(By Cinzia Conte) For Fabrizio De Andre, Genoa was “like his mother. This is where I learned to live.” For Giorgio Caproni it was the city of the soul, “the breeze and the rising light.” Petrarch defines it as “a royal city leaning on an Alpine hill / Splendid for men and walls / And whose appearance alone indicates that it is mistress of the sea.” And now even the experts at Lonely Planet recognize its indisputable charm, crowning it as the only Italian destination among the traditional Best Travel Destinations 2025 lists 30 amazing destinations between countries, cities and regions, ready to inspire travel in the coming year.
“The best in travel – declares Angelo Pietro, Director of Lonely Planet Italia – brings together the best destinations to inspire travelers to explore the world in a more informed way and expand the range of possible destinations to discover in the near future, whether exotic places or from people closer to home like Genoa, a city that knows how Blending history and innovation, it is ideal for travelers looking for an authentic and meaningful experience.”
According to Lonely Planet, which has been publishing its travel guides for 50 years and is now translated into 11 languages, Superba is alluring “thanks to its historic charm, delicious cuisine and an electric future that brings new sustainable transportation.”
In 2025, the countries not to miss are Cameroon, voted most for “pristine beaches, sparse national parks and exciting urban nightlife”, then Lithuania, Fiji, Laos, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Slovakia and Italy. Armenia. Among the cities, in addition to the Ligurian capital, there is Toulouse, voted most for its “rapidly expanding art scene and walking along the Garonne River”, then Puducherry in India, Bansko in Bulgaria, Chiang Mai in Thailand, Pittsburgh in the USA, Osaka in Japan, Curitiba in Brazil, and Palma. Spanish, Edmonton, Canada.
Among the regions stand out are the Lowcountry of South Carolina and the Georgia coast, rated highly for its “warm atmosphere and lively culinary scene in the region, as well as the recently reopened African American Museum,” then Terai (Nepal), Chiriqui (Panama), and Launceston. The Tamar Valley (Australia), the Swiss Cantons of Valais, Giresun and Ordu (Turkey), German Bavaria, East Anglia (England), the Jordan Trail (Jordan) and Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. (USA).
In addition to 'Where to go', 'Best in Travel 2025' also talks about 'What to do', in the chapter dedicated to the trends that inspire travel which also include train travel, take it easy, music, bird watching and unusual markets. Drag shows on stage, smaller crowds in the park, local flavors and adventures among the trees.
Each destination was selected based on its “wow factor,” unique cultural experiences and commitment to sustainability, community and diversity. According to Nitya Chambers, senior vice president and chief content officer at Lonely Planet, “The guide is a celebration of the world in all its beauty and diversity. We're proud to share with our readers the extraordinary destinations and experiences we've discovered on the ground.”
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