Top 10 countries you need to visit in 2018

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Still puzzled about your holiday destinations for next year? Well, respected guide book publisher “Lonely Planet” has offered you quite a wishlist as it revealed the best 10 countries to visit for 2018.

Chile, with its “disparate extremes to the ever-trendier capital of Santiago at its heart,” tops the list, which was published on Tuesday. Other well-known locations include New Zealand, Malta and China, while some lesser-known countries like Djibouti and Georgia also find a place on the billboard.

No.1 Chile

Grafissimo/Istock.com via AFP Relaxnews Photo

With the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Chile remains isolated from the rest of South America – and that has increased its mystery to travelers. Meanwhile, in 2018 the country will celebrate 200 years of independence.

No.2 South Korea

Photo via Tom Clark’s blog on Mustexplore

With a “compact playground of Asian modernity,” South Korea is certainly worth a visit. High-rises in the capital city of Seoul and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang are both good reasons for a trip.

No.3 Portugal

Photo via Visitportugal

The seafaring nation gets a hold on travelers as a “dynamic center for art, culture and cuisine.” From artfully designed museums to rock-star Portuguese chefs to beautiful beaches, you won’t be disappointed.

No.4 Djibouti

Photo via Tripadvisor

This small African country earns itself a place on the list because of its geological formation, thanks to the movement of diverging tectonic plates. The natural beauty, whale shark diving and intoxicating beaches are also things you can’t resist.

No.5 New Zealand

Photo via Newzealand.com

New Zealand is well known among tourists, especially adventure-seekers. The country is constructing new trails, including the new Great Walks, the Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track, to encourage more people to explore its exquisite topography.

No.6 Malta

Photo via Visitmalta

Malta has a "glorious variety," including the deep blue sea, Mediterranean cocktails, and ancient temples. Lonely Planet says the "tiny nation's buzz has been building to a crescendo in preparation for Valletta's stint as European Capital of Culture for 2018."

No.7 Georgia

Photo via Exploregeorgia

Lonely Planet describes Georgia as a “country of ancient recipes cooked up in tucked-away taverns,” and praises it as both “forward-thinking but proud of tradition.” Its world-famous wine industry is no doubt something you can’t miss.

No.8 Mauritius

Photo via Travelmagma

This island idyll is famous for its “dazzling sapphire seas and luxurious beach resorts” where travelers enjoy plenty of watery fun. Over the years, the island has been developed into a hub for flights to mainland Africa.

No.9 China

Photo via Xinhua

“Big, beautiful, full of mystery and adventure” is how the publisher describes China to readers. Pack your bags and head for the metropolis, historical buildings and advanced bullet trains in the country.

No.10 South Africa

Photo via Africa.com

Besides beaches and mountains, wildlife and wine, this year’s “Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018: Be the Legacy” also adds to the country’s appeal. It’s an official program of events – some sporting, some educational, others devoted to the arts – to honor the leader.

“When you’re traveling with someone else, you share each discovery, but when you are alone, you have to carry each experience with you like a secret, something you have to write on your heart, because there’s no other way to preserve it.”

That’s a quote from best-selling American author Shauna Niequist.

So, whether you are traveling alone or with others, enjoy your trips in 2018. Of course, before setting out, plan your holiday well and prepare your wallet.