Embargoed: 00:01hrs Wednesday 15th October 2009 Lonely Planet has tipped Glasgow as one of the top cities in the world to visit in the coming year in a new book published this week. Lonely Planet�s Best in Travel 2009 captures the world�s hottest travel trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead, bringing together the expertise of Lonely Planet authors, staff and travellers. Glasgow is listed in the book�s �Top 10 Cities� section, the only UK destination which makes the cut. The city was chosen because of its exciting, contemporary image: �Forget about castles, kilts, bagpipes and tartan � you come to Glasgow for the cocktails, cuisine and designer chic (plus the legendary native wit).� The book also cites world-class designers, snazzy architecture and even actor James McAvoy as elements which make the city a �capital of cool�. Lonely Planet Travel Editor Tom Hall said: �The time has come for Lonely Planet to let one of its worst kept secrets out: Glasgow�s got everything. When we put together Best in Travel 2009 we were looking for the best places to go and things to do in the world right now. We�re delighted to highlight such a fun, stylish city.� Along with the top 10 cities, Lonely Planet�s Best in Travel 2009 identifies 10 regions and 10 counties which should be on your list of places to visit next year. Elsewhere in the book there is a section about water and travel which includes a look at top trips that can be taken on water along with the impact of climate change. Another chapter contains 30 inspiring travel lists from the �Happiest Places� and �Best Ecotrips� to the more bizarre, such as �Top 10 Places to steal a Kiss�. Top 10 Cities Antwerp, Belgium Beirut, Lebanon Chicago, USA Glasgow, Scotland Lisbon, Portugal Mexico City, Mexico Sao Paulo, Brazil Shanghai, China Warsaw, Poland Zurich, Switzerland *note the cities are not ranked -Ends- NOTE TO EDITORS * Published 15th October 2008 * Extracts and review copies available upon request * A selection of free images from the book are available *Lonely Planet Travel Editor Tom Hall is available for interview Lonely Planet�s Best in Travel 2009 builds on the success of the influential Bluelist series. For further information please contact: Lonely Planet Media & Communications Executive Heather Carswell 020 7106 2151 Heather.carswell@lonelyplanet.co.uk