The world is so big—and there are so many places we want to go this year! Karlie Kloss is stoked about going on safari. Here Magazine Editorial Director Ally Betker wants to get away to Australia. And we have a contributor ready to jet off to Azerbaijan.
But with all places we’re excited to travel to in 2019, we also wanted to reflect on the places that meant something to us in 2018. Whether they opened our minds, challenged our hearts, or just gave us time to appreciate all the people we love, the places we visited this past year have set us up well for future adventure.
Below, we asked Here Magazine editors, contributors, and interviewees to share the places on their 2019 travel wishlist—and the places they went in 2018 that are worth another trip.
Samin Nosrat: creator and host of Salt Fat Acid Heat on Netflix
2018: New Zealand. I visited New Zealand and was overwhelmed by its breathtaking landscapes–particularly on the southern island around Lake Wanaka, which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited–and also by the incredible warmth and generosity of its people. Complete strangers went out of their way to make my trip special and unforgettable. I’m forever grateful to everyone I met there.
2019: Indonesia—I want to go surfing and swimming in its beautiful waters, but even more than that, I want to eat everything!!!
Phoebe Robinson: author, host of Two Dope Queens, and Here Magazine Issue 06 cover star
2018: I went to Copenhagen for my birthday. Not only were the people amazing, but I had the best tacos of my life (shout out to Hija de Sanchez) and the energy of the city was lovely. And okay, yes, I went to a U2 concert, so Copenhagen has a special place in my heart. Lol.
2019: South Africa! I’m from the midwest and up until this year, I really couldn’t afford to travel anywhere because I was trying to make my comedy career happen. Now, I want to see the entire world, and what better place to start than SA?
Karlie Kloss: model, founder of Kode With Klossy, and Here Magazine Issue 04 cover star
2018: Shanghai! I’ve gone a few times for both business and pleasure, and every time I go it’s a new experience. The food is absolutely amazing, and I love exploring all of the eclectic neighborhoods. My favorite is Tianzifang, a really unique and artsy district filled with lots of hidden gems and cute boutiques.
2019: I’m going on a safari over the holidays, and I’m really excited. I’ve never been to Africa before, so I can’t wait to experience the incredible landscape and wildlife. I’ve also heard the sunsets are beyond amazing.
Jean-Philip Grobler: lead singer of St. Lucia
2018: Our whole extended family rented a beautiful villa in Ibiza on the top of a hill at the end of May. We had beautiful views of Es Vedra and all the way over to where they make Ibiza Salt. We cooked outside every day and went down to the beach and explored bits of the island. There’s wild rosemary and thyme growing everywhere, and the air smells of it, and then all along the side of the road is wild fennel. We obviously had to do the club thing a couple of nights, so we went to Pacha to see the legend that is Fatboy Slim and then Solomun the next night.
2019: We’re playing a music festival early next year a couple hours outside Mexico City in a place called Valle de Bravo that I’m really excited about. Anyone I know who’s been to Mexico City recently says it’s the most exciting city in the world right now. We have a couple of friends who spend a lot of time over there. so they’re gonna show us around. Plus, I want to stuff my face with tacos.
Marian & Hannah Cheng: Co-founders of Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings
2018: We both went to Mexico City and fell in love. The food scene is delicious and vibrant from blue corn quesadilla street stands to the different tasting menus. One of our favorite taco stands is a auto-garage turned into a late night bustling taco shop. The city itself is old-world charming but also very colorful. It’s also a very viable weekend trip from NYC.
2019: Morocco, Israel, Chile, and Argentina are all high on our list. Would love to check out the bazaars, the Dead Sea, Chile’s and Argentina’s vineyards and try some of their famous steak.
Ally Betker: Editorial Director, Here Magazine
2018: I am grateful as heck that I was able to do some really nourishing, soul-expanding travel in 2018. A solo trip to Hawaii right after a breakup was the best, most challenging travel experience I’ve ever had; a press trip to El Salvador opened my eyes to a part of the world—and a population—that needs a different kind of attention; and a celebratory vacation to Austin, Texas, with a slew of friends for my 30th birthday topped it all off.
2019: Japan and Australia are really high on my travel wishlist. I’m not sure what it means that they couldn’t be farther from my home in New York—maybe I’m really trying to push my own boundaries in 2019!
Taryn Toomey: founder of The Class by Taryn Toomey
2018: I’ve had the opportunity to travel to a few different places this year that were truly incredible. I was in Morocco for a friend’s birthday, which was full of life and exploration. I also visited Greece, Italy and London this summer—all wonderfully energetic and fun places. I stayed at The Savoy Hotel in London, sleeping in my favorite Savoir beds.
