With the publication of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022, the leading authority on travel has revealed the top 10 Best destinations to visit in the coming year.
Best in Travel 2022 is Lonely Planet’s 17th annual compilation of the most popular travel places and activities worldwide for the coming year. The best sustainable travel experiences are highlighted particularly in this edition to ensure that visitors have a positive influence wherever they go.
The Cook Islands, one of the world’s tiniest nations, holds a remote and proudly independent position as the top destination for travelers in 2022, followed by Mauritius and Norway.
The Westfjords in Iceland, an area of the island nation unaffected by major tourism where locals are collaborating to preserve and promote their breathtaking scenery, is Lonely Planet’s top region for 2022. Second place goes to West Virginia, USA, then Xishuangbanna, China.
first-place city With Freiburg, Germany coming in third, Taipei, Taiwan, and Auckland, New Zealand, which was honored for its thriving cultural environment that puts the spotlight on local ingenuity.
Every year, nominations are made by members of Lonely Planet’s large network of professionals, authors, bloggers, publishing partners, and other individuals. A group of tourism industry professionals then narrows the list of nominees down to just 10 nations, 10 regions, and 10 cities.
Each destination is picked for its relevance, distinctive experiences, “wow” factor, and continued dedication to sustainable tourism practices.
- Cook Islands
Fun fact: There is just one flight from the United States to New Zealand that is run by Air New Zealand. It links Los Angeles to Rarotonga, the Cook Islands’ capital and entry point to some of the world’s most stunning locations.
Many Lonely Planet employees had this collection of 15 islands on their travel bucket lists for 2022 and beyond.
What is offered? Snorkeling, diving, fishing, and visiting Te Vara Nui Village to see the local Maori population are all water-related activities.
- Norway
Norway is frequently mentioned among the nations with the happiest people in the world. What is then their secret? Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were questioned by CNN about their theories.
Mette-Marit only has one response “We enjoy spending time outdoors. It’s bad manners to stay indoors on a Sunday in a Norwegian family and not take a walk in the forest.”
The world’s most northern beech forest, Bkeskogen, is where you should go if you wish to tap into that tranquil energy for yourself. You may easily see both the city and the country on the same day because it is only around two hours from Oslo’s capital.
- Mauritius
The location of the idyllic island nation of Mauritius is the question that people Google the most. Let’s take care of that one: it is located 700 miles east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.
Now that you know where it is, CNN writer Tony Smart offers some justifications for traveling to this underappreciated vacation spot in Africa: It is “inhabited by a multiracial, peaceful people, covered in great golf courses, offering myriad water sports, mountain trekking, hunting, birdwatching, luxurious resorts, an old colonial capital, great food, three- and four-star hotels, one of the best botanical gardens in the world, good nightlife, beautiful beach bars, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world, and great sightseeing.”
- Belize
Want to tour Mayan ruins, take a dip in emerald-blue water, and see amazing wildlife? Accessible via direct flights from numerous North American locations, Belize has all of this and more.
If you’re waiting for Australia to open its borders, consider Belize instead. Its stunning Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and US visitors won’t have jet lag there.
The national language of Belize is English, which will appeal to those who are linguistically cautious.
- Slovenia
Slovenia occasionally gets overlooked among the numerous well-traveled locations in Eastern Europe. I’m done. Slovenia is “neither Balkan, Mediterranean, nor Alpine; Slovenia is more a concoction of all three, presented with its own special flavor,” says CNN writer Chris Dwyer.
Visitors may quickly travel through a variety of scenery, from the stunning Lake Bled to the vibrant city of Ljubljana, thanks to the country’s compact size.
Not just Lonely Planet is paying attention. Seven restaurants in Slovenia received stars this year from the Michelin Guide.
- Anguilla
Anguilla is officially not a country; it is a British overseas colony. Having said that, a closer examination of the lovely Caribbean island is merited.
Hannah Seligson, a CNN contributor, chose Anguilla as her destination in January when she came there with her small children because of the island’s meticulous rebuilding plan.
The island’s “aquamarine sea, 33 public beaches, 80 degree weather, beautiful hotels and food,” as well as its conscientious attitude to public health in the midst of the pandemic, were among the things she gushed about.
- Oman
Do you think there are fjords only in Norway? Think again.
Mountains that rise to 2,000 meters in height near Musandam, Oman, on the edge of the Strait of Hormuz, provide an amazing backdrop for confined stretches of water.
But Oman has more to offer than just that. You can also see “the Empty Quarter,” a vast desert area where Oman joins Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, during the same journey. You won’t need to carry a coat because that’s four different nations all at once.
- Nepal
It is practically difficult to talk about Nepal without mentioning Mount Everest. But tourists who aren’t hiking the highest mountain in the world will find this Himalayan country has a lot more to offer.
Trekkers may explore the high desert in the remote region of Mustang, which means “fertile plain,” and meet locals at homestays along the way while consuming Nepali specialties like coffee with yak butter and momos served “kothey” style, which is half-fried and half-steamed.
- Malawi
Being only 45,747 square miles in size, Malawi occasionally gets overlooked in favor of its bigger neighbors, such as Mozambique and Tanzania.
However, there are hidden gems to be found in the “Warm Heart of Africa,” all with less crowds of tourists vying for space along the gorgeous Lake Malawi, the world’s ninth largest lake.
Many of the same tourist attractions that make its African relatives so popular are also available in Malawi, including safaris where you may witness elephants, baboons, hippos, and other creatures in their natural habitats for a much lower price.
- Egypt
One of the seven wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza, are located in Egypt. However, don’t assume that “old” and “dull” are the same thing. We continue to learn more each year about these architectural wonders despite their 4,500+ year existence. One example is the 207-foot-tall Pyramid of Dozer, the oldest of the group, which was only recently reopened to the public.
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