Rough Guides names Newcastle as the best place in the WORLD to visit in 2018 (beating Cuba, New Orleans and Sicily)

  • The north-eastern city has been heralded over 17 other famous places
  • These include Belize, Jordan, New Orleans, South Africa and Tbilisi, Georgia
  • City was credited for being economical, friendly and actively engaged in art 

It's culturally known for football, brown ale and reality TV show Geordie Shore.

But, despite this, Newcastle upon Tyne has been named the world's ultimate destination point for 2018 - by the travel experts at Rough Guides, no less.

The north-eastern city, also renowned for shipbuilding and manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution, won the accolade after triumphing over competition from Belize, Cuba and New Orleans, this week.

Iconic: The famous Tyne Bridge, which first opened in 1928, helps to visually define Newcastle 

Iconic: The famous Tyne Bridge, which first opened in 1928, helps to visually define Newcastle 

Specifically, the judges praised Newcastle's 'Geordie geniality' and its 'notoriously lively' nightlife, which is often depicted as involving excessive alcohol consumption and minimal clothing.

It was also credited for being 'friendly on the wallet' and enhanced with architectural feats such as the Tyne Bridge, which first opened in 1928.

The city's plan to host the Great Exhibition of the North, next summer, in conjunction with Gateshead, was also a deciding factor.

Cultural contribution: Newcastle FC, which has created sporting legends such as Alan Shearer, remains a major factor in how the city plays on a national stage

Cultural contribution: Newcastle FC, which has created sporting legends such as Alan Shearer, remains a major factor in how the city plays on a national stage

Latter-day reputation: Reality TV star Marnie Simpson (second from left) parties in Newcastle with some of her Geordie Shore co-stars

Latter-day reputation: Reality TV star Marnie Simpson (second from left) parties in Newcastle with some of her Geordie Shore co-stars

ROUGH GUIDE'S MUST-SEE PLACES FOR 2018

1. NEWCASTLE
2. CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL, USA
3. MALAWI 
4. VALETTA, MALTA                                     5. WALES
6. CUBA
7. RUSSIA
8. NEW ORLEANS 
9. CHILE
10. SIERRA LEONE
11. SOUTH KOREA
12. JORDAN
13. TBILISI, GEORGIA
14. SOUTH AFRICA
15. PALERMO, SICILY
16. TOGIAN ISLANDS
17. TUNISIA
18. BELIZE

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As was its buoyant restaurant and art scene, which has expanded in recent years.

Eateries such as Hei Hei, The Broad Chare and The Bohemian remain popular, while contemporary art is frequently enjoyed at the Baltic Centre. 

The win is quite a coup for Newcastle, especially when you consider that other candidates vying for the prize included South Korea, Russia and Chile, but - clearly - none of them surpassed the Toon's charm.

America's civil rights trail - including Montgomery, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia - followed suit in second place, while African country Malawi came third. 

Perhaps surprisingly, Wales also achieved a mention - in fifth place, beating Sicily's Palermo, Jordan and South Africa. 

 

 

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