In 1973, young British couple Tony and Maureen Wheeler published a guidebook titled “Across Asia on The Cheap.” Little did they know that a humble guide would lay the foundation for a global travel brand called Lonely Planet with recommendations of the best destinations.
Nearly 50 years later, his travel guide empire is still going strong.
With much of the world slowly reopening from the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have travel on our minds. The hope is that by 2022 families will be reunited, loved ones will catch up after being apart for long periods, and accumulated vacation time will be used for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2022” book is now on sale. We’ve got a sneak peek at the places they think you should have on your bucket list, from the hidden gems of the Oman desert to the bright blue waters of Belize.
“After an enforced pause, it’s time to take those long-delayed travel plans off the shelf and make them a reality,” Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s vice president of experience, said in a statement. “The charts celebrate the world in all its wonderfully engaging variety.”
This year, Lonely Planet highlighted 10 top cities, regions and countries. We tell you which ones are in this top of best destinations.
Number 10 is a history buff’s paradise for Egypt.
9. Malawi – Although this African country is landlocked, it is home to the ninth largest lake in the world, as well as many more beautiful landscapes.
4. Belize – There is more to Belize than the famous Great Blue Hole. Don’t miss the bean-to-bar chocolate or the Mayan ruins of Caracol.
3. Mauritius: Getting to this island paradise in the Indian Ocean can take a while, but once there you may never want to leave.
2. Norway: From the majestic fjords to Oslo’s brand new Munch Museum, this Nordic nation has something for every type of traveler.
10. Egypt
Egypt is home to the pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world.
But don’t think that “old” is synonymous with “boring”. Despite its more than 4,500 years of history, we are still learning more about these architectural wonders.
Case in point: Dozer’s 63-meter-tall pyramid, the oldest of the group, was reopened to the public last year.
9. Malawi
At just 118 square kilometers, Malawi can sometimes be dwarfed by its larger neighbors like Mozambique and Tanzania.
But there are treasures in the “warm heart of Africa,” all with fewer tourists to compete with for space along the stunning Lake Malawi, the ninth-largest lake in the world.
Malawi has many of the same attractions they love about their African cousins, like safaris where you can spot elephants, baboons, hippos, and other animals in their native habitats, all at a fraction of the price.
Although this African destination is landlocked, it is home to the ninth largest lake in the world, as well as many more beautiful landscapes.
8. Nepal
It is almost impossible to talk about Nepal without talking about Mount Everest. But this Himalayan nation has much more for travelers who aren’t climbing the world’s highest mountain.
In the remote region of Mustang (meaning “fertile plain”), trekkers can explore the desert and meet locals in homestays along the way, dining on Nepali specialties like yak butter coffee and momos served pan-style. “kothey”, half fried and half steamed.
7. Oman
Do you think Norway is the only place in the world with fjords? Think again.
In Musandam, Oman, bordering the Strait of Hormuz, mountains reach heights of 2,000 meters to create a spectacular backdrop for narrow stretches of water.
But that is not all that Oman has to offer. Within the same trip, you can also experience “the Empty Quarter,” a stretch of desert where Oman meets Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It’s four countries at once, and you won’t need to pack a coat.
Head to this Middle Eastern country for desert safaris and UNESCO-listed historic sites like Bahla Fort.
6. Eel
Okay, so Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory and technically not a country. With that said, the beautiful Caribbean island is worth a closer look.
Anguilla’s careful reopening plan made it the destination of choice for contributor Hannah Seligson, who traveled there with her young children in January.
She praised the island’s “aquamarine sea, 33 public beaches, 26 degree Celsius temperatures, amazing hotels and food” as well as its responsible approach to public health amid the pandemic.
5. Slovenia
Amid the many popular Eastern European destinations, Slovenia can sometimes get lost in the mix. But no more. contributor Chris Dwyer describes it as “neither Balkan, nor Mediterranean, nor Alpine, Slovenia is more of a cocktail of all three, served with its own distinctive twist.”
Thanks to the small size of the country, visitors can cover a wide variety of terrain in a short time, from the stunning Lake Bled to the lively capital of Ljubljana.
Lonely Planet isn’t the only one noticing. This year, the Michelin Guide awarded stars to seven restaurants in Slovenia.
4. Belize
Do you want to explore Mayan ruins, swim in electric blue waters, and see incredible wildlife? Belize has all of this and more, accessible via direct flights from various North American cities.
If you’re waiting for Australia to open its borders, try Belize instead: its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is impressive, and American travelers won’t have to worry about lag time. schedule.
Also, the cautious will appreciate that the national language of Belize is English.
3. Mauricio
The most searched on Google about the island paradise of Mauritius is “where is Mauritius?”. Let’s take care of that: It’s in the Indian Ocean, about 1,126 kilometers east of Madagascar.
Now that you know where it’s located, here are a few reasons to visit this underrated African destination, courtesy of contributor Tony Smart: “It’s inhabited by a peaceful, multiracial people, dotted with excellent golf courses, offering countless water sports, mountain trekking, hunting, bird watching, luxury resorts, an old colonial capital, excellent food, three and four star hotels, one of the best botanical gardens in the world, good nightlife, beautiful beach bars, seaside sites UNESCO World Heritage, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world and grand tourer”.
2. Norway
Norway is consistently included in the lists of the happiest countries in the world. So what is his secret?
Mette-Marit has an answer: “We love being outdoors in nature. If you’re in a Norwegian house on a Sunday and you’re not going to walk in the woods… that’s not good.”
If you want to channel that peaceful energy towards you, head to Bøkeskogen, the northernmost beech forest in the world. It’s about two hours from the capital, Oslo, so you can easily experience city and country life in the same day.
1. Cook Islands
Fun fact: Air New Zealand only operates one flight from the US that does not go to New Zealand. It connects Los Angeles with Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands and the gateway to some of the most beautiful places on the planet.
This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific was high on many Lonely Planet employees’ wish lists for 2022 and beyond.
What is offered? Water-focused activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing, not to mention a glimpse into the native Maori community at Te Vara Nui Village.
