Punctual like clockwork, this year too Lonely Planet has published its highly anticipated Best in Travel 2026, the guide that every traveler is waiting for to understand where to go, what to discover and which destinations really deserve a place on the wish list. The 2026 edition collects 50 travel proposals divided into two large sections: 25 “unmissable” places – which can be countries, cities or regions – and 25 experiences, i.e. adventures, activities or new ways of experiencing the trip. Not just the Wherebut above all the as.
The basic idea remains the one that has made it famous for years Lonely Planet: travel as an authentic experience, far from clichés and mass tourism. This new edition focuses on less predictable destinations, on places that still retain their original charm, promoting more sustainable, aware and curious tourism.
A new way to travel
What distinguishes Best in Travel 2026 from other guides is precisely the ability to suggest real trips, based on direct experiences. Who writes for Lonely Planet he really goes places, and this is perceived in the description of the places, in the details, in the always concrete approach. This is not a list of trendy destinations, but an invitation to look at the world from another perspective.
Today the guide covers over 200 countries, with impressive research work that also touches remote and often forgotten areas. It is this human and curious approach that has made it Lonely Planet a global point of reference for those who love to travel with a backpack full of desire to discover, not just take photos.
Italy present with Sardinia
In the 2026 selection there is also a piece of Italy: Sardinia. It couldn’t be missing, of course, but the motivation is not obvious. Lonely Planet it didn’t stop at the postcard beaches: the guide highlights the Sardinian language, the archaeological heritage of the nuraghi and the strong cultural identity of the island. An award that rewards Sardinia not only for its natural beauty, but also for the depth of its history and traditions.
The ten leading countries of 2026
Among the 25 places selected, ten stood out as true symbols of the new way of travelling.
Botswana opens the list with its sustainable safaris and the pristine landscapes of the Okavango Delta, demonstrating that luxury can coexist with respect for nature.
Peru remains one of the most fascinating destinations in South America, not only for Machu Picchu but for its Andean communities and the extraordinary gastronomic culture that has made it famous throughout the world.
Tunisia is returning to international tourism by focusing on the perfect mix between the Mediterranean and the desert, between antiquity and modernity.
Finland, on the other hand, conquers with its uncontaminated nature and sustainable life model, while Vietnam, with the town of Quy Nhon, surprises those looking for authenticity away from the most popular tourist routes.
British Columbia represents the greenest face of Canada, a region of forests, oceans and great spaces. Colombia, with Cartagena, is the symbol of the South American cultural rebirth: colours, music and a contagious energy.
On the other side of the world, Thailand with Phuket presents itself in a new, more authentic and less commercial guise.
Australia, with the Ikara – Flinders Ranges area, tells the story of the power of its red earth and the still-living aboriginal cultures, while the United States, with Maine and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, invites us to rediscover the truest and least obvious American nature.
All the places of the Best in Travel 2026
- Botswana
- Peru
- Jeju-do (South Korea)
- Ikara – Flinders Ranges & Outback (Australia)
- Cadiz (Spain)
- Liberdade, São Paulo (Brazil)
- Sardinia (Italy)
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park (USA)
- Reunion
- Tunisia
- Barbados
- Solomon Islands
- Maine (USA)
- Mexico City (Mexico)
- Tipperary (Ireland)
- Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala
- Jaffna (Sri Lanka)
- Phuket (Thailand)
- Utrecht (Netherlands)
- Cartagena (Colombia)
- Finland
- Quy Nhon (Vietnam)
- British Columbia (Canada)
- Siem Reap (Cambodia)
- North Island (New Zealand)
An invitation to travel differently
The philosophy of Best in Travel 2026 it’s simple but powerful: travel mindfully. It doesn’t matter how many stamps you have in your passport, but how many real experiences you’ve had.
It is an invitation to slow down, to learn, to listen. And perhaps, reading these pages, a question arises spontaneously: How many of these wonders have you already seen with your own eyes?
