U.S. News & World Report Reveals the 2016-17 Best Vacations in the World

WASHINGTON, June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, a nationally recognized publisher of consumer advice and information, today released its annual rankings of the Best Vacation Destinations. The new rankings highlight the World's Best Places to Visit as well as region-specific lists, including the Best Places to Visit in the USA and the Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean.

A once-in-a-lifetime destination, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the No. 1 Best Place to Visit in the World. Despite a recent alert from the State Department on travel to Europe, industry experts and travelers still view Paris as a top destination, solidifying its No. 2 ranking on the list because of its wealth of culture and historic landmarks. Bora Bora in French Polynesia follows at No. 3.

The Grand Canyon tops the list of the Best Places to Visit in the USA. Two other national parks – Yellowstone and Yosemite – make the top five due to their affordability and family-friendly activities.

"Whether you are seeking an adventure far from home or planning an inexpensive weekend getaway, the destinations on our list are highly recommended by seasoned travelers and industry experts," said Erin Shields, travel editor for U.S. News. "These must-see spots across the globe are praised for their beauty and infinite attractions."

To identify top vacation spots worldwide, U.S. News analyzed more than 250 destinations using a methodology that combines travelers' opinions with expert analysis. U.S. News also ranks the best destinations in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Asia, Africa and The Middle East, Central and South America and Australia and The Pacific.

2016-17 U.S. News & World Report Best Vacations Rankings
See the full rankings here.

Best Places to Visit in the World
1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
2. Paris
3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Best Places to Visit in the USA
1. Grand Canyon National Park
2. Maui, Hawaii
3. Yellowstone National Park

Best Places to Visit in the Caribbean
1. British Virgin Islands
2. St. Lucia
3. U.S. Virgin Islands

Best Places to Visit in Canada
1. Vancouver, British Columbia
2. Toronto
3. Banff, Alberta

For more information on Best Vacations, visit Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #Vacations16.

About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a digital news and information company that empowers people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. Focusing on Education, Health, Personal Finance, Travel, Cars and News & Opinion, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, news and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 37 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report

CONTACT: Enxhi Myslymi, emyslymi@usnews.com, +1 (202) 955-2189.