Get off the beaten track in 2027: Lonely Planet's Best in Travel guide features Irish fjords, a Himalayan railway and China's hip-hop capital

From travel trends to up-and-coming destinations, it's impossible to decide which holiday experiences should be at the top of your agenda for the upcoming year.

And since social media is awash with self-professed travel experts, finding legitimate advice on where to go is an increasingly difficult task.

Lonely Planet, however, has long been one of the world's most trusted sources for travel guidance. 

Now, it has revealed its Best in Travel 2027 list, a collection of 50 inspirational destinations and unforgettable travel experiences selected by its global community of experts. 

Released ahead of the holiday planning season, the list gives travellers fresh inspiration for the year ahead while providing the guidance needed to turn these travel dreams into real itineraries.

The accompanying Best in Travel 2027 book enables travellers to discover the personal stories and appeal behind each selection, featuring first-person insights from Lonely Planet writers.

Here's an exclusive look at the hottest spots you should book while they're still fresh and seriously en vogue...

Experiences

St Cuthbert's Way is the first UK-based experience on the Lonely Planet list

Killary Fjord, Ireland's only fjord, in County Galway, also deserves a spot on any travel bucket list

This year's list reflects travellers' growing desire to slow down, escape the crowds and seek out more meaningful experiences. 

There are lots of close-to-home adventures on the list to explore this year, including hiking the historic St Cuthbert's Way through the rolling landscapes of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland.

Follow this 62-mile historic pilgrimage from Melrose to Lindisfarne, through the wild uplands of the Scottish Borders to Northumberland, through moorlands, past ghostly hillforts, stopping at village pubs on the way to the intertidal zone across to Holy Island.

Or discover the dramatic beauty of Killary Fjord, Ireland's only fjord, in County Galway. 

Tucked along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, on the track-like roads of Connemara, the fjord cuts its way ten miles inland towards the village of Leenaun, past steep peaks that change dramatically with the seasons. Indeed, this is a strong contender for the most breathtaking place in the country.

France's scenic Route Napoléon is ideal for a road trip

Further afield, travellers up for a new adventure can book a ride on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland, said: 'Britain is blessed with so many breathtaking landscapes, stunning coastlines and remarkable history and heritage that it is fitting that a trail, which effortlessly combines all three, has received such a glowing endorsement by global travel experts.' 

Elsewhere, train and car trips have come up trumps. Try out iconic journeys such as France's scenic Route Napoléon and India's UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. 

The US also features several times in this year's experience section.

Highlights include being a lighthouse keeper for the night at Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island. The off-grid stay offers a taste of gilded-age charm, complete with spectacular sunsets.

If you're after something a little more lively, you could barhop between Miami’s South Beach hotels, enjoy a scenic road trip from Minneapolis along the north shore of Lake Superior, or try out flightseeing in Alaska.

Indeed, with just 20 per cent of Alaska accessible by road, taking to the skies is one of the best ways to experience its vast, spectacular wilderness.

Take an Antarctic expedition cruise to see penguins, seals, whales, icebergs and glaciers and, if you’re brave enough, try a polar plunge - the ultimate adrenaline-fuelled experience

Savour the slow road in Minnesota with a scenic road trip from Minneapolis

Further afield, adventure strikes.

Why not try a Galápagos expedition cruise in Ecuador, a polar plunge in Antarctica, a hike along the Michinoku Trail in Japan or a visit to Monteverde's cloud forest in Costa Rica.

Wrapped in wisps of mist, echoing with birdsong and dripping with life, the latter particularly is an unforgettable experience.

Destinations

This year, Lonely Planet has sought to celebrate underrated locations – a timely feat, given the severe overtourism issues faced by so much of the world at present.

The list for 2027 includes the regions of Veneto and the cities of Dessau (Germany), Šibenik (Croatia), León (Spain) in Europe, as well as Rabat, Morocco in Africa, providing opportunities to delve into distinctive culture, heritage and local traditions in a more immersive style of travel. 

In Europe, try Skanör-Falsterbo in Sweden – often referred to as the Swedish Riviera. Here the charming twin towns, linked by a bridge, are home to colourful cottages, blooming gardens and an endless coastline.

Rabat, Morocco, combines historical sites and atmospheric gardens with a modern skyline, lively music scene and soft-sand surf beaches

Skanör in Sweden is perfect for an alternative European getaway firmly off the beaten track

The small but lively Adriatic city of Šibenik in Croatia combines impressive architecture, gastronomic delights and a colourful calendar of festivals throughout the year

But it's also evident far-flung destinations are having a moment, with travellers seeking out-of-the-ordinary experiences in new destinations.

Visit the adventure hub of Bariloche, the gateway to Argentina’s Lake District, a region with pristine waterways, soaring mountains and dense forests.

In Bocas del Toro, Panama, travellers are invited to seek out the abundant wildlife, explore an increasingly inspired culinary scene or experience the magic of bioluminescence on a nighttime tour.

Tsavo East and West National Parks in Kenya offer vast red-earth savannahs, enormous elephant herds, dramatic lava flows and quiet, crowd-free horizons.

Chengdu, often dubbed China's hip-hop capital, should be on your radar too – from leisurely tea houses to hip-hop, street style and a famously laid back attitude, Chengduers have turned everyday life into an art form in this funky city. 

Danang, Vietnam, meanwhile, is blessed with mountains, a long city beach, cool vibe and easy access to three UNESCO-listed sites.

Chengdu, China is also one of the top destinations for 2027, with leisure tea houses and hip hop-inspired street style

Meanwhile, Danang is a vibrant base for exploring central Vietnam

Lonely Planet's best in travel 2027 - destinations

• Quebec, Canada 

• Northern California Coast & its Redwoods, USA 

• Maryland, USA 

• Prince Edward Island, Canada

• New Mexico, USA 

• The Veneto, Italy 

• Dessau, Germany 

• Skanör - Falsterbo, Sweden

• Šibenik, Croatia

• León, Spain 

• Montserrat

• Bariloche and the lakes, Argentina

• Granada, Nicaragua

• Bocas del Toro, Panama 

• Oman 

• Rabat, Morocco 

• Tsavo East and West National Parks, Kenya 

• Dunedin & the Waitaki, New Zealand 

• The Tweed, Australia 

• New Caledonia, South Pacific 

• Okinawa, Japan 

• Chengdu, China 

• Gujarat, India 

• Danang, Vietnam 

• Fulidhoo, Maldives 

The Best in Travel 2027 commemorative book is out now

And in Dunedin & the Waitaki, New Zealand, once considered ‘Edinburgh of the South’ thanks to its Scottish heritage, is now one of the country’s coolest and quirkiest corners.

The US features heavily again too.

Top is Northern California Coast and its Redwoods – head to the Humboldt Redwoods and Jedediah State Parks or Fern Valley to marvel at the awe-inspiring, centuries-old woodlands on a truly monumental scale.

In Maryland, explore the rolling green hills, coastal escapes, maritime heritage, local quirks and an abundance of fresh seafood.

As experience-based travel remains a top travel trend, Lonely Planet leads the way with global recommendations, tried and tested by Lonely Planet editors. 

Travellers can plan with the new Lonely Planet App and best-selling Lonely Planet travel guidebooks, and book trips to many of the destinations with Lonely Planet Journeys.