Latest news with #WorldsBest
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Travelers Voted These Cities the Best in Europe—and They Say No. 1 Has a ‘Small-town Feel' and ‘Fantastic' Food
As southern Europe continues to heat up—last summer was the warmest recorded in the region—travel industry professionals have predicted the northern reaches of the continent will become more popular. Tell that to our World's Best voters. With all due respect to the U.K., Scandinavia, and cooler climes, readers continue to flock to Mediterranean countries: Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, and the south of France. When it comes to cities, Porto prevails over Paris, Athens appeals more than Amsterdam, and Lyon gets more love than London. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Cities were specifically rated on the criteria below: Sights/landmarks Culture Food Friendliness Shopping Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Italy. Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure For many of our readers, bigger isn't always better, and midsize can make for a more memorable experience. Cities like Siena, Salzburg, Aix-en-Provence, and Cordoba draw readers with their manageable roster of attractions, walkability, warmth, and the kind of charm and vivacity you don't necessarily find in a big metropolis. Readers praised Seville for being romantic and inexpensive, as well as for its 'very fun and vibrant lifestyle.' Athens is 'the perfect-size city,' said one reader; 'walking through its neighborhoods is delightful,' another writes, while a third calls strolling its streets 'cathartic.' Smaller cities are often more closely tied to their respective regions, which provides the opportunity for culinary deep-dives. Taking a trip to Lyon? 'Plan for wine, cheese, and anything else you desire during the day,' writes one voter. 'At night, the cobblestone roads take you to so many highly rated restaurants, so plan to do several for appetizers through dessert.' The best thing about Granada, according to one reader? 'Free tapas with every drink you order!' 1. Florence, Italy Cityscape of Florence, Italy. Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure Never mind the crowds: Our readers want to return to one of Italy's most beloved cities—over and over again. 'I have visited it 12 times and it never gets old,' writes one reader. What brings us back? 'The architecture is beautiful, the people are friendly, and the food is fantastic,' offered one voter; others mentioned the profusion of Renaissance masterworks, the shopping, the 'small-town feel'—and let's not forget the gelato. One reader contributed a moment that sums it all up: 'I sat at a rooftop bar drinking the best White Russian I've ever tasted, looking over the red-tile roofs at sunset during the pealing of dozens of church bells. A top 10 memory.' WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 90.08 The architecture is beautiful, the people are friendly, and the food is fantastic. — T+L Reader 2. Seville, Spain Seville's Plaza de Espana. Leopoldine Bauer/Travel + Leisure The capital of Andalusia—and the home of flamenco—appeared at no. 11 on last year's list. Chalk its ascension in the ranks up to its 'art, architecture, parks, and piazzas [that] provide sensory overload,' according to one voter. 'Old Spain at its best,' claims another. WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 89.49 3. Granada, Spain View of Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure This compact, foot-friendly city has at least one glorious attraction: the Alhambra, a beautifully preserved 13th-century Islamic palace. But Granada's charms go beyond the bucket list: 'I fell in love with the quaint city streets and mix of cultures evident in the cuisine, art, and surroundings,' contributes one reader. 'What's not to love?' writes another. Reader Score: 89.48 4. Istanbul, Turkey The gardens in front of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey. Ambika Verma/Travel + Leisure 'One of the most amazing cities in the world,' says one reader. Istanbul's continued dominance on this list can be credited to the city's dynamic melding of civilizations and cuisines: Writes one voter, 'The city blew us away with its confluence of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman architecture, culture, and history—all in one place.' WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 89.47 5. Rome, Italy A decorated doorway in Rome, Italy. Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure The Eternal City is eternally popular—now as much as ever, as it continues to climb this list, up two points from last year. 'Lose yourself in the culture, food, and sights,' writes one reader, offering one a time-tested incentive: 'The best gelato awaits while wandering the cobblestone streets and finding yourself at the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, or any one of the beautiful piazzas.' WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 88.91 6. Siena, Italy Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy. Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure The Tuscan walled city leaps up our list from its previous position at no. 14. The reason? It's 'a UNESCO village on a mountain where you can experience beauty from both above and below,' writes one reader. 'In Siena, romance is in the air,' adds another. Reader Score: 88.33 7. Porto, Portugal A busy street in Porto, Portugal. Violetta Smirnova/Travel + Leisure Oenophiles appreciate this city's proximity to the vineyards of the Douro Valley, but Porto has plenty to offer in its own right—and not just port wine. Readers noted that 'it's easy to navigate' and that the people are warm and friendly. 'Don't neglect to take a walk by the river,' says one voter. Reader Score: 88.24 8. Madrid, Spain The Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain. Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure From flamenco to football to flea markets, Spain's capital is a city of inexhaustible delights. 'Amazing in every possible way,' writes one reader. 'As a solo female traveler, I have never felt safer. The food is outstanding, and the culture is magical. Plus, the value is outstanding.' Reader Score: 88.02 As a solo female traveler, I have never felt safer. The food is outstanding, and the culture is magical. Plus, the value is outstanding. — T+L Reader 9. Lisbon, Portugal View of Lisbon's cityscape. Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure While this capital city shines when it comes to culture, architecture, and art, don't overlook the food—Lisbon recently claimed a prize as Europe's best culinary city destination. Reader Score: 87.44 10. Lyon, France View of Lyon, France through a window. Kristjan Veski/Travel + Leisure Given Lyon's reputation as one of the world's great culinary capitals, is it any surprise that so many voters raved about the food? 'Just as good as Paris,' writes one reader; 'don't miss Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, a food hall that's as pleasing to the eye as to the stomach,' says another. Reader Score: 87.43 11. Prague, Czech Republic Aerial view of Prague's Charles Bridge. Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure Voters find this city 'fun and upbeat,' with 'wonderful people who like Americans.' 'The history, the architecture, and the Jewish Quarter are fascinating,' writes one reader. 'And Old Town is a must-see, with its clock and animated figures.' Reader Score: 87.38 12. Salzburg, Austria The skyline of Salzburg, Austria. Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure If you love the sound of music—or 'The Sound of Music'—this is the city for you. The setting for the popular movie musical was also the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Voters cite the mountain setting, the historic architecture, and the friendly residents as reasons to visit. One reader recommends visiting in December—just in time for snow and the Christmas markets. Reader Score: 87.30 13. Cordoba, Spain People walking around a plaza in Cordoba, Spain. Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure This city in the southern region of the Iberian peninsula offers an amalgam of history—it's been inhabited at different periods by Roman, Islamic, and Christian populations, and each culture has left its stamp on Cordoba's architecture, food, and art. 'The ancient mosque is spectacular and should be seen by all,' writes one reader. Reader Score: 87.22 14. Athens, Greece Greek ruins in Athens, Greece. Lorrin Cousino/Travel + Leisure 'Athens is an ancient and historically significant city with interesting archaeological sites all over town,' writes one voter. Indeed, readers point to the Parthenon and the Plaka as highlights. But they give equal props to the dining scene and the friendliness of Athenians. 'You have to go at least once,' exclaims one reader. Reader Score: 86.69 15. Aix-en-Provence, France Quatre-Dauphins square in Aix-en-Provence. KavalenkavaVolha/Getty Images This town in the Cote d'Azur region may be small, but it is mighty. With its walkable historic center, lively markets, and Cezanne-centric attractions, it makes an ideal home base for a visit to Provence and beyond. 'A beautiful town that feels like the beating heart of Provence,' says one voter. Reader Score: 86.60
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Travel + Leisure
03-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure Readers' 3 Favorite Hotels in Berlin of 2025
