Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most renowned travel guide producers, has unveiled its top 10 countries to visit in 2022 with Slovenia named in its top five. Slovenia is described as a green destination, and together with Norway are the only two European countries on the list, which is topped by the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. As they wrote in the travel guide, Slovenia is a mixture of the Balkans, Mediterranean and Alps and offers travelers numerous possibilities of active experiences. Lonely Planet also placed great emphasis on culinary experiences, which Slovenia offers to both local and foreign visitors.

Lonely Planet has again selected ten travel destinations for the year ahead. Among them is Slovenia, the hidden pearl of Central Europe. (photo: Jure Korber and Tjasa Borsnak)

Lonely Planet, which has been providing inspiring and trustworthy information for travellers since 1973, published its annual Best in Travel list on Thursday, October 28th. This highly anticipated list shares Lonely Planet’s expertise on the most desirable destinations and travel experiences for the next year 2022.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list takes into consideration dozens of recommended destinations from all around the world, from which a shortlist is then selected by the guide’s panel of 5 travel experts and enthusiasts. In the 2022 edition, the top 10 counties are each chosen for their topicality and readiness to welcome visitors in the year ahead, their offering of unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor and additionally their commitment to sustainable practices in tourism. This edition places particular emphasis on the best sustainable travel experiences and reveals how tourists can have a positive impact on the world by providing practical advice on sustainable travel choices and informing readers how they can support local communities and celebrate inclusivity.

According to Lonely Planet’s Vice President of Experience, Tom Hall, the release of Lonely Planet’s annual “hot list” of destinations and travel experiences could not be more timely. “After an enforced hiatus, it’s time to take those long-postponed travel plans off the shelf and make them a reality.” Hall also asserted: “The lists celebrate the world in all its wonderful enticing variety, from the lagoons and forests of the Cook Islands to the waterfalls and mountains of Iceland’s Westfjords, via Auckland’s natural and urban delights.”

The Top 10 Countries category was one of four categories in the list which also included Top 10 Regions, Top 10 Cities and Top 10 Best Value Destinations.

The complete list of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Countries to visit in 2022 includes Cook Islands, Norway, Mauritius, Belize, Slovenia, Anguilla, Oman, Nepal, Malawi and Egypt.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 book is now on sale.

With a thriving culinary scene, range of outdoor pursuits and highly regarded green credentials, Slovenia has been named 5th in the top 10 countries to visit in 2022, according to world-leading travel publisher Lonely Planet. (photo: Jacob Riglin, Beautiful Destinations, Slovenia.info)