Lonely Planet recently unveiled its 2027 Best in Travel guide, featuring 50 curated locations and activities. This new list urges travelers to find deeper meaning in their journeys while bypassing overcrowded tourist hubs.
The shift toward Skanör-Falsterbo and underrated escapes
The 2027 selections reflect a broader industry pivot toward "slow travel," an attempt to mitigate the environmental and social damage caused by overtourism in global capitals. according to the Lonely Planet report, the publication is intentionally spotlighting underrated locations to redirect the flow of visitors.. This strategy is evident in the inclusion of European regions such as Veneto in Italy, Dessau in Germany, Šibenik in Croatia, and León in Spain, as well as Rabat in Morocco.
By promoting these lesser-known spots, the guide encourages a move away from the "checklist" style of tourism that has plagued major European cities. A prime example is the highlighting of Skanör-Falsterbo in Sweden. Known as the Swedish Riviera, these twin towns offer a quieter alternative to the Mediterranean coast, focusing on colorful cottages and natural coastlines rather than high-density resorts.
St Cuthbert's Way and the 62-mile pilgrimage to Lindisfarne
A significant potrion of the 2027 list focuses on "close-to-home" adventures, with a strong emphasis on the British Isles. St Cuthbert's Way marks a milestone as the first UK-based exerience to make the list. This 62-mile historic route stretches from Melrose to Lindisfarne, guiding travelers through the Scottish Borders and Northumberland. The trail is designed to immerse visitors in moorlands and village pubs before concluding at Holy Island.
This focus on heritage and nature is echoed in the inclusion of Killary Fjord in County Galway, Ireland. As the only fjord in Ireland, Killary Fjord cuts ten miles inland toward Leenaun, offering a rugged landscape along the Wild Atlantic Way. Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, noted that the endorsement of such trails is fitting given Britain's combination of breathtaking landscapes and remarkable history.
From Rose Island Lighthouses to Alaska's 20 per cent road access
The guide also highlights diverse experiences across North America and Asia that challenge traditional sightseeing. In the United States, the report suggests unconventional stays,such as spending a night as a lighthouse keeper at Rose Island Lighthouse in Rhode Island. Other US recommendations include barhopping in Miami's South Beach and road-tripping along the north shore of Lake Superior starting from Minneapolis.
The logistical challenges of certain regions are also framed as attractions. In Alaska, for instance, the guide emphasizes flightseeing, noting that only 20 per cent of the state is accessible by road. This theme of remote exploration extends globally, with the inclusion of the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India and the scenic Route Napoléon in France, as reported by the publication.
The criteria for the global community of experts
While the list provides a wide array of options—from polar plunges in Antarctica and Galápagos cruises in Ecuador to hiking the Michinoku Trail in Japan and visiting Monteverde's cloud forest in Costa Rica—certain details remain opaque. The guide attributes these 50 selections to a "global community of experts," yet it does not specify the size, diversity, or professional credentials of this group.
It remains unclear how Lonely Planet balances the goal of reducing overtourism with the inevitable surge in visitors that follows a "Best in Travel" endorsement. Additionally, the source does not clarify if any of these destinations were selected based on emerging infrastructure developments or specific partnerships with local tourism boards beyond the general endorsement from figures like Patricia Yates.
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