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LONDON, UK, 23 May, 2017 – Big Ben has today been named as the best-rated landmark in the UK for the second year running in the Travellers’ Choice TM awards for Landmarks, announced by the travel planning and booking site, TripAdvisor.
The world famous clock that has come to be a London icon has also been named the ninth best-rated landmark in Europe and 17th in the world – climbing up two and three places respectively since 2016.
This year Big Ben is honoured alongside the likes of Corcovado Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and beats the likes of Athens’ Acropolis, Mexico’s Mayan Ruins in Tulum, the Ruinas Mayas de Tulum and the Sydney Opera House.
Second place in the UK goes to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London, which is also named the 14th best-rated landmark in Europe.
Laura Citron, CEO London & Partners said: "London’s iconic landmarks draw in millions of visitors from all over the world because they offer such a rewarding cultural and historical experience, so it is great to see this being recognised by these awards.
“London’s rich mix of heritage and scores of hidden gems, which are spread from the suburbs to the city, provide a compelling motivation to visit. With the city’s packed cultural calendar this year, including celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Harry Potter book series, the Robots exhibition at the Science Museum and Pink Floyd at the V&A, we hope even more visitors will be inspired to come and enjoy our open and vibrant city.”
Travellers’ Choice Landmarks awards honour top landmarks worldwide based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
“This year’s awards prove that the classics continue to triumph as London’s most well-known landmarks show no sign of waning in popularity. These landmarks are likely to be very busy during the upcoming half term so if you’re planning a visit and don’t want to be stuck in a queue, book ahead on TripAdvisor,” commented TripAdvisor spokesperson, Hayley Coleman.
London shines as capital boasts over half of UK’s best-rated landmarks
London still leads the way in the UK for the biggest number of winning landmarks, boasting six out of the top ten including the top three. Big Ben takes the top spot followed by Tower of London in second and Tower Bridge in third. Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace come in at fourth and fifth place respectively, while St Paul’s Cathedral takes tenth position.
Angkor Wat is world’s #1 landmark
This year, Cambodia’s Angkor Wat is named the world’s best-rated landmark, rising up from third place last year and reclaiming its title of world #1 first held in 2015.
Located in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is a temple complex which was originally constructed in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple of god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire. It was towards the end of the 12th century when the temple gradually transformed into the Buddhist temple it is today. Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world, measuring an impressive 402 acres.
For those planning to visit one of the world’s award-winning landmarks this year, TripAdvisor has identified top-rated tours and experiences bookable on TripAdvisor:
Top 10 world landmarks
Top-rated tour: Angkor Temples Bike Tour from Siem Reap – from £35 per person
Enjoy a full-day bicycle tour to see Angkor’s major temples and experience the lush Cambodian countryside around Siem Reap. Your experienced local guide shows you highlights of the Angkor Archaeological Park including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm Temples, in addition to some lesser-known sights along the route.
Top-rated tour: City Tour of Abu Dhabi: Sheik Zayed Mosque, Emirates Palace, Marina Mall – from £33 per person
Experience Abu Dhabi’s top architectural, cultural and historic sights during this 9-hour sightseeing trip. Explore one of the city’s architectural gems during a stop at the all-white Sheik Zayed Mosque. Then get a taste for the history of Abu Dhabi during visits to the Heritage Village and Abu Dhabi Museum.
Top-rated tour: Cordoba Mezquita Tour with Wine Tasting – from £24 per person
Discover the magnificent interior of the Mezquita, Cordoba’s iconic cathedral-mosque, on a 2-hour walking tour of the majestic Moorish monument. With a knowledgeable guide, immerse yourself in the architecture inspired by Mudejar, Renaissance, Baroque and Byzantine periods.
Top-rated tour: Early Access Vatican Museums Small-Group Tour with St Peter’s and Sistine Chapel – from £82 per person
Get inside the UNESCO-listed complex almost an hour before it opens to the general public on this 3-hour, early-access tour that’s limited to just 12 participants. Enter through a reserved doorway to skip the lines, and stay a step ahead of the large crowds on this carefully planned route that ensures you make the most of your time.
Top-rated tour: Private Taj Mahal at Sunrise and Agra Day Tour from Delhi – from £62 per person
Experience some of India’s most beautiful sights on this 14-hour private day trip to Agra, including transport from Delhi. With an early morning pickup, make it to the Taj Mahal in time to take in stunning views of the majestic palace at sunrise. Tour the grounds with your private guide, and enjoy breakfast at a nearby hotel. Then, stop by Agra Fort before doing some souvenir shopping in the city.
Top-rated tour: Grand Tour of St Petersburg – from £24 per person
Experience the best of St Petersburg and learn about the city’s incredible history on this 3-hour sightseeing tour. With an expert guide, admire the historical highlights of Russia’s most beautiful city. Numbers are limited to six for a more personalized experience.
Top-rated tour: Great Wall of China at Mutianyu Full-Day Tour Including Lunch from Beijing – from £51 per person
Visit the ancient Mutianyu section of the Great Wall on a full-day sightseeing tour from Beijing. Accompanied by a guide, learn the history behind the 6th-century section and marvel at the spectacular natural scenery that surrounds it.
Top-rated tour: Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco – from £271 per person
Spend a day exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu during this all-inclusive day trip leaving from Cusco. Discover this renowned mountaintop Inca site with a guide, learning about its construction, history and what daily life was like for its residents. The trip’s relaxed, non-strenuous pace is a great option for first-time visitors, families and solo travelers alike.
Top-rated tour: Seville Sightseeing Tour: Royal Alcazar Palace, Plaza de Espana, Seville Cathedral and Santa Cruz Quarter – from £47 per person
Let the Andalusian charm of Seville seduce you on a 4-hour sightseeing tour of the vibrant city. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, stroll the ambient tangle of streets to UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonders and impressive historical monuments including the Plaza de España.
Top-rated tour: Milan Duomo Ticket and Terraces Audio Guide Tour – from £18 per person
Explore the Milan Duomo with a self-guided audio tour that includes a ticket with full access to all parts of the grand cathedral.
Top 10 UK Landmarks
Top 10 Europe Landmarks
For the complete list of winners from the 2017 Travellers’ Choice Landmarks awards, as well as reviews and candid traveller photos, go to www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Landmarks.
TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site, enabling travellers to unleash the full potential of every trip. Travellers can read the latest reviews and compare prices from more than 200 sites to find the lowest prices on the right hotel for their trip at www.tripadvisor.co.uk.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world’s largest travel site*, enabling travellers to unleash the potential of every trip. TripAdvisor offers advice from millions of travellers, with 500 million reviews and opinions covering 7 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions, and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features — checking more than 200 websites to help travellers find and book today’s lowest hotel prices. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 390 million average unique monthly visitors** in 49 markets worldwide. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP), through its subsidiaries, manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands:
www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, November 2016
**Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q3 2016
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