World's 'best' cities? Hmm...

Jul 15, 2009 6:11:13 AM

Vivek Wagle
Lonely Planet Author

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What makes one city better than another?

For some, it’s the culture. For others, the cuisine. Some like proximity to adventure; some like it hot (and beachy).

With so many yardsticks, it must be tough to come up with a solid ranking. Kudos to Travel + Leisure for giving it a try. In their recent ‘World’s Best’ survey results, they’ve listed the top global cities according to a reader poll.

The top 10 cities contain a fascinating mix of the predictable and surprising. We’ve conducted our own (internal) poll to reflect on some of the towns that made it into the T+L list. As you might have guessed, there’s plenty of disagreement.

1. Udaipur, India. Surely a town of wonders - but is it really the best city in the world? Some of our staff could think of cities in India they’d rather visit or live in. One writes, ‘…no Jodhpur? Nothing beats sinking into the Blue City on a rickshaw from the station - like slowly descending underwater, your eyes bathed in blues and greens.’ Another, less poetically, remarks, ‘But the lake has been dry for months!’

2. Cape Town, South Africa. Genuine disagreement on this one, with some claiming, ‘Huh?’ Star moderator Irene Adler does note that ‘It’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been.’

3. Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand is definitely one of the world’s top destinations, but poor Bangkok is often regarded as the worst city in the country. It certainly has its charms, but the nonstop traffic jams and hassles would keep this off many a top 10 list.

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The lone South American contender, Buenos Aires is nearly universally loved around these parts. A lone dissenting opinion comes from Gus, an Argentine who would never want to be ‘mistaken for a porteño‘.

5. Chiang Mai, Thailand. A second Thai town in the top 10? Seems generous - especially to a staffer who claims, ‘I spent a week there once, and I can’t even remember what it was like. It was that dull.’

6. Florence, Italy. Another sharp divider of opinion. Some are seduced by Florence’s myriad charms, claiming that it tops touristy Venice easily. Others rate other nearby destinations more highly: ‘Go to Siena or Verona instead - all the beauty without the exhaust fumes and sterile Disneyland feel. You won’t get the same feast of art but you’ll hardly starve.’

7. Luang Prabang, Laos. Sleepy LP is the third Southeast Asian entry in the top 10. It’s the highlight of many trips to the region, but most agreed that it’s a bit of a shock to see it so high. If Luang Prabang makes the list, where’s Siem Reap?

8. New York, USA. An obvious contender. Hard to begrudge its slot, given that it’s the first North American city on the list.

9. Rome, Italy. The French must be fuming that two Italian cities made the list without a single mention of a Paris or a Lyon. That’s just not Nice! (Sorry.)

10. San Francisco, USA. The jewel of the American West Coast remains as popular as ever, despite its foggy climate and high costs. But we generally agreed that it’s worth it.

So what did the list miss out on? Lonely Planeteers took umbrage at the lack of Budapest, Vancouver, Edinburgh, Tokyo, Berlin, Beijing and Istanbul - among many others.

For our definitive view, check out The Cities Book, which has a ton of information on all the world’s great towns. Don’t miss out on our cofounder Tony Wheeler’s left-field picks (including Detroit and Karachi).

Did we get it right? Or are we missing something? Tell us what you think.

