Exotic South Island New Zealand locations command top world honors and California most highly decorated in the United States.

TripAdvisor^®, the world's largest travel community, today announced the winners of its 2008 Travelers' Choice® Destinations Awards.

In its inaugural year, the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards honor the world's top destinations, earning their distinction from those who know them best -- real travelers.

Only TripAdvisor's Destinations Awards represent the opinions of millions of travelers. The winners were determined by a combination of TripAdvisor's travelers' favorite places and overall popularity on TripAdvisor.

"Whether it's for their unique beauty, or abundance of attractions, the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards honor the most beloved destinations from around the world," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. "Determined by millions of travelers, the Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards are unique because they single out not just popular places but truly exceptional places that enthrall travelers and keep them coming back."

2008 Travelers' Choice World Destinations
1. Milford Sound, New Zealand
2. Queenstown, New Zealand
3. Philipsburg, St. Maarten
4. Cayo Largo, Cuba
5. Rhodes, Greece
6. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
7. Cruz Bay, St. John
8. Bridgetown, Barbados
9. Banff, Canada
10. Lake Tahoe, California

2008 Travelers' Choice U.S. Destinations
1. Lake Tahoe, California
2. Big Sur, California
3. San Francisco, California
4. Poipu, Hawaii
5. Sedona, Arizona
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
7. Carmel, California
8. Napa, California
9. Lahaina, Hawaii
10. La Jolla, California

2008 Travelers' Choice Europe Destinations
1. Rhodes, Greece
2. Salzburg, Austria
3. Amalfi, Italy
4. Bath, England
5. Siena, Italy
6. Dingle, Ireland
7. Bruges, Belgium
8. Lucerne, Switzerland
9. Vatican City, Italy
10. Edinburgh, Scotland

For the complete 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations list, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations