Plymouth has been named one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world.
The port city in Devon is at number seven on the 14-strong global list which also includes Burlington in the USA, Gippsland in Australia and Srebrenik in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The South West location was picked as part of Time Out's Most Underrated Travel Destinations list, which aims to inspired people to discover places which pack a punch in terms of food, culture and experiences, but are often overlooked by travellers.
Time Out’s UK Editor, Huw Oliver, explains: “Plymouth doesn’t cross a lot of people’s minds when it comes to planning a seaside getaway or a city break, but it should: you get two for the price of one here," he said.
"It’s got culture in spades, with The Box offering world-class exhibitions in a beautiful setting and the Market Hall dazzling with its ‘immersive art dome’.
"And that’s not to mention all the amazing food and drink, from classic fish and chips to England’s oldest gin distillery, plus quite possibly the UK’s best outdoor pool in the Tinside Lido.
"It offers an idyllic weekend away, right on the stunning Devon coast, and best of all, you’ll likely have a lot of it to yourself.”
You could also head out onto Dartmoor to witness one of the most dramatic and unforgiving bits of the countryside in the UK, before returning to Plymouth for some world class fish and chips.
In number one position in the global rankings was Mongolia, which was selected as it is much easier to reach and cheaper than people realise, according to Time Out's judges.
It also offers a unique nomadic experience with a true feeling of stepping back in time, with more than half of the country’s population living in gers - felt-roofed, round structures.
The nation has a plethora of landscapes and cultural activities to discover and explore including the Gobi Desert, breathtaking national parks and festivals including Naadam with horse racing, wrestling and archery.
Lake Bacalar is second on the list – an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico.
The 30-mile-long lake is close to the border with Belize and is known for its seven shades of blue.
You can while away your days on its many beaches or take out a kayak or SUP or snorkel, swim, dive or take a boat trip.
In third position on this year’s list is the charming Ecuadorian city of Cuenca in the Andes mountains.
Arguably the country’s most beautiful city, it is more relaxed than the capital, Quito, and packed with well-preserved Renaissance buildings as well as interesting food and drink options.
One particularly interesting one is the Cuencan version of Tamal, a cornflour dough containing shredded pork, egg and raisins, all wrapped in leaves and steamed.
The city is also a great base from which to explore the stunning nature of nearby Cajas National Park - a 40 minute drive away - and its abundance of wildlife, hiking trails and lakes.
You can check out the top 10 list below.
- Mongolia
- Lake Bacalar, Mexico
- Cuenca, Ecuador
- Srebrenik, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
- Gippsland, Australia
- Plymouth, England
- Burlington, Vermont
- Turku, Finland
- Karpathos, Greece
Which of the 10 would be top of your list? Let us know in the comments below.
