I love lists. Partly because, as someone told me in high school, I sometimes like to argue just for the sake of it.
I’d like to think I’ve mellowed since my school days, but I still shake my head at some of the travel lists that get passed around. This time I’m questioning, albeit only a little, a list of the world’s most beautiful cities from the folks at Flight Network.
The study was based on input from top travel writers, bloggers and travel agents around the globe, they said. (I believe they may have asked me to participate, but I was busy this fall and early winter and didn’t have time).
Cape Town, South Africa finished seventh in the Flight Network study of the world’s most beautiful cities. I’d put it in the top three. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I don’t disagree with Paris as the number one choice. It’s a gorgeous city, with beautiful light and mostly low-rise architecture that’s reasonably harmonious. (By the way, it’s City of Light, not City of Lights. It’s famous for its natural light, not for electric bulbs. I see this mistake made all the time and it drives me bonkers.)
I love New York City and will be there for five days in a couple weeks. But it’s NOT the second most beautiful city in the world. It’s quite striking. And the architecture is generally terrific. But the setting can’t compare to Vancouver (fifth in the voting) or Cape Town (seventh). I’d put NYC in the top ten but my rankings are probably more based on a combination of built form and physical setting.
I also love the city where I live, Toronto. I appreciate Flight Network’s experts putting us up at number 21, but I can’t see how Quebec City, one of the loveliest cities on the planet, came in two spots behind Toronto.
How could anyone leave Stockholm out of a list of the world’s 50 most beautiful cities? PHOTO BY RAPHAEL ANDRES FROM UNSPLASH
The study also put Dubai at 29, which is a joke of epic proportions. Dubai, which has a lovely old city and then a huge strip of garish monstrosities, finished ahead of such esteemed cities as Edinburgh (31) and Dubrovnik (somehow all the way down at 41).
The Forbidden City is amazing, but I can’t see any reason for including Beijing in this list (49). I prefer Shanghai, myself.
And they didn’t even include Stockholm in the top 50, although it’s clearly one of the most beautiful cities on this planet of ours; definitely top 15.
Here’s the Flight Network top 10, and then, because I’m based here, the rest of the cities from North America that finished in the top 50.
1. Paris
2. New York City
3. London
4. Venice
5. Vancouver
6. Barcelona
7. Cape Town
8. San Francisco
9. Sydney
10. Rome
ALSO
21. Toronto
22. San Diego
23. Quebec City
25. Chicago
28. Havana
39. San Miguel de Allende (Mexico)
St. John’s Newfoundland. Definitely worthy of consideration for one of the world’s 50 most beautiful cities. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Just for fun, here are a few cities I consider quite beautiful that you might not hear so much about. I’m not saying they should be in the top- 50, but they’re definitely worth checking out.
– Ljubljana. This a beautiful city in Slovenia, which doesn’t get the attention it deserves. I love the creamy, pastel buildings and the pretty river. It feels a bit like Salzburg but without the shops selling Mozart chocolates, Mozart boxers and Mozart candles.
– Valencia. It’s not as dramatic as Barcelona, which is just up the road, but it’s a terrific city with a great mix of old and new architecture.
– Manchester. This city is undergoing a great revival, and you’ll find amazing architecture and fun neighbourhoods to explore.
– Montreal. The old city is beautiful, but so is the mountain itself. There are also great neighbourhoods such as Mile End and Saint Henri.
– Washington DC. I’m not a fan of the guy in the White House, but this is one seriously striking city.
– Bordeaux. I love wandering the streets of this city, especially Rue Notre Dame.
– New Orleans. Speaks for itself, I think.
– St. John’s, Newfoundland. I love the colourful houses and the dramatic cliffs and battered, wooden homes in The Battery district. Definite top 50 in my book.
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