2019: I’m really looking forward to being back in Mustique in May for our 2019 Retreatment. Mustique is such a special island in the Caribbean—there are architectural masterpieces everywhere and the privacy of the island is undeniable. It’s all very welcoming.
Forrest Mankins: photographer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: NYC. People don’t really expect to see me in a big city, and I can’t blame them, but every time I visit the city I’m overwhelmed by the humanity, the culture, the life of it all. It’s easy to ignore the things that aren’t in front of us every day, and each time I come to New York I’m reminded that I owe a return trip solely for experience.
2019: Mexico. I don’t have any dates yet but my wife and I have been throwing around the idea of taking our big green truck and camper down the Baja Peninsula for an extended camping trip, and the thought of it gets me ready to pack every time.
Margherita Missoni: Creative Director, M Missoni
2018: Bolivia was the highlight: I was absolutely charmed by the vibrant aesthetic of La Paz and amazed by the colored mountains and the nature of Salar de Uyuni.
2019: We’re heading to Phuket, Thailand over New Years. I’m super excited as I’ve never been to east Asia with the kids, so this will be an interesting test. It’s always thrilling getting out and changing cultural environments, even if just for a week.
Uli Beutter Cohen: creator of Subway Book Review and Here Magazine contributor
2018: I had no idea what to expect when I first went to Mexico City. Five days later I left with a heart full of memories, new friends, a suitcase full of books, and the feeling that I’ve always belonged to this place. I also took a train trip from New York City to Austin, Texas. There’s nothing like a 72-hour train ride through half of the country, with a snowstorm in Ohio, a stopover in Chicago, and Spring flowers in Oklahoma in the company of good books and kind strangers to set your soul right.
2019: Buenos Aires, Argentina. Every time I read about Buenos Aires (get yourself a copy of Driving Hungry by Layne Mosler stat) I feel like it’s a city that’s just so easy to fall in love with. I want more love in 2019. And, because I’m a meat lover, I can’t wait to find the tastiest parrilla restaurants in town. I’ve also never been to Washington, D.C. I do my protesting in New York, but I finally want to see what goes on beyond the White House in our nation’s capital—especially on the local Metro, which connects a city that is one of the most segregated in the United States. Lastly, I have no idea how I will get myself on The Venice-Simplon Orient Express, but it must happen. Hashtag life goal. Hashtag manifest.
Micaela Erlanger: Celebrity stylist
2018: In 2018 I loved traveling to Tulum with my dear friend Jason Wu. We stayed at Hotel Escencia and it was truly paradise. Food, fun and fashion!
2019: Paris for Haute Couture in July! What could be better than that?!
Pernille Teisbaek: Stylist, Co-founder & Creative Director at Social Zoo
2018: I’ve went to many of my usual spots for Fashion Week, like London, Paris and NYC, which I always enjoy. I really loved my summer holiday that began in Ibiza for a few days with friends and sailed to Mallorca. There I spent two weeks with my family in a country house located in a very peaceful area.
2019: I would love to do another road trip in South of Italy. We did one from Rome to Positano a few years back that was incredible.
Saba Imtiaz: writer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: I’ve been to Istanbul a few times, but this summer I did a short trip to the Asian side of the city. I’m usually a no-expectations traveler, but from the old house-turned-boutique hotel I stayed in to the incredible food at Ciya Sofrasi and the no-frills hammam where a woman scrubbed 600 years of dust from my body, everything was better than I could have imagined. Even though I was right in the hub of Kadikӧy-Moda, it didn’t feel like a tourist trap. There was enough space to relax, to people watch at a cafe, to shop for vintage polka-dot shirts. I felt pulled into the vibe of the city.
2019: I’m hoping to go to Azerbaijan in 2019. The landscape looks amazing, but mostly I’m excited about the food: they have a dedicated jam festival!
Wayetu Moore: author of She Would Be King and Here Magazine contributor
2018: Auvergne, France, for my wedding! The French countryside is otherworldly in its beauty.
2019: I’ll be going to London for the first time for the release of my debut novel in the UK. I used to think I would marry into the royal family when I was in high school, so it’ll be cool to see the place that occupied my girlhood daydreams in real life.
Chloe Kernaghan: Co-founder, Sky Ting Yoga
2018: Pantelleria, Italy. I lead a yoga retreat with one of my dear friends, Anton Brandt, and the trip came at a huge transitional moment in my life. I think a mixture of the yoga, the early summer heat, and the magic of the land/water of this island made this trip one I’ll never forget. It filled my heart and soul with the good energy that Italian summertime brings. Heaven on Earth!
