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This northern UK city has been named one of the world’s best places to visit

And no, it’s not Manchester

Written by
Glendalys Medina
Contributor
Leeds dock
Photograph: Richard Wilson / Shutterstock.com
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Travel publisher Rough Guides recently released its list of the world’s best places to visit in 2023 – and wouldn’t you believe it, three places in the UK made the list.

One of those selected was the northern city of Leeds in Yorkshire, with Rough Guides saying it is a ‘no-brainer’ and putting it at number nine on the list of 23 global destinations.

‘Lovers of live performance are spoiled for choice,’ the publication wrote. The city is home to Opera North (the only nationally recognised UK opera company outside London), the Leeds Grand Theatre, and the Northern Ballet, as well as the Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen, where you can reap all the benefits of an outdoor festival under one cosy roof.

Leeds is also apparently known as ‘the foodie capital of the North’ (we’re sure Manchester would have have something to say about that). This coming May, the city plans to host the country’s first ‘indie food festival’ to celebrate its culinary culture.

Other parts of the UK that got a shout-out in the Rough Guides ranking include Pembrokeshire, in south-west Wales, and the Scottish Highlands.

Here’s the list in full:

1. Antarctica
2. Berlin, Germany
3. Bohol Island, the Philippines
4. Cordoba, Argentina
5. Dominica, Nature Island of the Caribbean
6. Fes, Morocco
7. Kanazawa, Japan
8. Korčula, Croatia
9. Leeds, Yorkshire
10. Ljubljana, Slovenia
11. Mekong Delta, Vietnam
12. Naples, Italy
13. Northern Cape, South Africa
14. Oaxaca, Mexico
15. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
16. Pembrokeshire, Wales
17. Pensacola, Florida
18. Scottish Highlands, Scotland
19. Sydney, Australia
20. Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile
21. Toulouse, France
22. Wellington, New Zealand
23. Zagori, Greece

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