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Lonely Planet Reveals The Top Five Global Travel Experiences
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Although most of us aren’t traveling right now, it doesn’t mean we have to stop planning for future travel adventures. To inspire bucket-list travel dreams, Lonely Planet is back with a second edition of their bestselling Ultimate Travel List.
The new book ranks an inspiring list of 500 places to inspire those once-in-a-lifetime adventures. For the new edition of the Ultimate Travel List, extra marks have been awarded to destinations that manage tourism sustainably.
To awaken your inner global traveler, here are the top five most incredible travel experiences in the world, courtesy of Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List:
The Lost City of Petra
Topping the list is the Unesco World Heritage site of the “lost city” of Petra. Over 3,000 years old, Petra has long “mystified travelers with its stunning sandstone construction and history,” Lonely Planet. Located in Jordan, Petra was once the capital of the Nabataeans, a nomadic people from Arabia who were merchants and craftspeople. The city was eventually abandoned, only to be embraced by the Bedouin who began living in the caves up until the 1980s.
The Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands are located off the coast of Ecuador and are famous as the place Charles Darwin’s ideas on natural selection were formed. The Galapagos is a must-see for nature enthusiasts with the islands home to many creatures unique to The Galapagos. According to Lonely Planet, ecotourism has emerged as a growing industry on islands, with the airport running on solar and wind power.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Australia’s mysterious Uluru is not only a popular tourist site for people visiting this iconic outback landmark, but it’s also a sacred site. Lonely Planet reports the area’s native inhabitants, the Anangu people, believe that spiritual ancestors reside at Uluru.
The Okavango Delta
Africa’s Okavango Delta is home to some of the world’s most endangered animals, Lonely Planet reports. The marshland 7722 square miles and is one of the world’s largest inland deltas. Visitor numbers to the Okavango Delta are regulated, making the travel experience – whether by powerboat or 4WD safari – a truly exclusive experience.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone became America’s first national park on March 1, 1872, and, according to Lonely Planet sees approximately 4 million visitors each year. Yellowstone came in at number five on Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List thanks to its breathtaking geysers, including the famous Old Faithful, wide array of wildlife, rugged canyons, mountains, and forests, which are perfect for hiking, running and other outdoor activities.
