<strong>Editor's picks: </strong>CNN Travel's team of editors and producers are spread across three continents. Click through the gallery to find out their personal favorite travel spots from 2018 and where they hope to go in 2019:
Editor's picks: CNN Travel's team of editors and producers are spread across three continents. Click through the gallery to find out their personal favorite travel spots from 2018 and where they hope to go in 2019:
Caroline Gutman
<strong>Lilit Marcus, editor, New York City (best 2018 travel memory):</strong> Travel is about the how as much as the where. In March, I had my first ride in a helicopter. A friendly pilot from Anthelion Helicopters wove us above Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, pointing out landmarks and providing amazing photo ops such as this one.
Lilit Marcus, editor, New York City (best 2018 travel memory): Travel is about the how as much as the where. In March, I had my first ride in a helicopter. A friendly pilot from Anthelion Helicopters wove us above Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, pointing out landmarks and providing amazing photo ops such as this one.
CNN/Lilit Marcus
<strong>Lilit Marcus (travel hope for 2019)</strong>. What better way to test my Spanish than some time traveling in South America -- say Lima, Peru?
Lilit Marcus (travel hope for 2019). What better way to test my Spanish than some time traveling in South America -- say Lima, Peru?
Getty Images/Jason Langley
<strong>Maureen O'Hare, editor, London (best 2108 travel memory): </strong>This is Azerbaijan, mud volcano capital of the world, and it's the closest I'll get to a trip to Mars.
Maureen O'Hare, editor, London (best 2108 travel memory): This is Azerbaijan, mud volcano capital of the world, and it's the closest I'll get to a trip to Mars.
Maureen O'Hare/CNN
<strong>Maureen O'Hare, editor, London (travel hope for 2019)</strong>: I don't know if Costa Rica will live up to my technicolor fantasies -- green jungles teeming with sloths and monkeys and waterfalls plunging into aqua pools -- but I'd sure like to find out.
Maureen O'Hare, editor, London (travel hope for 2019): I don't know if Costa Rica will live up to my technicolor fantasies -- green jungles teeming with sloths and monkeys and waterfalls plunging into aqua pools -- but I'd sure like to find out.
Getty/Matteo Colombo
<strong>Brekke Fletcher, executive editor, New York City (best 2018 travel memory):</strong> I took my first visit to the Canadian Rockies early in 2018. In the frigid winter, I found some of the most majestic places I have ever been: Banff (pictured here) Lake Louise and Jasper, all part of Canada's tremendous national park system.
Brekke Fletcher, executive editor, New York City (best 2018 travel memory): I took my first visit to the Canadian Rockies early in 2018. In the frigid winter, I found some of the most majestic places I have ever been: Banff (pictured here) Lake Louise and Jasper, all part of Canada's tremendous national park system.
Mike Seehagel/Travel Alberta
<strong>Brekke Fletcher, executive editor, New York City (travel hope for 2019):</strong> I'm going to fulfill one of my all-time travel goals by finally going to Bali, Indonesia.
Brekke Fletcher, executive editor, New York City (travel hope for 2019): I'm going to fulfill one of my all-time travel goals by finally going to Bali, Indonesia.
Getty Images/AleksandarGeorgiev
<strong>Karla Cripps, senior producer, Bangkok (best 2018 travel memory): </strong>My top experience has to be waking up in one of the world's highest tree houses, deep in the Laos jungle, to the sounds of endangered black-crested gibbons.
Karla Cripps, senior producer, Bangkok (best 2018 travel memory): My top experience has to be waking up in one of the world's highest tree houses, deep in the Laos jungle, to the sounds of endangered black-crested gibbons.
Nou Shong/Gibbon Experience
<strong>Karla Cripps, editor, Bangkok (travel hope for 2019):</strong> More Japan! It's my favorite destination in the world. I've traveled there more than half a dozen times and It just never gets old. (Pictured: Temple lanterns in Kyoto.)
Karla Cripps, editor, Bangkok (travel hope for 2019): More Japan! It's my favorite destination in the world. I've traveled there more than half a dozen times and It just never gets old. (Pictured: Temple lanterns in Kyoto.)
Getty Images/Conceiving every picture carefully
<strong>Katia Hetter, senior producer, Atlanta (best 2018 travel memory): </strong>The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, is a deeply emotional experience. I wasn't unaware of America's legacy of lynching, but the horror has never been more evident to me.
Katia Hetter, senior producer, Atlanta (best 2018 travel memory): The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, is a deeply emotional experience. I wasn't unaware of America's legacy of lynching, but the horror has never been more evident to me.
John Rubenstahl
<strong>Katia Hetter, senior producer, Atlanta (travel hope for 2019):</strong> I want to meet friends for my birthday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, now more than ever Puerto Rico deserves our attention.
Katia Hetter, senior producer, Atlanta (travel hope for 2019): I want to meet friends for my birthday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, now more than ever Puerto Rico deserves our attention.
Creative Commons
<strong>Stacey Lastoe, senior editor, New York City (best 2018 travel memory): </strong> March isn't usually a popular time to visit Newfoundland, Canada. But that's when I went, and let me tell you, it's an excellent time to go. (Pictured: Woody Point Lighthouse.)
Stacey Lastoe, senior editor, New York City (best 2018 travel memory): March isn't usually a popular time to visit Newfoundland, Canada. But that's when I went, and let me tell you, it's an excellent time to go. (Pictured: Woody Point Lighthouse.)
Getty Images/Stephen Saks
<strong>Stacey Lastoe, senior editor, New York City (travel hope for 2019): </strong>I'll be looking south of the border for 2019. Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, is at the top of my list.
Stacey Lastoe, senior editor, New York City (travel hope for 2019): I'll be looking south of the border for 2019. Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, is at the top of my list.
Shutterstock
<strong>Barry Neild, global editor, London: </strong>A hike in Glacier National Park in northern Montana will make you wish it could go on forever. That's how gorgeous it is. (This is Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park.)
Barry Neild, global editor, London: A hike in Glacier National Park in northern Montana will make you wish it could go on forever. That's how gorgeous it is. (This is Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park.)
Pixabay/Creative Commons
<strong>Barry Neild, global editor, London: </strong>I'll be <strong>r</strong>eturning to the most beautiful place on the planet -- the English Lake District.
Barry Neild, global editor, London: I'll be returning to the most beautiful place on the planet -- the English Lake District.
Getty Images/golfer2015
<strong>Marnie Hunter, senior producer, Atlanta (best 2018 travel memory): </strong>Remote locations often make getting to coastal stunners such as Bonefish Point on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands a bit of a white-knuckle adventure -- especially in an economy-sized rental car. But it's so worth the effort.
Marnie Hunter, senior producer, Atlanta (best 2018 travel memory): Remote locations often make getting to coastal stunners such as Bonefish Point on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands a bit of a white-knuckle adventure -- especially in an economy-sized rental car. But it's so worth the effort.
Marnie Hunter/CNN
<strong>Marnie Hunter, senior producer, Atlanta (travel hope for 2019): </strong>I want to venture to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and search its vibrant streets and markets for a fresh bowl of bún chả.
Marnie Hunter, senior producer, Atlanta (travel hope for 2019): I want to venture to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and search its vibrant streets and markets for a fresh bowl of bún chả.
<strong>Francesca Street, writer and associate producer, London (best 2018 travel memory):</strong> I'm still daydreaming about Lisbon's coral-colored buildings, intricate tiled walls and amazing views, especially from Castelo de São Jorge.
Francesca Street, writer and associate producer, London (best 2018 travel memory): I'm still daydreaming about Lisbon's coral-colored buildings, intricate tiled walls and amazing views, especially from Castelo de São Jorge.
Courtesy Francesca Street/CNN
<strong>Francesca Street, writer and associate producer, London (travel hope for 2019):</strong> I can't wait to see the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and I'm also excited about chatting, laughing, singing and catching up in the car with my closest friends on our Irish road trip.
Francesca Street, writer and associate producer, London (travel hope for 2019): I can't wait to see the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, and I'm also excited about chatting, laughing, singing and catching up in the car with my closest friends on our Irish road trip.
Tourism Ireland
<strong>Forrest Brown, SEO specialist and editor, Atlanta (best 2018 travel memory): </strong>Savannah Rapids Park was about five miles and world away from my hotel in Augusta, Georgia, this past spring. This is the start of the Augusta Canal, which is filled with diverted water from the picturesque Savannah River.
Forrest Brown, SEO specialist and editor, Atlanta (best 2018 travel memory): Savannah Rapids Park was about five miles and world away from my hotel in Augusta, Georgia, this past spring. This is the start of the Augusta Canal, which is filled with diverted water from the picturesque Savannah River.
Forrest Brown/CNN
<strong>Forrest Brown, SEO specialist and editor, Atlanta (travel hope for 2019): </strong>A swamp was my playground as a boy growing up, and they still appeal to me as a place to play and romp. I'd like to explore Congaree National Park south of Columbia, South Carolina, and make full use of the boardwalks!
Forrest Brown, SEO specialist and editor, Atlanta (travel hope for 2019): A swamp was my playground as a boy growing up, and they still appeal to me as a place to play and romp. I'd like to explore Congaree National Park south of Columbia, South Carolina, and make full use of the boardwalks!
Getty Images/skiserge1
<strong>Channon Hodge, video producer, New York City (best travel memory 2018): </strong>On one blissful afternoon, I found myself totally alone for nearly an hour in one of the most crowded tourist spots in Vienna, Austria -- at the Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn.)
Channon Hodge, video producer, New York City (best travel memory 2018): On one blissful afternoon, I found myself totally alone for nearly an hour in one of the most crowded tourist spots in Vienna, Austria -- at the Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn.)
Cavan Images/Getty Images
<strong>Channon Hodge, video producer, New York City (travel hope for 2019: </strong>I'm aiming for a trip built solely around food and for that, I've got to head to China.
Channon Hodge, video producer, New York City (travel hope for 2019: I'm aiming for a trip built solely around food and for that, I've got to head to China.
Getty Images/kiszon pascal