TripAdvisor announces 2012 Travellers' Choice award winners
Buenos Aires, Siem Reap and Marakesh named among best travel destinations of 2012 by review site
If you're thinking about booking an overland adventure but unsure which of the dozens of exciting locations to choose from, you may want to take some inspiration from the latest Travellers' Choice awards from review site TripAdvisor.
Based on the aggregation of millions of reviews by TripAdvisor users, the awards list some of the best travel destinations in countries around the globe.
Although many mainstream locations, including London, New York and Paris, made it into the global top ten, the awards also acknowledged plenty of more adventurous destinations.
This includes Siem Reap in Cambodia, which topped the list of best destinations in Asia and came in ninth overall.
Siem Reap is home to the stunning Angkor Wat temple complex - the largest Hindu temple complex in the world.
China was also well-represented, with Beijing and Shanghai coming in second and third respectively in the Asian section of the awards.
However, if it's adventure holidays in South America" class="dnautolink">adventure holidays in South America you're after, you might want to consider including Buenos Aires on your itinerary.
The Argentinean capital was named the number one location in South America in the 2012 awards.
TripAdvisor said of the city: "We think it's time to stop calling Buenos Aires the 'Paris of South America.' As anyone who's been there will tell you, this city has a spirit all its own.
"Spend a day visiting the city's many fine museums and the amazing Recoleta cemetery, then hit the modern Puerto Madero neighbourhood at night to take your pick of the city's coolest restaurants and clubs."
Machu Picchu in Peru, Brazil's Rio de Janeiro and Cartagena in Columbia also featured in the list of top destinations in South America.
Meanwhile, Marrakech in Morocco was named as the number one travel hotspot in Africa.
"Smell the spices in the air, brush up on your haggling at a local souk, then sip mint tea in the Majorelle Garden," said the website.
"End your day lounging in the rooftop garden of your riad, watching the sun set over this timeless city."
