The 20 Best Cities to Visit in 2017

Picking the best cities in the world is a bit like choosing a president: Your vote depends on your point of view. That’s why different travel sites select different destinations. Travel guide publisher and website Lonely Planet’s users and readers tend to acknowledge the maverick in themselves. Condé Nast Traveler’s (CNT) typically well-heeled users and readers tend to look for the luxe in travel.

Although the selections differ for both travel sites, their combined lists offer plenty of inspiration for your 2017 vacations.

Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities in the World to Visit in 2017

1. Bordeaux, France: The mid-2017 opening of the LGV Sud-Ouest line will cut the travel time from Paris to Bordeaux to two hours. The city’s riverfront redevelopment is impressive.

2. Cape Town, South Africa: Interesting markets, good food and the opening of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, September 2017, adds to Cape Town’s vibrancy.

3. Los Angeles, CA: Lonely Planet praises LA for its expanded Metro and the nearly 50 new hotels planned to open soon.

4. Merida, Mexico: Designated the American Capital of Culture for 2017, Merida will be hosting many cultural events in 2017 in addition to its usual array of vibrant music, dance and art shows.

5. Ohrid, Macedonia: Lonely Planet suggests visiting before the new lakeshore development opens, something likely to destroy a bit of this ancient city’s charm.

6. Pistoia, Italy: In 2017 Pistoia will reign as Italy’s Capital of culture, a designation awarded, in part, for the city’s art and architecture.

7. Seoul, South Korea: The city will open the Seoul Skygarden, an elevated former highway, turned into a garden as part of Seoul’s efforts to be green and attractive.

8. Lisbon, Portugal: Adding to the city’s many museums will be one exploring the history of Judaism in Portugal, opening in 2017.

9. Moscow, Russia: A new airport and a new Metro make accessing the city and its sights easier.

10. Portland, Oregon: Surrounded by mountain peaks, Portland is sustainable and friendly, notes Lonely Planet. Nearby Willamette Valley or Mt Hood both offer good locales for viewing the August 21,2017 solar eclipse.

Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 10 Cities in the World to Visit in 2017

1. Tokyo, Japan: A food-lover’s dream, Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other place in the world.

2. Kyoto, Japan: Temples, shrines, and nearly 100 Michelin-starred restaurants entice tourists and spring’s cherry blossoms add an extra reasons for visiting.

3. Florence, Italy: Florence, CNT notes, “remains unrivaled in history, art and architecture.”

4. Lucerne, Switzerland: Lucerne is “storybook Swiss,” says CNT of the lakeside city.

5. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: A Gothic cathedral, tree-lined courtyards and cobblestone streets combine to make this colonial-era city a standout.

6. Vancouver, Canada: The ethnically diverse city features a vibrant array of interesting eateries.

7. Victoria, BC, Canada: Along with gardens, Victoria also offers kayaking, sailing and other outdoor adventures.

8. Salzburg, Austria: Explore this picturesque city divided by the Salzach River.

9. Barcelona, Spain: Beaches, museums, shopping and interesting architecture, including the modern Catalan creations of Antoni Gaudí add to Barcelona’s allure.

10. Vienna, Austria: Stroll Vienna’s gardens and explore the city’s museums and palaces for artwork, including masterpieces by Gustav Klimt.