Best in Travel 2027: those remote corners of the lagoon (and beyond)

We continue our journey on the vaporetto, taking in the enchanting sight of the Venetian palaces. Still a little in disbelief. The only Italian region chosen by Lonely Planet as the best destination for 2027 is Veneto – a region loved, visited, explored and experienced by so many people, both at home and abroad. Then, after about an hour, we arrive at our destination and get a glimpse of why this decision was made. Surprising and forward-thinking. Arriving in the silence of the island of San Francesco del Deserto – a remote corner yet, at the same time, just a stone’s throw from the city’s heart and its most glittering side – is poetic in itself. You step into another world, where overtourism (what a dreadful word) has no place. The gravel path makes every step echo, whilst you breathe deeply amidst the island’s lush greenery. The red-stone complex seems to materialise out of nowhere, and the lagoon surrounding it adds to the sense of tranquillity and spirituality.

A friar appears to explain the history of the place, in the year marking the eighth centenary of the ‘Poverello’s’ death. According to his biographer Bonaventura di Bagnoregio, Francis is said to have come here in search of solitude to pray and reflect upon his return from the Holy Land on a Venetian ship in 1220. The island was then owned by the nobleman Jacopo Michiel, who, following Francis’s canonisation, donated it to the Friars Minor, noting (in 1233) that there was already a small church dedicated to the saint of Assisi. Archaeological excavations over the years, and in particular those carried out in the 1960s, have confirmed what has been handed down. It is called ‘del deserto’ (of the desert) because, for a few years in the 15th century, the island lay completely abandoned. Today, the complex comprises the oratory (“Hic est locus ubi oravit seraphicus pater Franciscus”), the wooden choir, the refectory, the ancient sacristy and the two cloisters. Whilst few traces of its origins remain, the atmosphere conveys the simplicity and peace one would expect.A stone statue of St Francis, with his hands outstretched towards others, welcomes those who pause in the surrounding park, amongst cypress trees and footpaths, with the blue of the water just beyond. The complex has a number of rooms for guests seeking tranquillity, for those wishing to study, or simply for visitors to Venice who prefer to retreat here to find peace and quiet. This approach is perfectly in keeping with the philosophy of Best in Travel, which promotes a slower way of travelling, away from the well-trodden and crowded routes, with a focus on the most authentic traditions. Such as that of Murano, with its blown glass (which, in the ‘Wave fornace glass’ collection, manages to blend with contemporary style without betraying its history), or Burano, with its lace.

But the Veneto region was also chosen for its diversity: from beaches to mountain trails (and what mountains!), from cities of art to the Polesine countryside, it caters to the widest range of tastes. The 2027 guide features another much-loved destination in our country in its ‘Experiences’ section: the Aeolian Islands: in this case, the ‘experience’ involves a catamaran trip for six, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the sea. A week of swimming and sunsets, punctuated by trips to the mainland for a granita or a more relaxed dinner (and, why not, a few walks in complete solitude). The Veneto region and the Sicilian archipelago are joined by magnificent destinations, which you can explore by leafing through the more than 300 pages of Best in Travel. And, of course, by dreaming. Whilst some suggestions are more obvious (French Polynesia, Costa Rica, an itinerary in Greece, numerous UNESCO sites), others are surprising. It’s hard, in fact, to imagine choosing the United States to go to Minnesota, or China to spend time in Chengdu. And yet not only does the capital of Sichuan have a millennia-old history to discover, but it is also the most inclusive city in the country: ‘it is unofficially the gay capital, with a fairly visible LGBTIQ culture’, writes Piera Chen, also highlighting its hip-hop scene and the ChunYou Music Festival, which attracts independent artists from all over China.

The road trip sets off from Minneapolis, taking in the wilderness, forests and lakes of an American state that is not usually given much thought. Yet, when it comes to overtourism , it seems to offer a breath of fresh air.

Various Authors