2019 sees the opening of National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, the only museum in the world to celebrate the impact African American musicians have had on America’s music. Follow the Rivers of Rhythm Pathway for an unforgettable journey from the blues to hip hop and all the other genres in-between.
More information: nmaam.org
The Rugby World Cup comes to Japan in September 2019, with matches scheduled from Tokyo to Sapporo. Watch the match with a sake and a bowl of ramen. And don’t forget the post match onsen!
More information: rugbyworldcup.com
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam marks Rembrandt's 350th anniversary in 2019 with ‘Year of Rembrandt’ – an extraordinary year filled with exhibitions and special events celebrating the work of one of the world’s greatest artists. For the first time, the Rijksmuseum will exhibit all their Rembrandts – 22 paintings, 60 drawings and more than 300 of the finest examples of his prints.
More information: rijksmuseum.nl
Celebrate the 200th birthday of Queen Victoria at Kensington Palace, the place she was born and spent her childhood. The brand new ‘Victoria 2019’ exhibition is designed especially to give a unique insight into the early years of this extraordinary monarch.
More information: hrp.org.uk
2019 marks 30 years since the Berlin Wall fell and the political landscape of Europe – and indeed the world – was transformed. Celebrate that heady moment when David Hasselhoff serenaded East Germans with his song, 'Looking For Freedom'. On November 9 when Berlin will host a number of events to mark the occasion. The wall falling, that is, not David Hasselhoff singing.
More information: visitberlin.de
Since the time of Henry VIII, a four-mile countryside course in the picturesque Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton has been running the Kiplingcotes Derby. It is England’s oldest horse race and on Thursday 21 March 2019 it celebrates its 500th running. That’s surely worth a small bet or two.
More information: yorkshirepost.co.uk
On February 26 2019, the Grand Canyon celebrates 100 years since it's designation as a national park. To celebrate a year of activities and events have been planned, including the 2019 Grand Canyon Star Party, an astronomical celebration of the dark skies over this natural phenomenon.
More information: nps.gov
2019 sees the launch of Wanderlust Journeys, a collection of tailor-made holidays for adventurous Wanderlust readers, including an extraordinary horse riding holiday through the stunning back blocks of Montenegro with former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody. Saddle up!
More information: wanderlust.tripsmiths.com
On July 16, 2019 it will be 50 years since astronaut Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Naturally, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be celebrating the occasion with a raft of exhibits, demonstrations and activities about historic and future lunar exploration. Or you could head to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in his home town of Wapakoneta, Ohio for the livelier Summer Moon Festival.
More information: armstrongmuseum.org
Founded by the Spanish in 1519, 2019 sees the vibrant Cuban capital celebrate its 500th birthday. During this anniversary year, the city will host a series of events featuring concerts, performances and parades that will add an extra sparkle and pizzazz to an already buzzing city.
Set to be launched in early 2019, the English National Park Experience Collection is designed to give visitors the chance to experience the unique living landscapes and timeless rural life in English National Parks. Expect journeys through the history, culture, countryside and communities in rural England and the chance to experience England’s national parks as never before.
More information: nationalparkexperiences.co.uk
In the late afternoon of July 2, a total solar eclipse will occur over southern parts of Chile and Argentina. There are plenty of places you could watch the eclipse in both countries, but Vicuña, in the Elqui Valley, has one advantage over them all. It is the only place in the world where Pisco can be distilled.
More information: eso.org
The 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings on June 6 sees a host of commemorative events in this overlooked corner of France. Follow the story of the 130,000 soldiers who came ashore here in the D-Day Museum Museum in Arromanche. Or drop by Bayeux to see a tapestry of another famous battle, back in 1066.
More information: normandie-tourisme.fr
June 2019 will see the completion of Sweden’s latest national cycle trail, the Sydkustleden. Expect lush forests, coastal forests, ancient stone rings and some of Sweden’s hippest cities on this 900km network.
More information: VisitSweden
Forget the long schlep from Amman, new flights to the Red Sea port of Aqaba in Jordan is a boon to divers – and adventurers. Not only is some of the best diving in the world just offshore, Aqaba is the perfect base to explore the deserts of Wadi Rum and the ‘lost city’ of Petra, both of which are less than 90 minutes away.
More information: www.easyjet.com
Join some of the biggest names in jazz in funky New Orleans as the city celebrates the 50th anniversary of its legendary Jazz Festival. The lineup is announced in early 2019, but if previous years are anything to go by, expect some big names and some big surprises.
More information: nojazzfest.com
Explore the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, one of Europe’s Capital of Culture in 2019 and home to people in southern Italy for over 9,000 years. There’s been no better time to explore the ancient hilltop town’s rock-hewn churches, cosy grottos and excellent hiking trails.
More information: matera-basilicata2019.it
Rwanda’s most famous wildlife superstars, the mountain gorillas of Virunga, face new competition with the opening of Gishwati-Mukura National Park in the country’s north west. Made up of two forests, it is home to a group of 20 chimpanzees who live alongside golden monkeys, L’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, as well as a host of colourful birds. A guided responsible chimp and monkey tracking tour will be your highlight of 2019.
More information: visitrwanda.com
Chocolate box Medieval city centre? Check. High likelihood of snow? Check. Magical Christmas market? Check. No wonder Estonia’s gorgeous capital of Tallinn was recently voted the best place to spend Christmas. Why not tell Santa that’s where he’ll find you on Christmas Day, 2019?
More information: visittallinn.ee