WINNERFINALISTS
NEW ZE AL AND // US
BIG TRIP
Japan
Tokyo stepped into the sporting
spotlight for 2021’s Olympic
Games, so it ’s little surprise Japan
also leapt up to the podium as
your number-one destination
for a far-flung adventure. You
showed us that Japan, with its
beguiling natural and cultural
diversity, is a favourite long-
haul destination, racking up
votes from travellers across
the board. This is a timeless
destination, where a stay at an
ultra-modern, high-rise hotel can
be combined with a bullet train
ride out to a traditional, rural
ryokan or a soak in a steaming
onsen. There’s never been a more
exciting time to visit, either:
from countryside walking tours
to deep-dive food and culture
itineraries, tour operators are
now offering more choice than
ever before.
WINNERFINALISTS
GREECE // CROATIA
FIRM FAVOURITE
Italy
Which country have you been
dreaming of dashing back to
at the first opportunity? We
offered up a choice of short-haul
destinations known to be reader
favourites and you singled out
Italy as your top choice — for
the third time running. A land of
storied cities, rolling countryside,
exquisite cuisine and stellar art
and archaeology, Italy has truly
captured your hearts. From
the sparkling lakes and ritzy ski
resorts of the north to the pristine
beaches of the south, it has no
shortage of places to explore
— and this year, with the island of
Procida having been crowned the
country’s Capital of Culture for
2022, there’s yet another excuse
to make an Italian escape.
Jan/Feb 2022 19READER AWARDS 2021