Northern Ireland a must-see for 2007

British holidaymakers do not have to travel far to get to one of the top destinations for 2007 - Northern Ireland.

The province was listed alongside the Xinjang region of north-west China and the former French colony of Gabon, west Africa, in a new Lonely Planet guide to the best destinations for 2007.

Northern Ireland is described as being "abuzz with life: the cities are pulsating, the economy is thriving and the people, the lifeblood that courses through the country, are in good spirits".

"The landscape of northern Ireland is astonishingly beautiful, the people are warm and genuine, and yet it is still relatively undiscovered, which makes it the perfect destination," added Lonely Planet co-founder Maureen Wheeler, who grew up in Belfast.

Belfast also gets a special mention as being one of the top ten cities on the rise.

Lonely Planet's Bluelist 2007 is a five-part guide to where to travel next year, featuring a mix of lists of top destinations, reader recommendations, country reports and an in-depth look at 'dark tourism' - travel to sites known for death and suffering.