Best in Travel: Lonely Planet names South Australia, Los Angeles among is best destinations for 2017

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 7 years ago

Best in Travel: Lonely Planet names South Australia, Los Angeles among is best destinations for 2017

By Kylie McLaughlin
Updated
Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.

Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.Credit: iStock

Never failing to court controversy with its annual best-of roundup, Lonely Planet has named South Australia as one of the world's best regions for 2017, and Los Angeles as one of the world's best cities.

Sydney may not be as good as it thinks, and Melbourne may be the world's most liveable, but it is South Australia that has the best mix of wine country, produce festivals, stunning landscapes and empty beaches that "could even make the Bahamas jealous,' Lonely Planet's Chris Zeiher said.

And those keen to poke fun at little 'ol Adelaide, Zieher points out that even the Queen Mary 2 is putting SA on the map by choosing to dock at its artistic capital. "It's a delicious feast suitable to anyone's taste,' he says.

See also: Eight great things in Adelaide most visitors miss

Winner of the world's best region went to Peru's Choquequirao, which is it's lesser known 'lost city'. Not for long, however - there's a cable car slated for 2017 which will whisk visitors straight to the ruins in 15 minutes or, similarly to Machu Picchu, you can do a four day trek to reach them. Either or, one thing is for certain - the only people you'll encounter are archaeologists and jungle, which still covers two-thirds of the ruins. Get there before everyone else does.

See also: The world's scariest hotel room

World-famous wine city Bordeaux topped the best cities list, soon to be linked to Paris via a high speed train which will escort you there in a mere two hour jaunt. If you've been there before, now is the time to head back - the redevelopment of its Garonne riverfront with a state of the art wine lover's experience should be completed and its food continues to wow the gastronomy world.

Close to the top of this list is Los Angeles at number three, a city so jam-packed it never fails to surprise and delight repeat visitors. Far away from the glitz and glamour of its celebrity haunts and tatty Hollywood boulevard is a city that's brimming with culture - from Thai Town to Little Armenia and its beloved Mexican, these neighbourhoods reach right across to its stunning pacific coastline that laps wide sandy beaches under sunny blue skies, beckoning visitors 12 months a year. Mock it if you will - but the 50 new hotels that are in the works suggests that Lonely Planet aren't the only one singing its praises; adding to an already impressive smorgasboard that caters to every traveller. Throw in the Metro expansion helping people get from its re-energised Downtown to Santa Monica, an excellent bus service and new initiative Car Free LA and you have one city anxious to shed its bad rep for getting around without wheels.

See also: The best city in the US for food

Advertisement

Where else should you go next year? It's hard to overlook Cape Town's natural good looks, ranked the second best city, but the South African bucket list destination also gets the nod for its food and wine, art and design scene. Lisbon should no longer be sidelined for Rome or Barcelona; and the tiny, little-known city of Ohrid in Macedonia sneaks in at number five, renowned for its position overlooking an extraordinary blue lake.

The world's second largest country, Canada, has got Justin Trudeau to thank for its bolt to the top of Lonely Planet's favourite countries for 2017, followed hot in its heels by surprise entry Colombia. No longer just for the hardcore, Colombia is one place about to shed its bad boy reputation, for it vibrant culture, nature and hospitality is a 'rich tapestry'. Should you also have time swing by Mongolia, and sample the country's rapid modernisation (but maybe not its milk); and Oman to see how well it is competing with its Arabian neighbours for who has the best new luxury accommodation. Over in Africa, Ethopia rounds out Lonely Planet top ten list of countries with its overwhelmingly beautiful landscapes and its wildlife that 'roams nowhere else on Earth'.

See also: 20 reasons to visit Canmore

Lonely Planet's top ten countries for 2017:

1. Canada

2. Colombia

3. Finland

4. Dominica

5. Nepal

6. Bermuda

7. Mongolia

8. Oman

9. Myanmar

10. Ethiopia

Lonely Planet's Top 10 Regions 2017:

1. Choquequirao, Peru

2. Taranaki, New Zealand

3. The Azores, Portugal

4. North Wales, UK

5. South Australia

6. Aysén, Chile

7. The Tuamotus, French Polynesia

8. Coastal Georgia, USA

9. Perak, Malaysia

10. The Skellig Ring, Ireland.

Lonely Planet's top ten cities for 2017:

1. Bordeaux, France

2. Cape Town, South Africa

3. Los Angeles, USA

4. Merida, Mexico

5. Ohrid, Macedonia

6. Pistoia, Italy

7. Seoul, South Korea

8. Lisbon, Portugal

9. Moscow, Russia

10. Portland, Oregon

Where are you headed next year? Post a comment below.

See also: The secret to having a good time in Los Angeles

See also: The world's most spectacular train journey

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading