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[whereshegoes]

So here is debate that will depend much on personal taste but where gets your vote for the most beautiful city in the world and why?

[stevejames]

Hmmm, I don't really feel qualified to answer, as there are so many places I haven't visited yet, but so far... I'd say Luang Prabang, Laos gets the nod over San Francisco or Chiang Mai. I love its clash of colourful Laos culture and the grand white buildings and chequered tablecloths of the French colonial times. Fill it with some of the friendliest people on earth, several buddhist monks and top it off with a Wat on a leafy hill and you have something very beautiful indeed.

[Incrediblelife]

Like Stevejames I don't really feel qualified to answer this as I have yet to be to every city out there, but so far I would have to say Rio. Rio has an energy about it that would be hard to beat. The people are amazing, the views are stunning, the music is like no other, the culture as a whole gets my vote. It's a city where I can just sit and watch the people and the culture unfold before my eyes, and love every minute of it.... I can't wait to go back. Recently I found out that a co-worker has a beach house near Rio (his wife is from there) and has offered to let me stay there!! Yay!

[technotrekker]

Hi guys,

I think it's impossible to pick just one so I'm going to throw in a handful.

Florence (classical architecture)
Stockholm (medieval architecture on lovely waterways)
Kyoto (Japan - magical temples in the most serene environments)
Edinburgh (Scotland - unusually shaped but very pretty at the right time of year)

and being born and bred there, Sydney - Australia (sun, surf and a great skyline).

I haven't been to Paris yet but I think it will rate up there when I do. Also Rio as incrediblelife mentioned - has to be pretty spectacular so looking forward to getting there one day...

Keep trekkin'
TT

[bangkokrandy]

For me the most beautiful big city that I've ever been to is Paris.

Rounding out my Top 5 Most Beautiful Cities: Venice, Italy; Seville, Spain; Lijiang, China (the old town); and Antigua, Guatemala.

Also worth a mention: Vienna, Austria; Munich, Germany; and Prague, Czech Republic.

I'd better stop now before my list gets out of hand. Still, I find it impossible to pick only one.

[Barrett]

The list goes berserk!!!!!

How about we pare this down and try to figure out the most beautiful city, the single one, for each major civilization as its difficult to compare across cultures. For a definition of a "major civilization" see the map at the front of Samuel Huntington's "A Clash of Civilizations"

This way we could select a few of the best, let the real advocates slug it out (electronically) and the best arguer/descriptive writer wins. Then how about if we turn it into one of those decision trees that Maxim loves to publish and voila, we have a cool feature for Travelpod!

[jenipa]

The list goes berserk!!!!!

How about we pare this down and try to figure out the most beautiful city, the single one, for each major civilization as its difficult to compare across cultures. For a definition of a "major civilization" see the map at the front of Samuel Huntington's "A Clash of Civilizations"

This way we could select a few of the best, let the real advocates slug it out (electronically) and the best arguer/descriptive writer wins. Then how about if we turn it into one of those decision trees that Maxim loves to publish and voila, we have a cool feature for Travelpod!

You might have to define "beautiful" !! Is it the architecture, layout & design, or is it atmosphere, culture, cleanliness etc.
Its a very difficult question as there is always something beautiful about most cities....

[cobi]

I would have to say Prague...

that's probably because I went there having no expections, I don't think I even knew the Czech Republic was a country before I went.

It's so beautiful though.

[uncle_davros]

Having been to a few places in my time, here are my favourites

Sydney - Nothing like crossing the harbour bridge
Berlin - Changes all the time
Barcelona - Gaudi is awsome
Paris - Just because it is Paris
Rome - The Romans did something right
Krakow - The best Eastern European city
Veliko Taranova - Lovely place in Bulgaria
Lahore - Yeah, its polluted, but it is a good place to boot
Luang Prabang - Nice and relaxed
Hanoi - The French got it right
Bagan - The best set of temples in SEA

And I could go on and on and on, as we are discovering new things everyday

[Melany]

Cape Town (South Africa) is by far the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I would put San Fran and Sydney in 2nd and 3rd place (prob in that order but not neccessarily). Back home in the UK I'd say Edinburgh (I'm British though - not Scotish)- but it's not on the same page really...

My parents are more travelled - and say that Cape Town is by far their favourite - with 2nd place perhaps going to Rio, and Hong Kong being a good one too (they also like San Fran and Sydney - and say vancouver is a good one too).

Of course - those are mostly for natural beauty... Paris / Prague / Florence / Rome etc. feature very highly if architecture is the main factor.

[kris]

well, as a couple of people have said Rio.. i can only tell you about the girls as they are very distracting from the pleasures of christ the redeemer, sugar loaf and err.. Brahma?etc, ...but my cultural side would go with hobart ,as it's a lovely fishermans harbour.. surrounded with stunning backdrops.. a cute craft market along with the freshest of air... mmm

..but i'll wait a couple of years along with steve and incrediblelife to give a qualified answer.. mmm i can't wait to get 'qualified'...

[LagunaPhoto]

Heaven

For those who choose to go there.

[uncle_davros]

Wow, practically all of the members are moderators/administrators. I am so jealous

[Reano]

A hard question to give just one single answer but in terms of people, Zurich (Switzerland) is number one: since everyone just makes you feel like you belong with heartfelt greetings instead of the tick tak- laking "wassup dawg" you get in New York.

Yes, as far as scenery is concerned Cape Town (South Africa) takes gold and is definately not matched, the peaks around Table Mountain, the smile of the African sun and the bustling malls and interesting conversations at the waterfront truly make Cape Town irreplaceable.

[Caro!]

Umm, very difficult to answer, but I would have to say PARIS( I know is a boring answer) but I was there with the love of my life and it was just perfect!!!

[China Doll]

I'll vote to Chongqing~
You know there's a famous Yangtze River.Travellers can visit the beautiful sceneries by cruise.
Do you know hot-pot? That's great!I'm sure you'll love it if you try only one time.Suggest you to have some beer.That's more wonderful!Chongqing is indeed a good place to travel~

[Guest_Paul_*]

I'd have to think some more but Mae Hong Son immediately comes to mind. The Burmese style temples around the lake with mountains in background, the beautiful fresh air, excellent food and happy hospitible people (including some with 1 foot long necks) makes it a very amazing place to visit.

[Thomas Goater]

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND by a country mile, especially viewed from Mt Victoria for stunning 360 views of the city, the bay, the surrounding hills and the Cook Strait. The waterfront is fantastic, the people friendly and the night life brilliant. I wanna go back so bad!

[Simon]

I would say

1 Cape Town (South Africa)
2 Rio (Brazil)
3 Rome (Italy)
4 Vancouver (Canada)
5 Hong Kong (China)
6 Sydney (Australia)
7 San Francisco (USA)
8 Barcelona (Spain)
9 Paris (France)
10 Edinburgh (Scotland)

[Traveldust]

Rio de Janeiro is stunning. It's between it and Cape Town. Cape Town is more beautiful in terms of natural setting - but then again Rio is so vibrant and Latin... difficult. Rio or Cape Town at any rate. Rio for combination of natural beauty and vibrancy - Cape Town if we are speaking purely in terms of sheer natural beauty.