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Comments

15 July 2009 5:21PM katmar33 Report this comment
Paris did not even make the 'Travel and Leisure' team's top 20! I know it is done to death, but really, as far as amazing historically, architecturally and culturally rich cities go, Paris should rate a mention in the top 10.
15 July 2009 6:37PM remelila Report this comment
Not to mention that there's no way that Chiang Mai and Uidapur beat out NYC as one of the world's best cities*. Luang Prabang isn't even a city at all. It's just a silly online reader's poll, so has no credibility whatsoever.
*Yes, I'm a New Yorker and no, I'm not completely biased. (Wanna make something of it?)
15 July 2009 6:55PM gabrielevolpe Report this comment
Come on, come on, where's my Paris? I'd give up on our Florence to have it back in the list! Ciao!
15 July 2009 9:57PM philwaddington Report this comment
three Swiss cities make it into the top 10 of 'best' cities in the world. According to new research, Vienna, Austria’s capital, is now the city most people would like to call their home. Geneva retains its position in third place, while Vancouver and Auckland are now joint fourth in the rankings of best cities in the world
15 July 2009 11:58PM tonyredmonduk Report this comment
Although I'm not a huge fan myself not even heard a mention of London?
16 July 2009 6:42AM hidden_bug Report this comment
HOW ON EARTH DOES CHIANG MAI MAKE THIS LIST!?!
A city full of go go bars combined with a tourism industry that COMPLETELY exploits the locals. Oh and of course, lets not forget the treatment of the Burmese refugees there. Why there isn't a recommendation to boycott tourism in Chiang Mai is completely beyond me.
Oh but of course, its "so beautiful". Whatever.
16 July 2009 9:15AM octagonal33 Report this comment
Cape Town sure is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, but 2nd best overall, I doubt it.
16 July 2009 9:29AM suzywatusi Report this comment
And where, oh where, is Barcelona? That's what I call a criminal oversight.
16 July 2009 10:04AM speck1 Report this comment
Uh, Chicago, Helloooo! Ask anyone who's been there! (not in January, though)
16 July 2009 10:22AM nthorpe Report this comment
Prague, anyone?
16 July 2009 10:31AM vivekw Report this comment
speck1 - I have to agree. I didn't put it in the original article because I'm biased, but I adore Chicago. Didn't hurt that I was there in mid-July. Blue skies and temperatures in the mid-70s all day.
16 July 2009 10:47AM robertreid Report this comment
Chiang Mai remains one of the few places I've visited where I threw in the towel. I simply couldn't find a way to like it.
16 July 2009 10:58AM gdaysydneysider Report this comment
How did Sydney get bumped? Friendly, laid back vibe, beautiful scenery, iconic landmarks, great weather ... who doesn't want to visit Sydney??
16 July 2009 2:35PM racharach Report this comment
I vote Sydney and Barcelona
16 July 2009 6:31PM groovygal Report this comment
London should be up there surely??
17 July 2009 3:24PM rooosterboy Report this comment
Chiang Mai? I once spent an awful half hour there at a hotel pool watching fat euro trash tourists eye off the local kids. Later realising that the Thai locals at the pool were the Toy Boys of said tourists. The same scene was repeated at another hotel pool later imn my trip. Totally agree about it being an tourism industry based on exploitation!
23 July 2009 12:51AM sher1982 Report this comment
You never mention about Hongkong and Singapore that was the Best cities cleanest I ever bee....come on guys i though u been travel around...WAKE UP...
23 July 2009 12:53AM sher1982 Report this comment
AND also i like chang mai i live there for 6 months
23 July 2009 1:24AM sher1982 Report this comment
India? There is no best place or cities in India...I been there...crowded, Chaoitic, cars everywhere and honk evey minute ,dirty, hot, whatsoever....I never even think to runk that even 100 best cities...etc
24 July 2009 6:50AM cockneycelt Report this comment
Good call on Chiang-Mai,my favourite city in the world.So many things to see & do in or around the city. There is cookery classes,the night market as well as an intresting Saturday market and a famously popular Sunday market ,the huge number of beautiful Buddhist temples,numerous treks to the north of the city where you can see some of the most lovely scenery in Asia,a few museums (including an incredibly qurky insect museum),Thai boxing,a gorgeous lake on the outskirts (forget the name) with fantastic restuarants on the lakeside not to mention a thriving nightlife of bars,clubs & restuarants. Ignore hidden_bug he hasn't a clue what he is talking about.
24 July 2009 4:29PM udaipurblog Report this comment
Udaipur is Magnificent in its beauty and relevance to tourist . So it is awarded the best.
The Scenic Beaty of Udaipur can Drive anyone crazy About the city
See
WebUdaipur.com and Udaipurblog.com for more ;)
28 July 2009 1:46PM apatelmm79 Report this comment
Udaipur is a fantastic city, wheter it's the best city in the world is highly debateable. My favorites (and I've travelled alot...) are Barcelona (#1), Vancouver, Stockholm, and Washington, DC. The last two are not on most peoples list, but there clean, smart, efficent cities that I've really enjoyed. Coppenhagen and NYC, which most people would put above Stockholm and Washington,DC,in there respected locations, are, in my opinion, too overcrowed, too big, and too grimmy.
