The Highlands has been named as one of the top 20 places in the world to go for a holiday.

Travel magazine National Geographic picked the Highlands alongside destinations such as the Caribbean and Alaska as one of its "20 Best Trips of 2011".

Editors of the National Geographic Traveler, an affiliated title, encouraged readers to hike in Leanachan Forest, kayak on Loch Insh and experience skiing at the Nevis Range.

The magazine also singled out a traditional Highland Games as a must-see activity.

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, Scotland's national tourism organisation, said it was great to see the area make the list.

He said: "Anyone who has ever visited the Highlands won't be surprised to learn that it has captured the imagination of National Geographic and we hope that those readers who have not already experienced Scotland will be encouraged to put this country at the top of their list of places they have to visit."

Norie Quintos, senior editor at National Geographic Traveler, addressed the Adventure Travel World Summit, in Aviemore in October.

Speaking about her trip to Scotland, Ms Quintos said: "I spent a few days in the environs of Scotland's newest national park, the Cairngorms, and was enveloped by the rough-and-tumble Highland history of clans and kings, made all the more atmospheric by the stunning quality of light on the moors, especially after rain."

Sally Dowden, owner of Aviemore-based tour operator Speyside Wildlife, welcomed the magazine's appreciation of the Highlands.

She said: "It is great to see that National Geographic has given this endorsement to the Highlands.

"Not only is the scenery fantastic, but this part of the world is at the top of a lot of people's must-see destinations in terms of watching wildlife.

"If you are a bird watcher, then the Cairngorms National Park is the centre of the universe as far as we're concerned, with species you can see here including the golden eagle, capercaillie and the Scottish crossbill."

Other destinations to make the top 20 include the Australian state of Tasmania, the Messinia region of Greece, Shimla in India and the Kurdistan region in north-eastern Iraq.