Lonely Planet has released its anticipated “Best in Travel 2027” list, featuring 50 distinct destinations and experiences designed to inspire upcoming adventures. The recommendations, curated by the guidebook company’s global network of travel experts, span a wide variety of activities, from trekking through orangutan habitats in Malaysia to walking the historic path to Lindisfarne in northeast England.
The company, which celebrated its 53rd anniversary, has modernized its approach to trip planning this year by integrating its dedicated app with the “Journeys” booking platform and its signature guidebooks. Nitya Chambers, the company’s senior vice president of content and executive editor, noted that the app has already surpassed 100,000 downloads in just five months, with the team producing exclusive destination content specifically for this year’s collection.
Chambers explains that the list aims to offer something for every travel style, emphasizing that modern tourism is less about following a single trend and more about personal fulfillment. Whether it is diving in the Aegean Sea, kayaking in Okinawa, or enjoying the culinary scene in Taiwan or Maryland, the goal is to provide accessible, weekend-friendly trips alongside awe-inspiring, bucket-list experiences like taking a polar plunge in Antarctica.
Several locations highlight the intersection of nature and personal reflection. California’s Coastal Redwoods are noted for their ancient, magnificent scale, while Monteverde’s cloud forest in Costa Rica is cited for providing a perspective-shifting vantage point. For those interested in wildlife, the list recommends safari treks in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park—where Jane Goodall began her pioneering chimpanzee research in 1960—as well as visits to Kenya’s Tsavo East and West National Parks.
Cultural and architectural enthusiasts are encouraged to explore destinations such as Dessau, Germany, for its Bauhaus history, or the Italian cities of Verona and Padua. In the Pacific, travelers can discover the UNESCO-recognized lagoons of New Caledonia or engage with the traditional Faʻa Sāmoa culture in Samoa. Other featured spots include the panda research center and culinary hotspots in Chengdu, China, and the striking modern architecture of Astana, Kazakhstan.
Unique, hands-on experiences also take center stage in the 2027 guide. In Newport, Rhode Island, visitors can volunteer as temporary lighthouse keepers at the Rose Island Lighthouse, taking on maintenance duties. Meanwhile, broader itineraries invite travelers to enjoy wine in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, drive the Route Napoléon in France, or take the “Slow Road” in Minnesota. Additional highlights include the Swedish Riviera, Killary Fjord in Ireland, the Red Centre in Australia, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India.
Ultimately, Chambers hopes these recommendations encourage travelers to step outside their comfort zones. By choosing experiences that challenge current habits or perspectives, travelers return from their journeys feeling slightly changed. The full selection is available online and through a commemorative book, providing a comprehensive resource for those looking to expand their global footprint in the coming year. The report also notes that so explorers can for the first time adopt a triple-threat approach to their trip planning, using the app, the Lonely Planet booking plat, the 53-year-old guidebook company launched the Lonely Planet app earlier this year. The report also notes that it’s really about finding the experience that speaks to what someone wants from travel right now,” says Chambers, “You know, diving in the Aegean Sea, eating your way through Taiwan” or “eating crabs in Maryland” and “ka. The report also notes that don’t put your bikini in storage just yet. The report also notes that “I think what’s exciting to us is that there’s not just one kind of trip we’re telling people to take. The report also notes that they’re “the tallest trees on Earth.
