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Bluelist: The Best in Travel 2007
Bigger and better than before The new Lonely Planet "BLUELIST 2007" is here and it captures the best in travel - a collection of trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead.
Drawing on the knowledge, passion and miles traveled by the Lonely Planet community of authors, staff and travelers, and covering every country in the world, this year's edition is a selection of the best places to go and things to do all around the world right now.
Drawing on the knowledge, passion and miles traveled by the Lonely Planet community of authors, staff and travelers, and covering every country in the world, this year's edition is a selection of the best places to go and things to do all around the world right now.
260 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
168 people are currently reading
862 people want to read
About the author
Lonely Planet
3,678 books886 followersOUR STORY
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket and a sense of adventure. In 1972 that’s all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime – across Europe and Asia overland to Australia. It took several months, and at the end – broke but inspired – they sat at their kitchen table writing and stapling together their first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap. Within a week they’d sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. One hundred million guidebooks later, Lonely Planet is the world’s leading travel guide publisher with content to almost every destination on the planet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
April 3, 2025
Read this book at the work library during lunch break. I can't say I was impressed with what I read.
I didn't even bother to read most of it.
The irony of saying "places to go and things to do all around THE WORLD" yet it mainly focuses on western countries, barely mentions Asian and Southeast Asian countries, and probably the most delusional reviews of places I've ever read.
Of course, I immediately sorted out Malaysia and was annoyed at how they only focused on Sabah and Kuching. Not to mention the whole description about "Cat City" sounds so "fake." BTW, Kuching means Cat not Cat City. If you want to insist on calling it Cat City then the correct translation is "Bandar Kuching." Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, so locals usually just refer to it as Kuching. Also, WTF is "pusspusspuss"? OMG! That's the best you can come up with ?
I only surface-read the rest of the book and only stopped and really read the countries and locations I thought were interesting but thought all the information was quite unenlightening. It's better to just Google them.
I didn't even bother to read most of it.
The irony of saying "places to go and things to do all around THE WORLD" yet it mainly focuses on western countries, barely mentions Asian and Southeast Asian countries, and probably the most delusional reviews of places I've ever read.
Of course, I immediately sorted out Malaysia and was annoyed at how they only focused on Sabah and Kuching. Not to mention the whole description about "Cat City" sounds so "fake." BTW, Kuching means Cat not Cat City. If you want to insist on calling it Cat City then the correct translation is "Bandar Kuching." Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, so locals usually just refer to it as Kuching. Also, WTF is "pusspusspuss"? OMG! That's the best you can come up with ?
I only surface-read the rest of the book and only stopped and really read the countries and locations I thought were interesting but thought all the information was quite unenlightening. It's better to just Google them.
September 26, 2025
This was a very entertaining and insightful read. Not only did this book give good information on different countries, cities and regions, but also, it provided intriguing options for both sustainability and budget travel. Through this book, I was also able to learn about a bit more about the different places featured, including their culture and history. While, I do wish their could have been a tiny bit more information than what there was in each section, overall, I found it engaging and it gave me ideas for myself for when I want to go travelling in the future 🌍🌳
April 5, 2020
Yes, I understand the irony of reading this book now, when all of the anticipation it contains has been disrupted by global pandemic. In some ways it was sad to read about the things that won't happen, but more so it remained inspiring as a glimpse of after and made me feel more peaceful to read about these beautiful and exciting places that of course still exist even as we remain stuck at home.
July 2, 2023
That's definetely the whitest and most self-righteous book I've read this year.
I think the worst part was writing about "moving something" if you fly to some small islands and do something "sustainable with the locals". I'm really tired of that green-washed, racist late capitalism.
Didn't finish it – might be worth a look again if I'll travel to any of the countries mentioned in the book but the book itself doesn't motivate me to go anywhere.
I think the worst part was writing about "moving something" if you fly to some small islands and do something "sustainable with the locals". I'm really tired of that green-washed, racist late capitalism.
Didn't finish it – might be worth a look again if I'll travel to any of the countries mentioned in the book but the book itself doesn't motivate me to go anywhere.
