Looking for holiday ideas? Our editors - The Sunday Times travel writers David Wickers and Mark Hodson - have listed the top 10 holiday destinations for 2010 and 2011.

These are the most popular destinations with our readers, along with our personal recommendations. Go here for the latest Government data on numbers of UK visitors travelling abroad.

If you are travelling with children, see our family holiday ideas. If not, search holiday ideas for couples. Or visit our sister sites for 101 honeymoon ideas and 101 short breaks.

1. Spain

Spain has long been a favourite of British holidaymakers, and it remains our number one holiday destination. In particular, the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are perennial big-hitters, along with Canary Islands such as Tenerife. Other great beach destinations include the Costa de la Luz and Catalonia.

But there’s a lot more to Spain than beaches. There are great walking holidays in Northern Spain and cycling in Catalonia. The rise of low-cost airlines has benefited city breaks in places like Palma and Seville - both of which are rich in culture. Meanwhile, lesser-known islands such as La Palma in the Canaries are well worth a visit.

2. France

The relationship between the British and French may have had its ups and downs over the years, but our love of all things French shows no signs of abating. From the Channel ports to the islands of the Mediterranean, Francophiles are never short of new destinations to discover.

Among our favourite holidays are the beaches of the Atlantic coast, Corsica and the Ile de Ré. You can visit Monet’s Garden in Giverny, take a cycling holiday, a walking break or a battlefield tour.

In the French Alps you can ski on a budget, or with a family, plus they make a great destination in summer. Other highlights include Normandy, Lille and boating on the Canal du Midi.

3. Great Britain

No list of holiday destinations for UK travellers would be complete without mentioning our own great country: not just England, but Wales, Scotland, Northern Island and some of our lesser known islands such as the Scilly Isles, Lundy Island (in the Bristol Channel) and the Isle of Wight.

The UK’s most popular tourist destinations include Devon and Cornwall, the Lake District, the Cotswolds and Scotland (where you can take a foodie break or go dolphin spotting).

Britain offers many interesting holiday experiences. You can rent a lighthouse keepers’ cottage or stay in a tipi in Cornwall, go boating on the Norfolk Broads or sleep on a luxury yacht moored in a harbour in Devon.

4. Greece

Holidays in Greece are all about simplicity. Despite a recent profileration of five-star hotels, it is the whitewashed villas, the friendly tavernas, the hot sun and blue seas that keep us coming back year after year. Even Greek food is a masterpiece of simplicity, both traditional and healthy.

It is the islands that attract the most visitors. Corfu’s villas never lose their appeal. If you’re looking the quintessential small Greek island, we recommend Paxos, which has no airport and is a great place for lazy days, boat trips and lovely villas.

If you fancy being slightly more active, the Lakitira Beach resort on Kos, just off the Turkish coast, offers a wide array of watersports. Or learn to sail in Greece.

Crete is the largest and arguably the most interesting of the islands. Steer away from the tacky resorts and stay at one of these boutique hotels or stylish houses for rent.

Mainland Greece  offers a wonderfully diverse range of holiday options. Relax by the pool at the beautiful Sani Asterias Suites or soak up the unrivalled culture in Athens and the stunning new Acropolis Museum.

5. Italy

Ancient culture, great beaches, fantastic food and beautiful weather - it’s no surprise that so many of us decide to holiday in Italy. For a taste of la dolce vita, head to the wonderful cities of Rome, Florence and Venice - for an extra dash of old-school glamour, travel there on the Orient Express.

Umbria is a beautiful area of Italy, boasting medieval market towns, wonderful vineyards and great works of the Renaissance - and largely untouched by tourists. Beach lovers will be blown away by the 500 miles of coastline in stunning Puglia, not to mention the traditional architecture and terrific food and wine.

The lesser-known area of Le Marche offers everything you would expect from Italy - great beaches, historic palaces and galleries stuffed with masterpieces. The island of Sicily combines historical sites with a gorgeous coastline, while Sardinia has the country’s best beaches, and the Amalfi coast is a fantastic base from which to visit Sorrento, Capri, Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii.

6. USA

Britain’s much-vaunted special relationship with America doesn’t stop at politics - it also extends to tourism. It may sound like a cliche, but a country as large the United States really does have something for everyone.

The beautiful resort of Cape Cod gives visitors a taste of old-fashioned American seaside resorts, or you can rent a car for some fly drive California, taking in everything from Beverley Hills Napa Valley vineyards.

For an unrivalled splash of glamour, nothing comes close to the glitz of Las Vegas, or for a taste of the Wild West head to a dude ranch for a hands-on holiday.

Florida, with its theme parks and beaches has long been a favourite of British families, while Miami is a fantastic mix of beaches and city bustle.

7. Turkey

Turkey has benefited from its exclusion from the Eurozone. Although it suffers from inflation and isn’t as cheap it was 20 years ago, it still compares favourably to its western neighbours.

With its endless Aegean coastline, Turkey has some of Europe’s finest beaches, many of which remain relatively unspoilt. And you’re rarely far from a slice of ancient culture. Although most summer sunseekers  head straight to the coast, a short break in Istanbul should not be missed, ideally in spring or autumn.

8. Egypt

It’s difficult to know where to start with the historic treasures that Egypt boasts, but a great way to explore them is on a Nile cruise. Float in luxury between the temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, and Aswan. The capital, Cairo, is home to the Egyptian Museum where you can see King Tutankhamen’s solid gold death mask, and just outside the city are the iconic pyramids and Sphinx.

For a more laid-back experience head to the sparkling waters of the Red Sea resorts which offer some of the world’s best snorkeling along with luxurious, good-value hotels.

9. Croatia

The pristine coastline of Croatia is one of the most beautiful in the world - and one of the most unspoilt in Europe. Either stay in one of the beautiful resorts that dot the coastline.

The historic city of Dubrovnik has been beautifully restored in recent years. Originally built by the Venetians, the Pearl of the Adriatic has some great food and is a wonderful base from which to take the ferry to surrounding islands.

10. Thailand

Thailand, the Land of Smiles, continues its meteoric rise from backpackers’ haven to mainstream holiday favourite. The appeal is obvious: beautiful countryside and beaches, great food, friendly people and low prices. But Thailand also has a fascinating unique cultural heritage, enfused by Buddhist ideals. And Bangkok, the capital, fizzes with energy.

It’s the islands that attract the most attention, however, with Phuket bringing in most visitors. Most of its hotels are world class. Not far away, in the Gulf of Siam, the idyllic island of Koh Samui has some delightful small luxury hotels, and its neighbour Koh Phangan is on the up. Thailand is also a great destination for a spa break, most notably at Chiva-Som.

There are many ways to explore Thailand, include aboard a tall ship on a traditional sailing trip.

Top holiday destinations: UK government statistics

According to the most recent Government statistics, UK residents made 69 million visits abroad in 2008, down 0.6% on the previous year. Between them, France and Spain accounted for 36% of all visits abroad.

Europe as a whole accounted for 79% of visits abroad by UK residents in 2008, with North America at 6.7% and the rest of the world at 14%. The biggest risers were Romania (up 65%) and Mexico, Egypt and Slovakia - all of which saw increases of around 30%. The United Arab Emirates - including Dubai - was up 27%.

However, not all of these trips were holidays. The rise in visits to Romania and Slovakia, for example, were largely due to visits to friends and families.

The top 10 holiday destinations - according to latest UK government statistics - are shown in the graph below:

For more Government statistics, visit Travel Trends.