Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014: Top 10 Must-Visit Regions
Discover exceptional travel inspiration for 2014. Lonely Planet's expert team has handpicked these 10 regions for their stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and emerging sustainable appeal.
1. Sikkim, India
Green is the colour
A bird’s-eye view over Yumthang Valley in Sikkim, India. Image by Image Source / Getty Images.
Sikkim received national awards in 2012 as India’s cleanest state and for its pioneering tourism projects. It leads in responsible travel with sustainable, community-led initiatives in remote areas and eco-policies safeguarding its pristine Himalayan landscapes. Organic farming is thriving, with much of the local market produce pesticide-free and ambitions to become India’s first fully organic state. A new airport near Gangtok, set to open in 2014, enables direct flights from major Indian cities, slashing transit times.
2. The Kimberley, Australia
Beat the crowds and the resources juggernauts
The dramatic red rocky landscape of the vast Kimberley region in Western Australia. Image by John Clutterbuck / Digital Vision / Getty Images.
One of Earth’s most sparsely populated and strikingly beautiful regions, The Kimberley features towering gorges, serene pools, and a stunning coastline. Aboriginal culture meets Asian influences here, alongside luxury pearling and celebrity retreats. Challenging access—croc-filled waters, 4WD needs, and wet-season closures (Nov-Mar)—yields immense rewards. Visit now, before industrial expansion alters this wilderness.
3. Yorkshire, England
Riding on a high
Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales, UK. Image by Peter Adams / Digital Vision / Getty Images.
Yorkshire, the rugged northern gem, is gaining well-deserved acclaim. Its athletes out-medaled nations like South Africa and Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics. Harrogate topped happiness polls, Bradford is UNESCO’s first City of Film, and Wakefield’s gallery rivals London’s. With more Michelin-starred restaurants than any UK county outside the capital, Yorkshire peaks in 2014 as the Tour de France grand départ launches from Leeds amid moors, historic homes, and cozy pubs.
4. Hokuriku, Japan
The crowds are coming…
Footsteps on a snow-covered bridge in Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, Japan. Image by Agustin Rafael C Reyes / Flickr / Getty Images.
Japan’s Hokuriku coast on Honshū blends Sea of Japan shores, Japan Alps, culture, and scenery. Kanazawa, second to Kyoto for geisha, boasts photogenic districts around former castle grounds and Kenroku-en garden—one of Japan’s best. The Hokuriku shinkansen debuts in March 2015, cutting Tokyo travel times. Drive the Noto Peninsula’s drama or relax in Kaga Onsen’s luxurious ryokan.
5. Texas, USA
Green dream
Fort Worth Water Gardens. Image by Allan Baxter / The Image Bank / Getty Images.
Beyond cowboys and oil, Texas 2014 blooms with green spaces: Houston’s enhanced Buffalo Bayou Park and Fort Worth’s new plaza replace traffic with trails. Celebrity chefs elevate Texan cuisine, gourmet fast food thrives, and authentic Tex-Mex uses Mexican-sourced corn and Chiapas beans.
6. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
The falls are back in business
Victoria Falls at sunrise. Image by Paul Bruins Photography / Flickr Open / Getty Images.
Victoria Falls delivers a multisensory marvel: thunderous roar, misty spray, and raw power across Zimbabwe’s Vic Falls and Zambia’s Livingstone towns. Post-2013 UN tourism upgrades, stability returns—US dollar stabilized Zimbabwe’s economy after hyperinflation. 2014 marks the best visit in 15 years.
7. Mallorca, Spain
Growing up gracefully
The beautiful bay of Puerto de Soller in Mallorca. Image by Juergen Sack / E+ / Getty Images.
Mallorca evolves beyond party stereotypes into a refined haven of beauty, diversity, and culture. Palma brims with galleries and dining; south/east offer white sands and azure seas. Northwest’s Serra de Tramuntana—olive groves, forests, villages—drops dramatically to sapphire waters.
8. West Coast, New Zealand
Discover new ways into the wilderness
A splash of floral colour at Cape Foulwind on New Zealand's South Island. Image by Raimund Linke / Photodisc / Getty Images.
Nestled between Tasman Sea and Southern Alps, the West Coast spans vast conservation lands with national parks. In 2014, new DOC trails join the NZ Cycle Trail: Cape Foulwind seals, Lake Matheson, Hokitika Gorge. Fresh paths connect Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers to trailheads through ancient forests.
9. Hunan, China
China’s next big thing
Electric colours in Fenghuang, western Hunan. Image by Feng Wei Photography / Flickr / Getty Images.
Hunan dazzles with unmatched scenery and culture, from remote Miao mountains to Mao’s birthplace. Infrastructure booms: high-speed rail, highways, flights. Changsha’s Sky City (world’s tallest by 2014) and metro launch, blending heritage and modernity uniquely.
10. Ha’apai, Tonga
Get there before the word gets out
A perfect stretch of sand on Houmale’la beach in Ha’apai. Image by Oliver Strewe / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images.
Ha’apai’s 62 remote Tongan islands offer reefs, palms, whales, fish, kayaking, volcanoes, and relaxed vibes. Visit now before crowds discover this South Pacific paradise—embrace the local grin and spirit.
* Update, 13 January 2014. Category five Cyclone Ian devastated Tonga. Emergency declared; thousands of homes damaged. NZ aid underway; assess infrastructure before travel.
Plan your ultimate 2014 adventures with Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014—the definitive guide to the world's top destinations.
