On the verge of saying goodbye to 2023, Lonely Planet has just published the now traditional Best in Travel, its particular list of travel trends for next year. This selection, which reaches its 19th edition, reveals the best destinations that, in the opinion of its extensive community of employees, collaborators from around the world, editorial partners and others, are emerging as the essential ones for 2024.
On the 50th anniversary of the prestigious guide, Best in Travel expands its recommendation to 50 proposals: the 10 best countries; top 10 cities; top 10 regions; the 10 most sustainable destinations, and the 10 destinations with the best quality-price ratio. The goal of Lonely Planet, which brings back the printed format, is to inspire travelers who want to explore the world in a more authentic way, following local advice and prioritizing the values of sustainability.
In this year's edition, the publisher highlights Spain's efforts in promoting off-season tourism and in the distribution of visitors throughout the year, in the expansion of renewable energies, and in expanding its offer with destinations that previously went unnoticed by foreigners. For this reason, it places it at the top of the list of sustainable countries in 2024. The Basque Country, for its part, appears on the list of best regions, supported by its wild and captivating beauty.
In any case, on this occasion, we have chosen to highlight the countries best rated in the Best in Travel when embarking on a future trip. This is the top ten.
Mongolia has opened up to the world after some very hard years that completely paralyzed its activity. The country, located in Central Asia, has its roots in the Mongol empire, which dominated much of the continent in the 13th century, and is known for its spectacular landscapes of large snow-capped mountains, large steppes, lakes, volcanoes and impressive deserts.
It has just over three million inhabitants - largely nomads - of whom around half live in the capital, Ulaanbaatar. Discovering its culture, its way of life, in which the Kashmir industry has historically played a prominent role in its economy, staying in a yurt, exploring its vast landscapes or tasting its cuisine are an adventure in itself. The best time to visit Mongolia is in summer, when the steppes turn deep green.
The launch of new air routes from Europe and America and the renewal of its railways make the country a more accessible and attractive destination to discover enclaves such as Delhi, Bombay, Goa or Kerala, among others. Its temples, its palaces, its landscapes, with the Himalayas as a backdrop, and delving into its culture - the differences with the Western world are abysmal - are more than enough reasons to decide to visit it.
The cities of the so-called Golden Triangle -Delhi, Agra and Jaipur- are a good way to start getting to know India, without forgetting Benares, one of the sacred cities for Hinduism. In Delhi, the new and old capital coexist, with the Red Fort, and the Pearl Mosques and the Jama Masjid, the largest in the country. In Agra, the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings on earth, is a must-see, while in the pink city of Jaipur, the Amber Fort fascinates with its wonderful architecture. The best time to visit the country is from October to April.
It is always a good time to travel to Morocco, although we recommend that you inform yourself before visiting certain areas after the earthquake that hit part of the country last September. It is a cheap, friendly, welcoming, beautiful destination and very well connected to Spain, with thousands of corners to fall in love with: from the exciting Marrakech, to the peaceful Essaouira, bathed by the Atlantic, and the incredible desert, with its anchored kasbahs. in the past, to the monumental Atlas.
You cannot miss climbing Yebel Tubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa; ride a camel through the dunes of Erg Chebbi; spend a night under the desert stars; Go bargain hunting in a Marrakech souk, or explore the blue city of Chefchaouen. The best time to travel to the country is in spring or autumn, when temperatures are milder.
Chile is a vast country - it extends over 4,720 kilometers - whose diversity is surprising. Located in the southwestern corner of the American continent, it is an amalgamation of completely contrasting landscapes and climates, ranging from the most arid desert to the cold Patagonian glaciers, passing through the high peaks of the Andes mountain range, endless meadows, large lakes. , geysers, lush forests, and extensive beaches on the Pacific Ocean.
Its capital, Santiago, is a city in constant flux, dotted with neighborhoods that surprise with their vitality; neighborhoods in which tradition and the latest trends go hand in hand with gastronomic proposals piloted by chefs who value native ingredients. We cannot forget Rapa Nui, with its sustainable tourism offer, the wine valleys, nor the rich biodiversity of Patagonia or the ancestral culture of the Mapuches, in Araucanía. Any time of the year is good to visit the country. And discovering the thousand faces of Chile depending on the area and the season is another of its great attractions.
