National Geographic recognizes Muskoka as top holiday spot for 2011

Muskoka region is a outdoor wonderland.

For years, Ontario’s gorgeous Muskoka region has been in the spotlight because of the Hollywood stars – Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell among them – who have chosen to vacation there.

Now Muskoka is the star – thanks to National Geographic Traveler magazine choosing it the No. 1 summer vacation spot for 2011.

Of course, anyone who has ever visited Muskoka and enjoyed its breathtaking Canadian Shield scenery, spectacular lakes, quaint towns and villages and awesome golf courses, probably are wondering what took National Geographic Traveler – the best of all travel magazines in my humble opinion – so long

Better late than never, though.

Muskoka tourism officials this week have been inundated with phone calls from all over the world and they’re basking in the limelight.

According to National Geographic Traveler, Muskoka offers “an unplugged pace that’s a world away from Canada’s largest city.”

“The 2,500-square-mile natural playground includes 8,699 miles of shoreline; 17 historic towns and villages; and countless waterfalls and lakes bordered by the granite peaks of Algonquin Provincial Park to the east and the 30,000 islands of Georgian Bay Islands National Park to the west,” the magazine story said.

National Geographic's 10 best trips of summer 2011

1. Muskoka Cottage Country

2. Patagonia, Argentina

3. San Juan Islands, Washington

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

5. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

6. Cardiff, Wales

7. Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

8. Azores, Portugal

9. Roatan, Honduras

10. Istria, Croatia

Congratulations Muskoka – the attention is well deserved.