Best Travel Destinations for 2022 revealed

COVID-19 kept travelers home for over a year, but many are now making plans for trips in 2022. This picture gallery is to whet the appetite for travel and it shows some of the top destinations featured in Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2022" guide. Each was chosen for its topicality, unique experiences, "wow" factor and its ongoing commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

In the city category, one German town made it into the top 3. No, it's not Berlin. Among the rank of regions, there is one that probably few people have ever heard of. In the country category, one of the smallest in the world (first photo) made it to the top spot and one that you might guess made it to the second place (this photo). Curious?

Lonely Planet describes Freiburg as one of the most youthful, relaxed and sustainable cities in Germany. There are plenty of green spaces and twice as many bicycles as cars. The quaint old town is car-free. The town hall for the city's 230,000 inhabitants is the first in the world with a zero-energy concept. There are also beautiful alleys, facades and the Black Forest just outside the city.

A city of many facets: Western influences meet Chinese and Japanese, old buildings meet modern ones. Temples of different religions can be seen almost everywhere. Housing is affordable in this city of 2.7 million people, and health care is good. There are many bars and restaurants, and parades are held throughout the year. Taipei is also considered the most LGBTQ-friendly city in Asia.

One word: unique. Auckland has 53 volcanoes, more than 50 islands, three wine regions and many beaches. The city of 1.5 million inhabitants is located on an estuary between two harbors. There is much to see around it: Rainforests, surfing beaches, geothermal springs, rare birds, whales, dolphins, and penguins. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the charm of the place, you need a local guide.

Xishuangbanna is a remote region in southern China, bordering Myanmar and Laos. Formerly a popular backpacker destination, the region now profits from massive investment in tourism. Among the Chinese, the region is popular for its cultural diversity, varied cuisine and warm weather. The region is also benefiting from a new train route to Laos and better air connections.

Few inhabitants, few tourists, lots of untouched nature. The state is located in the eastern US in the Appalachian Mountains and is referred to as "The Mountain State." It is moving away from logging, fossil fuels, coal and salt mining, to more tourism. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, base jumping from the New River Gorge Bridge — it's all possible, Lonely Planet says.

Far away from mass tourism and only connected to the mainland by an estuary of about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles). Those who venture here are rewarded with rich wildlife, quaint villages and spectacular scenery — in other words, Iceland in the extreme. The inhabitants of the villages, which were founded by Vikings about 1,000 years ago, focus on nature — and on avoiding plastic.

Rocky island with great beaches in the Indian Ocean — or in short, paradise. This is how Mark Twain compared the island to the east of Madagascar. Hiking, diving, snorkeling? No problem! And animals! No place on earth is said to have saved more endangered bird species. If you're more interested in whales and dolphins, you'll find them near the shore. And the inhabitants? Relaxed!

Norway is on top — and not just geographically. It's considered the world's most livable country and is way ahead in education, equality, health care, income, quality of life and sustainability! Some 99% of its electricity comes from hydropower, and almost 60% of its cars are electric, making it the world leader. By 2030, the country aims to be climate neutral. And then there's the landscapes!

One of the most remote and smallest countries on earth — scattered over 15 volcanic islands with a combined area smaller than Malta. Fantastically beautiful — and committed to the environment. In 2017, the 1.9-million-square-kilometer Marae Moana Marine Park was declared the largest protected area on earth. If you love the colors blue and turquoise, this is the place for you.

After these pictures of beautiful places, it is probably difficult to look up from your computer or cell phone. It does make a difference whether you are sitting at home at the dining table, in the office at the desk — or on the Cook Islands at a table in the sea. Are you aching to travel again? Hold out a little longer if health rules require it, but now could be the time to start making plans.