In 1973, young British couple Tony and Maureen Wheeler published a guide entitled “Across Asia on The Cheap” about travel through Asia cheaply. Little did they know that an unpretentious guide would be the basis for a worldwide travel brand called Lonely Planet.
Nearly 50 years later, the Lonely Planet travel guide empire is in full swing.
As much of the world is slowly reopening after the coronavirus pandemic, a lot of people just want to travel. The hope is that 2022 will see families reunited, loved ones catching up after long periods apart and accumulated vacations used in unique experiences.
The guide Best in Travel 2022 (“O Melhor de Viagem”, without translation in Brazil) is already on sale abroad. We’ve previewed the places they think you should have on your wish list, from the hidden gems of the desert of Oman at Belize’s clear blue waters.
“After a forced hiatus, it’s time to take long-delayed travel plans out of the drawer and make them a reality,” said Tom Hall, vice president of experience at Lonely Planet, in a statement. “The lists celebrate the world in all its wonderful and attractive variety.”
In 2021, Lonely Planet highlighted its top 10 cities, regions and countries. See the lists below.
top 10 countries
10. Egypt
O Egypt it 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 4,500-year history, we are still learning more about these architectural marvels each year.
The jewel of time: the Pyramid of Dozer, 63 meters tall, the oldest of the group, was reopened to the public only last year.
9. Malawi
With only 118 square kilometers, Malawi it can sometimes be overshadowed by its larger neighbors such as Mozambique and Tanzania.
But there are treasures available at “Africa’s Warm Heart”, all with fewer tourists to compete for space along the stunning Lake Malawi, the ninth largest lake in the world.
Malawi has many of the same attractions that its African cousins are loved for, like safaris to spot elephants, baboons, hippos and other animals in their native habitats, all for a fraction of the price.
8. Nepal
It’s almost impossible to mention Nepal without mentioning Mount Everest. But this Himalayan nation has a lot more to offer for travelers not going to climb the tallest mountain in the world.
In the remote region of Mustang (meaning ‘fertile plain’), trekkers can explore the high desert and meet locals in homestays along the way, savoring Nepali specialties like coffee with yak butter and momos, a savory dumpling served “kothey” style, half fried, half steamed.
7. Oman
Do you think Norway is the only place in the world with fjords? Because you are wrong.
In Musandam, Oman, bordering the Strait of Hormuz, the mountains reach heights of 2,000 meters to create a spectacular backdrop in narrow stretches of water between canyons.
But that’s not all Oman has to offer. On the same trip, you can also experience the “Empty Quarter”, an expanse of desert where Oman meets Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. There are four countries at once – and you don’t need to take a coat to enjoy the fjord.
6. Anguilla
Ok, Anguilla it is British overseas territory and not technically a country. That said, the beautiful Caribbean island deserves a closer look.
O Anguilla’s careful reopening plan made it the destination of choice for CNN collaborator Hannah Seligson, who traveled there with their young children in January.
She praised the island’s “blue-green sea, 33 public beaches, 26°C temperature, incredible hotels and food” as well as its responsible approach to public health in the midst of a pandemic.
5. Slovenia
Amidst the many popular destinations in Eastern Europe, the Slovenia sometimes it can get lost in the set. No more. Chris Dwyer, a CNN contributor, describes the nation as “neither Balkan, nor Mediterranean, nor alpine – Slovenia is another cocktail of the three, served with its own distinctive twist.”
Thanks to the country’s small size, visitors can cover a wide variety of terrain in a short period, from stunning Lake Bled to the bustling capital Ljubljana.
Lonely Planet isn’t the only one to notice. In 2021, the Michelin Guide awarded stars to seven restaurants in Slovenia.
4. Belize
Want to explore Mayan ruins, swim in translucent waters and see incredible wildlife? Belize has it all and more, accessible by direct flights from multiple North American cities.
If you’re waiting for Australia to open its borders, try Belize: its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is breathtaking, and US travelers don’t have to worry about the jet lag
In time: the national language of Belize is English.
3. Mauritius
The most searched topic on Google about this island paradise is “where is Mauritius?” Let’s get straight to the answer: The country is in the Indian Ocean, about 1,100 kilometers east of Madagascar.
Now that you know where it is, here are some reasons to visit this underrated African refuge, courtesy of Tony Smart of CNN: it is “inhabited by a multiracial and peaceful people, covered by great golf courses, offering a multitude of water sports, mountain hiking, hunting, bird watching, luxurious resorts, a former colonial capital, good food, hotels for three and four stars, 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 rides”.
2. Norway
Norway is consistently included in the lists of the happiest countries in the world. What is their secret? CNN asked two of the country’s royals, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit, about their theories.
Mette-Marit have an answer: “We love being outdoors, in nature. If you’re in a Norwegian home on a Sunday and you’re not going for a walk in the forest, that’s not a good sign.”
If you want to channel this peaceful energy into yourself, go to Bøkeskogen, the northernmost beech forest in the world. It is about two hours from the capital, Oslo, which makes it possible to tour the city and the country in the same day.
1. Cook Islands
A curious fact: the airline Air New Zealand only operates one flight from the United States that does not go to New Zealand. It connects Los Angeles to Rarotonga, capital of the Cook Islands and gateway to some of the most beautiful places on earth.
The group of 15 islands in the South Pacific was at the top of many Lonely Planet employees’ wish lists for 2022.
What’s over there? Water activities such as snorkeling, diving and fishing, not to mention the sight of the native Maori community in the village of Te Vara Nui.
Thinking about choosing a city or region for your next trip? Here’s a list of Lonely Planet regions and cities to see in 2022:
10 main regions
1. Westfjords, Iceland
2. West Virginia, USA
3. Xishuangbanna, China
4. Kent Heritage Coast, UK
5. Puerto Rico, USA
6. Shikoku, Japan
7. Atacama Desert, Chile
8. The Scenic Rim, Austrália
9. Vancouver Island, Canada
10. Burgundy, France
10 main 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
(Translated text. Click here to read the original in English).
Reference: CNN Brasil
