The end of the year is nigh (we know, we’re shocked too) but excitingly, it means now is a good time to start thinking about all the trips you want to take next year. To help you decide where to go, Lonely Planet has just dropped its annual hotlist of recommendations.
This year, the publication’s ‘best in travel’ roundup includes 10 cities, 10 regions and 10 countries that it thinks should be on your radar. Some are already-popular destinations offering something different, while others are totally off-grid.
Topping the cities list, it’s Toulouse, France’s fourth-largest city. According to Lonely Planet, the Occitanie city is often referred to as miniature Paris, with pretty river views, cleverly repurposed industrial spaces and, of course, art galleries. Tempted to visit? Here are our favourite Airbnbs in the city.
The best country to visit next year, according to Lonely Planet? It’s Cameroon, which celebrated its 65th anniversary of independence in 2025. And the country’s turn in the travel spotlight is long-overdue – think untouched beaches, dance-filled cities and incredible wildlife.
Lastly, the Lowcountry in South Carolina and Georgia tops Lonely Planet’s list of regions. It spans from the hills of the Piedmont to the salt marshes and sand dunes along the Atlantic coast, but apparently also brags one of the USA’s most enticing food scenes, particularly in cities like Charleston and Savannah.
The 10 best cities for 2025
- Toulouse, France
- Pondicherry, India
- Bansko, Bulgaria
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Genoa, Italy
- Pittsburgh, USA
- Osaka, Japan
- Curitiba, Brazil
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Edmonton, Canada
The 10 best countries for 2025
- Cameroon
- Lithuania
- Fiji
- Laos
- Kazakhstan
- Paraguay
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Vanuatu
- Slovakia
- Armenia
The 10 best regions for 2025
- South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia, USA
- The Terai, Nepal
- Chiriqui, Panama
- Launceston & the Tamar Valley, Australia
- Valais, Switzerland
- Giresun & Ordu, Turkiye
- Bavaria, Germany
- East Anglia, England
- Jordan Trail
- Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon, USA
For more travel inspiration for 2025, have a look at all the destinations that National Geographic is recommending for the year ahead.
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