Florence named world’s best city in travel poll

NEW YORK - For the first time, Florence ranks Number 1 in the world in the annual travel survey conducted by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Another Italian city, Rome, was the runner-up, followed by Paris.

New York was named Best City in the US and Canada, followed by San Francisco (last year's winner), Chicago, Washington DC, and Montreal.

The highest-ranking cities by region are: Sydney (Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific); Florence (Europe); Hong Kong (Asia); Jerusalem (Africa and the Middle East); and Buenos Aires (Mexico and Central and South America).

The World's Best Hotel overall is Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, a Four Seasons Hotel, was selected as the Best Hotel in the Continental US and Canada. Hotel Gritti Palace in Venice has been named the World's Best Small Hotel (hotels with 100 rooms or fewer).

"Our readers cast their votes overwhelmingly for North American brands – Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Fairmont, Marriott, Rosewood, Starwood, Wyndham, Hilton," said Travel and Leisure editor Nancy Novogrod.

"In fact, more than half the properties in the top 100 hotels worldwide are outposts of those companies. Even more dazzling is that eight of the world's top 10 this year – compared with four last year – are in the United States."

The survey was conducted by the editors of Travel + Leisure, in association with Harris Interactive/ Yankelovich Partners Inc. and was sent to thousands of subscribers, asking their opinions of hotels, spas and hotel spas, cities, islands, airlines, cruise lines, rental-car companies, and tour operators.

FULL WINNERS LIST

World's Best City: Florence, Italy

Best City in the US: New York City

World's Best Hotel: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

World's Best Small Hotel: Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice

World's Best Island: Maui

World's Best Spa: Canyon Ranch Health Resort, Tucson

World's Best Transportation

Best Small Cruise Line: Radisson Seven Seas Cruises

Best Large Cruise Line: Crystal Cruises

Best Domestic Airline: Alaska Airlines

Best Foreign Airline: Singapore Airlines

Best Car Rental: Hertz


World's Best Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters

Best Outfitter: Abercrombie & Kent

World's Best Hotels by Region

Hawaii: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Mexico/Central & South America: Ritz Carlton, Cancun

Caribbean/Bermuda/Bahamas: Fairmont Southampton Princess, Bermuda

Europe: Hotel Cipriani, Venice

Continental U.S./Canada: Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel

Africa/Middle East: Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki, Kenya

Asia: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific: Park Hyatt, Sydney

Best Cities and Islands

Continental US & Canada: New York; Vancouver Island

Europe: Florence; Santorini

Africa and the Middle East: Jerusalem; The Seychelles

Asia: Hong Kong and Bali

Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific: Sydney; Great Barrier Reef

Mexico and Central and South America: Buenos Aires; Galápagos Islands

Hawaii: Maui

Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas: Virgin Gorda

Best Spas

US Spas: Canyon Ranch Health Resort, Tucson

US Hotel Spas: Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida

Spas Abroad: Clinique La Prairie, Clarins-Montreux, Switzerland

Hotel Spas Abroad: The Oriental, Bangkok

- NEWSTREAM