Sri Lanka topped the list of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel for 2019, and it still continues to be a trending destination, with the country’s capital Colombo now named the ‘must photograph’ destination for the year, by mobile phone provider Huawei.
A giant Vesak day display in Colombo, Sri Lanka Photo by Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/Getty
Colombo, often seen as a layover for travellers eager to hit Sri Lanka’s beaches, is vibrant with colour and rich culture with so much for a traveller to explore for free. Analysis of more than 1.3 million social media posts concluded that the Asian city is the top place that 18-25 year-olds from the UK most want to feature on their social media feed, followed by Yokohama in Japan and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
The vegetable stall of Fose Market in Pettah in Colombo. Image: Shutterstock
Research also showed that 16% of people under the age of 25 make holiday choices based on their ‘Instagrammable’ factor. According to Justin Costello, Huawei director of marketing for the UK and Ireland “It’s interesting to see that Gen Z are keen to get out and explore the world by treading their own path, enabling them to share their experiences in these new ‘must shoot’ destinations on social media.”
The run-down of the others to make the list of must photograph destinations for this year are:
Yokohama, Japan
Cityscape of Yokohama city at dusk, Japan. Image by Shutterstock
A 30-minute train ride south of Tokyo, Yokohama (横浜) is an uncrowded, walkable neighbourhood with a breezy bayfront, creative arts scene, multiple microbreweries, jazz clubs and great international dining.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
Three members of the “Nyakagezi” mountain gorillas group rest at the Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Image by Getty Images
The Uganda national park is home to half the world’s mountain gorilla population.
Baden-Baden, Germany
Summer in Baden-Baden. Image by Shutterstock
This Black Forest town boasts whimsically turreted art nouveau villas spread across the hillsides and framed by forested mountains – as if it were built for Instagram.
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Cobble Street in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Image by 500px
The second-oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas is now a historic wonderland that juxtaposes historical authenticity with pulsating modern energy.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
The blockbuster that is Victoria Falls at sunset. Image by 500px
Photograph it as a raging mile-long curtain of water in all its glory, or from a helicopter ride, or over its edge from Devil’s Pools; the sheer power and force of the falls is something that simply does not disappoint.
Kartarpur, Pakistan
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartar Pur in Kartarpur, Narowal District, Pakistan. Image by Getty
This town has great historical importance for both Muslim and Sikh communities. A gurdwara located in Kartarpur is the place where Baba Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life.
Wadi Rum, National Park, Jordan
Wadi Rum is also known as The Valley of the Moon. Image by Shutterstock
For most visitors, on trips from Aqaba or Petra, Wadi Rum offers one of the easiest and safest glimpses of the desert in the region. For the lucky few who get to sleep over at one of the desert camps, it can be unforgettable.
Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), US (Alaska)
The wooden boardwalk platform of Icy Strait Point.
Offering breathtaking views and some of the freshest seafood you will ever eat, Icy Strait Point is the only private cruise ship destination in Alaska.
Isle of Harris, Scotland
Two sheep stand on the moorland on the isle of Harris. Image by Shutterstock
There are few roads here, but many opportunities for climbing, walking, birdwatching and taking photos.
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