2019: I’m super excited to go to Marfa, Texas, this February (again on a yoga retreat—rough life, I know!) I’m really looking to include more nature in my life in 2019 and the Southwest landscapes are an area of the U.S. I’ve never explored. I’m excited to go hiking and slow my pace down for a few days, along with seeing some incredible art!
Krissy Jones: Co-founder, Sky Ting Yoga
2018: Praiano, Italy. I assembled eight of my best girlfriends and stayed in the most beautiful house on the cliff overlooking the ocean. Praiano is tiny and mostly residential, and because we went in early June there weren’t that many tourists there which we appreciated. We took 2,000 steps down to the beach everyday, swam, island hopped, shopped, made friends with the locals, and ate the most amazing food on the planet. This crew of friends joke that we peaked with this trip and no other vacation will compare.
2019: I’m so excited to go to Portugal next summer to our friend’s retreat center in August. I’ve only been to Portugal once but I loved the culture, food, and landscape. But the place that is on my wishlist is Hawaii! I’ve never been and it’s been calling my name. I’m dying to go, especially now that I’m into surfing. So hopefully I can make a trip happen there sometime next year.
Annie Werner: Managing Editor, Digital, Here Magazine
2018: I had a blast in Dublin last year—there’s an awesome food scene, and while I’m usually satisfied with a Guinness, there’s a cool cocktail culture emerging with all the new whiskey and gin distilleries popping up all over Ireland. Really though, it was the people that made the trip—Dubliners are so friendly, I always felt right at home.
2019: I’m really interested in Jordan and Lebanon right now. I can see a tour starting in Beirut and then hitting up Amman and Petra. After 2018, I think my body could really use a dip in the Dead Sea. The terrain is insanely beautiful and that entire area has such rich history—not to mention delicious food.
Anjali Kumar: author, attorney, advisor, speaker and Here Magazine contributor
2018: Big Sky, Montana. I went skiing there last March for the first time and it was heavenly. Short and easy direct flight to Bozeman, gorgeous drive to the mountains, great skiing. I can’t wait to go back.
2019: Japan. I went two years ago for work and book research for my book, Stalking God, and I fell deeply in love with the country, the people, the food, the design. I feel like I barely scratched the surface though! So I am planning to go back this Spring with my husband and daughter and explore more.
Emma Glassman-Hughes: Senior Associate Print Editor, Here Magazine
2018: Not only did I get to South America for the first time this year, but I was able to return a month later and see an entirely different region. In fact, this year I was fortunate enough to visit a lot of Latin America that I hadn’t seen before. From biking the frenetic streets of Buenos Aires to trekking around Machu Picchu, and from snacking on fresh street cart mango (with extra tajin!) in Mexico City to salsa dancing in San Juan, my 2018 was muy rico.
2019: I’ve been wanting to get back to South Africa since the moment I left in 2016, and I would love to explore cities I haven’t yet seen, like Johannesburg and Durban. I’m also really excited about the arts and food scenes in places like Dakar, Senegal, and Cairo, Egypt. And I’ve never done Australia so that’s high on the list, too. Oh, and Vietnam. And back to South America! Pretty much everywhere, I guess.
Rhiannon Taylor: Lifestyle entrepreneur and Here Magazine contributor
2018: My favourite was Lucca, Italy. I’ve done Italy many times but this year we rented a gorgeous villa in the Tuscan Hills called L’Arancera Di Villa Grabau for a week and hosted our closest friends and family for our wedding. Great food, wine, company and views.
2019: In 2019 I’m excited to go back on Safari in South Africa. It’s one of my favorite travel experiences because you can actively participate in conservation efforts, witness incredible wildlife and relax in luxe campsites. I’m also keen to cruise Alaska, a part of the world I’ve never seen. And lose myself in spa bliss in Bali. It’s a short flight from Australia where I’m from and there are so many beautiful places to stay surrounded by lush jungle and cliff side beaches.
Jade Moyano: Here Magazine contributor
2018: India. Since I was a kid I dreamed of going, and I finally got on a plane and went, by myself, with no agenda. I decided to check in to an ashram in Rishikesh for a week to see how they live, did yoga and meditation every single day, and took the most thrilling car ride to the Himalayas to explore mountains. I bathed in the Ganges (the clean part up North), rode motorcycles, and was thrown out of my comfort zone in ways hard to explain in words. I want to go back and explore the South, some of the beaches in Kerala and Goa.
