Conde Nast is out with its most recent Reader’s Choice Awards for the best cities in the world and there are some familiar – and unsurprising – names on the list.
The top 10 rankings include North Europe mainstays like Copenhagen and Oslo, while Sydney and Cape Town represent the great down under.
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Toss into the mix Asian urban destinations like Seoul and Tokyo and the Conde Nast list looks like a wanderluster’s ultimate global visit checklist.
No American cities made the top 10 list, which supports the emerging outlook that top U.S. cities like Chicago, New York, and San Francisco are past their primes.
It’s the city that ranks number one on the Conde Nast list that may raise some eyebrows, given its lack of prominence on the global stage.
That city is Victoria, Canada, the capital city of British Columbia and the jewel of Canada’s Pacific Coast.
The Conde Nast 2023 Readers Choice “Best Cities” List
10. Oslo, Norway
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
8. Sydney, Australia
7. Cape Town, South Africa
6. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
5. Seoul, South Korea
4. Tokyo, Japan
3. Singapore
2. San Sebastian, Spain
1. Victoria, Canada
“While the restaurant and nightlife scene is something to be celebrated, with views over the Pacific Ocean along the coastal boulevards, this is a city that embraces adventure – the capital city of British Columbia draws outdoorsy types,” Conde Nast reports. “Appreciate the surrounding landscape by seaplane, spot whales on the horizon on kayaks or zipline through the treetops.”
Established in 1843 by the Hudson Bay Company, 43 years before nearby (and more celebrated) Vancouver, Victoria is located on Vancouver Island at the western terminus of the Trans-Canada highway.
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The port city welcomes about 800,000 cruise ship visitors annually who debark into Victoria to see, among other sites, the Empress Hotel (known for its fabulous “teatime” experiences) nestled on the city’s iconic inner harbor, the beautiful Butchart Gardens, and the Parliament Building, which shines 3,000 lights every night, and Beacon Hill Park, Victoria’s version of New York’s Central Park.
Around Halloween, the city’s Bastion Square attracts holiday revelers drawn to one of the most haunted hotspots in all of Canada, according to local lore.
Add in great craft beers, a booming coffee trade, and one of the best whale-watching experiences in the world and it’s no secret that Victoria is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
For interested visitors, the average brand-name hotel stay in the city is under $200 and the local transportation system is well-funded and well-run, giving you easy access to the city at a bargain basement rate.
The closest airport is Victoria Inner Harbor Airport, about five kilometers from the city center. BC public transport will easily get you downtown for about $2.00.
Visiting Victoria in the fall and winter will land you even better prices for airline tickets and hotel stays. Airlines with direct access to Victoria include Jet Blue, Qantas, Spirit Airlines, and Alaskan Airlines, among others.
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