Warwickshire is surprise entrant in the top 10 European tourist destinations this summer
It might seem like a left-field candidate, but Warwickshire has been voted one of Europe's top destinations for travellers this summer by Lonely Planet.
The West Midlands country earned sixth place in the Best in Europe 2016 list thanks to its breadth of offerings including "bucolic hills, sublime castles and historic market towns".
The Bard is also continuing to do his bit for the county. Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's birthplace, is currently in the midst of festivities marking the 400th anniversary of his death.
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Warwick Castle is also boosting visitor numbers, as it restored and relaunched its 22-tonne trebuchet – the world's largest siege machine – which provides a chance to relive medieval warfare.
Last summer home county Kent topped Lonely Planet's 2015 ranking of the best places for a family holiday in Europe.
The Peloponnese in Greece took the crown and was named the top spot in Europe this summer. Peloponnese offers "an affordable enclave of magnificent ancient sights such as Olympia, Mycenae and Mystras", as well as now offering travellers the chance to hike the new Menalon trail.
For wine lovers, the Nemean wine region offers the perfect spot to take a tipple, as its vintages come to prominence across the globe.
Also featured in Lonely Planet's topsports are: Denmark’s second city, Aarhus, which boasts "cool-cat neighbourhoods, head-turning architecture and culinary wizardry" and the Dordogne in France – perfect for food lovers on the trail of local produce.
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Lonely Planet’s Editorial Director, Tom Hall, said:
Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2016 list offers up our recommendations for travellers seeking an authentic experience in Europe this summer – for those looking for local recommendations, or for those hoping to absorb some traditional life while they’re away.
Whether they are firm holiday favourites that have something new to offer, or places you may never have come across, these destinations should be on any traveller’s wish list this summer.