2019: Japan is on my list, as is Mongolia and Bhutan. I want to travel around Mongolia with nomadic tribes and stay in traditional yurts. In Bhutan I want to explore the outdoors on a motorcycle, spend time in Buddhist monasteries learning about the practice. In Japan, I am interested in food, design, and traditions. I hope to go to Kyoto and explore some of the less known countryside as well.
Cloudy Zakrocki: Editorial Director, Refinery29 Germany
2018: I spent a long weekend on Sardinia with my boyfriend and loved it. I usually am the Ibiza kind of girl but found that Sardinia was completely underrated and so different from the other Balearic islands: the landscape is more green, the food super cheap and so delicious and in general the island has a more domestic vibe. Definitely a go-to destination if someone is keen for something new that is just a short trip away within Europe.
2019: I am most excited for my big three-week vacation over New Year’s Eve when I will be traveling through Mexico. Of course Tulum and Mexico City are planned but I also want to check out the pacific side of the country. I have never been to Mexico and feel like it’s now or never as it might get too touristy soon.
Misha Nonoo: Fashion designer
2018: Jordan. It was so special as I grew up in the Middle East but have never visited Jordan before so it felt familiar but new all at the same time. The food was a particular highlight as was visiting beautiful Wadi Rum!
2019: New Zealand has always been on my bucket list and the only reason I haven’t been already is due to how far away it is–I want to see it properly.
Tiana Attride: Here Magazine Editorial Intern and contributor
2018: I visited a friend in Copenhagen back in March and went head-over-heels in love. The Danes in their long, black coats rushing past on bikes; the colorful but minimalist buildings, all covered in snow; the cozy, candlelit cafes; the smørrebrød! If you want relaxation but aren’t big on the beach, I can’t imagine a better place to take a few days’ vacation.
2019: My skin says “No” to more cold locations next year, but my heart says “Yes!” I’d love to head up north again in 2019 and visit Alaska. The wildlife is the main draw for me; I’ve heard the moose are so big, you won’t believe it until you see them yourself. I’m also determined to catch the Aurora Borealis and spend time hiking in the mountains. The far north seems like one of the last places you can experience an incredible sense of isolation. Next year, I want to push myself to visit places that remind me how small I actually am.
Oliver Horovitz: writer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: My highlight trip without question, was Mongolia on a Here assignment. I rode camels in the Gobi Desert, slept in a ger (yurt), hung out with the #1 rapper in Mongolia, Big Gee, tried Airag (fermented horse milk), came 43rd in the Mongolian National Open for golf, then hopped the 30-hour Trans-Mongolian Railway from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing. Through it all, the welcoming Mongolian spirit was refreshing and beautiful at every turn.
2019: I’d love to see La Paz, Bolivia, this coming year. Any city where you land at 13,325 feet is off to a promising start in my book!
Bayli: Musician
2018: 2018 was a whirlwind to say the least. I think my favorite place this year was going to a small town in Vermont where one of my friends was having a birthday party. It was only about a four hour drive from the city and It was a total getaway into natural with little to no phone service, we stayed in a literal cabin in the woods and I was in heaven; away from work and fast pace city life.
2019: I have high hopes for traveling in 2019! I’m hoping that I’ll get a couple cool tours and/or festival gigs that allow me to travel to new cities. I would really love to get out to Europe. I’ve been loving the sounds I’m hearing out of the UK, Berlin and, of course, kingdom of the magical Pop-writing unicorn, Scandinavia!
Megan McCarty: writer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: Doing a whole bunch of nothing in Portugal. While the buzz of Lisbon and Porto is undeniable, driving through the Algarve was particularly magical, with those winding roads and old women leering at you from their third-story apartments. (Tip: Book a suite at Memmo Baleeira in Sagres for the ultimate ocean view.) My friend and I napped on beaches, sipped on caipirinhas, and ate more than our fair share of pastel de natas – maybe not in that order though. Portugal, you’re a dream.
2019: Thank the travel gods for friends who host destination weddings, which gives me a real good excuse to hole up at a villa in Tuscany this spring. Pizza, pools, vino and—oh yeah—a wedding. Safe travels, friends!
Ariana Marsh: writer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: After traveling to 16 countries in 2018, my favorite of them all was Mexico. Mexico City boasted an indescribable vibrance that totally stole my heart. The cheap tacos, incredible art scene, beautiful parks, nightly El Moro churros, great music venues and kind, patient people all made it so special (and delicious!) Cape Town is definitely a close second. Mountains, the beach, a city with lots of exciting things going on—it’s got it all.
2019: I’d love to do a road trip from Seattle down the western coast to San Diego and stop at a bunch of National Parks along the way. It’s funny how many times fellow travelers said, “This place reminds me of California!” this past year while we were in gorgeous places all over the world. I’ve only been to the state a few times and never for too long, so I’d love to really spend some meaningful time there.
Chloe Scheffe: Senior Editorial Designer, Here Magazine
2018: I went on a number of domestic trips this year, but the highlight was Lihue. Kauai is incredibly beautiful and incredibly small. From the air it looked like a lily pad, and on the ground I saw horizon everywhere I went. I had top-notch poke from a family-owned lunch counter, fresh fruit shave ice from the back of a trailer (it’s an iconic local dessert that’s like a snow cone, but wildly better), and hiked the southeast coast of the island at sunrise—all of which I highly recommend.
2019: I’m off to Italy in January, where I’ll stay in monasteries in Venice, Florence, and Assisi. I’ve never been to Italy and I’m not quite sure what to expect in winter (all my Italian daydreams are summery), but I intend to take it one lazy afternoon at a time. The focus of the trip is on seeing art, eating well, and taking time to reflect. I’d also like to go to Japan in 2019. I’ve been thinking about a trip to Japan for many years—it’s the country where my parents met, and a mecca for many of my interests: art, design, fashion, cute food, manners. And though I’m not a lover of seafood or sushi, if any place can change my palate for the better, Japan is a solid bet.
Que Duong: photographer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: My favorite place that I traveled to was Paris in April. Spring had just started, the air was crisp—it wasn’t too cold nor too hot—the days were longer, and the people were more in love than ever. Paris was always on my bucket list and to be able to check it off was a great accomplishment. I remember sitting at the Seine River, the wind was whistling, the water was making music as the waves were hitting the shore, and the flowers were falling from the trees, setting up a cinematic view.
2019: I’m inspired to list out all my intentions for 2019, one of which is to quit my corporate job and travel the world. I was able to get a head start on that intention, and I am now looking forward to learning how to say “hi” in different languages and create authentic, meaningful work.
Gabby Lester-Coll: writer and Here Magazine contributor
2018: Mallorca was such a dream. It’s hard to beat small hillside towns overlooking the Mediterranean ocean, lined with cobblestone streets, and dotted with cozy restaurants serving up fresh seafood. Palm trees and cactuses. Cafe con leches and homemade sangrias. Chilly turquoise waters and sun-baked rocky beaches. Add in the decadent Spanish vacation culture that forces you to slow down and savor each moment. It’s truly hard to leave.
2019: One of my resolutions for 2019 is to explore the island of Puerto Rico more (where I live). There are so many nooks and crannies in this 100×35 mile island that I have yet to visit and I want to dedicate this year to checking them off one by one: mountains in the middle of the island with expansive views, rivers and waterfalls surrounded by rocky cliffs, campsites on hidden beaches, and small sandy islands only available by boat. My husband and I are kicking it off with a trip to Vieques (a small island off the east coast of Puerto Rico) for our first year wedding anniversary.
Natalie Decleve: writer and Here Magazine Contributor
2018: Taormina, Sicily, is arguably the most romantic place on earth. I loved the luxe meets low-key vibe of the tiny town and holy cannoli—I ate a lot of those and it was worth it. Think tiny winding roads and cliffside hotel pools with epic views of Mt. Etna. Take me back!
2019: I’m planning a spring ski trip to my family house in Crest-Voland, France. It’s a tiny hidden gem nearby the world renowned Chamonix. Crest-Voland has arguably better skiing with less crowds than Chamonix, and I much prefer the quaintness of the town to the fancier and more famous, Megeve nearby.
Liana Finck: illustrator and Here Magazine contributor
2018: Long Island. What keeps me relatively sane is traveling to Long Island once a week and running (when it’s warm enough to go barefoot) or walking on the beach. I take the train out early in the morning, and come back home when the sun sets. I turn off my podcasts (which are the only thing that keep me sane when I’m in the city) and think about whatever project I’m working on, big picture, occasionally stopping my walk or run to take notes. I also stop to pick up nice rocks, my special area of nerdiness.
2019: Venice is beautiful, with the sound of the water and the special light, and too crowded with tourists to ever leave your apartment, which makes things simpler. I’d also like an excuse to start learning Italian again. I spent a month in Venice a few years ago, only leaving my apartment for the grocery store, and at night. But I still felt like the city seeped into me.