Lonely Planet, the 53‑year‑old guidebook publisher, has released its Best in Travel 2027 list, featuring 50 destinations and experiences designed to inspire the next wave of American travelers. The list was compiled by the company’s global community of travel experts and is available online as well as in a commemorative book.
New app makes planning easier
Earlier this year Lonely Planet launched a new mobile app that works alongside its booking platform, Journeys, and its classic guidebooks. “We are about to hit 100,000 downloads in five months,” said Nitya Chambers, senior vice president of content and executive editor. “We’ve also created app‑exclusive destination content for Best in Travel.” The triple‑threat approach lets users research, book, and read about a location all in one place.
Highlights for families and faith‑focused travelers
The selections span a wide variety of interests. For families seeking a mix of education and adventure, the list includes a volunteer lighthouse‑keeping program in Newport, Rhode Island, where guests can stay overnight and help maintain historic beacons. In Malaysia, travelers can join a long‑boat journey into orangutan habitat, offering a chance to witness wildlife conservation up close.
Faith‑oriented travelers will appreciate the early Christian pilgrimage route to Lindisfarne in northeast England, a historic path that connects modern believers with centuries‑old spiritual traditions.
Nature and wilderness experiences
California’s coastal redwoods make a prominent appearance. Chambers describes them as “the tallest trees on Earth… centuries old,” noting the humbling feeling of standing among such grandeur. In Costa Rica, Monteverde’s cloud forest provides a “perspective‑changing” experience, letting visitors feel as though they are “standing above the world.”
For those craving extreme adventure, a polar plunge in Antarctica tops the list as a “giant bucket‑list” item. The continent’s stark beauty, according to Chambers, leaves visitors “cloaked in awe.”
Wildlife safaris and cultural immersion
African safaris feature prominently, with a trek through Tanzania’s Gombe National Park—famed for Jane Goodall’s pioneering chimpanzee research—and Kenya’s Tsavo East and West National Parks. Pacific island lovers can explore New Caledonia’s UNESCO‑recognized lagoons or experience Samoa’s traditional culture, known as Faʻa Sāmoa.
In Asia, Chengdu, China, offers both a world‑renowned giant panda breeding center and a celebrated culinary scene. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, receives a nod for its striking modern architecture.
European city gems
European picks include Dessau, Germany, home to the revolutionary Bauhaus design movement, and Italy’s Veneto region, where the historic cities of Verona and Padua await travelers seeking art, architecture, and authentic local cuisine.
Why travel matters
Chambers emphasizes that the list is meant to be “accessible and actionable,” with many experiences fitting into a weekend. “You want to come home slightly changed,” she says. “You want to push yourself to do something you might not have considered, and then you return a new person.”
Whether you are planning a family road trip, a faith‑based pilgrimage, or an extreme adventure, Lonely Planet’s 2027 selections aim to provide a diverse menu of options that speak to the varied desires of today’s travelers.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
