Travel + Leisure Names the World’s Best Cities, Hotels, Airlines, and Islands for Travel in 2016

So, you want to plan the absolute best trip in the world.

There are a lot of ways you could go about trying to determine that destination – none of which, of course, would yield the kind of comprehensive insight as Travel + Leisure’s recently released ‘World’s Best Awards’.

T+L’s annual ranking is essentially the Oscars of travel, compiling feedback from a reader questionnaire to rank the world’s top cities, hotels, islands, airlines, airports, cruise lines, and more. Respondents considered a wide range of characteristics for each category and rated candidates on a five-point scale ranging from ‘excellent’ to ‘poor’. The world’s best cities, for example, were rated based on sights/landmarks, culture/arts, restaurants/food, people/friendliness, shopping, and value.

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These are the best cities in the world:

1. Kyoto, Japan
2. Charleston, South Carolina
3. Siem Reap, Cambodia
4. Florence, Italy
5. Rome, Italy
6. Bangkok, Thailand
7. Krakow, Poland
8. Barcelona, Spain
9. Cape Town, South Africa
10. Jerusalem, Israel

Kyoto, Japan. Photo: The Way of Beauty

No complaints here. Several of Travel + Leisure’s choices are congruent with our own picks – especially for singles. Quebec City was Canada’s top scoring city, followed closely by Victoria. New Orleans was considered the second-best North American destination.

The Awards even rounded up who we should leave in charge of ushering us to our destination of choice – because we all know not all airlines are created equal. Here’s who’s be most suited to take you under their wing.

These are the best airlines in the world:

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates
3. Qatar Airways
4. Cathay Pacific Airways
5. Air New Zealand
6. Virgin Atlantic
7. Thai Airways
8. Korean Air
9. All Nippon Airways
10. Qantas

Singapore Airlines first class cabin

Travel + Leisure’s top choice could definitely have something to do with this. Now, cities are great and all, but it’s an island getaway that’s truly notable. And for the best of water-enveloped land, look no further than…

These are the best islands in the world:

1. Galápagos Islands
2. Bali
3. Maldives
4. Tasmania
5. Santorini
6. Moorea
7. Maui
8. Kauai
9. Great Barrier Reef
10. Malta

The Galapagos Islands

Vancouver Island, meanwhile, was rated the top choice in North America. For Canadian travellers, Iceland will be a definite frontrunner post-May. Then, of course, there’s the question of where to stay. Here’s the answer…

These are the best hotels in the world:

1. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India
2. Hotel Castello di Casole, Casole d’Elsa, Italy
3. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
3. Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana
5. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India
6. Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul at Sultanahmet
7. Singita Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park Area, South Africa
8. Farmhouse Inn, Forestville, California
8. The Peninsula, Shanghai
8. Sunset Key Cottages, Key West, Florida

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