[imagesource: Pete Seaward/Lonely Planet]

Vaxxed, waxed, and ready to relax somewhere other than the four walls you’ve been confined to for the worst part of the last 18 months?

Lonely Planet has you covered with their complete Best in Travel 2022 list, “a whole new set of destinations for a new year of travel.”

If travel makes you feel uneasy right no, no rush my friend, you can just keep this list as a bucket list for the future.

Although, it feels safe to assume that we are all revved up and ready to use all those stocked up vacation days and saved rands to see something other than our house plants.

Since the world is slowly opening up for recreational travel, places from the hidden gems of Egypt to the brilliant blue waters of Cook Islands are calling loud and clear.

This year, Lonely Planet picked the top 10 cities, regions, and countries. Let’s have a look-see.

Top Countries:

1. The Cook Islands

You see an image of it above, and you’ll see it below. This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific was at the top of Lonely Planet’s lists for 2022:

I am pretty sure those crystalline waters sell themselves, but just in case they don’t, there’s a whole lot of fun on offer, per CNN.

Think water-centric activities like snorkelling, diving, and fishing. Plus, there’s an opportunity to get to know the native Maori community in Te Vara Nui Village.

Lonely Planet has more:

With a strong cafe culture, a burgeoning organic and artisan food scene, and a handful of bar and clubs, Rarotonga lives confidently in the 21st century.

But beyond the island’s tourist buzz and contemporary appearance is a robust culture, firmly anchored by traditional Polynesian values and steeped in oral history.

Quite some distance away, we have the second most desirable destination:

2. Norway

Lonely Planet has put this country on the list for one simple reason: Norway is one of the most beautiful countries on earth.

CNN asked two of the country’s royals, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, for their theories on why Norway has consistently been included on lists of the world’s happiest countries:

Mette-Marit has one answer: “we love being outside in nature. If you’re in a Norwegian home on a Sunday and you don’t go for a walk in the forest … that’s not good.”

I think it also has something to do with being in a position to see the sublime Northern lights, right?

3. Mauritius

Apparently, a lot of people don’t even know where this gem is in the world, so we will deal with that aspect first.

It’s a part of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean, about 1 100 kilometres east of Madagascar.

Now that the map stuff is out of the way, this is why it is a place worth visiting, according to CNN contributor Tony Smart:

It’s “inhabited by a multi-racial, peaceful people, covered in great golf courses, offering myriad water sports, mountain trekking, hunting, birdwatching, luxurious resorts, an old colonial capital, great food, three- and four-star hotels, one of the world’s best botanical gardens, good nightlife, beautiful beach bars, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world, and great sightseeing.”

It’s already proving popular with South African expats.

4. Belize

Countries surrounded by beautiful blue water will never get old, which makes Belize the perfect country to dive into.

With its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System being so breathtaking, you can’t be disappointed.

There are also Mayan ruins and exciting wildlife to explore at this destination with one foot in the Central American jungles and the other in the Caribbean Sea.

5. Slovenia

It shouldn’t be so easy to skip over Slovenia when checking out Eastern Europe’s many popular destinations.

Well, now that it is on the map of the best places to go, Lonely Planet might not be the only one taking notice:

Chris Dwyer describes it as “neither Balkan, Mediterranean, nor Alpine, Slovenia is more a cocktail of all three, served with its own distinct twist.”

Thanks to the country’s small size, visitors can cover a wide range of terrain in a short amount of time, from breathtaking Lake Bled to the buzzy capital of Ljubljana.

Plus, the Michelin Guide handed out stars to seven restaurants in the country this year.

6. Anguilla

Even though Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory and not a country, the classic palm tree Caribbean island deserves some recognition.

With an aquamarine sea, 33 public beaches, 26-degree Celsius temperatures, amazing hotels, and food, Anguilla really is the Caribbean dream come true.

7. Oman

In a region bent on grandstanding, Oman doesn’t boast many ‘firsts’ or ‘biggests’, but:

What it does boast, with its rich heritage and embracing society, is a strong sense of identity, a pride in an ancient, frankincense-trading past and confidence in a highly educated future.

There are also some spectacular views, the best of which can be seen from the mountains reaching heights of 2 000 metres:

But that isn’t all that Oman has to offer. Within the same trip, you can also experience “the Empty Quarter,” an expanse of desert where Oman meets Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

That’s four countries all at once — and you won’t need to pack a coat.

8. Nepal 

Nepal is a trekking paradise, with Himalayan views, golden temples, charming hill villages, and jungle wildlife that makes it a top destination for 2022.

Obviously, we also have to mention the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, even though the country has so much more to offer:

In the remote region of Mustang (which means “fertile plain”), trekkers can explore the high desert and meet locals at homestays along the way, dining on Nepali specialties like coffee with yak butter and momos served “kothey” style — half fried and half steamed.

9. Malawi

Malawi, known as the “Warm Heart of Africa,” has tons of treasure to find, including all the best wildlife and Lake Malawi, the world’s ninth-largest lake:

Malawi has many of the same attractions its African cousins are beloved for, like safaris where you can watch elephants, baboons, hippos and other animals in their native habitats, all at a fraction of the price.

You’ll be swept up by the locals’ friendliness, as well as the vast geographical diversity.

10. Egypt

This North African country is not just about pyramids, sphynxes, and mummies – although, granted, that stuff is all pretty compelling.

Besides those magnificent monuments, there’s also the mighty Nile, the beguiling desert, and the lush delta, which is sure to wow any visitor.

So there you have it – the most interesting places to visit in the next year.

For more about the top regions and top cities, you can head here.

Travel safe, folks.

[sources:cnn&lonelyplanet]