January 7, 2019
It’s always interesting to read what the Lonely Planet editors have selected as top destinations for the year. On my to-go list is Jordan, Egypt, Peru and some city trips to Eastern Europe: Poland, Albania, Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia hopefully. I will probably not visit all these places this year, but I love reading and dreaming about it.
February 20, 2014
Got this as one of the '12 days of Christmas' goodies and had lots of fun reading it. Wonderful book, not only to reminiscent of travels done but also to dream of travels perhaps to come.
August 12, 2014
Not much help. Google will help more than this book.
November 9, 2025
These books are so full of information and ideas I love everyone of your books
Pick their books up especially if you’re a traveler or if you just want to dream of where you want to go next
Pick their books up especially if you’re a traveler or if you just want to dream of where you want to go next
July 15, 2015
Some info in this book has become seriously outdated due to a few major events that happened this year. For instance, the Nepal earthquake, which has destroyed almost all the monuments mentioned in this guidebook that you should see, and the Tunisian terrorist shooting which has changed the travel safety alert status from "safe" to "avoid" and/or "only essential travel advised" (the book says it's "safe to visit").
That aside, I liked how the book was organised, and the various ideas presented. For instance, you get country suggestions based on best lights, "extreme eating", free events, things that involve sheep (yes!), best walking trails, gay-friendly places, fishing, etc. The book also says why it's best to visit in 2015 as opposed to any other year.
Some locales seemed boring though. Despite flowery text and exaggerated descriptions to try to enhance their appeal, the photos were unconvincing, and there did not seem a good enough reason to visit the place. For instance, some destinations looked like any other you've been to - a typical street in a typical city with no particular discerning or interesting features. And, frankly, if you've seen one mountainscape, you've seen them all. I'd need better reasons to visit these kinds of places.
Lastly, the book fails to mention points on safety. It's all good if you want to travel with complete disregard to things like the probability of being mugged, raped, targeted in a terrorist attack, getting pickpocketed, kidnapped, killed, and so on. But if you're at all concerned about your safety and well-being, it would be good if the book casually mentioned things like, so-and-so place is known for its rampant pickpocketing activity, and therefore be careful and pay attention to your belongings, instead of praising it to no end and giving the impression that it's a complete paradise with no faults. But I guess that's the purpose of a travel book isn't it? To paint the world through rose-tinted glasses? In that respect, Lonely Planet always does well!
That aside, I liked how the book was organised, and the various ideas presented. For instance, you get country suggestions based on best lights, "extreme eating", free events, things that involve sheep (yes!), best walking trails, gay-friendly places, fishing, etc. The book also says why it's best to visit in 2015 as opposed to any other year.
Some locales seemed boring though. Despite flowery text and exaggerated descriptions to try to enhance their appeal, the photos were unconvincing, and there did not seem a good enough reason to visit the place. For instance, some destinations looked like any other you've been to - a typical street in a typical city with no particular discerning or interesting features. And, frankly, if you've seen one mountainscape, you've seen them all. I'd need better reasons to visit these kinds of places.
Lastly, the book fails to mention points on safety. It's all good if you want to travel with complete disregard to things like the probability of being mugged, raped, targeted in a terrorist attack, getting pickpocketed, kidnapped, killed, and so on. But if you're at all concerned about your safety and well-being, it would be good if the book casually mentioned things like, so-and-so place is known for its rampant pickpocketing activity, and therefore be careful and pay attention to your belongings, instead of praising it to no end and giving the impression that it's a complete paradise with no faults. But I guess that's the purpose of a travel book isn't it? To paint the world through rose-tinted glasses? In that respect, Lonely Planet always does well!
