TOP COUNTRY CANADA

Panoramic alpine views. Icy wildernesses. Cosmopolitan cities. Canada’s epic assets were enough to convince you that New Zealand’s three-year grip on the Top Country award should be prized off.

Of course, it was easy to see why Canada should gain your votes. It’s a huge country and with that naturally comes widescreen views and a mighty dollop of diversity. The great outdoors is a major draw, whether its twinkling glaciers in Nova Scotia, the sardined conifers of Banff National Park or glimpse grizzlies, moose and polar bears slinking through its wilds. Its hip cities provide a platform for Canada’s rich mix of cultures, from the Asian street markets of Vancouver to the Gallic charm of Québec City. The fact that there was open access to all of Canada’s national parks throughout 2017, meaning the toothpaste-blue lakes of Jasper and deep fjords of Gros Morne were all free, certainly didn’t hurt its popularity.

New Zealand ran Canada mightily close though, only just finishing second, proving its endearing Maori culture, whalewatching and sulphur-rich volcanic lands still can’t be beaten – in the southern hemisphere, at least. Peru stays a steadfast third and, who knows, its shiny new Belmond Hiram Bingham rail journey and cable car to hidden Inca fortress of Kuélap may see it rise further next year.

Sadly, Botswana drops out of this year’s list but perhaps the biggest surprise is Russia bagging seventh place. Vladimir Putin and his iron fist have made for unfavourable headlines in recent years, but it seems a combination of the Trans-siberian Railway and Simon Reeve’s excellent portrayal in last year’s Russia TV series (which you rather enjoyed) have shown you there’s much more to the world’s biggest country than political warfare. RANKING % 1 Canada 95.80% 2 New Zealand 95.64% 3 Peru 95.44% 4 Namibia 95.32% 5 Japan 93.33% 6 Vietnam 92.00% 7 Russia 91.63% 8 Costa Rica 91.00% 9 Cambodia 90.29% 10 Italy 89.53%