WITH many holiday hot spots on high-alert for terrorism, holiday makers are flocking to destinations closer to home.

So where are the safest places to visit? And what are the top attractions if you choose Dorset for your holiday?

The Foreign Office has rated much of Europe as having a general threat from terrorisim, including holiday hot spots like Greece, Austria, Cyprus, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, There is an underlying threat warning in place for Portugal, Luxenbourg, Slovakia, Norway, Bulgaria and Croatia.

Turkey, France, Egypt, Germany, Tunisia, Morocco and Spain have been given high risk warnings.

The Foreign Office said that for high risk areas: “There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.

“Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect places visited by foreigners.”

Ten of the safest places to visit (with a LOW threat of terrorism) are: 

  1. Switzerland
  2. Iceland
  3. Liechtenstein
  4. Moldova
  5. Poland
  6. Slovenia
  7. Mongolia
  8. Cambodia
  9. Bolivia
  10. Papua New Guinea

But if you are going to stay in the UK, here are ten top holiday spots (as voted by Mumsnet)

(Of course we would say Dorset is the best – but then we ARE biased towards our fabulous county!)

1. Northumberland

2. Isle of Wight

3. North Norfolk

4. Yorkshire

5. Scottish Highlands

6. Pembrokeshire

7. Dorset

8. Cornwall

9. Devon

10. Lake District

And here (in no particular order) are some of Dorset’s best beaches – if you want a great day out a little closer to home. (Thanks Visit Dorset)

1.Weymouth Beach

2. Swanage Beach

3. West Bay

4. Eype Beach, near Bridport

5. Chesil Beach

6. Church Ope Cove, Portland

7. Durdle Door

8. Worbarrow Bay

9. Lyme Regis Beaches

10. Ringstead Bay

11. Cogden Beach

12. Studland Beach

13. Bournemouth Beach