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If you’re planning on taking a trip abroad this year but are finding it hard to narrow down your options now that all countries are once again welcoming Americans with open arms, maybe you could take some inspiration from Lonely Planet.
The famous publication has revealed its top destinations for 2024, and though the list is quite extensive, there are 5 countries in particular we feel are deserving of a nod:
Chile
The first of them is Chile, with its strangely drawn borders (it is probably the narrowest, most elongated sovereign state in the world) and impressive topographic diversity: from sunny Pacific beaches to towering Andean peaks to Mars-like desert landscapes, you’ll find it all here.
It is definitely somewhere you go with natural world activities in mind, and you should probably know Chile is one of only two countries – the other being Argentina – to serve as a gateway to wild Antarctica: yes, it is so long it stretches as far South as the ‘end of the world.’
You can go cruising on a frozen sea, hike glaciers, stargaze, and even spot the elusive Aurora Australis.
Or then, if you’re looking to find exciting city breaks, find your urban thrills in a skyscraper-dotted Santiago, the casino resort town of Viña del Mar, or the colorful, cultural melting pot of Valparaíso.
Saint Lucia
Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia is a hugely underrated paradisaical island that is yet to explode in popularity in the way the Dominican Republic or Jamaica have, even though the nature here is arguably more fascinating.
It offers guests both golden sands bounded by a turquoise ocean and majestic peaks that tower over dense jungles, and unlike other Caribbean hotspots, it is yet to be ruined by mass tourism or become a party island for bachelorette attendees.
The verdant Pigeon Island National Park is one of the most beautiful you will ever visit, with its breathtaking cape views and impressive 18th-century military fort, and the palm-lined beaches at Castries, the capital, and Rodney Bay simply couldn’t be more inviting.
Mexico
As Latin America’s leading destination, Mexico was sure to feature on Lonely Planet‘s latest Best In Travel. What more can we say? It is, indeed, the most perfect sunny destination, and it’s hardly a surprise it continues to lead booking trends for Americans.
It boasts pristine beaches, its resort zones are among the best-equipped and most luxurious worldwide. Cancun is an indisputable leader in the Caribbean region, the food is out-of-this-world, and the cultural wealth is enormous.
Beyond the turquoise coast, Mexico is literally littered with historical landmarks, particularly its Yucatan Peninsula, and with the launch of the Maya Train, this year it will be a lot easier for tourists to explore the country’s ancient Mayan ruins and picturesque colonial towns.
Croatia
Previously an off-path summer destination in Europe, Croatia has surged in popularity in recent years thanks to its association with hit show Game of Thrones, and of course, word-of-mouth promotion during the pandemic era.
At one point, it was the only European country to remain open in spite of health concerns, and travelers have not forgotten about Croatia’s aversion to strict policies, having continued to flock to its spotless pebbly beaches and cobbled Dalmatian towns.
Some of the top destinations in the coastal Balkan nation include Dubrovnik, the real-life ‘King’s Landing’, Split, an ancient town built around a Roman palace, Zadar, home to ‘the most beautiful sunset in the world’, and Pula, where a mini Colosseum still stands intact.
Morocco
The gemstone in North Africa’s crown rounds up this list. Morocco is on track for a historical 2024, with small beach towns straddling the azure Atlantic becoming winter sun attractions and cities like Marrakesh and Fes being the main drive behind an increase in culture-based trips.
Morocco is famous for having sprawling desert medinas, breathtaking landscapes – it has coastlines on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as territories in the Sahara – and flavorful cuisine heavily influenced by Arab cooking practices, as well as Berber, French, and Spanish.
This is a country so impossibly diverse, and so incredibly cheap for the value it offers, it definitely deserves its own story. Lucky for you, we have written extensively about Morocco and its nature and man-made wonders in the past, and you’re certain to get inspired.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com