London Greenwich voted in world’s top 10 destinations
Leading global travel publisher Frommer’s has revealed the Frommer’s Top Destinations List for 2012. This distinguished annual list, compiled by Frommer’s writers and editors, features an inspiring choice of established and up and coming destinations that travellers should be considering in 2012. London Greenwich makes the cut this year alongside the Catalan city of Girona in Spain, Mexico’s exotic Yucatan Peninsula, the hip city of Beirut in Lebanon re-emerging after decades of civil war, and Chonqging, China, often cited as the world’s biggest metropolis.
Frommer's writers and editors said 2012 is London Greenwich’s time to shine as it celebrates Olympic events, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and becomes a Royal Borough. London’s brand new cable car is also set to launch in Greenwich next year. Frommer’s praised historic Greenwich’s ability to continually reinvent itself since it emerged as a naval centre in the 18th Century and highlighted the remarkable baroque facades by architects such as Wren, Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh along the waterfront as well as the beautiful views one can take in across the oldest of the Royal parks, Greenwich Park to the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.
Mark Henshall, Regional Editor, said: “Every year Frommer’s authors and editors put their heads together to determine the best travel inspirational experiences for the year ahead. Our annual list draws from our individual local knowledge, passion and expertise, and is a great resource for travellers searching for their next extraordinary getaway. Our top picks offer smart and lesser known alternatives to overrun spots as well as emerging and rediscovered destinations that will wow you.”
New for 2012, Frommer’s has also scoured the globe for destinations that match the interests of particular travellers. To name a few, Frommer’s urges explorers to experience the rugged wilderness of Chile’s Aysen region before proposed dams fuel industrial growth on its pristine rivers; cruise fans should add Tromso in Norway to their lists to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights; while travellers keen to tighten their purse strings should consider the Albanian Riviera next year as it has all the natural attractions of its Croatian counterpart but without the crowds and considerable expense.
The list also includes the Frommer’s Readers’ Favourite destination, Turkey, which received 51% of the overall vote from the ten destinations up for nomination. Turkey beat South Africa to the top spot. In describing the win, Frommer’s editors raved about Istanbul’s unique positioning at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and the stunning coastlines of the Mediterranean coast. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit eastern Turkey on Sunday 23rd October does not dampen Frommer’s enthusiasm for what the country has in store for 2012. Modern Turkey and its past incarnations have seen their share of natural and man-made challenges throughout the centuries. As the Frommer's Turkey author Lynn A. Levine puts it "... there is one undeniable common denominator, and that is that Turkey, and the Turkish people, know how to do hospitality.”
Frommer’s Top Destinations for 2012
Europe
London Greenwich, England
Girona, Spain
Middle East/Africa
Beirut, Lebanon
Ghana
Asia
Chongqing, China
Fukuoka, Japan
Caribbean and Latin America
Curacao
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
North America/Canada
Bay of Fundy, Canada
Kansas City, Missouri
Readers’ Favourite destination - Turkey
Categories
Top Cruise Destination: Tromso, Norway
Top Adventure Destination: Moab, Utah, North America
Top Food & Drink Destination: Lima, Peru
Top City Break Destination: Chicago, North America
Top Endangered Destination: Aysen Region, Chile
Top Value Destination: Albanian Riviera
Top Destination to Get Lost: Whitsunday Islands, Australia
Top Family Destination: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North America
Top Beach Destination: Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
For more information, visit frommers.com.