This is the second year in a row that Kyoto has held the number one spot. For more than 1,000 years, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan, and vestiges of this royal history remain in sites such as the Kyoto Gosho palace. While the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto appeals to luxury travelers , it's also worth considering a stay in a traditional ryokan, or guesthouse. Experience everything from history (in the form of spiritual shrines) to notable cuisine and encounters with Geisha. You can't see Kyoto without exploring the city's incredible Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, insiders recommend Sanjusangendo, which houses 1,001 statues of the god Kannon, carved from cypress in the 12th and 13th centuries, as well as the iconic Kinkaku-Ji (Golden Pavilion). Of course, this traditional city has modern interest too, such as the new Yoshio Taniguchi-designed wing of the Kyoto National Museum and the Nishijin neighborhood, with its kawaii artisan shops.
2. Charleston (South Carolina)
South Carolina's oldest city has consistently charmed visitors with its antebellum aesthetic and old-fashioned Southern hospitality. It's the only U.S. city represented in the list. Despite the recent tragedy this city is famed for its friendliness. It's been applauded for its beautiful, jasmine-fringed neighborhoods and historic battlegrounds. Not far from downtown is Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach, where you can go to cool off at the grassy, soft sand dunes in the summer.
3. Siem Reap (Cambodia)
For adventurous travelers, this Cambodian city is nothing short of a necessary pilgrimage. The unmistakable silhouette of Angkor Wat, the massive, 12th century Buddhist temple, is perhaps Siem Reap's best-known landmark. Other Khmer ruins, like Ta Prohm are like gateways into an ancient and spiritual past. Away from the ruins, along the urban center's riverfront are art galleries, where tourists can browse black-and-white prints of the striking shrines, and boutique hotels.
4. Florence (Italy)
Florence is a perfect example of a destination that's constantly reinventing itself and offering even veteran visitors variation and excitement. A Renaissance repository with highlights such as Michelangelo's David and red-roofed buildings reflected in the river Arno, Florence is livelier than ever. The pedestrian-friendly streets are prime for admiring (or buying) handcrafted leather goods and checking out the classical architecture.
It's impossible to tire of the capital city's storied landmarks, such as The Pantheon and The Colosseum, both relics of the Roman Empire. Not to mention St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in the sovereign Vatican, and the 2,300-year-old cobblestones that make up Appian Way. There will never be sufficient time to see all there is in Rome.
6. Bangkok (Thailand)
After a year of unrest, Bangkok has been restored to the World's Best list, where it clung to the No. 1 spot from 2010 to 2013. Bustle may be an understatement here, where sweet and spicy street food perfumes the avenues and gilded Buddhist temples stand in dramatic juxtaposition to slick skyscrapers.
7. Krakow (Poland)
Poland's second city has been experiencing a quiet cultural revolution, and it's finally getting the attention it deserves. Known for Gothic fortifications and a laid-back, blase attitude, has enchanted travelers and overcome even stalwart favorites like Istanbul and New York. Perhaps it's the marvels of the Old City, like Rynek Glowny and the Royal Castle of Wawel that have captivated intrepid travelers seeking something unfamiliar out of their explorations abroad. In the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, where synagogues that survived WWII still stand, there's a notably bohemian vibe taking hold.
8. Barcelona (Spain)
This beachside city is the offbeat counterpart to Madrid. It's unquestionably hip and strikes a perfect balance between its iconic attractions and cutting-edge developments. Museo Picasso is a must-see, with an impressive collection of the artist's early works.
9. Cape Town (South Africa)
Forget everything you thought you knew about Africa. Cape Town is cutting-edge, artsy and buzzing with energy. There are few places in the world where you can exercise your shopping skills, take off on a safari, or enjoy world-famous cuisine all in one weekend. Atlantic-facing Clifton Beaches are known for enormous natural boulders tumbling into the sea, pristine sunbathing conditions and the capoeira dancers that entertain crowds with fire and African drums.
Christians, Jews, and Muslims converge to worship in this more than 4,000 year old holy city, and their respective churches, synagogues and mosques surround the historic Old City. Here, you can tuck a miniature prayer into the Western Wall, or see a fragment of clay engraved with cuneiform at the excavation site at Temple Mount. The iconic, gleaming gold Dome of the Rock is best photographed from the Austrian Hospice, which offers unparalleled views of the city and Mount of Olives.
Pick a city and give us a call. Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business and leisure travel needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com
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