Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2020

Lord Howe Island Lauded in Lonely Planet's Best for 2020

Global travel authority Lonely Planet has chosen Lord Howe Island as one of the world's Top 10 Regions for next year in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2020.

Best in Travel 2020 is Lonely Planet's 15th annual collection of the world's hottest destinations and journeys for the year ahead. The best-selling, inspirational travel yearbook highlights the top 10 countries, cities, regions, and best-value destinations that Lonely Planet's experts recommend for 2020. This edition places particular emphasis on sustainable travel experiences" ensuring travellers will have a positive impact wherever they choose to go.

Lord Howe Island is ranked fifth on the book's list of Top 10 Regions 2020.

"Parked in the middle of nowhere 600km off the Australian coast, this visually stunning island makes an instant impact on the senses with its jaw-dropping World Heritage–listed beauty," writes Lonely Planet. "Two soaring green mountains overlook a perfect lagoon and the world's southernmost coral reef; perfect crescents of beach and splendid hiking trails through the lush forest add to brilliant outdoors possibilities."

"This onetime volcano's isolation makes it a refuge for many endemic species, as well as plentiful birdlife," Lonely Planet says. "The island is a shining example of sustainably managed tourism; only 400 visitors are allowed at any time, and you are encouraged to participate in a series of ecological projects. Lord Howe's remoteness and manageable size make it an idyllic escape."

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Regions 2020 are:
1. Central Asian Silk Road
2. Le Marche, Italy
3. Tōhoku, Japan
4. Maine, USA
5. Lord Howe Island, Australia
6. Guizhou Province, China
7. Cadiz Province, Spain
8. Northeast Argentina
9. Kvarner Gulf, Croatia
10. Brazilian Amazon

Australia is also represented on a number of the book's other top lists for 2020, including:

Best New Openings
8) Great Southern Train Journey, Adelaide–Brisbane
"One of the latest luxury routes that prove rail travel will never die as long as people enjoy a day's leisurely journey through beautiful landscapes and a night of being gently rocked to sleep in their own private carriage, the Great Southern will run three- and four-day routes between Adelaide and Brisbane, offering opportunities to stop at national parks, beaches and cities, with a luxurious cabin and gourmet food options to enjoy onboard."

Best New Places to Stay
5) Mount Mulligan Lodge, Queensland
"Embrace the Australian outback and Mt Mulligan (Ngarrabullgan), an 18km-long flat-topped monolith, at this lodge in the northern reaches of Queensland. Built on a working cattle station by the Morris family, Mount Mulligan Lodge has used the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework and also endeavours to protect and restore the surrounding environment."

Best New Food Experiences
8) Di Stasio Città, Melbourne
"Open since February 2019, this long-awaited venue from an Australian restaurant stalwart has more than met the sentimental hype. 'Ronnie' Di Stasio pioneered his first restaurant, Rosati, thirty years ago and now he's back in a beautiful Brutalist building, with video installations by Australian artists and the city's best pasta."

Best Sustainable Trips for Families
9) Tasmania
"Tasmania is a magical place for families. From treetop walks to messing about in boats, and from frolicking on the sand to the family-friendly 'Discovery Ranger' activities available in the national parks, there's plenty to keep everyone happy; and the beauty of it is distances are small. There's also a strong ethos of using locally sourced (and delicious!) produce and a long-term sustainable approach to wildlife conservation and wilderness protection."

Each year, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel lists start with nominations from Lonely Planet's vast community of staff, writers, bloggers, publishing partners and more. The nominations are then whittled down by our panel of travel experts, who shortlist in line with criteria such its topicality, unique experiences and 'wow' factor.

Other Best in Travel 2020 highlights include:
· The Top 10 Countries to visit in 2020: Bhutan, England, North Macedonia, Aruba, eSwatini, Costa Rica, The Netherlands, Liberia, Morocco, and Uruguay
· The Top 10 Cities to visit in 2020: Salzburg, Austria; Washington, DC, USA; Cairo, Egypt; Galway, Ireland; Bonn, Germany; La Paz, Bolivia; Kochi, India; Vancouver, Canada; Dubai, UAE; and Denver, USA
· Top 10 Best Value Destinations to visit in 2020: East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia; Budapest, Hungary; Madhya Pradesh, India; Buffalo, USA; Azerbaijan; Serbia; Tunisia; Cape Winelands, South Africa; Athens, Greece; and Zanzibar, Tanzania.


Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2020
Lonely Planet
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