April 17, 2017
Lonely Planet's Best In Travel annual guides and the New York Times 52 Places to Go lists are my go-to picks every year for staying on top of the travel trends. I reviewed Lonely Planet's 2015 guide, and this one is just as good. A lot of the places chosen seem to reflect current events, which makes sense, since lots of things will be happening in those places and regions in the coming year. For example, Canada's sesquicentennial is this year, which merits it a spot in the Top 10 Countries section, and Portland, Oregon, makes the Top 10 Cities list, partially due to it being in the path of the total solar eclipse in August of this year. Photography throughout the book is excellent, and while many of the maps are small, they are helpful. The sections at the end of each volume differ every year. 2017 includes Family Adventure Destinations, for those who want to share travel experiences with their kids beyond Disney, and the Top 5 Travel Trends, including micro-distilleries and sustainable travel. Definitely worth picking up and paging through.
July 9, 2015
I love Lonely Planet’s travel guides because they always seem to be up to date and on top of the travel trends. This nice little compendium is no different: you can open it to any page and read about an up-and-coming interesting country or place. I’m predicting Northern Norway will replace Iceland as the “it” place to go, based on Lonely Planet’s observations. Also interesting to see that they are on top of the progress of the Pan-American Highway in Belize, which is why they list the Toledo District as a Top 10 Region. I like the Top Travel Lists at the end of the volume, including Best Literary Walking Tours. The typeface is a little small, but overall, this is an interesting, browsable little guide.
May 5, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, it's a very interesting introduction to 30 top destinations that you may want to travel to this year or in the years to come. What makes the selection great is the mix between very exotic and closeby destinations that you could visit on a weekend trip.
On the other hand, though, I am not sure if this is a book you want to buy and have on your shelf. Its utility is fairly limited. Once you have read it, you will want other books and the web for more details.
In any case, it's a enjoyable read and makes a great gift for any friend into traveling.
On the one hand, it's a very interesting introduction to 30 top destinations that you may want to travel to this year or in the years to come. What makes the selection great is the mix between very exotic and closeby destinations that you could visit on a weekend trip.
On the other hand, though, I am not sure if this is a book you want to buy and have on your shelf. Its utility is fairly limited. Once you have read it, you will want other books and the web for more details.
In any case, it's a enjoyable read and makes a great gift for any friend into traveling.
April 3, 2008
This wasn't a particularly useful travel book, at least for the type of travel I'm likely to do. I'm not likely to trek in Nepal or go to Antarctica anytime soon. But it is still an interesting read, and it's fun to look at the pictures.
Having said that, when I eventually get to Tokyo, I'm totally going to the parasitology museum!
Having said that, when I eventually get to Tokyo, I'm totally going to the parasitology museum!
February 22, 2019
While it’s always nice to dream, and some of the pictures are intriguing, and I imagine every travel book must have some surprising enticing ideas… the Special lists at the end added negative value, And all and all the suggestions or not especially creative and some were overly enthusiastic based on my personal experience.
January 22, 2020
I thought I would give this book a go as we are planning a major trip somewhere this year! I did enjoy most of the content in this book...truly lovely photos but some of the places to go where somewhat unrealistic for most people....quess I wanted more the usual fare. Anything it was fun to look through and I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars!
June 29, 2011
Nothing I could not google.
Not enough video or pictures and the maps in the iBooks version were kind of wonky.
I guess it was nice to get something for free but I am pretty sure it will just be deleted because... what else am I going to do with it?
Not enough video or pictures and the maps in the iBooks version were kind of wonky.
I guess it was nice to get something for free but I am pretty sure it will just be deleted because... what else am I going to do with it?
January 16, 2014
Great! I loved it and even more that I got it for free during iTunes "12 days of Christmas" app. The pictures were incredible and the writing was cheeky and entertaining. I did think the section on cat events was a bit much but to each their own right?
February 23, 2020
Not that I need much inspiration to travel but this book made me think about a few destinations I hadn't considered before. Bite- sized, easy-to-read entries with the right amount of info to whet your appetite. Recommended.
November 14, 2014
ahh take it or leave it i could have left it
February 17, 2019
Fun enough. I got it from the library and cannot conceive of the need to buy this book. A better format would be a series of Lonely Planet Instagram posts.
February 27, 2019
Pictures were AMAZING! Great to stimulate ideas.
