JETSETTING

Traveling is not just about experiencing the destination’s sights and the food but also the encounters you have along the way. And we all know that these encounters have the potential to make or break a great trip. Many times we don't visit a place because of our preconceived notions of that particular destination. We make judgments based on what we may have heard or read. Did we hear it wasn't safe? That it was not fun? Too expensive? That there isn't enough to do?

With that in mind, is it possible that certain cities are more inviting than others?

So we decided to investigate a bit. We found the list Travel & Leisure, the major NYC based travel magazine, has curated the top 30 friendliest cities of 2015 as voted by readers. Do you agree? The results may surprise you...

1. Galway, Ireland
EAT | Annual Vegan food & Craft Festival, Dela, The Gourmet Offensive Falafel Bar
PLAY | Connemara National Park, Aran Islands, Eyre Square

2. Charleston, South Carolina
EAT | Gnome Cafe, Diggity Doughnuts, Dellz Uptown

PLAY | City Market, Waterfront Park, Dock Street Theatre

4. Cork, Ireland
EAT – Quay Co-op, Café Paradiso, Iyers  

PLAY | English Market, Blackrock Castle, Everyman Palace Theatre

5. Dublin, Ireland
EAT | Yogism, Cornucopia, Umi Falafel
PLAY | National Musuem of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Phoenix Park

6. Siem Reap, Cambodia
EAT | Garden of Universe, Champkar, Peace Cafe
PLAY | Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom

6. Auckland, New Zealand
EAT | Little Bird Organics, Zest Organic Store & Café, The Bluebird Vegetarian Cafe
PLAY | Sky Tower, Auckland Domain, Auckland Art Gallery

7. Melbourne, Australia
EAT | Lord of the Fries, Supercharger, Enlightened Cuisine
PLAY | National Gallery of Victoria, Queen Victoria Market, Royal Botanic Gardens

8. Sydney, Australia
EAT | Sadhana’s Kitchen, Bodhi Restaurant & Bar, Earth to Table
PLAY |
Sydney Harbour, Museum of Contemporary Art, Bondi Beach

9. Edinburgh, Scotland
EAT | David Bann, Kalpna, Henderson’s
PLAY | Edinburgh Castle, Shopping in Princes Street, Holyrood Palace

10. Savannah, Georgia 
EAT | The Sentient Bean, Kayak Kafe, Green Truck Pub
PLAY | Forsyth Park, Telfair Museums, Savannah Historic District