An Irish town has been named among the world's "most underrated travel destinations" by Time Out.
The prestigious magazine tasked their global network of travel writers and editors - who decided Bray in Co Wicklow made the cut.
Bray came in at number 13 on the list, with Time Out highlighting the town's bustling food scene and gorgeous views among the highlights on offer.
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The magazine wrote: "It was the arrival of the railway in 1854 that made Bray, just twelve miles south of Dublin, so popular it became known as the Brighton of Ireland.
"After years of decline, its mile-long Victorian seafront now buzzes with cafés and restaurants. Stroll from the harbour along the esplanade to the 800-foot high Bray Head, worth the hour’s climb for panoramic views from its rocky summit."
Writing about what visitors to Bray should do on their visit, Time Out suggests a "refuel at Butler & Barry on the beach, before a Guinness at ace local institution the Harbour Bar".
Topping Time Out's list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations is Mongolia, with the magazine saying the that the country in East Asia "has to be experienced to be believed".
Time Out said: "For a perfect introduction to the country, spend a couple of days in the capital, Ulaanbaatar – it’s surprisingly clustered and easy to explore – then take in the picture-perfect ranges and fresh mountain air of Gorkhi Terelj National Park."
Lake Bacalar in Mexico came second on the list, with visitors urged to "kayak to white-sand beaches, relax on the docks while spotting migratory birds, swim in cenotes and bed down in a spate of new eco-hotels".
Here's the top 14:
- Mongolia
- Lake Bacalar, Mexico
- Cuenca, Ecuador
- Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Gippsland, Australia
- Plymouth, England
- Burlington, Vermont
- Turku, Finland
- Karpathos, Greece
- Lombok, Indonesia
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Bray, Ireland
- Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe
Time Out’s deputy travel editor, Grace Beard, said 2023 is “the year to travel somewhere you’ve never been before – or maybe have never even heard of”.
“These under-the-radar destinations are real gems. They offer a local, authentic vibe and are often overlooked by travellers focusing on the usual tick-list destinations,” she said.
“Not only do lesser-visited destinations mean fewer crowds and the opportunity to feel that you are discovering somewhere off the beaten track – they can sometimes be more affordable for eating, drinking and doing activities compared with their well-worn counterparts”.
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