Travel News

Guardian readers are fairly conservative.

On 20 October, The Guardian (UK) tells us its readers' favourites in the world of travel:

19,248 people gave their views.

Favourite UK city

Edinburgh

Favourite overseas city

Sydney

Favourite long-haul countries

1. New Zealand 2. Cambodia 3. Chile 4. Vietnam 5. Japan

Favourite European countries

1. Switzerland 2. Norway 3. Austria 4. Sweden 5. Italy

Best overseas hotels

1. Taj Hotels 2. Oberoi Hotels & Resorts 3. Mandarin Oriental 4. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts 5. Peninsula Hotel

Indonesia

Favourite UK tourist attractions

1. British Museum 2. London Eye 3. Tate Modern 4. Eden Project 5. Alton Towers

Favourite overseas tourist attractions

1. Iguazú Falls 2. Angkor Temple Complex 3. Machu Picchu 4. Grand Canyon National Park 5. Great Barrier Reef

Best tour operators

Large: 1. Trailfinders 2. Voyages Jules Verne 3. Kuoni 4. Saga Holidays 5. Virgin Holidays.

Small: 1. Rainbow Tours 2. Audley Travel 3. Original Travel 4. Imagine Africa 5. Saddle Skedaddle

Best short-haul airlines

1. Swiss 2. Lufthansa 3. KLM 4. British Airways 5. SAS Scandinavian Airlines

Best long-haul airline

1. Singapore Airlines 2. Air New Zealand 3. Jet Airways 4. Emirates 5. Etihad Airways



Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau warned its citizens against traveling to India due to a concrete threat of a terror attack. -Israelis warned against travel to India

"We visited a beautiful 17th-century synagogue, with wonderful old blue and white tiles on the floor." - Former UK spy boss Stella Rimington's heaven on earth

Trailfinders' annual profits have been cut by more than half. It says that the recession and fears over terrorism are putting people off travelling.

Profits for the year to February 2009 fell to £7.4m from £18.6m the year before. - Travel worries slash Trailfinders' profits

"In western Thailand lies the tranquil province of Uthai Thani, with picturesque river plains bordering the Chao Phraya river and forested mountains. The capital of the province, Uthai Thani town, is a very peaceful, traditional town where you can hire bikes or take a cruise on a rice barge along the Sakae Krang river." Read full article



"Some stores leave their goods unattended on the pavement during siesta and I often leave my front door open while I pop to the shops." - Lanjaron in Spain: My kind of town

"Why do London airports so often seem unready for the incoming flight? On many occasions I have landed on time only to be told by the captain that the gate is not ready." - Stress-free travel in Britain still just a flight of fancy

"TUI Travel, Europe’s biggest tour operator, has raised £350 million by issuing a convertible bond as part of a refinancing of a £900 million loan from its German parent company.

"The group, which owns the Thomson and First Choice holiday brands, also announced today the creation of a joint venture with Sunwing, the family owned Canadian travel group, aimed at stemming losses from its own Canadian business...

"Signs were that demand for main summer holidays remained strong, with Turkey and Egypt proving particularly popular..." - TUI Travel refinances £900m shareholder loan