Global travel authority Lonely Planet has unveiled its annual hotlist of trending destinations for the coming year. To mark its 50th anniversary, Best in Travel 2024 has expanded from the top 10 best cities, countries, and regions to include two new categories of best value and best sustainable destinations, recognizing a total of 50 locations across the globe offering amazing experiences to enjoy in 2024.
“Our picks for this year seek to both inspire and follow the instincts of 2024’s traveller. With new takes on iconic destinations and 50 fresh ideas across five categories, we’re confident Best in Travel opens-up a year of incredible adventures.” Nitya Chambers, SVP Content and Executive Editor commented.
Among the best cities to be visited in 2024, Lonely Planet included in 6th place the city of Manaus, the capital of the Amazon state, in Brazil.
Manaus, a charming and cultural city, is the gateway to the Amazon Rainforest. The green local vegetation, the dark waters of Rio Negro, the muddy waters of Solimões River, exotic local cuisine, diverse architecture, and very welcoming people are some of the city’s treasures.
Since it is the capital of Amazonas State, Manaus is the main metropolis in the region and the natural gateway for those who want to visit the Forest. Boats are the main transportation to the rainforest hotels, as well as to see the meeting of the waters of Rio Negro and Solimoes Rivers, to observe Amazon River dolphins in Anavilhanas, and to visit places such as Moon Beach (Praia da Lua).
Also known as Paris of the Tropics because of its intense modernization during the Amazon Rubber Boom (a period of great economic and social growth in Brazil), Manaus inherited beautiful buildings built with fine materials imported from Europe. The Amazonas Theater is the one that stands out, though, with a colorful dome made with 36 thousand enameled ceramic tiles.
Check below Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024
Best Sustainable:
1. Spain
2. Patagonia, Argentina & Chile
3. Greenland
4. Wales Trails
5. The Portuguese Way, Caminho Portgues de Santiago
6. Palau
7. Hokkaido, Japan
8. Ecuador
9. Baltic Trails of Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
10. South Africa’s Eco Lodges
Best Value:
1. The Midwest, USA
2. Poland
3. Nicaragua
4. Danube Limes, Bulgaria & Romania
5. Normandy, France
6. Egypt
7. Ikaria, Greece
8. Algeria
9. Southern lakes & Central Otago, New Zealand
10. Night trains of Europe
Best Cities:
1. Nairobi, Kenya
2. Paris, France
3. Montreal, Canada
4. Mostar, Bosnia
5. Philadelphia, USA
6. Manaus. Brazil
7. Jakarta, Indonesia
8. Prague, The Czech Republic
9. Izmir, Turkey
10. Kansas City, Missouri
Best Country:
1. Mongolia
2. India
3. Morocco
4. Chile
5. Benin
6. Mexico
7. Uzbekistan
8. Pakistan
9. Croatia
10. St Lucia
Best Region:
1. Western Balkans’ Trans Dinarica Cycling Route
2. Kangaroo Island, South Australia
3. Tuscany, Italy
4. Donegal, Ireland
5. Pais Vasco, Spain
6. Southern Thailand
7. Swahili Coast, Tanzania
8. Montana, USA
9. Saalfelden Leogang, Austria
10. Far North Scotland
Source: Lonely Planet and Visit Brasil