10 travel destinations recommended by Lonely Planet

Every year Lonely Planet, famous worldwide for its travel guides, releases a list of its top travel destinations. However, the 2023 edition was slightly different from the typical list. This time, Lonely Planet split its top destination into five different categories: eat, learn, journey, unwind, and connect. Click on to read which are the 10 best travel destinations, according to Lonely Planet!

Lima is listed as the first place to visit in 2023 in the "eat" category. The capital city of Peru has earned a fantastic reputation with foodies in recent years. 

If you love ceviche, you need to try the Peruvian take on the dish; after all, the city is known for its fresh seafood. Lima is also famous for its Pisco cocktails and unique dishes that are centuries old. 

Umbria is a fantastic region in Italy to explore for foodies. Not only can you find good eats but you will also enjoy art and history too without the crowds you will find in the more well-known areas of Italy.

Umbria, which shares a border with the well-known regions of Tuscany and Lazio, is home to many culinary delights. However, if you go, you should definitely try the salumi because the art of making salumi was perfected in Norcia, Umbria. Unsurprisingly, the region boasts of having the best prosciutto, capocollo, salami, salsiccia, guanciale and pancetta!

Regarding the "journey" category, Lonely Planet has put the province of Nova Scotia in Canada at the top of its list. Placing Nova Scotia in the journey category makes perfect sense, as one can really only truly appreciate all the maritime province has to offer by travelling through the charming towns and seaside villages.

From Peggy's Cove to the Cabot Trail, the Bay of Fundy or the gorgeous town of Lunenburg, which has been declared a UNESCO World Hertiage Site, there is so much to see and do in Nova Scotia.

If you are an avid hiker and like to be the first to check out new trails, then you will want to head to Bhutan in 2023.

The Trans Bhutan Trail, a historic pilgrimage route, has been fully restored and just re-opened to the public in September 2022. The 250-mile trail offers hikers amazing scenery and the opportunity to gain a unique perspective on Bhutan.

Nope, not the Dominican Republic. Dominica, aka the Nature Island, is one of the Caribbean islands that is a little bit less well known. However, with the opening of a luxury resort in 2019, its popularity has picked up.

Dominica is home to fabulous waterfalls and pristine beaches, making it the perfect place to kick back and unwind.

If you've been slaving away in 2022 and all you want to do in 2023 is unwind, then you might want to head to Jordan. Lonely Planet has been listed at the top of its "unwind" category for 2023. 

Jordan is better known for its Petra trips, but it is also a great place to kick back and relax. You can have your cake and eat it too, enjoying the excitement of Amman but relaxing in Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. 

If you want to connect with locals and the land you are visiting, Lonely Planet recommends you check out Accra in Ghana.

From busy markets to community spaces and vibrant nightlife, Accra offers travellers a unique experience they won't soon forget.

Another top choice in Lonely Planet's "connect" category is Albania in Europe. The country is not very well known among travellers and far less touristy than its neighbouring Greece.

Albania offers historic castles, delicious food, breathtaking mountains and spectacular beaches. No matter what you fancy, chances are you can find it in Albania.

The last category in Lonely Planet's list for 2023 is "learn." Top of the list in "learn" is New Mexico, USA, which is unsurprising, seeing as New Mexico is also known as the Land of Enchantment.

Twenty-three tribes call New Mexico home, which makes the area the perfect place to learn about Indigenous art, music, and culture, all while enjoying the beauty of the Southwest.

The Central American country of El Salvador has much to offer! From hiking to surfing, there is so much to do and learn in this country!

Apart from enjoying the gorgeous beaches, you can also learn about El Salvador's struggles in recent history: from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, El Salvador suffered through civil war. You can also visit Mayan ruins such as Joya de Ceren, a pre-Columbian Mayan village.