Newcastle named top place to visit for 2018
Newcastle Upon Tyne has been crowned by Rough Guides as the top place to visit in 2018.
The northern town has beat the likes of Cuba, Chile, South Africa, Sicily and Belize to take the top spot.
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The Rough Guides team rounded up the 18 best places to visit in 2018, and Newcastle nabbed pole position.
The team said the list includes new trekking routes, historical trails, conservation success stories, and underrated cities.
It hailed the famous Geordie geniality, fantastic museums, great nightlife, an up and coming restaurant scene as among Newcastle's attractions.
Of the city, it said: "Tourists venturing to Northern England have traditionally made a beeline for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester, but 2018 is Newcastle's time to shine.
"Next summer the city – along with neighbouring Gateshead – will host the Great Exhibition of the North, a two-month jamboree that will tell the story of Northern England and how its artists and innovators have helped shape the world we live in. Expect live music, performance art and insightful exhibitions at some wonderful venues.
"Expect also to be bowled over by Geordie geniality (locals are famously friendly) and the city's nightlife, which is notoriously lively.
"A burgeoning restaurant scene, fantastic museums and architectural feats like Tyne Bridge add to the appeal of Newcastle, which is also friendly on the wallet."
Rounding up the top five was the Civil Rights Trail in the US, Malawi in Africa, Valletta in Malta, and our very own Wales.
Rough Guides describes Wales as "a magical landscape harbouring jagged peaks, theatrically sited castles, lush valleys and an epic coastline", and says there's never been a better time to go than in 2018, thanks to The Wales Way, a trio of action-packed routes you can bike, hike or drive, which launched in November 2017.
It's a big draw for adventure seekers, with hikers being able to walk all 1400km of the Wales Coast Path - Wales is the only country in the world with a dedicated path around its entire coastline. And, of course, it's also home to the fastest zip line on the planet.
Visit roughguides.com for more and see the list of the 18 top places to visit by Rough Guides 2018 below.
1. Newcastle, England
2. Civil Rights Trail, USA
3. Malawi
4. Valletta, Malta
5. Wales
6. Cuba
7. Russia
8. New Orleans, USA
9. Chile
10. Sierra Leone
11. South Korea
12. Jordan
13. Tbilisi, Georgia
14. South Africa
15. Palermo, Sicily
16. Togian Islands, Indonesia
17. Tunisia
18. Belize
See more 2018 holiday inspiration below:
