Argentina is voted best destination in South America 1:20
(CNN) -
In 1973, young British couple Tony and Maureen Wheeler published a guide titled "Across Asia on The Cheap."
Little did they know that a humble guide would lay the foundation for a global travel brand called Lonely Planet with recommendations for the best destinations.
Almost 50 years later, his empire of travel guides continues to advance.
With much of the world slowly reopening after the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have travel in mind.
The hope is that in 2022 families will reunite, loved ones will catch up after being separated for long periods, and that accumulated vacation time will be used for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2022" book is out now.
We got a sneak peek at the places they think you should have on your bucket list, from the hidden gems of the Omani desert to the sparkling blue waters of Belize.
"After a forced hiatus, it's time to take those long-postponed travel plans off the shelf and make them come true," said Tom Hall, Lonely Planet's vice president of experience in a statement.
"The lists celebrate the world in all its wonderful and attractive variety."
Tourism in Latin America: these are the best destinations of 2021
This year, Lonely Planet highlighted 10 top cities, regions and countries.
We tell you which ones are in this top of the best destinations.
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Where to go in 2022: Lonely Planet just revealed its list of the best countries to visit in 2022. Number 10 is a history buff's paradise in Egypt.
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9. Malawi: Although this African country is landlocked, it is home to the ninth largest lake in the world, as well as many more beautiful landscapes.
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8. Nepal - Hikers and non-hikers alike will find plenty to do and eat in this Himalayan nation.
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7. Oman - Head to this Middle Eastern country for desert safaris and Unesco-listed historic sites like Fort Bahla.
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6. Anguilla: Although it is a British overseas territory and not a country, it is difficult to leave this beautiful and peaceful Caribbean island off the list.
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5. Slovenia: this country brings together a wide diversity of terrain in a small and easy-to-navigate space.
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4. Belize: There is more to Belize than the famous Great Blue Hole.
Don't miss the bean-to-bar chocolate or the Mayan ruins of Caracol.
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3. Mauritius: Getting to this paradise island in the Indian Ocean may take a while, but once there you may never want to leave.
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2. Norway: From the majestic fjords to the brand new Munch Museum in Oslo, this Nordic nation has something for every type of traveler.
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1. Cook Islands - A series of 15 islands strung like pearls in the South Pacific, the Cooks are a must-see on your bucket list.
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10. Egypt
Egypt is home to the pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the world.
But don't think that "old" is synonymous with "boring".
Despite its more than 4,500 years of history, we are still learning more about these architectural wonders.
Case in point: The 63-meter-high Dozer pyramid, the oldest of the group, was reopened to the public last year.
9. Malawi
At just 118 square kilometers, Malawi can sometimes be dwarfed by its larger neighbors like Mozambique and Tanzania.
But there are treasures in the "warm heart of Africa," all with fewer tourists to compete with for space along stunning Lake Malawi, the world's ninth largest lake.
Malawi has many of the same attractions that their African cousins love, like safaris where you can observe elephants, baboons, hippos and other animals in their native habitats, all at a fraction of the price.
Although this African destination is landlocked, it is home to the ninth largest lake in the world, as well as many more beautiful landscapes.
Jonathan Gregson / Lonely Planet
8. Nepal
It is almost impossible to talk about Nepal without talking about Mount Everest.
But this Himalayan nation has so much more for travelers who aren't climbing the world's tallest mountain.
In the remote region of Mustang (meaning "fertile plain"), hikers can explore the desert and meet locals at homestays along the way, dining on Nepalese specialties such as yak butter coffee and momos served style "kothey", half fried and half steamed.
7. Oman
Do you think Norway is the only place in the world with fjords?
Think again.
In Musandam, Oman, bordering the Strait of Hormuz, the mountains reach heights of 2,000 meters to create a spectacular backdrop for narrow stretches of water.
But that is not all that Oman has to offer.
Within the same trip, you can also experience "the Empty Quarter", a stretch of desert where Oman meets Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
It's four countries at once, and you won't need to pack a coat.
