Expert Predictions for the Upcoming Year Feature 30 Incredible Destinations and 10 Exciting Travel Trends
Best in Travel 2025 Returns With Print Edition, Immersive Video and Photography-Led Digital Experience Presented by Saily
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Lonely Planet, the global travel authority, reveals its top destinations to visit next year with the release of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025. The 15th edition of this best-selling book features 30 must-visit destinations from around the world, and for the first time, the title includes the top 10 travel trend predictions for the year ahead. In addition to the print edition, Lonely Planet also unveils a curated collection of digital and social media content, presented in partnership with new eSIM service, Saily. Travelers can stay connected and secure while traveling with Saily, with mobile data coverage in nearly all locations on Lonely Planet’s winning list.
Lonely Planet’s team of international experts, including editors, writers and other contributors from around the world curated the 30 must-see global destinations across three categories: cities, countries and regions. Each category features 10 destinations, chosen for their topicality, unique attributes and experiences, including food, history, architecture, art, vibrant local culture and natural beauty, along with their ongoing commitment to sustainability, community and diversity.
“Best in Travel 2025 is the latest edition of Lonely Planet’s annual love letter to the world. While mindful of our responsibilities and impact as travelers, we’re proud of the destinations, journeys and experiences featured here, and we are excited to share the local expertise and insight at the heart of these recommendations,” said Nitya Chambers, Lonely Planet’s SVP, Content and Executive Editor. “Wherever you are in the world, we’re confident Best in Travel brings fresh inspiration for the year ahead.”
Known as La Ville Rose, Toulouse is named top city for its ever-expanding art scene, carefree riverside wandering and its many incontournables (unmissable things to see and do). The West African nation Cameroon tops the country list for its pristine beaches, less crowded national parks, and the variety of exciting nightlife found in its major cities. Named as the top region, Low Country and Coastal Georgia, including Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, stood out for its historical and cultural significance, striking a careful balance between acknowledging the past and embracing a better future. For passionate, off-the-beaten-path explorers, Lonely Planet recommends hiking the Jordan Trail and exploring the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Panama’s Chiriqui region.
For the 15th edition, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 provides fresh takes on new experiences in popular destinations, while also shining a light on some underappreciated locales, like Genoa, Lithuania and Switzerland’s Valais region. Pittsburgh keeps getting better, with an astoundingly refreshing food-and-drink scene and a supportive economy that draws creatives from all over, continuing the transformation of this steel town into a bustling hub of innovation and contemporary culture. In Spain, a leader in sustainable tourism practices, picturesque, Mediterranean-facing Palma de Mallorca makes the list for its off-season offerings, like a dynamic culinary scene and a highly-anticipated waterfront promenade.
Exclusive to Best in Travel 2025 is the all-new travel trends list, focused on the passion and enthusiasm driving decision-making right now. For each individual interest – like birdwatching, trains, local markets and underrated outdoor adventures – Lonely Planet names the 10 best destinations where readers can explore and experience those passions.
Available globally for purchase at shop.lonelyplanet.com, the Best in Travel 2025 hardcover book features stunning photography, local advice and insider experiences for each of the destinations on this year’s list. To accompany the print edition, travelers can check out Lonely Planet’s website and follow social media accounts to engage with interactive digital content from each of this year’s selections, including immersive video showcasing the beauty of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Genoa, Vanuatu and Armenia.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 – Complete list
CITY
COUNTRY
REGION
Toulouse, France
Cameroon
Low Country and Coastal Georgia
Pondicherry, India
Lithuania
The Terai, Nepal
Bansko, Bulgaria
Fiji
Chiriqui, Panama
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Laos
Launceston & the Tamar Valley, Australia
Genoa, Italy
Kazakhstan
Valais, Switzerland
Pittsburgh, USA
Paraguay
Giresun & Ordu, Turkiye
Osaka, Japan
Trinidad & Tobago
Bavaria, Germany
Curitiba, Brazil
Vanuatu
East Anglia, England
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Slovakia
Jordan Trail
Edmonton, Canada
Armenia
Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon, USA
Top Travel Trends for 2025
In addition to naming the 30 must-visit destinations for the upcoming year, for the first time, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 is unveiling the top ten travel trends for the year ahead. The list is accompanied by a selection of the best destinations for travelers to experience these trends in real life.
Train Hopping – From cross-continental epic voyages to slow travel branch lines, rail-based adventures are more popular than ever with contemporary travelers.Taking it Easy – Slow travel emphasizes the value of being present in the natural world, to escape from the stress and worry of an always-on digital world.Following the Music – Experience-based travel continues to resonate with music-lovers in search of iconic venues around the world.Extreme Birdwatching – Now more than ever, bird enthusiasts are planning entire vacations around viewing their favorite feathered friends.Marvelous Markets – Interest in local markets continues to soar as travelers seek sensory ways to immerse themselves in local life.What a Drag – The most spectacular drag shows in the world are celebrations of inclusivity and connection, bringing people together through artistic and human expression.Underrated Parks – Intrepid adventures are vying to find the most under-the-radar parks and reserves, reclaiming the outdoors from the masses to experience the natural world without waiting in line.Local Flavors – Eating and travel are inextricably linked, and more and more travelers are seeking out destinations where distinctive and delicious cuisine and local food culture get top-billing.Arboreal Adventures – Places known for their remarkable trees and forests are in high demand as travelers discover novel approaches to connecting with their surroundings.Best Beaches – Offering relaxation, unspoiled beauty and a connection with nature, beach vacations will always be on trend.
For more information on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025, please visit:
lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel
To purchase Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025, please visit: shop.lonelyplanet.com
Images can be downloaded for press use HERE.
ABOUT LONELY PLANET
Lonely Planet has been guiding travel for 50 years with a core belief that travel is for everyone. A trusted voice in travel guidance, Lonely Planet is part of the Red Ventures portfolio, and has been dedicated to providing actionable inspiration for every kind of traveler since 1973, Lonely Planet’s mission is to help more people from more backgrounds experience the joy of going places. Over the past 50 years, Lonely Planet has printed over 150 million guidebooks covering 221 countries as well as countless other titles showcasing the wonders of the world for travelers of all types. Lonely Planet reaches millions of travelers each year online and across social channels helping them unlock amazing experiences. Lonely Planet can be found on lonelyplanet.com, mobile, video, social media, and in 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks and more.
Join Lonely Planet online at lonelyplanet.com/newsletter as well on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
ABOUT SAILY
Saily is an affordable, user-friendly, and sustainable eSIM service that helps people to manage mobile and internet connections from anywhere in the world. Saily is available in 160+ countries and offers 24/7 instant customer support, flexible plans, and global coverage. Saily was created by the experts behind NordVPN — the advanced security and privacy app. For more information: saily.com.
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
Lonely Planet has partnered with Saily as its exclusive eSIM service, supporting travelers with greater utility and education as they plan their next trip. Many travelers still choose to connect to public Wi-Fi, which can be a security issue. Through new connectivity content narratives and Saily integrations across Lonely Planet’s digital experience, travelers will receive destination information, guidance, and an opportunity to purchase their eSIM in one seamless experience.
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PR@lonelyplanet.com
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SOURCE Lonely Planet
