Must See Cities
Published: February 11, 2007
It's all very well to want to kick back and relax on a holiday, but sometimes all you need are the sights and sounds of a humming urban environment.
Readers of the luxury UK travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller cast votes recently for their favourite holiday destinations in the magazine's Ninth Annual Travel Awards.
Everyone's got their favourite city, and the Conde Nast crowd voted for the following ten (British cities excluded).
1. Rome
Rome is an inspiring contradiction in terms. A modern city with the zeal of contemporary life sits set amongst some of Europe's richest historical and cultural legacy.
The city is a living, breathing, invigorating place where sophistication and style meet Italian passion in a city packed full of sights to see. The legacy of the Roman Empire and the legacy of Vatican City combine with fabulous food, fashion, and picture perfect streets to make the Eternal City one that visitors return to again and again.
Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, as the saying goes, and you will always return to Rome.
Here's hoping.
2. Barcelona
What's not to love about Barcelona? The inspiring city with a fiercely independent spirit is set amongst Antonio Gaudi's architectural marvels.
Rome's magnificent Colosseum. - © photos.com
View larger image
Rome's magnificent Colosseum.© photos.com
Four million visitors walk Barcelona's cobbled streets annually, and with beaches, parks, great shopping, fine food and impressive nightlife there's plenty to keep you entertained. The city's fierce sense of Catalan culture pervades the city and is absolutely central to its spirit.
3. Sydney
You don't need an Australian to tell you that Sydney is attractive. There's no doubt about it. This city is one place where its beautiful exterior promises great things, and Sydney is just as exciting when you get in amongst it.
The iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge mix it up with beautiful beaches within city limits, great public transport, large expanses of parkland, fine dining and that irrepressible Aussie spirit.
There's always something new to do in this ever-evolving metropolis, and Sydney can proudly declare itself on equal footing with some of the biggest, most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
4. New York City
New York. It's the ultimate city of sights and sounds, hopes and dreams. The Big Apple is a completely unique, extremely resilient and exceptionally enticing.
New York City is so much more than Manhattan. Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island make up the city's five boroughs with the famous island and together they combine to be one of the world's most exciting cities.
New York's iconic skyline and impressive architecture has been the setting for thousands of movies and the fodder for just as many holiday daydreams. A hub for finance, fashion, media, the arts and business, a staggering amount of people visit the city each year.
5. Paris
Despite that Hilton woman, the City of Light will always be the world's most famous Paris. Rich in sights, sounds and culture, the French capital is a hub of the European economy and, according to MSN's Encarta, the most visited city in the world.
The epitome of culture and sophistication, Paris is a hip and modern urban centre set amongst a beautifully historic location.
Every visitor to Paris leaves with their own take on this beautiful city. Lose yourself in neighbourhoods of glorious architecture, picture postcard perfect streets, famous art galleries, cafes, parks and gardens.
The inspiration for legions of great artist and thousands of lovers, Paris never loses its magic.
With the New York City skyline in the background, skaters enjoy the Wollman ice rink December 19, 2003 in New York's Central Park. - © Getty Images / Stephen Chernin
View larger image
With the New York City skyline in the background, skaters enjoy the Wollman ice rink December 19, 2003 in New York's Central Park.© Getty Images / Stephen Chernin
6. Venice
It has some fierce competition, but thousands would agree that Venice is the most beautiful city in Europe.
It looks like a fairytale, and while its landscape over dozens of islands bound together with hundreds of bridges shouldn't work, it does. It can be an expensive place to visit, but by all accounts it is totally and utterly worth it.
Venice was a hub for ancient trade and merchants in years gone by, and the legacy of its prosperity and Venetian high society lives on amongst modern residents. Its canalside mansions and gondolas continue to enthral visitors, as does the city's annual masked carnival.
7. Dublin
Be prepared for Dublin's irrepressible spirit to sweep you away. It's the people of Dublin who make your visit such an invigorating experience, and doubtless you'll be coming back for more.
The city couldn't be further from the traditional Irish stereotype. While visitors will find plenty of merriment down in Temple Bar, and yes, the city is fuelled by its beloved black nectar, Guinness; Dublin also has a passion for music, sports, family and a zest for life.
Dublin also boasts a proud literary tradition, amazing Georgian architecture and, surprisingly, a lower annual rainfall than both Sydney and New York City.
8. Florence
The third Italian city on the Conde Nast list was the birthplace of the Renaissance movement and a centre of medieval trade and finance.
The arts and science as we know them flourished here in the 15th and 16th centuries. If Florence's elaborately beautiful architecture, the culture, and some of the world's most amazing museums aren't enough to keep you interested, the city is also the stepping stone to Tuscany's beautiful countryside.
9. Dubai
Dubai is a city continually fuelled by innovation and construction.
Rich in finance, banking and industry, and with a large expat population, Dubai is a shopper's paradise and the exotic city is always evolving.
One of the fastest growing cities in the world boasts artificial islands, iconic skyscrapers, and the Burj al-Arab, the tallest hotel in the world.
10. Singapore
Singapore is a heady mix of the traditional and the contemporary, borrowing elements from the variety of cultures who call the island state home.
Singapore could arguably be the ultimate city in which to holiday. It's extremely clean, its people are extremely hospitable, the food is great, the shopping is second to none, and its zoo is world renowned.
It has a strong sense of culture and history, from colonial buildings to the bustling, modern day streets.