(CNN) – In 1973 the young British couple Tony and Maureen Wheeler published a travel guide entitled “Across Asia on The Cheap”. Little did they know that a humble travel guide would lay the foundation for a global travel brand called Lonely Planet.
Almost 50 years later, their travel guide empire Lonely Planet is still chugging around.
With much of the world slowly reopening after the coronavirus pandemic, travel is a priority for so many of us. The hope is that families will be reunited in 2022, loved ones will be caught up after a long separation and hoarded vacation time will be used for unique experiences.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 book is now available. We’ve got a sneak peek at the places you think should be on your bucket list, from the hidden gems of the Oman Desert to the brilliant blue waters of Belize.
“After a forced hiatus, it is time to take these long-postponed travel plans off the shelf and start realizing,” said Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s VP of Experience, in a statement. “The lists celebrate the world in all of its wonderful, enticing variety.”
This year, Lonely Planet highlighted its top 10 cities, regions and countries – see the lists below.
Top 10 countries
10. Egypt
Egypt is home to the Giza pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the world.
But don’t think that “old” means “boring”. Despite their 4,500 year history, we learn more about these architectural marvels every year.
Case in point: Dozer’s 207-foot-tall pyramid, the oldest of the group, only reopened to the public last year.
9. Malawi
At only 45,747 square miles, Malawi can sometimes be overshadowed by its larger neighbors like Mozambique and Tanzania.
But there are treasures in the Warm Heart of Africa, all with fewer tourists competing for space along breathtaking Lake Malawi, the ninth largest lake in the world.
Malawi has many of the same attractions that its African cousins are loved for, such as safaris where you can spot elephants, baboons, hippos, and other animals in their natural habitat for a fraction of the price.
8. Nepal
It is almost impossible to talk about Nepal without talking about Mount Everest. But this Himalayan nation has so much more to offer to travelers who don’t climb the world’s tallest mountain.
In the remote region of Mustang (which means “fertile plains”), hikers can explore the high desert and along the way meet locals at host families to eat Nepalese specialties such as coffee with yak butter and momos in “kothey” style – 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, 2,000 meter high mountains form a spectacular backdrop for narrow waters.
But that’s not all Oman has to offer. On the same trip, you can also experience the “Empty Quarter”, a vast expanse of desert where Oman meets Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. That’s four countries at once – and you don’t have to pack a coat.
6. Anguilla
Okay, so Anguilla is a UK overseas territory and technically not a country. The beautiful Caribbean island deserves a closer look, however.
Anguilla’s careful reopening plan made it the target of choice for CNN contributor Hannah Seligson, who traveled there with her young children in January.
She raved about the “aquamarine blue sea of the island, 33 public beaches, 80-degree temperatures, fantastic hotels and food” as well as about her responsible approach to public health in the midst of the pandemic.
5. Slovenia
In the midst of the many popular travel destinations in Eastern Europe, Slovenia can sometimes get lost in a mess. No longer. CNN contributor Chris Dwyer describes it as “neither the Balkans, the Mediterranean nor the Alps, Slovenia is more of a cocktail of all three, served with its own twist.”
Thanks to the small size of the country, visitors can quickly explore a wide range of terrain, from the breathtaking Lake Bled to the lively capital of Ljubljana.
Lonely Planet isn’t the only one noticing this. This year the Michelin Guide awarded seven restaurants in Slovenia with stars.
4. Belize
Would you like to explore Mayan ruins, swim in sparkling blue water and observe incredible wildlife? Belize has all of this and more, and is accessible via direct flights from several North American cities.
If you’re waiting for Australia to open its borders, try Belize instead: the UNESCO-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is breathtaking and US travelers don’t have to worry about jet lag.
Meanwhile, the language wary will appreciate that Belize’s national language is English.
3. Mauritius
The most Googled topic about the island paradise Mauritius is “Where is Mauritius?” Let’s deal with this: it’s in the Indian Ocean, about 700 miles east of Madagascar.
Now that you know where it is, here are some reasons to visit this underrated African destination, courtesy of CNN contributor Tony Smart: It’s inhabited by peaceful people of different races, with great golf courses that are countless Offer water sports and mountain walks, hunting, bird watching, luxury resorts, an old colonial capital, good food, three and four star hotels, one of the best botanical gardens in the world, good night life, beautiful beach bars, UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the oldest horse races Footprints in the world and great sights. “
2. Norway
Norway is regularly included in the list of the happiest countries in the world. So what’s your secret? CNN asked two of the country’s royals, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, about their theories.
Mette-Marit has an answer: “We love being outside in nature. If you are in a Norwegian house on a Sunday and you are not walking in the woods … that is no good.”
If you want to channel this peaceful energy for yourself, visit Bøkeskogen, the world’s northernmost beech forest. It’s about two hours from the capital, Oslo, so you can easily experience the city and the country in one day.
1. Cook Islands
Good to know: Air New Zealand only operates one flight from the USA that does not go to New Zealand. It connects Los Angeles with Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands and gateway to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific was high on the wish list of many Lonely Planet employees for 2022 and beyond.
What is on offer? Water sports activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing, not to mention a look at the native Maori community in Te Vara Nui village.
Are you considering choosing a city or region for your next trip? Here are the rest of Lonely Planet’s 2022 picks.
Top 10 regions
1. Westfjords, Iceland
2. West Virginia, USA
3. Xishuangbanna, China
4. Kent’s Heritage Coast, UK
5. Puerto Rico, USA
6. Shikoku, Japan
7. Atacama Desert, Chile
8. The Scenic Rim, Australia
9. Vancouver Island, Canada
10. Burgundy, France
Top 10 cities
1. Auckland, New Zealand
2. Taipei, Taiwan
3. Freiburg, Germany
4. Atlanta, USA
5. Lagos, Nigeria
6. Nicosia / Lefkosia, Cyprus
7. Dublin, Ireland
8. Merida, Mexico
9. Florence, Italy
10. Gyeongju, South Korea
This story was first published on CNN.com, “Lonely Planet names the best travel destinations for 2022”
