Lonely Planet has revealed its top 10 destinations for 2020

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As the undisputed experts in all things travel, Lonely Planet guides have been required reading for prospective travellers for decades. Well worn copies can be found in all corners of the globe, and a Lonely Planet recommendation can make a hotel or tour operator’s business for life. The Lonely Planet travel experts are well-versed in what’s new and cool and are on top of travel trends before they even become travel trends. Which is why the annual release of its Best In Travel edition is so hotly anticipated.

 For 2020, the top 10 regions are all about getting off the beaten track. Featuring everything from the Amazon in Brazil to Northeast Argentina, the list is a lesson in getting outdoors and stretching the travel imagination as far as it will go. There’s less of a focus on urban areas with instead the guide honing in on naturally impressive regions rich with culture. 

One Australian region features on the list, with Lord Howe Island taking in the number five spot. One of the country’s most breathtaking locations, Lord Howe Island has previously been something of a hidden Australian gem, but with the island’s photogenic mountain peak and aqua blue waters, it was only a matter of time before the internet started to take note, too. 

“This one time volcano’s isolation makes it a refuge for many endemic species, as well as plentiful birdlife,” The Lonely Planet guide says of Lord Howe. “The island is a shining example of sustainably managed tourism; only 400 visitors are allowed at any time, and you are encouraged to participate in a series of ecological projects. Lord Howe’s remoteness and manageable size make it an idyllic escape.”

Scroll down to see every region that made the top 10 — and to plan your next big adventure accordingly. 

10. Brazilian Amazon (pictured above)

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9. Kvarner Gulf, Croatia

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8. Northeast Argentina

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7. Cadiz Province, Spain

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6. Guizhou Province, China

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5. Lord Howe Island, Australia

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4. Maine, USA

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3. Tōhoku, Japan

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2. Le Marche, Italy

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 1. Central Asian Silk Road