When we announced The 2019 WOW List, we asked the expert trip designers who earned a spot to think about the next great places to travel—places that are under the radar for most of the traveling public but that sophisticated travelers would appreciate knowing about. Often these locales are at that perfect moment when there’s just enough infrastructure that you get the creature comforts you want, but not too much infrastructure that the tourist masses have arrived.

Here are a few of their recommendations for the next great places to travel. For even more ideas, take a look at our Where to Travel in 2019, Before Everyone Else Gets There.

Remember, if you want an extraordinary trip, use Wendy’s trip request form so you are marked as a VIP traveler, so you get Wendy’s trip monitoring, and so your trip counts toward a WOW Moment.  For more details, see The WOW List: How To Benefit Most. 

 

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Today’s #WOWWeek theme is The Next Great Places. Here’s my advice: when you really want to unplug, stay at hidden boutique lodges and hotels on private islands. One of my favorites is Isla Palenque, Panama. With private beaches, lush trails, delicious menus and an array of chill activities, you may just have the trip of a lifetime. It’s such a beautiful way to explore the Panama wilderness while taking the comforts of home up a notch. • #TravelBetter #WOW #WOWList #ecotourism #ecoluxe #nature #beachviews #visitpanama #sunsets #travelexperts #panamaexperts #slowtravel #rainforest #beach #ocean #wowmoments #iamatraveler #panama #panamazing #panama🇵🇦 #panamatravel #sustainabletravel #greentravel #BeInTheMoment #FindYourGreenSpot

A post shared by GreenSpotTravel🍃 (@greenspottravel) on Jan 29, 2019 at 12:17pm PST

 

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Want to experience something exotic but no place your friends have been? You should visit #Bucovina, the European Far East, with its #paintedmonasteries, the curvy landscapes dotted with haystacks, delicious food and gurgling wine. Extend with an adventurous visit into #Moldova, a sort of geographic purgatory between the EU and the previous USSR. Be wowed by the minutious designs of the #paintedeggs or the vastness of the wine cellars. #WOWWeek #Wownextgreatplaces

A post shared by Beyond Dracula Travel (@beyonddracula) on Jan 29, 2019 at 1:38am PST

 

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In 2019, venture to the south-east of the island to hidden away Gal Oya National Park, before newcomers and their crowds catch on to its abundant beauty and wild nature. For the chance to witness a rare sighting of swimming elephants, visit between August and December, whilst birdwatchers may most enjoy the months from January to May. Embark on a boat safari from Gal Oya Lodge, a beautifully-designed eco-hotel and the “gateway” to this lesser-explored part of Sri Lanka. #WOWWeek #WOWList @wendyperrin #srilanka #travel #wanderlust #wanderlustsrilanka #galoya #galoyanationalpark #sosrilanka #visitsrilanka #srilankatrip #srilankatravel #holiday #exploresrilanka #wildlife #nature #animals #luxurytravel #luxurytraveller #srilankainstyle

A post shared by SriLankaInStyle (@srilankainstyle) on Jan 28, 2019 at 10:03pm PST

 

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With its lush nature, centuries old culture, delicious cuisine and an eclectic mix of travel experiences, the Dolomites is our top travel destination for 2019. @wendyperrin #icbellagio #WOWWeek #WOWlist #italyexperts #luxurytravelexperience #travelexperience #travelblog #instagood #instatravel #travelgram #luxurytravel #travel #instago #travelblogger #wanderlust #mytravelgram #travelpics

A post shared by IC_Bellagio (@ic_bellagio) on Jan 29, 2019 at 4:01am PST

 

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The lighthouse at #JoseIgnacio no doubt built to warn folk away from this rocky peninsula, now a most welcoming sight to the lucky few who every year long for the summer season on Uruguay’s wonderful Riviera. Forget about Punta del Este it’s Jose Ignacio that is the next great place! #WOWWeek #WOWList @wendyperrin

A post shared by Dehouche – Art Of Travel (@dehouche) on Jan 29, 2019 at 8:17am PST

 

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Explore Costa Careyes, one of the lesser-known, yet most beautiful, beach destinations in Mexico. With exclusive resorts and villas plus stunning natural beauty, this gorgeous destination is perfect for travelers looking for a unique luxury experience in Mexico.⠀ ⠀ #WowWeek #WookList #CostaCareyes #Mexico #PrivateVillas #LuxuryTravel #Careyes #LuxuryResort #PacificCoast #BeachVacation #TravelPhotos #Luxury #ExploreMexico #luxurymexicovillas #luxurymexicotravel #luxurymexicohotels #luxurytraveladvisor #luxurytravelplanner

