Magnificent Seven: Top trending travel sites for 2019

India's Taj Mahal in Agra is among the list of top places to visit
this year  (Photo: Taylor)

CHARLOTTE, NC — Travel is one of the most personal endeavors anyone can ever experience because there are so many options. 

Some travelers are professional cruisers while others would never consider exploring the world on a ship. There are adventure travelers who like to rough it, while others prefer the elegance of being pampered.

Balinesian dancer (Photo: Taylor)

Group travel is ideal for many first-timers or  individuals with fears about language barriers, choices of food or currency conversions. For many others however, the appeal of discovery is a matter of individual freedom and exploration.

In the end, it all boils down to lifestyles and a traveler's personal preferences.

When midnight on January 31st changes the calendar each year, that's the signal for wanderlusters to begin thinking about that next great adventure.

Hofbrauhaus beer-hall in Munich
(Photo: Taylor)

Regardless of what year you choose, there are the usual favorites such as France, Italy, the United Kingdom and such.

At the other end of the spectrum are places that, for whatever reason, become "hot spots" that follow some mysterious unknown allure that morphs into a trend.

Using that as background, today we look at some of the trendy locales for 2019. It's not a list that appeals to everyone, but it will make good cocktail conversation any time the subject of travel arises.

Mysterious Mayan ruins at Lubabantuun (Photo: Taylor)

Belize has come into its own in recent years. The tiny Central American country is ideal for independent travelers who enjoy a spirit of adventure, luxurious accommodations and historical destinations.

As with many countries in Central America, Belize benefits from speaking English, using American dollars as currency and having the same electrical standards as the United States.

Mayan women  (Photo: Taylor)

The Belize Barrier Reef System, which is a smaller version of its sister, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, demonstrates Belize's commitment to improving the environment.

Filled with Mayan ruins, Belize is an archaeological paradise where ancient civilizations nestle amid jungle-like surroundings.

Caracol, the largest Maya site, is bigger than Tikal in Guatemala yet it is far from the madding crowds.

Belize is an ideal place for adventurous travelers  (Photo: Taylor)

Belize is also a perfect spot for hiking, bird-watching and wildlife safaris that are especially intriguing at night.

Simply put, "seeing is Belizing."

China's incredible Terracotta Warrior army  (Photo: Pixabay)

China has long been a favorite, but in 2019 its diversity and history have become even more appealing.

Trekking the Great Wall is a bucket-list experience that falls in the same category as the Taj Mahal and Mount Everest which are must-sees at least once in a traveler's portfolio.

Seemingly endless Great Wall
(Photo: Pixabay)

More recently, the Terracotta Warriors at Xian were only discovered by local farmers in 1974. The collection of thousands of sculptures depicts the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.

Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai
(Photo: Taylor)

Also popular is Fanjingshan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Buddhist shrine  that was once home to 48 temples. More adventurous travelers may want to hike to the summit for an unforgettable hiking experience.

Add the Forbidden City and you have experienced thousand of years of history by visiting just four sites. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

The Great Sphinx conjures images of intrigue
(Photo: Christine Schmiederer -- pexels-photo)

Egypt is making a tourism comeback in 2019 with luxury hotels and new tours that blend the country's best of the old with the best of the new.

One highlight is a lavish Nile cruise that was launched last year and continues to grow in popularity.

The Valley of the Kings in Luxor  (Photo: Pixbay)

Cairo, with its crowded streets and exotic souk (bazaar), is the gateway to the pyramids of Giza. If time permits, take in the sound and light show to get the full story.  

Do not miss the Grand Egyptian Museum which will soon house the largest collection dedicated to a single civilization in history when 5,000 artifacts of the King Tut burial site are on diplay.

The Red Sea is famous for snorkeling with some of the best in the world, and, of course, no visit is complete without a trip to Luxor and the famed Valley of the Kings.

Gateway to the Taj Mahal  (Photo: Taylor)

India is an acquired taste but the good news is that the renovations at the Taj Mahal have been completed.

Even James Bond liked Obernai
(Photo: Taylor)

Some visitors have difficulty adjusting to India's masses of humanity and poverty but from a historical and architectural perspective the country is a rainbow of colors and the vast Moghul Empire.

 Obernai, the exotic place where James Bond (Roger Moore) takes on an international jewel smuggling ring in Octopussy (1983), and the nightly vigils in Varanasi on the Ganges are well worth a visit.

The Treasury at Petra served as a movie set for Indiana Jones
(Photo: Pixabay)

Jordan might be a tough sell at first given its location in the Middle East, but once you get beyond that, Petra is one of the most incredible sites in the world.

Built  between the 4th century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D., Petra has recently been crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Rediscovered in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss geographer, the ancient Nabataean capital is situated among the Arabah Valley mountains between the Dead Sea and Red Sea.

Petra is known as the "Rose City" because of its many shades of
red  (Photo: Pixabay)

Known as the "Rose City" because of the reddish-pink hues in the striations of rock, Petra is half-carved and half-built into the rock, The Treasury is arguably the most famous structure in the expansive site.

Monserrate Palace in the tiny hillside village of Sintra outside
Lisbon  (Photo: Taylor)

Portugal is the trendiest place on everyone’s lips right now. This coastal country is known for its delicious cuisine, gorgeous panoramas and lively atmosphere.

Rich in diversity from Lisbon to Porto, Sintra or the beaches of the Azores, Portugal is a jewel box of travel discovery.

For hypnotic natural beauty visit Gorongosa at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley with its myriad of hot springs, secluded waterfalls, hidden caves and rain forests.

Fado is Portugal's musical
heritage  (Photo: Taylor)

No trip to Portugal is complete without experiencing "fado", the traditional Portuguese music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics that often reflect the sea or the life of the poor. Typically infused with sentiments of fatefulness and melancholy, an evening of fado is not nearly depressing as it sounds.

Best of all for travelers, Portugal is famous for its incomparable hospitality.

Singapore is a dazzling city-state that surprises everyone who visits for the first time  (Photo: KIn Pastor pexels-photo)

Singapore dazzles. It is a city-state rich in culture and futuristic architecture. Known for its obsessive cleanliness (chewing gum is a huge no-no), Singapore is a marvelous hub for exploring other parts of Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Before venturing out however, be sure to sample some of the best street food in the world and do not miss Marina Bay.

Who's next? Wait 'til next year and find out  (Photo: Taylor)

As we said, travel is a fickle enterprise. Fads and trends come and go quickly, but for 2019 at least, these seven hot spots are among the best.