, astonishing wildlife and postcard-like beaches. In other words – it has it all! We invite you to explore the hidden gems of this breathtaking country with us. Raft, bike, swim and hike through the amazing nature of this scenic island. Relax in some of the most beautiful boutique hotels and adventure lodges the country has to offer. Spot insane wildlife. Eat exceptional food. Celebrate the New Year with friends.
