Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list features 50 standout destinations worldwide, but only two Italian entries made the cut. Both appear among the 25 destinations of the year inviting visitors to look past the familiar and explore Italy from a fresh perspective. One entry celebrates an entire region – Veneto – while the other turns an iconic archipelago, the Isole Eolie into a week-long sailing adventure.
Veneto: an Italy in miniature
When most travelers think of Veneto, the image of Venice instantly dominates. Lonely Planet challenges that notion by urging visitors to land in the lagoon city, then immediately venture outward. Within a short drive, the landscape transforms: the rugged peaks of the Dolomites give way to the gentle slopes of the Prosecco hills the sparkling waters of Lake Garda shimmer along the towns of Peschiera and Malcesine, and the historic vineyards of Valpolicella spread across rolling terrain. Further south, cities such as PadovaVeronaTreviso and Vicenza each offer their own art, architecture, and culinary traditions. The region even encompasses the fertile Polesine the scenic Colli Berici and the vast Delta del Po making Veneto a concise version of the entire country.
Experiences that capture Veneto’s diversity
Lonely Planet suggests several signature moments: attend a concert in the Renaissance-style Teatro Olimpico of Vicenza, cruise a quiet stretch of Lake Garda between Peschiera and Malcesine, and, of course, indulge in a slice of authentic tiramisu in Treviso – the town that claims to be the dessert’s birthplace. Each activity underscores the region’s blend of culture, nature, and gastronomy proving that Veneto can sustain an entire itinerary without relying on Venice as a base.
The Aeolian Islands: sailing through a UNESCO-listed archipelago
Further south, the Isole Eolie off the coast of Sicily appear on the list not as a single destination but as a curated experience. Rather than the usual island-hopping by ferry and hotel, Lonely Planet recommends a week on a sailing vessel, hopping from island to island wherever the wind and curiosity lead. The seven islands – LipariVulcanoSalinaStromboliPanareaAlicudi and Filicudi – each emerged from volcanic activity and showcase distinct landscapes, from black-sand beaches to active craters.
Why sailing makes the difference
On a sailboat, the journey is defined by pauses: dropping anchor in a quiet cove, diving into crystal-clear water, or adjusting course according to sudden gusts. This fluid rhythm turns the unpredictable into an integral part of the adventure. The archipelago’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000 adds a layer of cultural significance, reminding travelers that they are navigating a landscape treasured for both its natural beauty and its geological history. The emphasis on flexibility encourages visitors to experience the islands from a maritime perspective, a view often missed by those who simply stay on land.
Both Veneto and the Aeolian Islands illustrate the editorial thread of the 2027 edition: you don’t always need an unknown place, sometimes a familiar name merely needs a fresh angle. Whether you’re sipping Prosecco in the hills north of Venice or hunting the perfect wind among the volcanic isles off Sicily, Lonely Planet’s selections promise deeper, more authentic encounters with Italy’s richest corners.
