1. Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong
is impressive from many angles—beneath the towering skyscrapers, or
from a ferry crossing Victoria Harbour—but you can see its finest side
from the air. As your flight approaches the city, it feels like the mist
parts and reveals a modern paradise, where hilly islands surround a
concrete jungle. We'd argue, it's one of the best skylines out there.
2. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul
continues to draw us in, whether it's through the frenetic opulence of
the Grand Bazaar or the old-meets-new aesthetic of Karaköy. But the
architecture still shines brightest here, with the Blue Mosque and Hagia
Sophia featuring prominent displays of both Byzantine and Ottoman
styles: Think massive domes, colored mosaics, minarets, and Islamic
calligraphy.
3. Jaipur, India
4. Jerusalem, Israel
Long a place of religious pilgrimage, Jerusalem is now drawing a different sort of pilgrim: the global traveler. The city's monuments of faith—like the Western Wall or the Dome of the Rock—are still spectacular, of course; but the influx of design hotels and buzzy restaurants in open-air markets are reinventing Jerusalem from the ground up.
5. Kyoto, Japan
Visiting Japan's imperial capital is like taking a step back in time.
Some 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines are ready to entrance
visitors, and you might even spot a geisha while strolling the city's
leafy, craft shop-lined streets. For those desperately seeking cherry blossoms, fear not: Kyoto Botanical Garden and Philosopher's Path are some of Japan's most popular spots for hanami.
6. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia's capital city is a real-life fairytale setting, come sunshine or snow flurries. Visit during December to see the Baroque architecture surrounded by Christmas lights; or dodge the crowds and book a trip after the holidays, when you'll have tons of room to stroll the pedestrian-only Old Town and sip coffee by the riverside cafés. You can also add Lake Bled and the Julian Alps to your itinerary, as Ljubljana makes the perfect base for Slovenian day trips.
7. London, U.K.
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London
is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, with history
(Westminster Abbey) and models of modernity (London Eye, The Gherkin)
mingling on the Thames. Art and literature seem to seep out of the
city's walls—and in recent years, London has glammed up even more, with
contemporary art galleries and boutique retailers adding some glimmer to
formerly seedy areas.
8. Luang Prabang, Laos
It may not have the temples of Siem Reap or the ancient ruins of Bagan, but Luang Prabang might just be Southeast Asia's ideal small city.
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why that is, but you might chalk it up to
the daily, early-morning processions of 200 saffron-robed monks, or the
bright explosions of orchids sprouting out of the trees.
9. Muscat, Oman
Oman has some of the most spectacular landscapes, from beaches to fantastically craggy mountain ranges. Meanwhile, Muscat, Oman’s port capital, is hemmed in by mountains and deserts on the Gulf of Oman, where 21st-century shopping malls share space with 16th-century Portuguese forts and gleaming mosques.
10. New York
New York's
beauty is multi-sensory: It's the historic architecture, from the
Flatiron Building to One World Trade Center. It's the feel of grass
beneath your feet (and the smell of roasted nuts) in Central Park. It's
the art of the Met, MoMa, and Frick. But most of all, it's the sight of a
diverse set of effortlessly fashionable people walking the city streets
with heads held high.
11. Paris, France
This one's a given, right? Paris is a place where romance and history play side by side. Cafés line cobblestone streets, beautiful people stroll along the Seine at all hours, and every neighborhood seems to have its own iconic landmark, be it the Notre Dame, Sacré-Coeur, or Eiffel Tower.
12. Porto, Portugal
If you’re upset that Lisbon didn’t make the list, it may be time for you to consider Porto: Portugal's second city
is having a serious moment. Oenophiles have been in on the secret for
years, but creative types have been flocking to Porto lately, thanks to
the city's stunning architecture (yes, there are lots of tiles) and
public art.
13. Québec City, Canada
For a real taste of Canada’s European past, look no further than Quebec City.
The city has an enviable position on a hill by a cliff overlooking the
St. Lawrence River, which only makes its ancient architecture even more
spectacular. For that once-in-a-lifetime shot, head to the opposite end
of the river and watch the sunset paint the Old Town in shades of pinks
and purple.
14. Queenstown, New Zealand
The adrenaline capital of the world is just a stone's throw away from some of the country's most incredible natural wonders, from milky-blue Lake Wakatipu to the so-called "big three" mountains (the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak). If you'd rather not take in the vistas from a bungee-jumping harness, cozy up at Matakauri Lodge's courtyard or large infinity pool—both viable viewing platforms.
15. Quito, Ecuador
Quito's Old Town
could almost be mistaken for Florence, with its spectacularly gilded
churches and cobbled streets. However, Ecuador's capital has the
geological advantage here—namely, its position under two snow-capped
volcanoes (both active) in the Andes mountains. Climb the dizzyingly
high central tower of BasÃlica del Voto Nacional to see the city's
buildings and mountains in one sweeping view.
16. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio has some of the loveliest stretches of sand
in the world, from Copacabana to Ipanema, and its cobbled city streets
are filled with the sounds of samba day and night. The Christ the
Redeemer statue watches over all of it—even the tropical rainforest that
sites within the city's bounds.
17. Rome, Italy
Rome captivates travelers in ways few cities can—chalk it up to world-class architecture, impossibly narrow cobblestone vicoli, and museums filled with artistic masterpieces. Call us sentimental, but we still stop dead in our tracks at the first glimpse of the Pantheon.
18. St Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg may have been immortalized by Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy, but the city is well worth exploring beyond the pages of a book. Palace Square provides front-row viewing of both the Building of the General Staff and Winter Palace, the latter of which may be Russia's finest example of Baroque architecture. Also worth a visit is the five-domed Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, as well as the city's many spectacular Orthodox churches.
19. San Francisco, California
The Golden Gate Bridge is just the beginning. San Francisco’s world-class museums and cultural institutions rival any on the planet—remarkable for a city of fewer than a million people. The adventurous spirit that made San Francisco what it is today thrives in the new restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries sprinkled throughout what is, arguably, the most beautiful city in the U.S.
20. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Many consider colonial-era San Miguel de Allende one of Mexico’s prettiest cities, and it’s no wonder. Here, you’ll find leafy courtyards, narrow cobblestone streets, and a historic town center from which the Gothic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel’s pink towers rise high above the main plaza.