It is no secret the team at Ireland Before You Die ranks the Emerald Isle one of best places on earth and a global vote by travel website Rough Guides backs us up.
The results were collated via an open vote online and produced a list of the top 20 most beautiful countries out of the 195 in the world.
Ireland came in at 18th place, making the list of 20 most treasured destinations, and we are definitely not surprised.
Top of our list
With a population of just over 4.8 million people and a similar amount of sheep, the island of Ireland is by no means vast but still makes the grade.
Fantastic coastal walks, breath-taking views, rugged landscapes and fairytale castles are just some of the reasons Ireland attracts millions of tourists every year.
Not to mention the unique entertainment from a nation of talented musicians and legendary storytellers.
And it is not only visitors that hold a special place in their hearts for our pretty island.
The people of Ireland are among the proudest nations on the planet and are not afraid to show it.
We regularly explore different parts of our country for summer holidays and weekend-breaks and are renowned for our patriotic ways.
The votes are in
Rough Guides is a leading website in the industry with a fresh approach to travel journalism.
Their team of writers is skilled in giving candid accounts of popular destinations while their guidebooks provide ample information on more than 120 countries across the globe.
Publishing travel write-ups since 1987, it is fair to say Rough Guides know their stuff, making them only too aware of the beauty of Ireland.
Their online vote for the top 20 most beautiful countries in the world only validate years of exploring and we are delighted that our fair land made its mark.
Beyond the Emerald Isle
Despite many of us believing Ireland is hard to beat, the Rough Guides voters ranked a further 19 destinations as the most beautiful places in the world.
But what are the other countries on the list and where in God’s name was voted number one?
Well, without further ado, the list of top 20 most beautiful countries in the world, according to Rough Guide readers, are as follows:
20. Vietnam
19. Croatia
18. Ireland
17. Norway
16. Peru
15. Switzerland
14. Finland
13. India
12. Mexico
11. Slovenia
10. Wales
9. USA
8. Iceland
7. England
6. Indonesia
5. South Africa
4. Italy
3. New Zealand
2. Canada
Each country listed is worthy of the vote with places of natural beauty and unique charm mentioned and Ireland leaving us all beaming as we find it sitting pretty at number 18.
But the first place goes to a noble winner. And if you haven’t guessed yet, top marks are awarded to our Celtic friends in bonnie Scotland.
Another stunning landscape of rugged mountains and fresh water lochs…
We raise a glass to Scotland.