Head to this Middle Eastern country for desert safaris and visit UNESCO-listed historic sites like Fort Bahla.
Justin Foulkes / Lonely Planet
6. Anguilla
Okay, so Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory and technically not a country.
That said, the beautiful Caribbean island deserves a closer look.
Anguilla's careful reopening plan made it the destination of choice for CNN contributor Hannah Seligson, who traveled there with her young children in January.
She praised the island's "aquamarine sea, 33 public beaches, 26-degree Celsius temperatures, incredible hotels and food," as well as its responsible approach to public health amid the pandemic.
5. Slovenia
Amidst the many popular destinations in Eastern Europe, Slovenia can sometimes get lost in the mix.
But no more.
CNN contributor Chris Dwyer describes it as "neither Balkan, not Mediterranean, not Alpine, Slovenia is more of a cocktail of the three, served with its own distinctive twist."
Thanks to the country's small size, visitors can tour a wide variety of terrain in no time, from stunning Lake Bled to the bustling capital of Ljubljana.
Lonely Planet is not the only one who notices.
This year, the Michelin Guide awarded stars to seven restaurants in Slovenia.
4. Belize
Do you want to explore Mayan ruins, swim in electric blue waters, and see incredible wildlife?
Belize has all of this and more, accessible via direct flights from various cities in North America.
If you're waiting for Australia to open its borders, try Belize instead - its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is impressive, and American travelers won't have to worry about lag of schedule.
Also, the cautious will appreciate that the national language of Belize is English.
The Barrier Reef of Belize is a huge reef system, which extends along almost the entire Caribbean coast of that country and is the largest in the Northern Hemisphere.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and classified as a threatened site in 2009.
3. Mauritius
The most searched on Google for the paradise island of Mauritius is "where is Mauritius?".
Let's take care of that: it's in the Indian Ocean, about 1,126 kilometers east of Madagascar.
Now that you know where it is located, here are some reasons to visit this underrated African destination, courtesy of CNN contributor Tony Smart: "It is inhabited by a peaceful, multiracial people, covered in excellent golf courses, offering countless water sports, mountain trekking, hunting, bird watching, luxury resorts, an old colonial capital, excellent food, three and four star hotels, one of the best botanical gardens in the world, good nightlife, beautiful beach bars, sites of the UNESCO World Heritage, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world and great tourism ".
2. Norway
Norway is constantly included in the lists of the happiest countries in the world.
So what is your secret?
CNN asked two of the country's royals, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, their theories.
Mette-Marit has an answer: "We love being outside in nature. If you are in a Norwegian house on a Sunday and you are not going to walk in the woods ... that is not good."
If you want to channel that peaceful energy to yourself, head to Bøkeskogen, the northernmost beech forest in the world.
It's about two hours from the capital Oslo, so you can easily experience city and country life in the same day.
1. Cook Islands
Fun fact: Air New Zealand only operates one flight from the United States that does not go to New Zealand.
It connects Los Angeles with Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands and the gateway to some of the most beautiful places on the planet.
This group of 15 islands in the South Pacific was high on the wish lists of many Lonely Planet employees for 2022 and beyond.
What is offered?
Water-focused activities like snorkeling, diving, and fishing, not to mention a look at the native Maori community at Te Vara Nui Village.
Considering choosing a city or region for your next trip?
Here are the rest of Lonely Planet's picks for 2022.
Top 10 regions
1. Westfjords, Iceland
2. West Virginia, USA.
3. Xishuangbanna, China
4. Kent's Heritage Coast, UK
5. Puerto Rico, USA.
6. Shikoku, Japan
7. Atacama Desert, Chile
8. The Scenic Rim, Australia
9. Vancouver Island, Canada
10. Burgundy, France
10 major cities
1. Auckland, New Zealand
2. Taipei, Taiwan
3. Freiburg, Germany
4. Atlanta, USA.
5. Lagos, Nigeria
6. Nicosia / Lefkosia, Cyprus
7. Dublin, Ireland
8. Merida, Mexico
9. Florence, Italy
10. Gyeongju, South Korea
Destinations