Whether you want a cosmopolitan city, a central spot from which to explore nature or a hidden gem not yet discovered by great hordes of tourists, Lonely Planet's top 10 cities for 2015 has a spot for you.

Lonely Planet's 10 picks include well-known favorites with something extra to share, smaller cities known only to locals and a select few tourists and cities you simply must visit.

To compile the annual top 10 list, Lonely Planet asked its worldwide staff, contributors and authors for their well-known and lesser-known recommendations, and spots that have something special to offer in 2015.

It must be worthy of the traveler planning his or her special vacation for the following year, says Tom Hall, Lonely Planet's digital editorial director.

"It's the one time each year that Lonely Planet applies its collective brainpower to pick recommendations and rank their recommendations," Hall says. "I'm excited by this year's list of cities. There's a good mix of obvious places to visit and less-obvious ones."