Oman among Lonely Planet’s top countries to visit in 2022

Muscat: Oman has been named among Lonely Planet’s top 10 countries to visit in 2022, being the only country from the Arabian Gulf to be included on that list.

Oman is ranked seventh on the list of the travel publication’s best countries to visit next year, with visitors to this part of the world able to take in traditional charm and natural beauty.

“For visitors, this offers a rare chance to engage with the Arab world without the distorting lens of excessive wealth,” says Lonely Planet. “Oman’s low-rise towns retain their traditional charms, and Bedouin values remain at the heart of an Omani welcome.”

“With an abundance of natural beauty, from spectacular mountains, wind-blown deserts and a pristine coastline, Oman is the obvious choice for those seeking out the modern face of Arabia while wanting still to sense its ancient soul.” The Cook Islands were listed first on the list of must-see countries for next year, followed by Norway, Mauritius, Belize, Slovenia, Anguilla, Oman, Nepal, Malawi, and Egypt.

The list is one of three released by Lonely Planet as part of its “Best in Travel 2022” collection, which also includes the best cities in the world for tourists, and 10 must-see regions across the globe.

“These destinations span the globe and allow you, the traveller, to experience a wide swathe of breathtaking experiences, from trekking across fjords in Iceland to watching a fashion show from an up-and-coming designer in Nigeria,” explained Lonely Planet. “Carefully selected by our editors, our list is meant to inspire and excite you, and help you make your 2022 travel dreams a reality.”

Those who wish to experience all the world has to offer in terms of natural beauty and breathtaking displays would do well to check out the top 10 regions around the world. They include Westfjords in Iceland; West Virginia in the USA; Xishuangbanna in China; Kent’s Heritage Coast in the UK; Puerto Rico; Shikoku in Japan; Chile’s Atacama Desert; the Scenic Rim of Australia; Canada’s Vancouver Island, and the region of Burgundy in France.

The top 10 must cities in the world, are Auckland, New Zealand; Taipei, Taiwan; Freiburg, Germany; Atlanta, USA; Lagos, Nigeria; Nicosia, Cyprus; Dublin, Ireland; Mérida, Mexico; Florence, Italy; and Gyeongju, South Korea.

“Of course, we’re living in a complex travel landscape,” explained Lonely Planet in its “Best in Travel” entry. “As the global pandemic continues to impact an ever-shifting patchwork of places around the world, we’re working hard to balance travel and safety, and a sense of caution alongside our endless sense of wanderlust. As such, our 2022 list, which is included below in its entirety, is as much a bucket list for the future as it is a to-visit list for right now.”

“In the coming months, as the world continues its return to travel, we’ll be unveiling a whole new series of stories, video interviews, and how-to guides for turning our Best in Travel list into your travel reality, whether in 2022 or further in the future,” the publication added.