2 August 2009 1:19AM knickersmagee Report this comment
My personal vote would be anywhere in southern Ireland. The people there are amazing, and even though it's the only place I've been overseas (so I can't really compare on that level), there is a quality about the landscape that resonates so deeply, I'll never forget it. I hope I have the opportunity to go back.
7 August 2009 10:00PM renegadebadger Report this comment
To be fair, the vast majority of the readers voting must be backpackers who were entranced by places such as Udaipur, Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, with Jaipur, Siem Reap and Oaxaca also making it into the top 20. I know when i was away travelling I might have suggested something similar, but with a little distance and some clear thinkin it is obvious that cities such as Osaka, Berlin, Vancouver, London, Chicago, Munich, Paris, Melbourne or Stockholm would be more worthy considerations.
7 August 2009 10:06PM renegadebadger Report this comment
To be fair, the vast majority of the readers voting must be backpackers who were entranced by places such as Udaipur, Luang Prabang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok, with Jaipur, Siem Reap and Oaxaca also making it into the top 20. I know when i was away travelling I might have suggested something similar, but with a little distance and some clear thinkin it is obvious that cities such as Osaka, Berlin, Vancouver, London, Chicago, Munich, Paris, Melbourne or Stockholm would be more worthy considerations.
17 August 2009 10:49AM hideme666 Report this comment
Maybe Chiang Mai made it in because of the food? I've been around the block a few times and the street food vendors there were second to none (disclosure: I've never been to India). Other than that, it certainly isn't picturesque and it's also quite Western (as is much of Thailand). Bangkok? Who are you kidding. Frenetic. More shopping than a New Yorker could shake a stick at. Lots of con artists. Yes to all three. Top of the heap for destinations? NEVER! Filthy, air is too polluted and certainly not a liveable city.
25 August 2009 10:53PM raviravinder Report this comment
If its a Travel + Leisure poll, then any tourist place that is worth staying in for a week or more should qualify; and Luang Prabang has to be in there as a city that is THE chill-out place in Asia with very good coffee, food, spirituality options, a lively market, friendly people and a variety of accommodation. Prague is for the Eurotrash, stag weekends and those who like to be pickpocketed (I was)- great architecture but ordinary food but theres simply too many tourists (including myself). Budapest, on the other hand, is as elegant and reviving as its spas and chocolate cakes. As for the larger cities, any list that omits Paris, Berlin and Sydney is simply not credible - readers' poll or not.
26 September 2009 3:19PM bajasurfer Report this comment
Iasi in Romania should be # 1
3 October 2009 8:49PM turtolisto Report this comment
Combination of civilizations is İstanbul.
7 October 2009 12:27PM sunnyli Report this comment
A ride on the London eye, a walk in the Central Park, a drive down San Francisco's crooked street, a climb up the Sydney Habour Bridge, a dive along the Mexico coast and of course (if you are brave enough) a skydive in Hawaii's amazing North Shore would just top it all! ENJOY!!!
19 October 2009 11:54PM villeradieuse Report this comment
As the author of the article suggests, it is nearly impossible (and maybe not worthwhile) to compile a list with so many different yardsticks among readers. To me there are at least two kinds of cities: the exchange hubs, or large cosmopolitan cities where many cultures and customs coexist, and the places still large enough to foster and protect a distinctive culture of their own over time. The former are places that excite you and show you the magic of city living, and they include New York, London, Istanbul, and maybe to a lesser extent Hong Kong; the latter are the cities where a way of life and sense of place are inexorably and unforgettably linked, such as New Orleans, Barcelona, or Valparaiso, Chile. Paris, in my opinion, manages to combine the two. Other readers may have different definitions still of what kind of city to rank.
13 December 2009 1:11AM albourne Report this comment
I'm from Melbourne, and while I can see how it doesn't have a big bang characteristic that makes it really stand out in a world of wonderful places. What makes Melbourne special to me is the sum total of it's virtues. From this perspective it hold it's own very well. I say this not based on my own bias but because of the countless people I know from the rest of Australia and beyond who find Melbourne a very rewarding city. It doesn't really matter if Melbourne is on a list or not but I believe it deserves a mention.
30 September 2010 2:50AM beretu Report this comment
The big miss: Cairo. We spent a week there, which was not enough. What building in the world can match the pyramids? Over 4000 years old and right on the outskirts of the city. The mummy of Ramses and other pharao's. Get lost in the Arabian quarter with its remains of old walls, mosques, the soukhs etc. etc. I have seen many other cities. I agree with Istanbul, love Venice and for me Hong Kong should be on the list.
1 July 2011 12:31AM backpacker_nathan Report this comment
You really Miss Beijing, Guangzhou, Jiangsu, Hongkong, Macao... Oh that cities are so wonderful and you will bring a difference when you back home