Trending on the Travel Bucket List

For those who travel far and often, “the road” can provide unforgettable and sometimes life-changing experiences. With that in mind there are myriad choices for 2019 that are ripe for the ticking off that bucket list. The experts at Travel Leaders Network, one of the country’s top retail travel agency brands, have identified several trending destinations for overseas adventures this year.

Diving into the Maldives. Imagine being surrounded in sparkling turquoise waters, lounging beneath a thatched-roof palapa on a secluded beach or being miles from the crowds so that the only sounds are the waves lapping gently at the shore. When vacationing in the Maldives, one can also experience a luxurious oceanfront villa at Gili Lankanfushi and Six Senses Laamu, Offering plenty of fine dining experiences, cocktail moments and excursions, snorkel tours, cruises and local island discovery.

Inner India. India is a country filled with spiritual tradition. Visitors can receive blessings from a priest in Kalna, walk along the Ganges, the holy river of Hinduism, or experience a tour of the Hare Krishna headquarters. Even a rickshaw ride through the lively Chandni Chowk bazaar is amazing when experiencing the multitude of colorful sights, enticing smells and beautiful sounds along the way. A 13-day Avalon Waterways river cruise is a great opportunity to visit this part of the world.

Morocco Musts. Morocco was listed as an “Up and Coming” destination from a 2018 Travel Leaders Group survey, and is fast-becoming a vacation haven for celebrities, adding to the romantic allure that was already popularized by the 1942 film Casablanca. With 300 sunny days a year and miles of coastline, Morocco is a perfect couple’s getaway any time of the year. A camel ride in the desert, with a dinner picnic can result in an opportunity to relax on the sands and watch the twinkling stars above. The city of Marrakesh or Tangier, a gorgeous port city on the Strait of Gibraltar, has long been romanticized in poetry, art and song. Visitors will enjoy the lush palaces and museums filled with artifacts, as well as the bazaars selling trinkets and jewelry.

Singapore Stay. Singapore is even more intriguing to travelers after the release of the romantic comedy film Crazy Rich Asians. It is an ultra-modern city with chic rooftop bars, laser light shows and the world-famous Sky Park, which is a cantilevered platform supporting the world’s longest rooftop infinity pool. It’s the perfect stop, set against the backdrop of Singapore’s sparkling skyline. Cruises to this area often include visits to Singapore and ports of call throughout Thailand, Vietnam and China. A stay at Raffles hotel is legendary, with spots where such writers as Somerset Maugham observed local life and penned timeless works. Recommended are stays at the new Six Senses Duxton and Six Senses Maxwell nearby for their immersion in bygone times with preserved architecture and design details. Singapore Air recently added a plethora of nonstop flights from US gateways to Singapore on spacious A350 aircraft.

Greenland Glow. Greenland is well off the beaten path and one of the rare places where the evening’s entertainment may include watching the Aurora Borealis dance above an icy ocean horizon. Cruises that visit Greenland often include cruising through the Arctic Circle and the chance to photograph rarely seen wildlife, including polar bears, walruses, whales, harp seals, arctic foxes, musk oxen, and reindeer. Visitors flow through fjord-like inlets and narrow passages in a dreamscape of glowing blue icebergs and colorful fishing villages.