November 2, 2024
If you like to travel like me this guide is perfect, it comes with great recommendations and gorgeous images.
November 7, 2025
𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2026" list features 25 must-visit destinations and 25 experiences, including:
𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan or attend a Premier League football match in England.
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲: Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota or see hundreds of manatees in a Florida state park.
𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝘀: Stay in the Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge in South Africa or at Hawaii's Volcano House.
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸: Experience the food scene in Kerala, India, or the ramen in São Paulo's Liberdade neighborhood.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
I loved that this isn’t a regular guide book. The 25 experiences around the world - so unique. I did laugh that football (soccer) is Englands entry - of all the things!
I was a little disappointed there were no China entries - I’m considering a trip so that’s totally personal.
Thank you Lonely Planet and @sabrina_dax_pr for this #gifted book.
📖 Publishes 10•21•25 | 296 pages
Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2026" list features 25 must-visit destinations and 25 experiences, including:
𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: Stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan or attend a Premier League football match in England.
𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲: Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota or see hundreds of manatees in a Florida state park.
𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝘀: Stay in the Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge in South Africa or at Hawaii's Volcano House.
𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸: Experience the food scene in Kerala, India, or the ramen in São Paulo's Liberdade neighborhood.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
I loved that this isn’t a regular guide book. The 25 experiences around the world - so unique. I did laugh that football (soccer) is Englands entry - of all the things!
I was a little disappointed there were no China entries - I’m considering a trip so that’s totally personal.
Thank you Lonely Planet and @sabrina_dax_pr for this #gifted book.
📖 Publishes 10•21•25 | 296 pages
October 30, 2025
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to @lonelyplanet and @sabrina_dax_pr for the #gifted book, pocket book, and luggage tag.
This stunning book showcases some of the most beautiful destinations across the globe, expertly divided into two sections: must-visit places and unforgettable experiences. The breathtaking photographs and captivating descriptions truly draw you in.
I was thrilled to find the Volcano House in Volcanoes National Park highlighted in the book! We have an exciting trip planned to the Big Island in March 2026, where we’ll be hiking through the park and visiting this incredible location.
As always, Lonely Planet’s travel guides ignite a passion for adventure and inspire you to explore destinations you might never have considered. This book is a passport to wanderlust! This book is available now!
This stunning book showcases some of the most beautiful destinations across the globe, expertly divided into two sections: must-visit places and unforgettable experiences. The breathtaking photographs and captivating descriptions truly draw you in.
I was thrilled to find the Volcano House in Volcanoes National Park highlighted in the book! We have an exciting trip planned to the Big Island in March 2026, where we’ll be hiking through the park and visiting this incredible location.
As always, Lonely Planet’s travel guides ignite a passion for adventure and inspire you to explore destinations you might never have considered. This book is a passport to wanderlust! This book is available now!
June 18, 2025
The low star rating from locals of various places covered are not wrong. The wee book suffers from a white- centric world view. I struggle with travel now in a way I didn't 30 years ago because of the often negative impact that tourism has on local environment, people and economy. If you are looking for something to flip through, then have at it. The pictures are worth picking it up to look at while at the library over lunch.
January 15, 2026
I look forward to this book every year. The 2026 version looks fantastic. In fact each year it gets bigger and more authentically pleasing . However, the quality of the content keeps reducing . Frankly AI generated content ids now better than this book. Try taking a trio based on the information content In This book. Finally, the content and locations are unstably white and western.
May 29, 2025
Another solid travel book by Lonely Planet which provides a review of top travel 10 cities, countries and regions.
I thought the sustainability narrative while important was a little overdone but the book has provided me with some more ideas for future travel.
I thought the sustainability narrative while important was a little overdone but the book has provided me with some more ideas for future travel.
March 6, 2025
Interesting to see what others think are the best places but you’ll still to get other books or use Google to get more than just the basic info presented here.
October 31, 2025
Having American locations in this right now seems like a choice.
January 6, 2026
Wonderful book, more travel prospects and fabulous photos!! Loved it, they always produce great reads
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews