Scotland and Yorkshire hailed as 2014 travel 'must sees'

The Lonely Planet guide Lonely Planet describes Edinburgh as 'the most gothic city outside Transylvania'. Credit: David Cheskin/PA Wire

Scotland and Yorkshire have been chosen among the top places in the world to visit next year in a "best-of" booklet by Lonely Planet.

Scotland was voted the third-best country to go to next year in a list headed by Brazil, with Antarctica in second.

The guide says Scotland, which hosts next summer's Commonweath Games as well as golf's Ryder Cup, had "never looked so good".

Lonely Planet describes Edinburgh as "the most gothic city outside Transylvania" and encourages travellers to "take the high road to Loch Lomond, Loch Ness and Cairngorms National Park and fall in love with the landscape that inspired poet Robert Burns".

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 contributor Tom Hall said:

Yorkshire came third in the list of top 10 world regions to visit in 2014.

The guide states, "If the good people of Yorkshire were proud of their heritage before, the 2012 London Olympics only served to cement what they have always thought: that their county is better than - and really the best of - all the English counties."

The guide calls Yorkshire a 'welcoming region of rugged moorlands, heritage homes and cosy pubs'. Credit: Neil Squires/Press Association Images

It continues, "In 2014, this welcoming region of rugged moorlands, heritage homes and cosy pubs will be able to hold its head even higher when the Tour de France begins its grand depart from Leeds."

Other UK mentions in the booklet include:

  • Cavern Club in Liverpool: The club where it all began for The Beatles

  • Abbey Road recording studios in northwest London: Listed as a destination where the 50th anniversary of Beatlemania could best be celebrated

  • York Minster: The 13th century-begun cathedral makes it into a list of the top 10 global "sights to make you feel small"

  • Savile Row, London: One of the best places to get dressed for success

  • Aston Martin in Scotland: The combination of car and country add up to one of the best world classic car rides