The travel guide publisher’s Best in Travel 2020 lists were released on Tuesday, naming Le Marche in second place on the Top Regions list.
“We ask everyone, from our writers and editors to our online family of social media influencers, and amid fierce debate, the list is whittled down by our panel of travel experts to just 10 countries, 10 regions, 10 cities and 10 best value destinations,” Lonely Planet said on its website.
“Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor.”
Here’s what Lonely Planet had to say about Le Marche:
“It looks like the understudy is finally ready to take centre stage. Though the main roles usually go to its superstar neighbour, Tuscany, the Le Marche region of Italy has just as wide a repertoire. It can do higgledy-piggledy hilltop towns, gloriously gluttonous food festivals, resplendent Renaissance palaces, winding countryside and inviting beaches with equal panache, but with the added bonus that its attractions are much less well known. In 2020, the spotlight will shine brightly here as Urbino, Le Marche’s most picturesque city, leads the celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of the great Renaissance painter – and local boy made good – Raphael.”
The Central Asian Silk Road took out first place, while Tōhoku, in Japan, rounded out the top three.
Maine, in the USA, came in fourth place, followed by Lord Howe Island in Australia, China’s Guizhou province, the Cádiz province in Spain, Northeast Argentina and the Kvarner Gulf in Croatia.
Despite being devastated by fires this year, the Brazilian Amazon rounded out the top 10.
