The Lonely Planet’s selection of the top cities to visit in 2012 throws up some surprising results.
While most travellers would expect to find international cities such as London, Hong Kong and Stockholm on a list of must-visit cities for 2012, only the most discerning traveller would perhaps expect to see Bengaluru (Bangalore), Guimaraes, Portugal; and Cadiz, Spain on a list of the top cities to explore next year. However, all of these cities have made the top ten in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2012, the seventh annual collection of the best places to go and things to do around the world for the year ahead.
The top ten cities to explore in 2012, include, London, perhaps not surprisingly as host of the 2012 Olympics, as well as Muscat in Oman and Orlando, Florida. Current exchange rates mean that although traditionally an expensive destination for international tourists, London is now more affordable for many visitors including those from the Middle East, Australia and parts of Europe.
“These are some of Lonely Planet’s must-see spots for 2012, either because they have something special going on next year, there’s a lot of buzz about the place, or because we are tipping it as an up-and-coming spot that you should visit, before the crowds get there,” said Lonely Planet’s Tom Hall who contributed to the book.
Perhaps to the surprise of many Australian tourists, the only city in Australia to make the list was Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory.
“It is a real coup to be the only Australian destination handpicked by Lonely Planet,” said Fleur Burrows, Consumer Marketing Manager for Tourism NT.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors to Darwin in the forthcoming year to experience this top city first hand.”
Top 10 Cities for 2012
1. London
2. Muscat, Oman
3. Bengaluru (Bangalore), India
4. Cadiz, Spain
5. Stockholm, Sweden
6. Guimaraes, Portugal
7. Santiago, Chile
8. Hong Kong, China
9. Orlando, Florida
10. Darwin, Australia
Book flights online to these and many other destinations around the world via www.cheapflights.co.uk.
(Image: Andy Cardiff)
