Cardiff Travel

The book detailed it alongside spots in Portugal, Honduras and Croatia for summer trips for readers internationally.

Its July traveller guide says: 'Historically a town of castles and coal, Wales’s money is emerging as a modern sports-entertainment location.

'Summer action centres on Cardiff Bay, when the earth's biggest coal-exporting slot, today a 500-acre freshwater lake with eight kilometers of waterfront.

'Surrounding diversions, element of European countries's biggest waterfront development, feature shopping and dining at Mermaid Quay, rafting and kayaking at Cardiff Overseas White Water, and windsurfing and powerboating on the bay.

Appeal: Cardiff Castle is within the heart associated with the city centre

Grey sky delight: The Millennium Centre is residence regarding the Welsh National Opera

'enjoy the August lender vacation week-end at the Cardiff Harbour Festival.

'From Mermaid Quay, just take an Aquabus or liquid taxi within the River Taff or cycle along the Taff Trail to Cardiff's town centre.

'Signature sites are the nationwide Museum, Cardiff Castle, 150-store St David's, and Millennium Stadium.'

The city had been 6th in the list before possibly more predictable places such as the Azores in Portugal and Roatan, Honduras - called the Caribbean's best-kept key.

Travel author Simon Calder said it could help get rid of the old image of Cardiff's professional last.

Millennium Stadium: Cardiff is way better known for its sports location and passion for rugby

Welsh Assembly: the house to Wales's national politicians cost £67million

He stated: 'National Geographic's suggestion is welcome news, reflecting the remarkable resurgence when you look at the city - and, in particular, the revival of Cardiff Bay among European countries's choicest waterside areas.

NATIONWIDE GEOGRAPHIC TOP HOTSPOTS

1. MUSKOKA COTTAGE COUNTRY, ONTARIO, CANADA - a normal playground of historical towns and villages and countless waterfalls and ponds;
2. PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA - The Southern Andes providing spectacular snowboarding and snowboarding.
3. SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WASHINGTON - All about the current weather, whales, and water regarding the archipelago's islands;
4. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - arts, songs, and social celebrations.
5. GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK, ALASKA - Humpback whales, harbour porpoises, moose, black and brown bears, hill goats, and hill peaks topping 15, 000 foot.
6. CARDIFF
7. STOCKHOLM ARCHIPELAGO, SWEDEN - Nearly 25, 000 countries constitute Stockholm's maritime ‘garden regarding stones’;
8. AZORES, PORTUGAL - Green volcanic mountains, mineral hot springs, hydrangeacovered hills, rambling vineyards, white-washed seaside towns;
9. ROATAN, HONDURAS - A diver's dream location because of its encircling red coral reef which extends directly from coast.
10. ISTRIA, CROATIA - This densely forested peninsula is a popular summer spot since Austro-Hungarian Empire times.

'For the Welsh capital is incorporated into such auspicious organization is praise without a doubt.

'At a time if the tourist industry in Wales is having trouble, this is basically the perfect shot in the arm.

'It can also be good news for the folks who are attracted to the capital and realize what marvels there are when you look at the nation beyond.'

Residents associated with the Welsh money greeted the headlines with delight – and puzzlement.

Shopworker Sophie Harrison, 26, said: 'Cardiff is rich - but i'dn't come right here on vacation. Give me personally the Mediterranean any time.

'the primary reason i am aware folks started to Cardiff should carry on the lash for a stag or hen evening. We Cardiff girls know how to drink and celebration.'

But pleased Welshman David Burton, 46, said: 'Cardiff may be the center around the globe - well, if you love rugby, beer and talking Welsh. We are going to make those Americans very welcome.'

But others are less surprised.

Welsh vacation writer David Atkinson stated: 'It's testament towards means Cardiff as a capital has actually reinvented it self within the last ten years.

'During the past ten years it genuine has generated itself as a viable location these days.'

Hywel Thomas, a spokesperson for Cardiff & Co which promotes the town, stated: 'The nationwide Geographic community had been created in 1888 and also to be featured inside pages of just one of its magazines is one thing that lots of would consider with very nearly reverence.

'Cardiff's place on the list of top international locations this summer is very an accolade while the feature reflects the city's remarkable trip from an active coal port to a pulsating, appealing city.'