A Photo Tour Of Lonely Planet’s ‘Top 10 Countries To Visit In 2018’


Lonely Planet loves making lists of the best places for all us weary wanderlusters to visit. As the year winds down, they publish a list of the top ten countries, cities, best value destinations, and regions in a book called ‘Best in Travel.’

This year’s list of the ten best countries caught our attention and we decided to make a snazzy visual tour to entice you out onto that open road in 2018. What can we say? We couldn’t help ourselves.

There are some gold standards of the well-worn travel trails on the list with a few interesting new corners of the globe highlighted for 2018. So, without further ado, let’s jump in…

10. SOUTH AFRICA

Shutterstock

Overall, South Africa is one of those countries that seems to have it all. It’s a vast nation of stunning and craggy beaches, misty mountain tops, and wilds full of all sorts of beasts. If getting wild in the bush or the surf isn’t your jam, then spend a week or two exploring South Africa’s premier wine country.

Don’t worry. There’ll be plenty of great food to soak up all that vino.

9. CHINA

Shutterstock

It’s hard to know what to highlight in a country as massive and varied as China. It’s geographically bigger than the United States and possesses a massive array of climates, and cultures. You can chill with the Muslims in the western reaches, with Buddhists up in Tibet, with Shaolin monks in the misty mountains … and all of that is before you even hit the coasts or the megalopolises or the insane diversity of foods found all over the country.

It’s vast, varied, and very much worth your tourist’s dollars in 2018.

8. MAURITIUS

Shutterstock

Mauritius is an island paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Green peaks jut from the azure seas to create a country that’s built around you taking some time off from the daily grind to recover. The rugged beauty of the island is worth venturing inland for a little exploration.

Just make it sure you make it back to the beach for a sunset washed down with a nice frothy cocktail. And to eat? Mauritius is more than 90% Indian and the food follows suit. Think Indian street foods in a tranquil island setting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BamOWidhzU6/

7. GEORGIA

Shutterstock

Georgia sits at the most eastern reaches of Europe where it creates a bridge into Asia. The country feels a little like stepping back into time in more ways that one. In the cities, there’s a definite feel for the extinct Sovietism of the last century. Then you get out into the country and you’re transported back into an agrarian epoch of wooly sheep, ancient wine, and monasteries that feel as old as time itself.

6. MALTA

Shutterstock

Malta is the English speaking Mediterranean getaway of your dreams. Ancient port cities rise from the sea with winding cobbled streets hiding delicious food, drink, and art. Surrounding islands offer glimpses into the ancient Roman and Greek pasts with well-preserved ruins sitting right next to sleepy fishing villages. It’s a great escape for 2018.

5. NEW ZEALAND

Shutterstock

New Zealand is the definition of over the hills and far away. It’s a whimsical place that’s hard to pin down to a singularity. You can go for the Hobbit. You can go for the mountaineering. You can go for the wine. You can go for the surfing. Or you can go just because. Whatever drives you to pick New Zealand for your 2018 travels, it’ll be worth it.

4. DJIBOUTI

Shutterstock

Djibouti is a tiny country sitting at the meeting of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. It’s a strategic choke point and, therefore, there’s a lot of the world’s navy stationed there. The influence of French colonialism is still rife with street vendors selling freshly baked baguettes out of the back of beaten up old Toyota pickups every morning. Those baguettes are then filled with delicious schwarma and then slathered in chili sauces — which make for a perfect lunch while strolling the markets, mosques, and streets of Djibouti.

View this post on Instagram

Streets of Djibouti

A post shared by Kyle Doyle (@kyledoyle) on

3. PORTUGAL

Shutterstock

Portugal is a wonderland of food, drink, architecture, nature, and art. The countryside is covered in local food that’s then shifted into the cities where it becomes the highlight of the Portuguese experience with friends and families gathering to feast, chat, and live life.

There’s a reason people have been flocking to Portugal for nearly a century now. It really is that dope.

2. SOUTH KOREA

Shutterstock

South Korea certainly is smaller than some of the countries on this list, but it still has a whole lot to offer. There are massive cosmopolises to explore with seemingly endless food, art, bars, and people. Then there’s a whole other world or mountains, temples, and rugged seasides that are worth exploring on their own. It’s kind of the best of both worlds given the proximity of the cities to nature. So, really, you can have it all in South Korea.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ9wgN_hBSQ/

1. CHILE

Shutterstock

Where to start with Chile? Maybe the shocking beauty of Patagonia? Or the vast vineyards hugging mountain slopes? Or the fun of spending a night eating and drinking your way through Santiago? Or maybe it’s taking a sailboat out to Easter Island and pondering the existence of man? Whatever it is, Chile is where you’ll find the greatest adventure in 2018 … according to Lonely Planet anyway.

View this post on Instagram

Visit Easter Island, Visit Chile.

A post shared by Visit Chile🇨🇱 (@visit_chile) on

×