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<strong>Lonely Planet -- Best in Travel 2024: </strong>Lonely Planet has revealed its top places to visit in the year ahead. Mongolia -- its Blue River Valley is pictured -- is a choice country on the new list. <br />

Lonely Planet -- Best in Travel 2024: Lonely Planet has revealed its top places to visit in the year ahead. Mongolia -- its Blue River Valley is pictured -- is a choice country on the new list.

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<strong>Morocco:</strong> The list is divided into five categories with 10 picks in each. Morocco is one of the 10 countries to make the grade. Bab Bou Jeloud gate in Fez is pictured.

Morocco: The list is divided into five categories with 10 picks in each. Morocco is one of the 10 countries to make the grade. Bab Bou Jeloud gate in Fez is pictured.

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<strong>India: </strong>Gadisar Lake, pictured here at sunrise, is an artificial lake in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

India: Gadisar Lake, pictured here at sunrise, is an artificial lake in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Roop_Dey/iStockphoto/Getty Images

<strong>Chile: </strong>The port city of Valparaíso is known for its colorful cliffside homes. <br />

Chile: The port city of Valparaíso is known for its colorful cliffside homes.

pierivb/iStockphoto/Getty Images

<strong>Tuscany, Italy: </strong>San Gimignano is a walled medieval city in Tuscany, one of 10 regional picks on Lonely Planet's list.

Tuscany, Italy: San Gimignano is a walled medieval city in Tuscany, one of 10 regional picks on Lonely Planet's list.

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<strong>Trans Dinarica cycling route: </strong>This new cycling route opening in 2024 passes through several countries in the Western Balkans, including Macedonia.

Trans Dinarica cycling route: This new cycling route opening in 2024 passes through several countries in the Western Balkans, including Macedonia.

Ilan Shacham/Moment RF/Getty Images

<strong>Kangaroo Island, South Australia:</strong> Flinders Chase National Park is one of the major attractions on Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia: Flinders Chase National Park is one of the major attractions on Kangaroo Island.

Holger Leue/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images

<strong>Donegal, Ireland:</strong> Slieve League is an oceanfront mountain in Ireland's most northwestern county.

Donegal, Ireland: Slieve League is an oceanfront mountain in Ireland's most northwestern county.

Artur Kosmatka/iStockphoto/Getty Images

<strong>Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: </strong>The bridge Stari Most is one of the top sights in Mostar.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: The bridge Stari Most is one of the top sights in Mostar.

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<strong>Nairobi, Kenya: </strong>The Kenyan capital is one of 10 cities highlighted by Lonely Planet for 2024. Uhuru Park is pictured. <br />

Nairobi, Kenya: The Kenyan capital is one of 10 cities highlighted by Lonely Planet for 2024. Uhuru Park is pictured.

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<strong>Paris, France: </strong>Next year is a big year for Paris, as it will be hosting the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Paris, France: Next year is a big year for Paris, as it will be hosting the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

Eva-Katalin/E+/Getty Images

<strong>Montreal, Canada: </strong>Quebec's biggest city is a great place to see some autumnal colors.

Montreal, Canada: Quebec's biggest city is a great place to see some autumnal colors.

Mlenny/E+/Getty Images

<strong>Spain: </strong>Valencia is one of Spain's fast-rising tourist destinations, as visitors look beyond Barcelona and Madrid for their city trips. <br />

Spain: Valencia is one of Spain's fast-rising tourist destinations, as visitors look beyond Barcelona and Madrid for their city trips.

Kevin Foy/Alamy Stock Photo

<strong>Greenland: </strong>Two Humpback whales swim among icebergs in the Arctic ocean, in Ilulissat, Greenland.

Greenland: Two Humpback whales swim among icebergs in the Arctic ocean, in Ilulissat, Greenland.

Monica Bertolazzi/Moment RF/Getty Images

<strong>Wales' trails: </strong>The Pembrokeshire coastal path is pictured. Wales' trails are one of Lonely Planet's top sustainability picks. <br />

Wales' trails: The Pembrokeshire coastal path is pictured. Wales' trails are one of Lonely Planet's top sustainability picks.

Michael Roberts/Moment RF/Getty Images

<strong>Patagonia, Argentina and Chile: </strong>Three guanacos in the spectacular Torres del Paine national park in Patagonia.

