Canterbury has been named as one of the world’s best adventure destinations to explore in 2019.

The annual Best Trips issue has just been published by National Geographic Traveler magazine and reveals its 28 must-see destinations and travel experiences for 2019. Together, Traveler editors and National Geographic Explorers have selected their top places to travel across four categories: Cities, Nature, Culture and Adventure.

Canterbury was selected in the Adventure category. ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager – Destination and Attraction, Loren Heaphy, says Cantabrians are very aware they live in an amazing region to explore but the global recognition is the icing on the cake.

“Making the list of such a highly regarded travel magazine is fantastic news for the city and region. Christchurch is a logical place for visitors to base themselves while they explore all the amazing adventure activities on offer around the region and we know many Traveler magazine readers will be inspired to put Canterbury on the top of their travel list after seeing us featured.”

Adventures to explore in Canterbury include whale watching in Kaikoura, swimming with the dolphins in Akaroa, skiing at the region’s many fields and witnessing the spectacular Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, as well as mountain biking, ziplining, kayaking, canyoning, rafting and jet boating.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen England-Hall says it’s fantastic to see the Canterbury region included on the list.

“Canterbury has a lot to offer visitors, it’s great to see the region being recognised by such a highly regarded publication. Tourism New Zealand seeks to spread the benefits of tourism across the country by heavily promoting the regions in our work. International exposure through this accolade will help encourage more visitors to the Canterbury region and the rest of the South Island.”

This year’s Best Trips list is relevant, surprising and inspiring, highlighting a globe-spanning mix of destinations from the Peruvian Amazon to Kansas City, Missouri.

National Geographic Traveler editor in chief George Stone says the Best Trips issue features 28 destinations and experiences that can inspire us, change our perspectives and connect us with cultures, places and ideas that matter in the world.

“The issue is packed with spectacular National Geographic photography and is driven by our mission to explore, conserve, respect and engage with our planet.”

National Geographic’s Best Trips destinations for 2019 are:

ADVENTURE
• Greenland
• Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
• Isla de los Estados, Argentina
• Macedonia
• Canterbury Region, New Zealand
• Caño Cristales River, Colombia
• Oman

CITIES
• Dakar, Senegal
• Salvador, Brazil
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Toronto, Canada
• Matera, Italy
• Perth, Australia
• Mexico City, Mexico

NATURE
• Peruvian Amazon
• Montenegro
• Belize
• Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
• South Walton County, Florida
• Fanjingshan, China
• Tahiti, French Polynesia

CULTURE
• Cairo, Egypt
• Hoang Lien Son, Vietnam
• Galway, Ireland
• Bauhaus Trail, Germany
• Oakland, California
• Vervey, Switzerland
• Dordogne, France

The December/January 2019 issue of Traveler magazine is out on newsstands and online at NatGeoTravel.com/BestTrips2019. The Best Trips digital experience includes highlights on each destination selected for the list as well as National Geographic’s iconic photography that transports audiences to the chosen locales.

National Geographic Traveler publishes six issues per year and is the world’s most widely read travel magazine, with 18 international editions. Content is also shared with its @NatGeoTravel community of more than 50 million people.

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