Washington D.C. , U.S.A. (Mark Thomas)

The results are in. Lonely Planet’s experts have decided on the best cities to visit this year. Some are criminally underrated, others are popping the champagne for special events, but these cities are all unmissable in 2015.

Longyarbyen, Norway

Marvel at our photographic selection of the most colourful towns and cities around the world from the Arctic to Argentina.

Free Spirit Spheres, British Columbia, Canada

Think back to where you stayed on your last trip. Was it simply a place to rest your head, or did it immerse you in local colour, surround you by wildlife and fire your imagination?

Las Fallas Festival, Valencia, Spain

Aurora borealis - Norway

Santorini - Greek Island - Europe

When times are tight we suggest you travel more, not less – but pick carefully. This is where your wallet will smile at the memories for years to come.

Savannah, USA

Corn in a Cup: Malaysia

So proclaimed Anthony Bourdain, passionate street food advocate and consumer, at the inaugural World Street Food Congress in Singapore.

Held in the Southeast Asian street food Mecca, the WSFC featured extensive panels and discussions about international street food culture, from the USA's food trucks to Singapore's own prolific "hawker" centers, and a 10-day "Jamboree" of 37 street food vendors from around the world serving up their respective regional specialties.

"Street food makes travel interesting," Bourdain explained. "It's very easy to travel around the world and look out the window and not know where you are.

1. Sarawak Laksa: Kuching, Malaysia
2. Chicken Rice: Singapore
3. Bao Luo Fen: Sanya, China
4. Nasi Ulam: Malacca, Malaysia
5. Chicken 65: India
6. Seafood Tostada: Ensenada Baja California, Mexico
7. Currywurst: Berlin, Germany
8. Corn in a Cup: Malaysia
9. Fried Milk: Taipei, Taiwan
10. Fried Tarantulas: Cambodia
11. Lamb Kebab Burger: Tel Aviv, Israel
12. Soft-Shelled Crab Burger: Portland, Oregon

via Huffington Post (all details)

The winner Machu Picchu, Peru

1. Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu, Peru

2. Angkor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia

3. Taj Mahal - Agra, India

4. Petra World Heritage Site - Petra - Wadi Musa, Jordan

5. Bayon Temple - Siem Reap, Cambodia

6. Great Cathedral and Mosque - Cordoba, Spain

7. Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood - St. Petersburg, Russia

8. St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City, Italy

9. Ancient City Walls - Dubrovnik, Croatia

10. Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny) - Krakow, Poland

11. Temple of Karnak - Luxor, Egypt

12. Bellagio Fountains - Las Vegas, Nevada

13. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

14. Alcazar - Seville, Spain

15. Gettysburg National Military Park - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

16. The Alhambra - Granada, Spain

17. Great Wall at Mutianyu - Beijing, China

18. Shwedagon Pagoda - Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar

19. USS Arizona Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii

20. Cristo Redentor (Statue of Christ the Redeemer) - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

21. Top of the Rock Observation Deck - New York City, New York

22. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela - Santiago de Compostela, Spain

23. Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, California

24. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist - Savannah, Georgia

25. Siena Cathedral - Siena, Italy

via TripAdvisor (all details)

The winner, GR20 France

These 10 classic treks are for serious walkers. All of them require a sturdy pair of lungs, fit legs and a good amount of preparation. However, if you choose to go on any of these trails then you will be rewarded with experiences that last a lifetime. In no particular order:

1. GR20, France

2. Inca Trail, Peru

3. Pays Dogon, Mali

4. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

5. Indian Himalayas, India

6. Overland Track, Australia

7. Routeburn Track, New Zealand

8. The Narrows, USA

9. The Haute Route, France-Switzerland

10. Baltoro Glacier & K2, Pakistan

via Lonely Planet (all details)

Thimphu, Bhutan

These places do exist. And they’re quantified — quarterly — by the website xpatulator.com. These guys compile cost of living data into nice little lists like “Cheapest Cities in 2013.” They also have a thing called “hardship,” which looks at how much different the place is going to be from somewhere like the US — or how big of an adventure, depending on how you think about it.

Here are the 10 cheapest as of April, 2013:

1. Thimphu, Bhutan

2. Tunis, Tunisia

3. Managua, Nicaragua

4. Bucharest, Romania

5. Sofia, Bulgaria

6. Algiers, Algeria

7. Calcutta, India

8. Kathmandu, Nepal

9. Islamabad, Pakistan

10. Hyderabad, India

via matador network

The winner, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, USA

1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, New Mexico, USA

5-13 October

2. Loykrathong Festival, Sukhothai, Thailand

November

3. Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

February 2014

4. Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

October

5. Las Fallas, Valencia, Spain

May 2014

6. Elephant Festival, Jaipur, India

16 March 2014

7. PingXi Sky Lantern Festival, Taipei, Taiwan

February 2014

8. Pushkar Camel Fair, India

6-17 November

9. Days of the Dead, Mexico

1-2 November

10. Harbin Ice Festival, China

December - January

Via Skyscanner (all details)

The famous Taj Mahal

India, subcontinent of diversity and contrasts, has attracted and fascinated travellers from time immemorial. Often, India didn't let them leave. India's unsettled past, its diverse culture, art and architecture make up a great mosaic that bewitches the visitors.

   

 via 601ProductionLTD