As we near 2020, traveling to places new and old becomes top of mind. But the timeless question rears its head once more: Where to go, and why? Enter Lonely Planet, and its newly released list of the best places to see next year. The book, which is now in its 15th edition, reduces the immensity of the world by categorizing the experiences (such as Top 10 Cities, Top 10 Best Value, and Best Sustainable Trips for Families, to name a few). This, of course, not only makes the job of selecting any new location(s) more manageable but it also allows its readers to be more eco-friendly in travel with sections such as How to minimize your carbon footprint. Below, we take a closer look at several categories from the book that highlight how interesting Lonely Planet’s 2020 selection is. Ultimately, if nothing else, this new book is meant to push us a bit outside of our comfort zone while offering a glimpse into lives and cultures that are different from our own.

With some 195 countries in the world, it can seem a dizzying feat to narrow down 10 nations as the places travelers should focus on in the coming year. Yet, with the proper vetting, a short list revealed itself to the travel guide publisher. “A dozen nations vie for the title of real-life Shangri-la, but Bhutan’s claim has more clout than most,” says Joe Bindloss, a writer for Lonely Planet. “This tiny piece of Himalayan paradise operates a strict ‘high-value, low-impact’ tourism policy, compelling travelers to pay a high daily fee just to set foot in its pine-scented, monastery-crowned hills. The payoff for visitors is a chance to walk along mountain trails unsullied by litter. Bhutan punches well above its weight when it comes to sustainability. It is already the world’s only carbon-negative country, and the kingdom is set to become the first fully organic nation by 2020.”

Top 10 Countries to Visit in 2020

1. Bhutan
2. England
3. North Macedonia
4. Aruba
5. Eswatini
6. Costa Rica
7. The Netherlands
8. Liberia
9. Morocco
10. Uruguay