Lonely Planet names North Wales among 'world's top 10 regions'

Travel guide Lonely Planet has revealed its Best in Travel 2017 locations – with North Wales named as one of the Top 10 Regions for the year.

It is the only place in the UK included in the Best in Travel 2017, and – according to Lonely Planet – earned its place as a must-see destination thanks to the region “reinventing itself”.

Recent additions to North Wales’ tourism offer include Surf Snowdonia – created in an old aluminium works in Dolgarrog – and Zip World Velocity, the world’s fastest zip line which is housed in the former Penrhyn Quarry.

Elsewhere, a former Victorian slate mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog has been transformed into a physical activity attraction called Bounce Below, featuring giant trampolines strung inside the caverns.

Snowdonia National Park – Wales’ largest – has also been designated a ‘dark-sky reserve’ thanks to its lack of light pollution.

A spokesperson for Visit Wales said: “It's a great accolade to be part of Lonely Planet's annual selection.

“Being chosen puts you proudly on the map as one of the world's must-visit treasures, something that any country would be proud of.”

As well as North Wales, other regions to make it into the top 10 include Choquequirao in Peru and Taranaki in New Zealand.

The Best in Travel 2017 lists Canada as the best country to visit, followed by Colombia and Finland.

For cities, Bordeaux in France was selected for the top spot, with Cape Town in South Africa in second and Los Angeles in the US in third place.