Benin is possibly one of the least known destinations in the Best in Travel countries to visit in 2024. Located in West Africa, this former French colony - it achieved independence in 1960 - was known as Dahomey, a name it abandoned in 1975 to adopt. that of Benin, by the gulf on which it lies. A neighbor of Nigeria, it has a very remarkable history and cultural power. And it is the spiritual cradle of voodoo, which is why Ouidah, a city on the Atlantic coast, annually celebrates a great festival on the subject.
Tour the savanna and contemplate one of the best fauna in the area; Going to the surprising Ganvié, which some call the "African Venice", discovering the powerful kingdom of Dahomey, in Abomey, or going to its beaches surrounded by palm trees are more than enough attractions to undertake the trip. The best time of year to visit Benin is the dry season, between November and February.
Lonely Planet uses three arguments to make Mexico one of the most recommended countries to visit in 2024: the new Mayan train, a 1,525-kilometer circular route that will link the Caribbean beaches and the ancient Mayan ruins; the total solar eclipse on April 8, which can be seen from the beaches of Mazatlán, and a new highway that connects the city of Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido.
The truth is that they are compelling reasons that add up to a thousand and one reasons to plan a trip to a country of enormous dimensions and great diversity and natural, historical and cultural wealth. Colonial cities, paradisiacal beaches, archaeological sites, breathtaking landscapes, sun and first-class cuisine make up a destination that is practically unbeatable. January and February, cool and dry months, are especially recommended for planning a trip.
Uzbekistan is clearly a true pearl in the heart of Central Asia, despite the certain Soviet past that is felt in Tashkent, the capital. Dotted with oases in the deserts of Kyzyl Kum and Karakum and fabulous buildings in cities like Samarkand - with its dreamy madrasas mosques covered in mosaics -, Khiva or Bukhara, it has the power to enchant those who visit it.
Today it is no longer the camel caravans of the old Silk Road that transport travelers, but rather a high-speed train and an interesting offer of internal flights. In the Nuratau mountains, in the north of the country, it is possible to learn about the way of life of the shepherd communities who live under ruined fortresses, thanks to local initiatives. The best times to visit Uzbekistan are April and May, and September and October.
We will not find it in the large tourist catalogues, but this does not mean in any case that Pakistan is not an extraordinary destination. The reasons why it has remained away from the international showcase for decades have been fundamentally political. However, the reduction in tensions predicts the return of operators to the area.
Bazaars, mosques, alpine valleys and spectacular snowy passes in the heart of the Himalayas will surprise those who decide on an almost virgin destination. Lahore, the capital of Punjab or Khunjerab, the mountain pass where the Himalayas meet, once a mythical place on the Silk Road, deserve a new opportunity. The best time of year to travel to the country is from May to October.
Croatia has become a well-known destination for Spaniards since its accession to the European Union in 2013, with numerous air connections. Furthermore, the country's incorporation into the Schengen area and the Eurozone have further simplified access. With its sun-drenched coasts and spectacular beaches, its countless islands, its mountains and its historic walled cities, such as Dubrovnik, Split or Pula, it is no stranger to lists of the best destinations in the world.
However, Croatia is much more. Its interior treasures small towns and overflowing nature, with wonders such as the Plitvice National Park, a world heritage site, one of the most beautiful settings on the continent. A visit to cosmopolitan Zagreb completes a trip to remember. To savor the country in all its splendor, it is best to avoid traveling to the country during the months of July and August, when tourism literally invades every corner.
The designation of "Best honeymoon destination in the world" places Saint Lucia in the collective imagination as one of the most idyllic places on the planet. And it is not a mistake since it is a paradise island located south of Martinique with virgin beaches lined with palm trees, waterfalls and volcanic rocks.
The two twin mountains covered in jungle, named the Pitons, have become an emblem of this small Caribbean country. The Diamond Falls or its botanical garden are some of the great attractions of a place that, in recent times, is also committed to making the most authentic local culture known, also promoting its gastronomy. While it is true that any time is good to travel to the Caribbean, it is important to keep in mind that from June to November is the rainy season, so the risk of hurricanes is also greater.