A post shared by Journey Mexico (@journeymexico) on Jan 29, 2019 at 1:43pm PST

 

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With the tallest palm trees on earth towering above, get lost in the mystique of the lush green cloud forest. The stunning beauty of the Cocora Valley is a thing of dreams and a must-see here in Colombia! #Colombia @wendyperrin #wendyperrin #wowlist #wowweek #trustedtravelexpert #cocoravalley #thenextgreatplaces #valley #nature #holidays #vacations #trekking #hiking #coffeeregion #coffeecountry #discovercolombia

A post shared by Amakuna Travel (@amakunatravel) on Jan 29, 2019 at 7:40am PST

 

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‘The Next Great Places’ The island less travelled that will capture your heart in 2019! #part2 Ischia is real Italy and known for its thermal spas and striking Aragonese castle. Spoilt for choice with their golden sandy beaches and twinkling bays and of course delicious Italian food. Instead of boarding the ferry from Naples to Capri, go to Ischia!! – *Take a look at WOW in stories for more * – @wendyperrin #wowweek #queenofclubsitaly #ischia #italy #islands #thespots #moments #welltravelled #isleofbeauty #wowlist

A post shared by Queen of Clubs (@qofclubslifestyle) on Jan 29, 2019 at 6:57am PST

 

 

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Add a stop in Chefchaouen to your next Morocco trip! In northern Morocco’s Rif Mountains, the blue washed buildings of Chefchaouen’s medina are stunning, and the souks brim with distinctive woven textiles. #Morocco #thenextgreatplaces #WOWWeek #WOWList

A post shared by Cobblestone Private Travel (@cobblestonemorocco) on Jan 29, 2019 at 9:01am PST

 

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Today’s dispatch from our #WowList experts is all about getting off the beaten path. For the next great places in India & Mongolia look no further than their frontier regions. India sees thousands of traveler a year, all headed to see the iconic Taj, bustling Mumbai, and the chill Goa. In 2019, Sanjay encourages travelers to explore beyond the Golden Triangle and head further east to the other side of Bangladesh. On the Brahmaputra River in Assam, river cruising is immensely rewarding. Where else can one see the snow caps Himalaya peaks, meet tribal villagers, see the royal Bengal tiger pace the banks of the river? At the confluence of China, Russia, and Mongolia (with Kazakhstan just 23 miles away) lies the Altai region. The area is characterized by dramatic mountain scenery perfect for trekkers, millennia-old petroglyphs, and unique Kazakh culture. This year Nomadic Expeditions will be setting up a temporary expedition camp for our travelers to explore the region in comfort and style. And with the 20th anniversary of the Golden Eagle Festival (co-founded by Jalsa himself) 2019 is a great time to explore this region. Check back in for more #WOWWeek insights.

A post shared by Nomadic Expeditions (@nomadicexpeditions) on Jan 29, 2019 at 12:20pm PST

 

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It’s the second day of @wendyperrin’s #WOWWeek and today we’d love to share one of our favorite under-the-radar destinations in China: Dunhuang in northwestern Gansu Province. This city bordering the harsh Gobi Desert is a literal oasis and was once a main stop on the Great Silk Road, a crossroads between the northern and southern routes. Today, with the traces of ancient Han Dynasty-era Great Wall, towering Mingsha sand dunes, and grand Buddhist carvings of the Mogao Caves within easy reach, and a remoteness that keeps the town relatively off the beaten path, 2019 is the perfect time to visit before the rest of the world catches on. Plus, booking with us will get you behind-the-scenes access to painstaking research and restoration that is happening now at the Mogao Caves, with a WildChina expert to guide the way. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #wildchina #WOWList #WOWNextGreatPlaces #gansu #dunhuang #china #travelasia #travelchina #traveltheworld #bucketlist #wanderlust #explorechina #experiencechinap

A post shared by WildChina (@wildchinatravel) on Jan 29, 2019 at 6:35am PST

 

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The Maldives as a destination has never been hotter! 2019 will see more new luxury resorts opening in the Maldives than ever before. Some of our favorite new resorts include JOALI Maldives, Raffles Maldives, Waldorf Astoria Maldives, Kudadoo Private Island, The Nautilus Island Maldives , LUX* North Male Atoll, and Baglioni Resort Maldives to name a few! #wowweek #wowlist [📷: @joalimaldives ]

A post shared by Linara Travel (@linaratravel) on Jan 29, 2019 at 3:03pm PST

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Be a smarter traveler: Read real travelers’ reviews of Wendy’s WOW List and use it to plan your next trip. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter @wendyperrin, and Instagram @wendyperrin, and sign up for her weekly newsletter to stay in the know.