MELBOURNE, Australia — Lonely Planet has chosen Canada's Maritime provinces as one of the top 10 regions in the world to visit in 2012, citing the area's newfound appeal for food-minded travellers.
Distilleries that turn P.E.I. potatoes into "silky vodka," organic wineries that crush Nova Scotia grapes, oyster cafes, mushroom-foraging tours and cheese-making classes are among the attractions, the guidebook publisher says.
P.E.I. has recently wrapped up a successful Fall Flavours festival that showcases the province's fare with celebrity chefs and signature events that give guests the chance to harvest their food before cooking and eating it.
As well, the Maritimes — ranked seventh on the list — will be marking the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster next year.
In the No. 1 spot is coastal Wales, which will see the completion in 2012 of the All Wales Coast Path.
The Mayan Route - spanning the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas in Mexico, as well as Belize, Guatemala and Honduras - is No. 2. "Maya mania" surrounding end-of-the-world prophecies has put the region in the spotlight.
No. 3 is northern Kenya, where a huge road construction project is underway. Next year might be the last chance to experience "one of Africa's greatest adventures in all its dusty and pot-holed glory," says Lonely Planet. (Note, however, that Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to northeast Kenya within 150 kilometres of the Somali border due to the risk of kidnapping and attack.)
Others on the list: Arunachal Pradesh, India; Hvar, Croatia; Sicily; Queenstown and Southern Lakes, New Zealand; Borneo; Poitou-Charentes, France.
Lonely Planet has selected Uganda, which will mark the 50th anniversary of its independence, as the top country to visit, followed by Myanmar and Ukraine. London, Muscat and Bengaluru (Bangalore) are the top cities.
