Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Countries for 2013
The world’s most trusted travel guidebook company recently published its top country destinations for 2013. To see the list and reasoning for each selection, read this post – Best in Travel 2013 – Top 10 Countries
Here are the Top Countries for 2013
- Sri Lanka – one of the planet’s best-value destinations
- Montenegro – emerging superstar with wild beauty
- South Korea - geared up for the Great Outdoors
- Ecuador – reborn railways opens up access to the rainforest
- Slovakia – makeover for cultured corner of Europe
- Soloman Islands – engaging eco-resorts, village homestays and killer scuba diving
- Iceland – small island nation filled with outdoor adventure
- Turkey – get off the beaten path and head to the enchanting southeast region
- Dominican Republic – the Caribbean’s ‘Next Big Thing’
- Madagascar – the world’s fourth-biggest island is otherworldly
What do you think? Have you visited any of these destinations?
Share your travel experiences in the comments section below!
Cameron and Nicole Wears are a Canadian couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 65 countries & territories on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via 
Such a sweet round up! I’m both excited and sad at the same time that I’ve only been to one of the destinations on this list (Slovakia). Still, that means more adventures to be had
Indeed! There’s so much world to discover – it’s exciting!
Very intrigued by South Korea, definitely! Might follow their recommendation.
Do it!
Definitely agree with a lot of these and others are on the list of places to see! I’ve been hearing a lot about Montenegro lately, I think we’re going to have to check it out.
Sri Lanka is a great Number 1. Places like Unawatuna, Ella and Singiriya are must sees! I would probably add Mozambique to this list (speaking mostly for the north)! Good list, thanks LP
We haven’t been to Sri Lanka yet. We hope to combine it with a trip to southern India and the Maldives… we’ve heard great things
Visiting Turkey would be nice!
It’s one of my fav countries!
I was lucky to visit Montenegro, Slovakia, Iceland and Turkey and I loved each one of these. I can especially recommend Montenegro, it’s incredibly beautiful yet still undiscovered (well, maybe with an exception of Kotor that welcomes cruise ships every day… but once they’re gone in the evening the town is really magic!)
I’ve been reading a lot about Montenegro and Iceland lately. Maybe its because they are both on my radar – we’d love to visit soon!
My home city Christchurch, NZ is on the 2013 best cities list which seems completely bizarre to me. Sometimes Lonely Planet are so hit and miss!
Perhaps its listed to drive tourism back to the city after the earthquake? Hard to say what motivated the nomination?
Definitely intrigued by Montenegro–Russian friends have been and loved it. Iceland and Ecuador/Galapagos were fantastic for their stunning natural beauty and unique animals, respectively!
I’d love to visit all of them personally! Turkey especially. And did someone say great diving? I’m there!