It’s been an important year for Lonely Planet. In 1973, fifty years ago, Maureen and Tony Wheeler published – at the end of a great trip to Asia and Australia – the first guide on what to become a global brand. Now, in the last quarter of 2023, they have just published the list of travel trends for next year, Best in Travel, with a round number of proposed destinations: exactly fifty.
The annual selection Best in Travel has reached its nineteenth edition, with proposals divided into these sections: the best countries, regions, cities, destinations with the best quality-price rates,o and sustainable destinations from around the world.
Lonely Planet experts include their ideas on the great expanse of Mongolia thee Western Balkans Trans-Dynarica Cycle Route, a journey covering eight countries and mainly on-the-ground discovery of UNESCO sites, national parks,s and towns, ranked first in best regions.
As for cities, Lonely Planet suggests Nairobi and the “exciting offering of restaurants inspired by local cuisine.”
Spain topped the list for sustainable tourism, praised for “leaps and bounds to develop off-season tourism and previously overlooked destinations”. The second and last mention of Spanish in this list is the Basque Country, chosen among the best regions to travelto in 2024.
ten countries
1. Mongolia, for those looking for wide open space and adventure.
2. India is back on the tourist map with new air routes from Europe and America.
3. Morocco, tempting Lonely Planet for its “historic performance in the Football World Cup, its rise to the top of the world surfing circuit,t and its reborn music festival, Mawazine.”
4. Chile, a country of salt flats, tropical forests, volcanoes, glaciers,s and fjords spreads over 4,720 km.
5. Benin. “Sophisticated travelers head to Benin’s palm-fringed beaches and even some of the best country parks on this side of the continent.”
6. From Mexico they cited the so-called Mayan Train that will reach its final stage after various controversies and that will travel 1,554 kilometers through the states of Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo.
7. Uzbekistan, where ancient Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva evoke the era of the Silk Road. 8. Pakistan, a country valued by “the bravest adventurers.”
9. Croatia, is now part of the Schengen area and the Eurozone.
10. Saint Lucia, an island that holds the title of “Best Honeymoon Destination in the World.”
Ten cities
1. Nairobi, Kenya.
2. Paris, world stage for the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
3. Montreal, Canada.
4. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first World Heritage city in the USA.
6. Manaus, Brazil, is the largest city in the Amazon region.
7. Jakarta, Indonesia.
8. Prague, Czech Republic.
9. Izmir, Turkey.
10. Kansas City, USA, where “a very advanced and new air terminal” was inaugurated.
Ten regions
1. TransDinárica cycling route. TransDinárica is the first cycle route connecting the Western Balkans. This 80-stage itinerary will open in 2024. It is 3,364 km connecting Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosov,o and Serbia with mountains, the Adriatic Se, and countless lakes and rivers.
2. Places called Kangaroo Island in Australia.
3. Tuscany, Italy.
4. Places called Donegal in Ireland.
5. Basque Country, “cradle of Spanish haute cuisine.”
6. Southern Thailand.
7. Costa Suajili, Tanzania.
8. Montana, USA.
9. Places called Saalfelden Leogang in Austria.
10. Far north of Scotland.
Ten sustainable destinations
1. Spain.
2. Patagonia, Argentina and Chile.
3. Greenland.
4. Routes in Wales.
5. The Portuguese Way, “beyond the pilgrims’ route.”
6. Palau
7. Hokkaido, Japan.
8. Ecuador.
9. Baltic routes.
10. ‘Ecolodges’, South Africa.
Ten destinations with the best quality-price ratio
1. Midwest, USA
2. Poland.
3. Nicaragua.
4. ‘Limes’ on the Danube, Bulgaria, candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2024.
5. Places called Normandy in France.
6. Egypt.
7. Ikaria, Greece.
8. Algeria.
9. Southern Lakes and Central Otago, New Zealand.
10. Night trains, Europe
