Scottish beaches and Guatemalan temples top first Lonely Planet awards
Better value accommodation and cheaper train travel top UK holidaymakers’ domestic travel wish lists according to a new poll by publishers Lonely Planet.
Over 3,500 people voted in the first Lonely Planet Awards, created in association with adventure operator Explore.
Walking on Scotland’s wild beaches was considered the most under-rated British day out, followed by exploring the UK’s cities and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
Overseas, Benidorm has the dubious distinction of topping the vote for ‘I wouldn’t go there if you paid me’.
But an evening of reggae on the beach in Negril, Jamaica was considered greatest cultural experience ahead of the opera in Italy and salsa dancing in Cuba.
And visiting the Mayan temples at Tikal in Guatemala was voted the greatest historical experience, beating the Taj Mahal and Egypt’s Pyramids.
Italian came out as favourite cuisine and Michael Palin, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley as top travel companions.
Most desired year-out trip was sailing the world on a yacht and the top places to settle outside the UK where, unsurprisingly, New Zealand and Australia.
Lonely Planet’s travel editor Tom Hall said, "Days out in Britain don’t have to be traditional seaside jaunts or tours of stately homes.
“Brits are fast discovering some of the country’s lesser-known attractions and Scotland’s stunning beaches are, quite rightly, recognised as one of the best."
He added that other surprising winners, such as the Mayan temples at Tikal highlighted how worthwhile it was to venture away from the world’s best known sights.
by Debbie Ward
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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