World’s Top 5 Cities We Are Adding to Our Bucket List Now
Travel and Leisure recently released their annual travel awards. From outlining the best hotels around the world, to the top airlines to fly with — the awards showcased all the amazing things this planet has to offer. One list that really caught our eye was the Top 15 Cities in the World. The cities were ranked by readers who looked at a couple of parameters: cuisine, culture, shopping, sites and friendliness — pretty much the main things you look for when deciding where to travel next. The scores are out of 100, with the top city, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, scoring just under 93.
After reading the article, and getting a serious urge to jump on a plane ASAP, we narrowed down the list of 15 to our five favorites.
Below are the cities that we are feeling major wanderlust for and cannot wait to travel to.
Istanbul, Turkey
T&L Score: 87.09
Sitting on the border between two continents, Asia and Europe — Istanbul is a fun and enthralling mix of different cultures, and and MUST see place to travel to. With so much to see, including some of the prettiest churches in the world. The best way to experience the city is by simply walking around and getting a bit lost. With great weather, stunning views of the skyline and the Sea of Marmara, you could spend weeks here and still not experience it all.
Oaxaca, México
T&L Score: 90.52
Many say you travel to Oaxaca to experience the very best of Mexico. With its diverse scenery, mountains, beaches and everything in between The capital, also named Oaxaca is designated UNESCO site and the place to go to see, feel and smell the real flavor of Mexico. Think fried empanadas, spicy hot chocolate and artisan markets.
Hoi An, Vietnam
T&L Score: 88.09
One of the most relaxing and laid back areas of Vietnam. Hoi An is the perfect place to travel to and just sit back, watch a beautiful sunset and drink inexpensive beer. The town is packed with classic architecture, picturesque avenues and cute cafes. It is also a great place to try out some of the local delicacies, including cau lao, a noodle and pork dish that the town is especially known for.
Florence, Italy
T&L Score: 88.29
The birthplace of the Renaissance, and even today an artistic mecca. The stunning northern Italian city of Florence is a must see for art, culture and food lovers. With over 1 million pieces of Renaissance art to see, not to mention the hometown of many famous fashion brands (Gucci, anyone?), you may find yourself a bit overwhelmed by the opulence. But don’t worry, if you are needing a break, simply rent a moped and head out into the nearby Tuscan countryside where you can sample some of the best wine in the world.
Ubud, Indonesia
T&L Score: 88.74
Often described as the cultural heart of the tourist capital of Bali, the small town is a thriving destination for art, culture and nature. While the town of Ubud can be a bit noisy, there are so many peaceful temples in and around the city — not to mention the nearby rice fields that are just as stunning as they are quite. Check out some of the local artists, take a cooking class or relax with a nice massage — no matter what you do, you may find it hard to leave.
Which might be why the city has quickly become a digital nomad hotspot. So if you are thinking about staying in Ubud forever, don’t worry you aren’t alone.
While the world is teeming with fun, unique destinations, these five seem to have it all. Good food, good culture, and lots to do. You will never get bored adventuring around. AKA prime places for serious wanderlust. If you are curious about the other ten cities that Travel and Leisure outlined as “can’t miss” then check out the full article here.
