The world’s best city is …

Frances Cha, CNN
Updated 8:04 PM EDT, Wed October 16, 2013
Condé Nast Traveler announced its 2013 Readers' Choice Awards yesterday. Québec City squeezed into the top 10 of the world's Top 25 Cities, due to its "old-world charm," "awesome historic assets" and "great shopping," according to CN Traveler readers.
10. Québec City —
Condé Nast Traveler announced its 2013 Readers' Choice Awards yesterday. Québec City squeezed into the top 10 of the world's Top 25 Cities, due to its "old-world charm," "awesome historic assets" and "great shopping," according to CN Traveler readers.
Jean-Francois Bergeron/Enviro Foto
Siena was described as "quieter than Rome and Florence, but jam-packed with history and culture amid rolling Tuscan hillsides." It was one of five Italian cities to make the top 25.
9. Siena, Italy —
Siena was described as "quieter than Rome and Florence, but jam-packed with history and culture amid rolling Tuscan hillsides." It was one of five Italian cities to make the top 25.
Fabio Muzzi/Getty Images/File
Rome was praised for being so full of great sights, visitors "can return again and again and always see something new."
8. Rome —
Rome was praised for being so full of great sights, visitors "can return again and again and always see something new."
Courtesy Irene Fanizza
"Drenched in music, history and the arts, Vienna earned high marks from readers. Not that anyone would find that surprising," said the magazine, explaining Vienna's seventh-spot placement.
7. Vienna, Austria —
"Drenched in music, history and the arts, Vienna earned high marks from readers. Not that anyone would find that surprising," said the magazine, explaining Vienna's seventh-spot placement.
Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images
"Basque beauty" San Sebastián tied for fifth place. "All you need to do here is eat, eat and eat."
5. San Sebastián, Spain (tied) —
"Basque beauty" San Sebastián tied for fifth place. "All you need to do here is eat, eat and eat."
courtesy shibouya
This southern U.S. city tied for fifth spot on the global rankings, but was named the top U.S. city for its "sand, sun, history, good food and friendly people."
5. Charleston, South Carolina (tied) —
This southern U.S. city tied for fifth spot on the global rankings, but was named the top U.S. city for its "sand, sun, history, good food and friendly people."
courtesy doug ker
Mozart's hometown "will transport you back in time," according to the poll.
4. Salzburg, Austria —
Mozart's hometown "will transport you back in time," according to the poll.
Martin Schalk/Getty Images
"Everything about Budapest was entrancing." It seems most of the reviewers agreed with this feedback about this beautiful European city.
2. Budapest, Hungary (tied) —
"Everything about Budapest was entrancing." It seems most of the reviewers agreed with this feedback about this beautiful European city.
ferenc isza/afp/getty images
This ancient Italian city also tied for the second spot on the global rankings.
2. Florence, Italy (tied) —
This ancient Italian city also tied for the second spot on the global rankings.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
"The lack of street lights and billboards makes the region romantically and historically beautiful, and the city itself offers a traditional feeling of a small town in the heart of Mexico." Which is why this central Mexican city was voted No. 1.
1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico —
"The lack of street lights and billboards makes the region romantically and historically beautiful, and the city itself offers a traditional feeling of a small town in the heart of Mexico." Which is why this central Mexican city was voted No. 1.
courtesy esparta palma
World's best city destinations

Story highlights

Condé Nast Traveler announces 2013 Readers' Choice Awards

Readers vote world's top city is San Miguel de Allende in Mexico

Charleston, South Carolina, takes top spot for ranking of U.S. cities

CNN  — 

How many have you been to? And do you agree with the rankings?

Condé Nast Traveler announced the winners of its 26th annual Readers’ Choice Awards yesterday.

As they do every year, this year’s results introduce new categories, new hotels and re-ordered lists of the world’s best destinations.

The magazine said this year’s list was the most comprehensive ever, with 1.3 million votes cast for a whopping 16,000 properties around the world.

Read: 12 VIP experiences actually worth the money

World’s best cities

The “Top 25 Cities in the World” list had refreshingly surprising additions and rankings – Paris came in at a lowly 22 while Bruges and Cape Town tied for 11th place.

Budapest and Florence tied for second, while the very top spot was seized by the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico, which took the crown from last year’s favorite of Charleston, South Carolina (which was tied for fifth this year).

Italy snapped up five of the top 25 cities, while Spain managed to take three.

Despite its slide in the global rankings, Charleston was still voted the top city in the United States for the third year in a row, for its “sand, sun, history, good food and friendly people.”

Read: The best of USA travel

More categories

In the “Top 100 Hotels and Resorts in the World” category, La Residence in South Africa and Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in Matauri Bay, New Zealand tied for first place, while Virgin America was named the No. 1 airline in the United States. Singapore Airlines came in first for international airlines.

Here’s a small selection of the rankings.

Top cities in the world

1. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
2.= Budapest, Hungary
2.= Florence, Italy
4. Salzburg, Austria
5.= Charleston, South Carolina, United States
5.= San Sebastián, Spain
7. Vienna, Austria
8. Rome
9. Siena, Italy
10. Québec City
11.= Cape Town, South Africa
11.= Bruges, Belgium
13. Vancouver, Canada
14. Kyoto, Japan
15.= Prague, Czech Republic
15.= Kraków, Poland
17.= Victoria, Canada
17.= Sydney
17.= Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
20.= Seville, Spain
20.= Beirut, Lebanon
22.= Paris
22.= Melbourne, Australia
24.= Venice, Italy
24.= Barcelona, Spain

Top cities in the United States

1. Charleston, South Carolina
2. Sante Fe, New Mexico
3. San Francisco
4. Honolulu
5. Chicago

Top hotels and resorts in the world

1.= Lodge at Kauri Cliffs in Maturi Bay, New Zealand
1.= La Residence, Franschhoek, South Africa
3.= Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa
3.= Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve, South Africa
5. Grand Hotel Timeo, Sicily

Top U.S. airlines

1. Virgin America
2. Jetblue Airways
3. Hawaiian Airlines
4. Southwest Air Lines
5. Alaska Airlines

Top international airlines

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates
3. Virgin Atlantic
4. Etihad Airways
5. Air New Zealand

Read: World’s most expensive hotel suites

What are you favorite cities, hotels and airlines? Did the Condé Nast Traveler readers get it right? Tell us below!

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