World's favourite travel destination named

Australia has been voted the best worldwide country by readers of the Sunday Times Travel Magazine.

The country, which boasts attractions ranging from Sydney's harbour bridge to Uluru, beat the US and Thailand, second and third respectively, in the poll of 7,000 readers.

The situation was reversed in the best city category, with New York claiming readers' affections ahead of Sydney, with Barcelona in third.

In Europe, readers of the magazine were once again lured by the food, culture and romance of Italy into voting it their favourite European destination ahead of Spain and France.

London was the UK city of choice, ahead of Edinburgh and York, while London's Dorchester Hotel was the best UK hotel ahead of Gleneagles.

The Hilton Rangali in the Maldives was chosen by readers as the world's best hotel, ahead of the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. In Europe, the George V in Paris was the best European hotel ahead of the Ritz Madrid, and Capo d'Africa, Rome.

"Over 7,000 readers voted this year which just goes to show how passionate our readers feel about travel and why these awards are so respected by the travel industry," said the magazine's editor Ed Grenby.

The awards in full
Best European Country

Italy

Spain

France

Best Country Worldwide

Australia

USA

Thailand

Best UK City

London

Edinburgh

York

Best City Worldwide

New York

Sydney

Barcelona

Best Travel Company

Kuoni

Trailfinders

Thomas Cook

Best Specialist Travel Company

Explore

STA Travel

Journey Latin America

Best Airline

British Airways

Virgin Atlantic

Singapore Airlines

Best Budget/Short-Haul Airline

Easyjet

Ryanair

Bmibaby

Best UK Hotel

Dorchester

Gleneagles

Du Vin group

Best European Hotel

George V, Paris

Ritz, Madrid

Capo d'Africa, Rome

Best Hotel Worldwide

Hilton Rangali, Maldives

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Best UK Spa

Champneys, Hertfordshire

Nirvana, Berkshire

Sanctuary, London