Transylvania? Kotor? Lonely Planet’s best travel destinations for 2016

By Maureen O'Hare and Sara Delgrossi for CNN
4 minute read
Updated 3:10 PM EST, Fri January 1, 2016
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2016" is a roundup of hot destinations and experiences. Its top country recommendation for next year is Botswana, home to Mashatu Game Reserve.
Lonely Planet top countries for 2016: No. 1: Botswana —
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2016" is a roundup of hot destinations and experiences. Its top country recommendation for next year is Botswana, home to Mashatu Game Reserve.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
More than 15 million tourists visited Japan in 2015, and 2016 is set to be another bumper year. With sights like <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/24/travel/gallery/most-beautiful-japan/">Kawachi Fuji Garden </a>in Fukuoka, they're onto a good thing.
LP top countries for 2016: No. 2: Japan —
More than 15 million tourists visited Japan in 2015, and 2016 is set to be another bumper year. With sights like Kawachi Fuji Garden in Fukuoka, they're onto a good thing.
K. Fukunaga/JNTO
The <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/specials/travel/usa">50 states</a> have plenty to offer, from road trips to beaches, from deserts to high peaks, like the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
LP top countries for 2016: No. 3: USA —
The 50 states have plenty to offer, from road trips to beaches, from deserts to high peaks, like the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Ben Adkison
Palau's diving and snorkeling opportunities have led some to call it "the underwater Serengeti."
LP top countries for 2016: No. 4: Palau —
Palau's diving and snorkeling opportunities have led some to call it "the underwater Serengeti."
Ippei Naoi/Getty Images
With Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is "the meat of the Baltic sandwich," says Lonely Planet, and "loaded with colorful fixings." Riga (pictured) is the country's cosmopolitan capital.
LP top countries for 2016: No. 5: Latvia —
With Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is "the meat of the Baltic sandwich," says Lonely Planet, and "loaded with colorful fixings." Riga (pictured) is the country's cosmopolitan capital.
ILMARS ZNOTINS/AFP/Getty Images
There's more to Transylvania than vampire lore, Saxon villages and fortified churches. Corvin Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe.
LP top regions for 2016: No. 1: Transylvania, Romania —
There's more to Transylvania than vampire lore, Saxon villages and fortified churches. Corvin Castle is one of the largest castles in Europe.
Courtesy Romania Tourism
"West Iceland offers everything from windswept beaches to historic villages and awe-inspiring terrain in one neat, little package," says Lonely Planet. In summer, the fishing hamlet of Arnarstapi attracts hikers to its beaches and lava fields.
LP top regions for 2016: No. 2: West Iceland —
"West Iceland offers everything from windswept beaches to historic villages and awe-inspiring terrain in one neat, little package," says Lonely Planet. In summer, the fishing hamlet of Arnarstapi attracts hikers to its beaches and lava fields.
David Noton/Lonely Planet Images
"One of Cuba's most magnificent natural settings," says Lonely Planet. This limestone karst valley "offers opportunities for fine hiking, rock climbing and horseback trekking."
LP top regions for 2016: No. 3: Valle de Vinales, Cuba —
"One of Cuba's most magnificent natural settings," says Lonely Planet. This limestone karst valley "offers opportunities for fine hiking, rock climbing and horseback trekking."
Mark Read/Lonely Planet Images
"Friuli's Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia are the darlings of smart wine lists the world over," says Lonely Planet. Monte Lussari (pictured) is a ski resort in winter and offers cable car views in summer.
LP top regions for 2016: No. 4: Friuli, Italy —
"Friuli's Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia are the darlings of smart wine lists the world over," says Lonely Planet. Monte Lussari (pictured) is a ski resort in winter and offers cable car views in summer.
Mauro Grigollo/Getty Images
Earlier this year CNN sung the praises of Waiheke's sheltered beaches, emerald bays and boutique wineries in a roundup of <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/10/travel/romantic-destinations/">romantic destinations</a>. Delamore Lodge's heated infinity pool has incredible views over Owhaneke Bay.
LP top regions for 2016: No. 5: Waiheke Island, New Zealand —
Earlier this year CNN sung the praises of Waiheke's sheltered beaches, emerald bays and boutique wineries in a roundup of romantic destinations. Delamore Lodge's heated infinity pool has incredible views over Owhaneke Bay.
Courtesy Delamore Lodge
The coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro was recently named by Royal Caribbean cruise ship captains as having one of the <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/07/travel/cruise-ship-captains-best-views">world's most beautiful harbors</a>.
LP top cities for 2016: No. 1: Kotor, Montenegro —
The coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro was recently named by Royal Caribbean cruise ship captains as having one of the world's most beautiful harbors.
Georgios.giannopoulos at gmail.com
High in the Andes, the Ecuadorian capital is "warm and relaxed," with a "vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene." The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
LP top cities for 2016: No. 2: Quito, Ecuador —
High in the Andes, the Ecuadorian capital is "warm and relaxed," with a "vibrant and sophisticated culinary and nightlife scene." The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kate Whitehead/CNN