Georgia named among top 2016 travel destinations by CNN

Georgia has been named as one of the top travel destinations for 2016 by leading American television channel CNN, among exotic locations like Madagascar, Taiwan and Mongolia.

The travel advice section of the CNN website released a list of 16 top destinations for 2016, compiled by an expert panel of experienced travellers. The judges chose Georgia for its "medieval architecture, timeless culture and staggering scenery" and in combination with new flight options and improved tourist infrastructure, noted it was a great place to visit next year.

Snow-encrusted summits descend into vast valleys, where age-old villages are dotted with ancient churches and watchtowers, between rolling vineyards," read the description of Georgia.

New Year and Christmas lights in Tbilisi. Georgia's capital was included in the CNN travel list for its fusion of history and modernity. Photo by N.Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

We have seen a big rise [in visitors] to Georgia and are expecting that to increase in 2016,” the panel's verdict said.

Calling Georgia "simply stunning", the judges cited the country's diverse landscape and nature as well as the "concoction of old and new" in capital Tbilisi as some of the reasons to visit the Caucasian nation.

Georgia was also named among the top 50 travel destinations for 2016 by the New York-based Travel + Leisure magazine earlier this month.

See the full CNN list of top 2016 travel destinations here.