Cutting-edge architecture, 24-hour nightlife, a legendary art scene, and world-class hotels: The German capital is holding its own as one of Europe's most alluring travel destinations, with trendy new properties cropping up in and around the Ringbahn (the railroad that runs around the inner city of Berlin). However, when it came to voting for their favorite Berlin hotels, Travel + Leisure readers stuck to the classics. Read on to find out which hotels snagged the winning spots. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below: Rooms/facilities Location Service Food Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. The German capital is constantly reinventing itself; yet, this year, T+L readers favored the city's tried-and-true hotels over its trendy new arrivals. Which is not to say that there were no surprises on this year's list—only one property on this year's survey appeared on last year's World's Best Awards list. The hotel in question: the Grand Hyatt Berlin (No. 3), known for its unbeatable location near Potsdamer Platz square and its popular Japanese-meets-French Vox Restaurant. 'I loved my stay here,' said one reader, who then praised the property's 'super comfortable beds' and other highlights. Coming in at No. 2, the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is a 1907-era grand dame with sweeping views of the Brandenburg Gate—and it's the home of the two-starred Michelin restaurant Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer. The luxe touches don't end there: the Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin also has the largest selection of suites in all of Germany. InterContinental Berlin The lobby and reception area at InterContinental Berlin. Over its nearly 70-year history, this high-rise hotel has welcomed everyone from Alfred Hitchcock and Bill Clinton to Tom Hanks. Now, after a recent 64-million-Euro renovation (about $71 million USD), the 558-room hotel is sparkling anew, with modernized guestrooms, lobby, and the revamped Marlene cocktail bar and restaurant (named after Berlin-born starlet Marlene Dietrich). Returning guests will be pleased to discover that the Michelin-starred restaurant, Hugo, located on the hotel's 14th floor, has more or less remained unchanged save for a few fresh interior design details, and its creative menu continues to take center stage. 'Everything was amazing,' wrote one guest. 'I love this hotel!' Another gushed about the 'excellent service, attention to detail, and great location' near the Berlin Zoo and the Brandenburg Gate. 1. InterContinental Berlin Reader Score: 91.00 2. Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin Reader Score: 90.12 3. Grand Hyatt Berlin Reader Score: 86.13
Eater
22-05-2025
- Business
- Eater
Capitol Hill's Mercado Luna Space Is Getting Revived With a Rooftop Bar
It's rooftop season! As we noted last week, the Populus Hotel in Pioneer Square opened today, May 22, with a new rooftop bar called Firn. Capitol Hill has a new rooftop bar too: Called Cantina del Sol, it's a bright, semi-covered space that sits atop the building on Pine and Summit that used to be Mercado Luna. If you went out in Capitol Hill you probably know the building — it had a big 'TACOS FOR THE PEOPLE' sign facing the street and housed a rooftop bar as well as a takeout window, a wine shop, and the long-running restaurant Mezcaleria Oaxaca. It closed down in 2024 and the space was snapped up by Travis Rosenthal's Pike Street Hospitality Group (PSHG), which owns several bars and restaurants, including the Capitol Hill sandwich shop HoneyHole. A representative for PSHG says that the building will have four 'distinct food and drink spaces,' the first of which is Cantina del Sol. The new bar has a bright color palette. Tacos are served out of a pink 1960s camp trailer, and the drinks include a pink prickly pear margarita and a bright green lime margarita. (The tacos, by the way, are going to feature the same handmade tortillas as Aqua Verde Cafe, another PSHG restaurant.) It will be open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays (and until midnight Friday night), and from 11 a.m. on weekends, when it will serve a menu of brunchy items including chilaquiles. Cantina del Sol is open now, and the three other concepts that will fill up the building will be announced later. Now onto more news you should know: Rumba notches Spirited Awards 2025 nom Speaking of Pike Street Hospitality Group, its rum-focused bar Rumba just got recognized by booze-focused nonprofit Tales of the Cocktail. TotC just came out with its nominees for its Spirted Awards, and Rumba scored one for Worlds Best Spirits Selection; it's one of only two bars on the West Coast to get a nomination. Dick's is arriving in Everett next month Dick's, the famed old-school drive-in burger chain, is in the process of opening its 10th location, in Everett, and now we have a opening date: June 12. 'The hoopla surrounding every Dick's grand opening has become a cultural phenomenon,' the Seattle Times writes, 'with teens lining up and die-hards sleeping in their cars to be among the first to queue for the beloved local chain's burgers and shakes.' Sheesh, calm down everyone. The new Dick's will be at 1629 Center Road, near Paine Field. Ballard's new H Mart is almost here Speaking of beloved chains, Asian supermarket H Mart is opening its latest Seattle location in Ballard on June 5, reports the Times . This will occupy the space at 951 Ballard Way that was a grocery store called New Seasons and was going to be an Amazon Go store until that didn't happen. Unlike some other Seattle H Marts, this will be a big (25,000 square feet) store with not just groceries but a deli, beauty section, and an Artbox, which will sell stationary and gifts. Sign up for our newsletter.
