British attractions make Lonely Planet's coveted Best in Travel lists

Wild time: The Shetland islands are described as possibly 'the last untamed corner of the UK'


The Shetland Islands have been voted one of the top ten regions in the world for tourism by the Lonely Planet travel guide.

The islands, which are noted for their wildlife and remoteness, are described as possibly 'the last untamed corner of the UK' in the publication's Best In Travel 2011.

Its residents are described as 'a fiercely independent and self-reliant bunch' living in an area where it is easy to spot whales, otters, seals and puffins.
Shetland capital Lerwick, where a new film and music centre opens next year, is described as a 'must-include port of call for cruise ships'.

Visitors are urged to try local delicacies including seawater oatcakes, Shetland black potatoes and rhubarb with mackerel or herring.

Another British set of islands, the Orkneys, features in the '10 best things to climb' section, with the Old Man of Hoy's iconic 450ft-high sea stack an invitation to 'gather your grappling hooks'.


Head for heights: The Old Man of Hoy's iconic 450ft-high sea stack in the Orkneys is described as 'an invitation to gather your grappling hooks'


Edinburgh is also listed as one of the top 10 cities for artistic inspiration, with mention of such literary legends as Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns.

'Scotland's literary output is phenomenal and most of its notable writers have been influenced by the capital,' said the guide.

London also makes it in to the artistic inspiration top 10, with the guide saying: 'You could plot a long, long literary pilgrimage around London, a city immortalised by writers from Charles Dickens to John Betjeman.'

The publication listed the Isle of Man TT motorbike race as one of the 10 best things to do around the world.

The guide said: 'A haven for tax dodgers and outdoorsy types most of the year, the remote oddball Isle of Man transforms itself in May and June for the Tourist Trophy'.

Lonely Planet rated Edinburgh and its partner-swinging ceilidh dance as one of the 10 best places for dance fever. The Scottish capital has 'dance classes and ceilidhs for all levels of experience'.


Modern-day success: Glasgow was voted one of the greatest 'comeback cities' where 'the once-grim River Clyde has morphed into its cultural focal point'


Among the 10 greatest 'comeback cities' is Glasgow, where 'the once-grim River Clyde, heart of the city's post-World War Two slump, has morphed into its cultural focal point with museums replacing derelict docklands'.

The 10 world's greatest bookshops' list includes Daunt Books of London, with its Marylebone branch 'the original and best'.

London and Whitby in Yorkshire feature in the top 10 vampire-spotting places in the world.

The guide said Whitby had become a popular spot for vampire fanciers inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula novel which describes how the most famous vampire of all came ashore at Whitby following a shipwreck.


Atmospheric: Whitby in Yorkshire was voted one of the top 10 vampire-spotting places in the world thanks to its associations with Bram Stoker's Dracula


London makes the top 10 thanks to its Dracula tour which includes a trip to Highgate Cemetery in north London.

The Battle of Hastings and the International Living History Fair in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire are in the top 10 historical re-enactments.

Hastings, fought in 1066 and now restaged each year, is seen as the 'most-remembered armed conflict in British history', while those attending the fair at Leamington Spa will be 'amazed at the breadth of the products on sale'.


source: dailymail