North York Central Library Blog

If you'd like to jump start your travel plans and are looking for recommendations from the experts, you may want to take a look at Lonely Planet's  "Best in Travel 2016." 

Every year, Lonely Planet lists their top travel recommendations in a number of categories. "Best in Travel highlights not the places travelers are headed to next year, but the places our team determined they should visit,” says Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s Editorial Director in a released statement. 

Top Country: Botswana

Number 1 on the list is Botswana. According to Lonely Planet, "Botswana is so full of life-changing experiences it would be easier to list the things that aren’t remarkable." Located in Southern Africa, Botswana is known for its expansive wilderness, breathtaking landscapes and magnificent wildlife and is one of the best safari locations in Africa. Botswana is a stable democracy with a growing economy and established tourist industry. Also on the list of top countries to visit are Japan (#2), Latvia (#5), Uruguay (#8) and Greenland (#9). 

Top Region: Transylvania, Romania

Topping the list of top regions to visit in 2016 is Transylvania, Romania. Chosen for its edgy art galleries, scenic Carpathian Mountains and abundant wildlife, Transylvania has many opportunities for skiing, wildlife watching and exploring medieval towns. Dracula enthusiasts will want to visit Sighişoara, the birthplace of  the historical Vlad Dracul. Also on the list are West Iceland (#2), Waiheke Island, New Zealand (#5) and Costa Verde, Brazil (#9)

Top City: Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor, Montenegro is the top city to visit in 2016 according to Lonely Planet. Chosen for its stunning views, charming cafes and delicious local food, Kotor has yet to be inundated with cruise ship travelers like nearby Dubrovnik. Described by Lonely Planet as "one of the most photogenic spots in all of Europe," Kotor is destined to become a popular destination in the future.

Also on the list are Quito, Ecuador (#2), Mumbai, India (#6) and Fremantle, Australia (#7).

Additionally, you may want to check out National Geographic's "Best trips 2016" which presents their top 20 recommendations of destinations to visit in the upcoming year.