WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME Guess which is the world’s friendliest city? (Sorry PE, it’s not you)
THE American South has long been proud of its good manners. Now that famous charm has won it top honours in this year’s Condé Nast list of the world’s friendliest cities.
About 128 000 people voted in the Readers’ Choice Awards, which for the fourth year included a vote for the city where travellers had felt the most welcome.
Charleston, South Carolina, take a bow. Founded in 1670, the city is popular with tourists for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pre-Civil-War-era houses. But apparently, the people are a huge help, too.
Wrote one reader: “People speak to each other!” Another said, “It has the charm of the South, the sophistication of the city, and a warmth and friendliness that is unmatched.” The rest of the top 10 was as follows: 2. Sydney, Australia — Top of the list last year, the Aussie favourite slipped to number two but, presumably, they’re still smiling. It seems that’s what they do. Wrote one voter: “Aussies are very friendly. Every time we stopped to stare at our map an Aussie would stop and offer to help us.”
3. Dublin, Ireland — While you might put it down to all those pubs and restaurants, seems it’s not just that. Wrote one reader: “I’ve never been somewhere with friendlier drinkers.”
4. Queenstown, New Zealand — This city on the South Island is known for its adventure sports — and locals who know how to make people feel at home.
5. Park City, Utah, US — Ditto for this mountain town and home of the Sundance Film Festival, where hospitality is king.
6. Galway, Ireland. — Pubs, singing and smiles, again. 7. Savannah, Georgia, US. 8. Kraków, Poland — “Everyone is helpful. It’s a great little city for walking.”
9. Bruges, Belgium — “Being in Bruges is like being in a fairy tale … exactly what we imagined an old European city should be like,” wrote one reader.
10. Nashville, Tennessee — Music City “is a city of characters and the vibe is hard to beat.” “We came on vacation and never left”.