Not Copacabana or Corsica… but CARDIFF: Welsh capital ranked a top travel destination by National Geographic
A top American guide for summer travellers missed out the Maldives and the Caribbean - and went for Cardiff instead.
The renowned National Geographic magazine ranked the Welsh capital as one of the world's top 10 summer destinations for 2011.
The city better known for rugby, coal and drunken nights out was ranked sixth best alternative hotspot.
Hotspot: Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is among the National Geographic magazine's top 10 list of alternative destinations for international travellers
The publication listed it alongside destinations in the Azores, Honduras and Croatia for summer trips for their readers around the world.
Its July traveller guide says: 'Historically a city of castles and coal, Wales’s capital is emerging as a modern sports-entertainment destination.
'Summer action centres on Cardiff Bay, once the world's largest coal-exporting port, now a 500-acre freshwater lake with eight miles of waterfront.
'Surrounding diversions, part of Europe's largest waterfront development, include shopping and dining at Mermaid Quay, rafting and kayaking at Cardiff International White Water, and windsurfing and powerboating on the bay.
Attraction: Cardiff Castle is in the heart of the city centre
Grey sky delight: The Millennium Centre is home of the Welsh National Opera
'Celebrate the August bank holiday weekend at the Cardiff Harbour Festival.
'From Mermaid Quay, take an Aquabus or water taxi up the River Taff or bike along the Taff Trail to Cardiff's city centre.
'Signature sites include the National Museum, Cardiff Castle, 150-store St David's, and Millennium Stadium.'
The city was sixth on the list ahead of perhaps more predictable places such as the Azores in the Atlantic and Roatan, Honduras - described as the Caribbean's best-kept secret.
Travel writer Simon Calder said it might help shake off the old image of Cardiff's industrial past.
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He said: 'National Geographic's recommendation is welcome news, reflecting the remarkable resurgence in the city - and, in particular, the revival of Cardiff Bay as one of Europe's choicest waterside locations.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TOP TEN HOTSPOTS
1. MUSKOKA COTTAGE COUNTRY, ONTARIO, CANADA - a natural playground of historic towns and villages and countless waterfalls and lakes;
2. PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA - The Southern Andes offering spectacular skiing and snowboarding.
3. SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON - All about the weather, whales, and water on the archipelago's islands;
4. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - arts, music, and cultural festivals.
5. GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA - Humpback whales, harbour porpoises, moose, black and brown bears, mountain goats, and mountain peaks topping 15,000 feet.
6. CARDIFF
7. STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO, SWEDEN - Nearly 25,000 islands make up Stockholm's maritime ‘garden on the rocks’;
8. AZORES, PORTUGAL - Green volcanic mountains, mineral hot springs, hydrangeacovered hills, rambling vineyards, white-washed seaside towns;
9. ROATAN, HONDURAS - A diver's dream destination because of its encircling coral reef which extends directly from the shore.
10. ISTRIA, CROATIA - This densely forested peninsula has been a popular summer hot spot since Austro-Hungarian Empire days.
2. PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA - The Southern Andes offering spectacular skiing and snowboarding.
3. SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON - All about the weather, whales, and water on the archipelago's islands;
4. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - arts, music, and cultural festivals.
5. GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA - Humpback whales, harbour porpoises, moose, black and brown bears, mountain goats, and mountain peaks topping 15,000 feet.
6. CARDIFF
7. STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO, SWEDEN - Nearly 25,000 islands make up Stockholm's maritime ‘garden on the rocks’;
8. AZORES, PORTUGAL - Green volcanic mountains, mineral hot springs, hydrangeacovered hills, rambling vineyards, white-washed seaside towns;
9. ROATAN, HONDURAS - A diver's dream destination because of its encircling coral reef which extends directly from the shore.
10. ISTRIA, CROATIA - This densely forested peninsula has been a popular summer hot spot since Austro-Hungarian Empire days.
'For the Welsh capital to be included in such auspicious company is praise indeed.
'At a time when the tourist industry in Wales is having a tough time, this is the ideal shot in the arm.
'It will also be good news for all the people who are attracted to the capital and realise what wonders there are in the nation beyond.'
Residents of the Welsh capital greeted the news with delight – and puzzlement.
Shopworker Sophie Harrison, 26, said: 'Cardiff is lush - but I wouldn't come here on holiday. Give me the Mediterranean any day.
'The main reason I know people come to Cardiff is to go on the lash for a stag or hen night. We Cardiff girls know how to drink and party.'
But proud Welshman David Burton, 46, said: 'Cardiff is the centre of the world - well, if you love rugby, beer and speaking Welsh. We'll make all those Americans very welcome.'
But others are less surprised.
Welsh travel writer David Atkinson said: 'It's testament to the way Cardiff as a capital has reinvented itself over the past 10 years.
'During the past decade it real has established itself as a viable destination these days.'
Hywel Thomas, a spokesperson for Cardiff & Co which promotes the city, said: 'The National Geographic Society was founded in 1888 and to be featured in the pages of one of its publications is something that many would regard with almost reverence.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2006839/Cardiff-ranked-travel-destination-National-Geographic.html#ixzz2mKzzDPHA
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