The best places to visit in 2025 and hunting for the Ark of the Covenant, with Lonely Planet's Tom Hall

Country Life

It’s an annoying thing to have to write down, because in my head it felt like it was only yesterday, but it’s been 10 years since I finished university, packed a big rucksack, and went to go and see the world. Lots of people had gap years. We all knew that there were only two essential items that you needed. Some rehydration tablets and a Lonely Planet guide.

This week, I was joined on the Country Life Podcast by Tom Hall the head of Lonely Planet UK, to drill down into what makes Lonely Planet guides so essential for the modern traveller, plus a nice chat about the 2025 Best in Travel Awards.

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So naturally that began with a discussion about Tom looking for the Ark of The Covenant in Ethiopia, why Belize is a must-visit destination in 2025 and the joys of high-speed rail in Uzbekistan. Naturally.

We talked a lot about responsible tourism, what it really means and how to do it, and why Mozambique is a bucket-list destination for Tom. We also got into the nitty gritty of how a guide is put together, what’s important and what isn’t, and why East Anglia is the 8th best destination to travel to in 2025. Nobody was more surprised than me, someone who grew up in Suffolk, but the answer is very compelling.

The skies are grey and it doesn’t seem to be getting any warmer any time soon. So tune in and start plotting your next getaway.

Episode credits

Host: James Fisher

Guest: Tom Hall

Editor and Producer: Toby Keel

Music: JuliusH via Pixabay

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