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The tourism industry has taken many hard knocks over the past few months and travel is largely off the cards at the moment, but some are planning ahead for trips that they’ll take when the airports and borders open again, once we get the pandemic under control.

There’s nothing quite like a lockdown to inspire you to finally make those travel plans you’ve been putting off for years, once we can visit the rest of the globe again, of course.

Before countries shut down, and flights were grounded, Travel + Leisure conducted their annual survey to uncover the cities and destinations that their readers rated as the best in the world.

Voting closed on March 2, shortly before things really started escalating, so their results reflect a world where we could still explore new places.

The top 25 cities all boast rich histories and cover a range of continents. All of them were rated by travellers on their sights and landmarks, culture, cuisine, friendliness, shopping, and overall value, producing a score out of 100.

So, without further ado, here’s the city that was voted the best in the world in this year’s “World’s Best Awards”.

1. Oaxaca, Mexico (93,54/100)

While more natural settings have their perks, there’s something about the vibrancy and energy of a city that can’t be beaten. Oaxaca seems to have something for everyone.

Whether you’re into art, architecture, food, history, spirits of the drinking kind, or handicrafts, Oaxaca has it in spades. “One of the most delightful cities I’ve ever visited,” wrote one World’s Best voter.

A center for mole and mezcal making, Oaxaca is filled with fantastic markets, including Mercado Benito Juárez, where visitors can find local staples like grasshopper tacos.

The city also boasts both a modern art museum in a 17th-century mansion and, 20 minutes away, an impressive pre-Colombian archaeological site.

Artisanal culture is not just alive in this southern Mexican city but thriving. “We visited a basket maker, a lady making red pottery, rug weavers who dye their own yarn, and an amazing group of woodcarvers that paint/decorate the carving,” reported one T+L reader, who presumably went home with an extra suitcase.

Get a feel for the place here:

Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende came in at number two with Hoi An, Vietnam, taking the third spot.

The rest of the top 10 are as follows:

4. Chiang Mai, Thailand
5. Florence
6. Kyoto, Japan
7. Udaipur, India
8. Luang Prabang, Laos
9. Ubud, Indonesia
10. Istanbul

For a list of the full 25 top cities in the world, head here.

Then get that travel journal out and make a bucket list.

[source:travel+leisure]