Pacific region take top city and country for Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022 list

AITUTAKI - SEP 20:Tourist man drives hired motorbike on Sep 20 2013.It's one of the must popular activity in the Island but Cook Islands Driver's License is required to operate a motorized rental.

Lonely Planet’s annual Best in Travel has been released, placing our neighbours in the Pacific front and centre for 2022.

For top countries, Cook Islands has taken the cake, with the publication describing the nation as, “a diverse landscape full of adventure, interaction, and culinary delights.”

Muri Lagoon at Rarotonga, the main island in the Cook Islands (iStock/DarrenTierney)

Some other countries to come in the top ten include Anguilla, Mauritius, Belize, and Nepal.

The list covers nearly every corner of the globe, with warmer climates like Egypt making an appearance alongside winter wonderlands like Norway.

The winning top spot for Lonely Planet’s city of the year is Auckland, New Zealand. The travel guide publisher said the city “has a blossoming cultural scene, putting a fresh spotlight on exciting local creativity.”

Waitemata Harbor, Auckland (iStock/georgeclerk)

Freiburg, Germany; Atlanta, USA; Dublin, Ireland; Gyeongju, South Korea, and many other stand-out cities also made the list, no doubt earning them a spot on every discerning travellers’ bucket list for 2022.

Topping the list for the best region was Westfjords, Iceland, which was praised for its scenic spots, quaint villages, spectacular landscapes, epic history, and vast abundance of wildlife.

Isafjordur town, in the Westfjords region, Iceland (iStock/RnDmS)

Check out the entire list HERE to see the full list.


Featured image: Transportation in Aitutaki Cook Islands (iStock/chameleonseye)

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