Tripadvisor: Top 10 holiday destinations

Based on millions of reviews, Tripadvisor has released its most popular holiday destinations, beaches and hotels. In terms of popularity, the destinations were ranked not only on the basis of cultural and tourist attractions, but also on the range of restaurants and other activities which each location offers.

1: Paris

Having lost points in attractiveness over the last five years, Paris has, once again, risen to top position in the most popular holiday destination rankings. Following the tragic 2015 terror attacks, the number of visitors to the French capital fell sharply. They had recovered again by 2017 and since then, visitors are, once again, enamored with Paris's museums, architecture, art and shops.

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2. Great Britain

London combines history, art and fashion with long-standing British traditions. The city can cater to anyone's taste in order to have the perfect day, whether it's a visit to the Tate Modern, the Royal Opera House or simply a shopping trip to Oxford Street. That said, there is much more to Great Britain than London. Cities like York, Manchester, and Edinburgh are just as invigorating, from a cultural perspective.

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3. Rome

"Rome wasn't built in a day", they say and so it follows that one cannot see all of Rome in just one day! With an overwhelming historical setting, you can visit museums, markets and more. The Pantheon and Colosseum are just some of the must-sees, and can be enjoyed before or after a cappuccino and a shopping expedition on the Via Veneto.

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4. Bali

The Indonesian island of Bali is a tropical paradise. Sunbathe on a white sanded beach or dive into the coral reefs. The island itself is equally as exotic, with jungle vegetation, temples and monkeys to be found everywhere.

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5. Crete

The Greek island is a veritable treasure when it comes to swimming in a turquoise sea. Not only is it visually stunning but Crete has important historical and mythological connotations. Rumour has it that the Greek god, Zeus, was born in Crete and that early modern European civilization first developed on the island.

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6. Barcelona

The keyword for Barcelona is surreal: the influence of both Salvador Dalí and the Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí, can be traced all over this vibrant city. One particular highlight is Gaudí's masterful and unique Sagrada Familia cathedral, which is still under construction, only adding to its mystery.

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7. Prague

If culture is your thing, then Prague is the destination for you. You need one day to see the city's castle alone, which can be followed by traditional Czech food and drink.

8. Marrakesh

The red city can be described as nearly magical, with its many markets, gardens and palaces. Try not to get lost in all its lanes around the Medina.

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9. Istanbul

Istanbul has much to offer to travelers: visit the beautiful blue Sultan-Ahmet mosque, the suspension bridges connecting Europe with Asia, buy a handwoven carpet in one of the city's many bazaars, after haggling over its price, or go and relax in a traditional Turkish bath-house.

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10. New York

New York is overwhelming to experience: lots of people and lots of buildings and that's just on Manhattan island! If busy is your thing, then New York is your next destination. You can't miss the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park or the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Other less popular attractions are also worth visiting, like the Cloisters or the city's many libraries.

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Most Beautiful Beaches

1. Grace Bay, Providenciales (Turks & Caicos Islands, Bahamas)
2. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha (Brazil)
3. Varadero Beach (Cuba)
4. Eagle Beach (Aruba)
5. Seven Mile Beach (Grand Cayman)
6. La Concha Beach, San Sebastian (Spain)
7. Clearwater Beach (Florida, USA)
8. Seven Mile Beach, Negril (Jamaica)
9. Bavaro Beach (Dominican Republic)
10. Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres (Mexico)

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Destinations Rising in Popularity

1. Ishigaki (Japan)
2. Kapaa (Hawaii, USA)
3. Nairobi (Kenya)
4. Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada)
5. Danzig (Poland)
6. San Jose (Costa Rica)
7. Riga (Latvia)
8. Rovinj (Croatia)
9. Nerja (Spain)
10. Casablanca (Morocco)

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Best Hotels

1. Viroth's Hotel, Siem Reap (Cambodia)
2. Tulemar Bungalows & Villas, Nationalpark Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica)
3. Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur, Jodhpur (India)
4. Hanoi La Siesta Hotel & Spa, Hanoi (Vietnam)
5. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, Lankanfushi (Maldives)
6. Hotel Belvedere, Riccione (Italy)
7. The Nantucket Hotel & Resort, Nantucket (Massachusetts, USA)
8. La Reserve Paris - Hotel and Spa, Paris (France)
9. Nayara Springs, La Fortuna de San Carlos (Costa Rica)
10. Hanoi La Siesta Hotel Trendy, Hanoi (Vietnam)