The results are in, and a destination in New Zealand has ranked in the top three best places in Asia Pacific, as decided by Lonely Planet.
The Bay of Islands lost the top two spots to Margaret River in Australia and Shikoku in Japan.
The Lonely Planet website boasts about the Bay of Islands’ beautiful and diverse landscape and cultural significance.
“Endless extraordinary surf beaches, myriad islands and forests of giant trees are the hallmarks of the northernmost part of New Zealand – but that’s only part of the story.
“Northland is the cradle of the country’s culture and history – both for the indigenous MƒÅori people and for the European settlers who followed them,” the website says.
The Bay of Islands is where European settlers and indigenous Maori came together to sign the Treaty of Waitangi and 2020 sees the 180th anniversary of this key nation-building event, the Lonely Planet website says.
“Expect extra gusto at the annual festivities at Waitangi on February 6 – New Zealand’s national day – including the opening of a brand new museum devoted to the MƒÅori Battalion who fought in the World Wars.”
Lonely Planet’s top 10 best places in Asia Pacific are Margaret River (Australia) Shikoku (Japan), Bay of Islands (New Zealand), Singapore, The Cook Islands, Central Vietnam, Fiji, Palawan (Philippines), Beijing (China) and Cambodia.
