How the Welsh coastline got to the top of the world

31st October 2011

Coastal Wales is the greatest region on Earth to visit next year. This is the verdict of 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 book states; “What a wonderful thing: to walk the entire length of a country’s coastline, to trace its every nook, cranny, cliff-face, indent and estuary. How better to truly appreciate the shape – and soul – of a nation? Well, in 2012 Wales will become the only country in the world where you can do just that. Due for completion in May, the All Wales Coast Path (AWCP) will squiggle continuously from Chepstow in the south to near Queensferry in the north – via dramatic serrations, sandy bays and domineering castles – making 1377km of shore accessible.”

The highly anticipated title highlights 10 countries, 10 regions and 10 cities which have been handpicked by Lonely Planet’s travel experts as the best places to visit in 2012.

Lonely Planet’s Tom Hall contributed to the book. He said, “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.”

Tom continued, “As well as the novel ability to walk its entire coastline, the region comes out top because of its wildlife, great surf, castles and fantastic spots such as Barrafundle Bay and St David’s. Now that Wills and Kate have set up home in the area it has also received the Royal stamp of approval.”

The book’s selections are based on the advice of Lonely Planet’s authors, guidebook commissioning team, and selected members of our travel community, and are ranked in order by a panel of travel experts.

Top 10 Regions

1.      Coastal Wales

2.      Ruta Maya, Central America

3.      Northern Kenya

4.      Arundachal Pradesh, India

5.      Hvar, Croatia

6.      Sicily, Italy

7.      Maritime Provinces, Canada

8.      Queenstown & Southern lakes, New Zealand

9.      Borneo, Indonesia/Malaysia

10.    Poitou-Charentes, France

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