"Friendliness, be it instinctual hospitality, or a warm smile at every storefront, does a lot to make a city more accessible to travelers." So says Travel + Leisure in its list of the world's friendliest cities, part of the magazine's annual World's Best Awards survey. (Click here for the top ten hotels in the world, also from Travel + Leisure's World's Best survey.) Did your city make the cut? Read on to find out:
10. Savannah, GA. "Savannah has long charmed locals and with its antebellum architecture, romantic boughs of Spanish moss, and good-natured residents."
9. Edinburgh, Scotland. "Readers referred to this city of medieval lanes and intimate squares, of fairytale stone castles and Georgian storefronts, as 'enchanting' and 'magical.'"
8. Sydney, Australia. "The positive vibe of this down-under destination is enhanced by the natural beauty of the harbor and the diverse cultural offerings."
7. Melbourne, Australia. "Walkability and outdoor shopping centers make it easy to initiate conversation and enjoy the spectacular weather."
6. Auckland, New Zealand. "New Zealand's largest city has all the comfort of a small town with the attractions of a major metropolis."
5. Siem Reap, Cambodia (pictured). "Adventurous travelers may flock here for Khmer ruins and mountainous jungle terrain, but they stay for the inherent peace and tranquility, found in the Buddhist temples such as Angkor Wat and practiced by the Cambodian citizens."
4. Cork, Ireland. "In the country's largest county, verdant hills bloom with wildflowers, rivers run through ruins, and courteous locals welcome visitors with open arms."
3. Dublin, Ireland. "The people of Dublin's confident, cosmopolitan, and gregarious nature is best experienced at the din the new Hipster Triangle."
2. Charleston, SC. "Recent tragedy has cast a dark cloud over Charleston, yet the city's famous compassion and resilience have helped it recover, while locals seek ways to become ever more welcoming to all."
1. Galway, Ireland. "Galway won readers' hearts with its festive nature, lively population, and musicality. Fiddlers and banjo-players, flautists and whistlers bang out traditional Irish reels on pedestrian streets and in all the pubs."
Source: Travel + Leisure