The new Travel and Leisure magazine lists the world's top 10 cities as identified by their readers:
1 Florence
2 Rome
3 Bangkok
4 Sydney
5 Chaing Mai
6 Cape Town
7 Buenoa Aires
8 New York
9 Beirut
10 San Francisco

The survey was conducted PRIOR to March 31st 2006.

The handringing begins for those who are left off of the list . . . .

Jerry

Beirut just fell off the list and was added to the list you should never visit.

I wonder what is in Bangkok to make it #3 beating out New York? Maybe the judge or judges were all males.

Paris was not on the list? Strange.

What was the criteria used to judge?

Bill

quote:

Originally posted by JDeQ:

The handringing begins for those who are left off of the list . . . .

Jerry

Vaughan, the city above Toronto, will be crowing. Torontonians will just have to wait for David Miller to make a comment. Too bad (tongue in cheek) Mel Lastman is now a Bad Boy.

I havn't even heard of Chaing Mai.So Thailand has as many cities as Italy? RR

Robert, I was just going to ask the same question... where the heck is Chaing Mai?! I guess Thailand is becoming more and more popular. Actually it is already known for being one of the most inexpensive places in Asia, not to mention beautiful; I guess us westerners are finally figuring that out!

There is a thread in The Rest of the World here.

A friend of mine (Fred, using my sign-in) answered someone's question regarding Bangkok and Chaing Mai. He travelled around that area for about three weeks last year and really loved it as you can tell from his post.

I've never really had it on my list, but after listening to his experiences and seeing his photos, I just might change my mind.

Suzanne

quote:

Originally posted by Suzanne Pidduck:
Robert, I was just going to ask the same question... where the heck is Chaing Mai?! I guess Thailand is becoming more and more popular. Actually it is already known for being one of the most inexpensive places in Asia, not to mention beautiful; I guess us westerners are finally figuring that out!

Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand - appeals to those who are interested in rural settings, wildlife. It is also known for being in the Golden Triangle (I think that is what is called) where poppy is cultivated for not so legal purposes. It was pretty wild (as in not too many facilities) back in the mid-80's but I am not so sure what it is like now.

quote:

Originally posted by Digital Traveler Bill:
What was the criteria used to judge?

Were there "judges" or was this just a write-in for readers to select their favorite cities?

It was probably just one of those things where people can vote on-line . . . I doubt any 'scientific' criteria was used. Exactly why these things should be taken with a grain (pound/454 g) of salt!

That's so sad about Beirut. I have heard it is a brilliant city and very cosmopolitan. I hope it can be salvaged.

No Paris or London? I'm shocked!

Hi

I guess we all have our favourite cities. I think it is great to see Bangkok so high up on the list. I have been there 3 times and I find it to be a facinating city with so many contrasts. Cape Town is also a city that deserves to be on the list in my opinion. I guess I have to get my act together and visit places like Florence, Sydney, Chang Mia and San Francisco

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Bangkok??????????????

Just goes to show you that one person's trash is another person's treasure!

Yes, back before the civil war Beirut was considered the Paris of the Middle East, and Europeans traveled there with great frequency. The city literally just got rebuilt after years and years of heavy construction and hope. It is a shame.

What, no Acqui Terme?

Yes, I have friends in Beirut who moved back there after years in exile here, and were contributing greatly to rebuilding the intellectual life of the city. They are ok, by the way.

It is a terrible shame. The Lebanese are very resourceful, though.

(This is NOT a political comment, I know people in Israel as well).