When and Where to Travel

"Traveling is all about the stunning feeling of teetering from the unknown." It is about that frisson of nervous excitement once you leave the comforts of home, giving way to revelation as you open your senses to someplace different and new. That's the sign of a trip well taken -- well, that and a couple of cool Instagram stories.

"Teetering from the unknown" does not necessarily imply winging it -- you will need to understand where to go before you really go, and just as significant is your why and the when. That is where we come in. We polled industry experts and professional travelers throughout the world, littered our office with maps, and even asked our coworkers and friends and mothers, to get the coolest places to go to in 2019.

Some will lead one to far-flung corners of the planet, made available for the first time by newly opened boundaries or new flight paths. Others can be completed in a three-day weekend -- destinations within our own American backyard which are, for better or worse, on the edge of big changes. And in some instances, the stars have aligned (sometimes literally) to create 2019 the very best year to be there. All are worthy of your vacation days, and possibly a few"sick" days, also. From Denver to Uzbekistan, here is where you will need to go in 2019. Teeter responsibly.

But the huge majority of hotels, resorts, and restaurants are up and running and more than willing to welcome travelers. Now's a fantastic time to take advantage of the cheap flight prices and set your tourism dollars into the hands of individuals who need them.

Bear in mind those folks might not be in San Juan -- an extraordinary city, but also often the only one people ever see. This spring, go past the funds and get to know Rincón, the world-famous and much-beloved surf city on PR's western shore. March is prime time for surfing off those perfect beaches, but when 30-foot waves do not do it for you, you can snorkel, dive, join a yoga retreat, or just hop from beach bar to shore bar. Watch out, too, for humpback whales death directly by Rincón as they migrate north from January to March. If you wish to go a step further in helping the ongoing recovery efforts, watch out for service and surf trips, where you will spend a part of your time getting surf lessons and portion of your time serving the community. Make sure you spend some time reviewing your home security status. It is easy to install a doorbell camera to watch what is going on.

This ancient marvel is the spotlight of Europe this season

Matera, located on the arch of Italy's boot, is among the oldest cities on Earth. Carved from these limestone hills is a huge network of caves and underground tunnels, inhabited since 8,000 B.C. Squalid conditions and neglect made Matera"the pity of Italy" before the mid-'90s, when UNESCO designated its historical district, the Sassi, a World Heritage Site. These days, the prehistoric structures are updated in stunning and inventive ways -- to cafes and pubs, art museums and boutiques, design hotels, and underground resorts. There are cave restaurants, also, like Osteria Al Casale, upgrading Basilicata cuisine whilst using traditional ingredients like chicory and lamb.

So striking is Matera's metamorphosis, it was selected as the 2019 European Capital of Culture, an annual initiative spotlighting the cultural richness of cities throughout the continent. A slew of new updates and facilities will help adapt a packed lineup of events: More than 800 artists from around the world will be showcased in multimedia displays throughout the year. You can purchase a Matera 2019 Passport ($19) for 365-day access to all of the festivities. Fly into Bari, the closest city, and make Matera a stop on your road trip through the whitewashed hill towns, olive groves, and stunning beaches of Puglia.

Denver is booming: In a few short years the town has transformed into a capital of cool, with an avant-garde arts scene, new resorts, trendy nightlife, renovated areas, and bud tourism. The culinary choices have vastly improved. And the population has exploded (together with the rental costs, gentrification, and political division). Now is the time to grab Denver during the height of its renaissance, growing pains and all.

To find out what is trending right now, hit up urban food hall Denver Milk Market, and save room for imaginative dim sum at Super Mega Bien within the devastatingly hip Ramble Hotel. Barhop at LoDo (Lower Downtown) following a gallery opening in RiNo (River North Arts District). For breweries, hit Book Strand from the on-trend Baker area, or The Grateful Gnome for enormous sandwiches. Grab the hip-hop shows at the Roxy Theatre in Five Points, and finish your night in The Breakfast King on Santa Fe -- the glorious Burrito Supreme has thankfully remained the same, even as the city around it evolves.

Denver brands itself as the world's biggest après-ski town -- it is at its best from the cold, crisp winter. Drink a craft beer (we have got a lot of this here) from the fire at Inga's Alpine Tavern, or clink cocktails in one of the numerous hidden speakeasies.