Lonely Planet have released their Best in Travel 2015 and revealed which countries we should put on our must-see lists for next year. The list was compiled through criteria such as whether there was a special event next year, or because the writers believed that the destination will soon become a big hit. Take a tour of the top 10.
10. Morocco This North African country offers a blend of the exotic and the familiar. Throughout Morocco, despite the years of French and Spanish colonial rule and the presence of modern and cosmopolitan cities like Rabat and Casablanca, a more distant past constantly makes its presence felt. Fez, perhaps the most beautiful of all Arab cities, maintains a life still rooted in medieval times, when the Moroccan kingdom stretched from Senegal to northern Spain.
9. St Lucia Little-visited apart from cruise traffic, this island offers incredible diving, rainforests, and even a drive-in volcano. St. Lucia is mostly distinguished by the Pitons—twin peaks that soar high above the ocean floor on the southwest coast.
8. Philippines With over 7100 islands, amazing reefs and white sands, it is no wonder the Philippines made the list. Beyond the coastline are places to visit of a different nature; mystical tribal villages, ancient rice terraces, jungle-smothered peaks and crumbling Spanish churches.
7. Serbia Serbia’s killer skiing, spa-hopping and Drina River rafting are luring thrillseekers away from pricey playgrounds in ‘the other Europe’.
6. Republic of Congo Better roads, new safari attractions and improved tourism infrastructure, as well as the chance to see elephants and gorillas in the wild, are among the reasons the Republic of the Congo (not to be confused with Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly Zaire) made the list.
5. Ireland 2015 will be the the year of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2500km scenic drive that snakes its way round every nook and crook of the western seaboard from Donegal to Cork. Brave the raging Atlantic on a crossing to Skellig Michael or spend a summer's evening in the yard of a thatched-cottage pub and you'll experience an Ireland that has changed little in generations.
4. Nicaragua Emerging luxury ecotourism is changing the face of the largest country in Central American. Visitors rave about the extraordinary landscape of volcanoes, lakes, mountains and vast swathes of rainforest
3. Lithuania Lithuania enters the eurozone next year, making the final move from the Soviet republic. One of the main reasons to visit is a stretch of white sand known as the Curonian Spit.
2. Namibia This African nation has made ground-breaking progress in sustainable development: the first African country to include protection of its environment within its constitution, Namibia empowers local communities to contribute. A land of conservation success that needs to be seen.
1. Singapore Next year is Singapore’s Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years of independence which is just another reason to visit. With a melting pot of culture and cuisine, clean open spaces and a proximity to a lot of Southeast Asia, Singapore gets the number one spot.
Source :
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/photos/lonely-planet-s-top-10-countries-for-2015-slideshow/strong-1-singapore-strong-next-photo-022333992.html
