Thailand’s capital Bangkok has been named the world’s best city by influential US travel magazine Travel + Leisure. Announced as part of its World’s Best 2011 Awards issue to be published July 22, the prestigious title was awarded based on the votes of thousands of Travel + Leisure readers who voted for cities around the world.
It is the second year in a row that Bangkok has been named in the top spot, despite a period of civil unrest last year which did considerable damage to Thailand’s international reputation as a tourism haven.
The only other Asian city to make an appearance in the top ten was Siem Reap, a major tourist attraction for many on the backpacking trail around South East Asia thanks to its proximity to the famous Angkor Wat temple.
Europe was the major winner in the list of best cities, with five of the top ten, while Africa, America and Australia each gained one place (full list below).
Among a ranking of the world’s best islands also in the issue, Santorini in Greece managed to secure first place, moving up considerably from the sixth-place spot it held in last year’s rankings.
The paradise island of Bali in Indonesia managed second-place position, but the real shock was the fall of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, which dropped from top spot to tenth place in the rankings.
World’s Best Cities
1. Bangkok, Thailand
2. Florence, Italy
3. Rome, Italy
4. New York City, USA
5. Istanbul, Turkey
6. Cape Town, South Africa
7. Siem Reap, Cambodia
8. Sydney, Australia
9. Barcelona, Spain
10. Paris, France
World’s Best Islands
1. Santorini, Greece
2. Bali, Indonesia
3. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
4. Boracay, Philippines
5. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia
6. Sicily, Italy
7. Big Island, Hawaii, USA
8. Kauai, Hawaii, USA
9. Maui, Hawaii, USA
10. Galápagos, Ecuador