Patagonia, Argentina and Chile: Three guanacos in the spectacular Torres del Paine national park in Patagonia.

encrier/iStockphoto/Getty Images

<strong>Nicaragua: </strong>Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, is filled with Spanish colonial architecture. <br />

Nicaragua: Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, is filled with Spanish colonial architecture.

Nicolas De Corte/Alamy Stock Photo

<strong>Danube Limes, Bulgaria: </strong>Baba Vida is a medieval castle in Vidin, northwest Bulgaria.

Danube Limes, Bulgaria: Baba Vida is a medieval castle in Vidin, northwest Bulgaria.

ollirg/Alamy Stock Photo

<strong>The Midwest, USA:</strong> Midwestern cities such as Detroit are buzzing with cultural activities and great food. <br />

The Midwest, USA: Midwestern cities such as Detroit are buzzing with cultural activities and great food.

Leonid Andronov/iStockphoto/Getty Images

<strong>Poland: </strong>St Mary's Basilica is one of the highlights of a trip to Krakow, Poland.

Poland: St Mary's Basilica is one of the highlights of a trip to Krakow, Poland.

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Lonely Planet's travel picks for 2024

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CNN —

Get your wishlist fired up, Lonely Planet just revealed its 50 top travel destinations for the year ahead.

The travel publishing empire turns 50 this year, and its bumper Best in Travel 2024 list is expanded across five categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations and best-value locations.

The No.1 country is Mongolia, chosen by Lonely Planet for its “wide-open spaces, adventure activities, and distinctive culinary and musical culture.” This is the world’s most sparsely populated country and the Mongolian government is ready to start filling it up a little. This year it declared 2023 through 2025 the “Years to Visit Mongolia,” easing entry conditions for international travelers and improving infrastructure, not least with a new $650 million airport.

Other countries to make the 10 top picks include popular favorites such as Mexico, Croatia and St. Lucia, as well as lesser visited spots such as Benin and Uzbekistan.

City destinations

The top city on Lonely Planet list is Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, which the travel giant loves for its “unique rhythms, impressive array of locally inspired restaurants, and steady rotation of arts and culture venues.” We love it also for Nairobi National Park, just a short drive out of the city’s central business district, where you can see more than 400 species roaming the open grass plains while skyscrapers twinkle on the skyline.

Paris, host of the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, is also on the list, as is Prague, another European capital which is no stranger to tourist crowds. Lonely Planet says the Covid-19 lockdown has allowed the Czech capital to “hit the reset button” and to promote “slow tourism and attractions away from the city center.”

Sustainability

Patagonia, including Torres del Paine national park, is one of Lonely Planet's picks for 2024.

encrier/iStockphoto/Getty Images

The top sustainable travel destination for 2024 is Spain, because of the country’s efforts to expand renewable energy, to boost off-season travel and to bring tourism to emerging destinations, such as the port city of Valencia, thereby easing pressures on hot spots such as Barcelona.

The “wild beauty” of South Africa also gets a nod, with Lonely Planet recommending visitors check out the country’s “impressive crop of ecolodges” committed to protecting Earth’s biodiversity. We also love Babanango, South Africa’s big new game park which is transforming the KwaZulu Natal region into a wildlife wonderland.

Easy on the bank balance

The best-value category will be of particular interest to many in these wallet-pinching times. The underrated American Midwest is the top tip here: in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, “you’ll find old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco design hotels and many Michelin-starred restaurants,” says Lonely Planet.

The publisher also recommends Algeria as an under-explored corner of Northern Africa. Pointing out that it’s a three-hour flight or less from much of Europe, Lonely Planet says visitors will find “well-preserved Roman sites and fine historic cities” and “an affordable, crowd-free experience.”

Regional destinations

When it comes to regional picks, the Western Balkans’ upcoming Trans Dinarica cycling route is a top choice by Lonely Planet. Opening next year, the 3,364-kilometer (2,090-mile) trail passes through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia, taking in mountain ranges and the Adriatic Sea along the way.

Donegal, Ireland’s most northwestern county, has the country’s longest coastline and more than 100 beaches – and the chances are good that a visitor might get one all to themselves. Says Lonely Planet, “Here you’ll find the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails.”