By Anastacia Mott Austin

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Its a daunting decision, especially if funds are limited or this is your one big chance to travel.

With the release of TripAdvisors very first Travelers Choice Destination Awards, your choice just got easier.

The awards were given based on feedback from the very popular websites six million viewers. Thats quite the broad subject pool.

"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 TripAdvisors vice president of global communications Michele Perry.

The most popular choice? New Zealand nabbed the first two spots, with Fiordlands Milford Sound taking top honors, followed by Queenstown.

David Kennedy, CEO of tourism company Destination Queenstown, told reporters he couldnt be prouder of his towns high honors. "This is phenomenal recognition for Queenstown and the people who run businesses here, showcasing our southern hospitality and delivering an inspirational experience. Queenstowners should feel very proud of their contribution to this fantastic international achievement," said Mr Kennedy.

New Zealands Milford Sound, the number one travel destination in the world, is located near the town of Fiordland. A stunning alpine valley with majestic beauty and awe-inspiring sheer cliffs, Milford Sound has been a popular tourist spot for years.

It clearly fit the criteria for the millions of travelers who voted for the worlds best destination.

"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," said Perry.

After ranking the worlds 100 best travel destinations, the awards were further divided up into categories listing the best destinations in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Asia, Africa, and Latin and South America.

In Europe, the best destination award went to Rhodes, Greece. It was followed by Salzburg, Austria, and Amalfi, Italy.

Nicknamed "the sun island," Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanes islands in Greece. It receives 3,000 hours of sun per year. The combination of its natural beauty, warm hospitality, and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a very attractive spot for visitors.

In the United States, Lake Tahoe received top honors, followed by Big Sur and San Francisco, all in California. California had six of its cities in the top ten attractions in the United States.

Kyoto, Japan, and Male, Maldives were the most popular destinations in Asia. "Walks down lanterned lanes, past traditional restaurants, seeing meiko (geisha) slipping out of doorways, are magical," wrote one TripAdvisor member of Kyoto.

One travel advisor had this to say of Cayo Largo, Cuba, the second most popular destination in the Latin America: "The weather was perfect, the beach left us speechless. Totally unspoiled and clean. Plenty of food, sun, sand. The list is endless. Its bliss!"

In South America, it would not surprise most to learn that Machu Picchu and Rio de Janeiro grabbed the top spots. "Worth any effort it takes to get there," said one visitor to Machu Picchu.

South Africas Cape Town was awarded the best destination in Africa, and the review included the fact that "youll run out of time before running out of things to see," like the stunning mountain views and gorgeous beaches."

Banff and Victoria were voted Canadas best cities. Located in the province of Alberta, Banffs alpine attractions have long been popular with skiers and others wanting a snowy mountain getaway. And Victoria, British Columbia offers so many things to do, the travel reviewer said, "We barely scratched the surface during our five days there and cant wait to go back."

So there you have it, the very best of the best travel spots all around the world. The list could be a to-do list of must-see places to visit during ones lifetime, and still one would always have somewhere new to go.

Start planning your next vacation, and use the TravelAdvisor awards as your own personal travel guide. Happy traveling!