Travel: 2 Italian wonders enter the 50 destinations not to be missed in 2027 according to Lonely Planet

When we talk about Italy, the great cities of art and the most famous destinations often immediately come to mind. But the journey of the future seems to be going in another direction: fewer places to “check off” and more experiences to live slowly, coming into contact with landscapes, local communities and traditions.

This is precisely the philosophy that emerges from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 selection, which has included two Italian destinations among the recommended destinations for next year: Veneto and the Aeolian Islands. Two very different territories, united by the ability to offer a more authentic way of exploring the country.

Veneto beyond Venice

Veneto is one of the best-known Italian regions in the world, but according to Lonely Planet its charm goes far beyond the famous Venice. The idea is to overcome tourism concentrated in the lagoon and discover an area rich in different landscapes, where mountains, hills, historic cities and countryside coexist just a few kilometers away.

From the Dolomites to the Prosecco hills, from Lake Garda to Valpolicella, passing through cities such as Padua, Verona, Treviso and Vicenza, Veneto presents itself as a destination capable of encompassing many souls of Italy: nature, culture, gastronomy and local traditions.

Among the suggested experiences we also find places less obvious than the large tourist circuits: attending a show at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, traveling along the Venetian shore of Garda or stopping in Treviso to learn about the history of tiramisu. An invitation, therefore, to slow down and look at a well-known region with new eyes.

Aeolian Islands

©Marco Crupi/Shutterstock

The second Italian destination chosen by Lonely Planet takes you to the heart of the Mediterranean: the Aeolian Islands, in Sicily. In this case, not just a holiday on an island is proposed, but a true travel experience: exploring the archipelago on a sailing boat, letting yourself be guided by the wind and the rhythms of nature.

Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi become stops on an itinerary different from the classic hit-and-run tourism. The sea becomes the main road, while hidden bays, coves and small landing places invite you to experience the area more slowly.

The Aeolian Islands, born from volcanic activity and recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site since 2000, represent a perfect example of tourism linked to landscape and biodiversity.

All the Best in Travel 2027 destinations according to Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet’s selection for 2027 includes destinations in every part of the world: natural places, cultural cities, walking itineraries and experiences linked to local traditions. Among these there are also two Italian representatives: Veneto and the Aeolian Islands.

Here is the complete list of destinations included in the ranking:

1. Okinawa (Japan)
2. Antarctic Peninsula (Antarctica)
3. New Mexico (United States)
4. Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
5. Šibenik (Croatia)
6. Minnesota (United States)
7. Danang (Vietnam)
8. St Cuthbert’s Way (UK)
9. The Tweed (Australia)
10. Valle de Guadalupe (Mexico)
11. Fulidhoo (Maldives)
12. Miami Beach (United States)
13. Granada (Nicaragua)
14. Route Napoléon (France)
15. Dessau (Germany)
16. Gombe National Park (Tanzania)
17. Prince Edward Island (Canada)
18. Darjeeling (India)
19. Maryland (United States)
20. Samoa (Samoa)
21. Bariloche and the Lake District (Argentina)
22. Aegean Sea (Greece)
23. Veneto (Italy)
24. Monteverde (Costa Rica)
25. Chengdu (China)
26. Narragansett Bay (United States)
27. Dunedin and the Waitaki (New Zealand)
28. Astana (Kazakhstan)
29. Leon (Spain)
30. French Polynesia (France)
31. Bocas del Toro (Panama)
32. São Tomé and Príncipe (São Tomé and Príncipe)
33. Rabat (Morocco)
34. Alaska (United States)
35. Gujarat (India)
36. Connemara (Ireland)
37. Skanör-Falsterbo (Sweden)
38. Tōhoku (Japan)
39. Quebec (Canada)
40. Buenos Aires (Argentina)
41. Montserrat (UK)
42. Red Center (Australia)
43. California redwoods (United States)
44. Galápagos (Ecuador)
45. Oman (Oman)
46. Taiwan (Taiwan)
47. Tsavo National Park (Kenya)
48. Aeolian Islands (Italy)
49. New Caledonia (France)
50. Sarawak (Malaysia)

The new idea of ​​travel: fewer crowded destinations, more authentic experiences

The Best in Travel 2027 selection tells of an increasingly evident trend: the desire to travel differently, choosing places capable of offering profound experiences instead of simple photographs to share.

Alongside Italian destinations, places appear all over the world united by the valorization of local identities: from Quebec to Irish Connemara, from Okinawa in Japan to Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico.

For Italy, the message is clear: you don’t always need to look for distant places to experience new adventures. Sometimes it is enough to rediscover already known territories, choosing slower and more environmentally friendly itineraries.

In 2027, Veneto and the Aeolian Islands will therefore be two invitations to travel with greater awareness: between mountains, villages, sea and traditions, in search of a more authentic relationship with the places we visit.