An estimated 18.7 million people will visit London in 2014 – more than any other city in the world – according to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. Last year, London was the third most popular destination, so it has gained significantly in popularity. Here’s a look at the top 10 vacation destinations in the world and what they have to offer.
London
London is the most popular vacation destination in the world, and there are plenty of things to do. If you want to save money, the British Museum, National Gallery, Imperial War Museum, Tower Bridge, and Natural History Museum are all free. Other popular tourist spots include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Bangkok
Located in Thailand, Bangkok is a city rich in culture. Beautiful Buddhist tourist attractions include Wat Arun and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. If you’re interested in shopping, be sure to check out the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The Bangkok Art & Culture Centre is a great place to visit with no cost to enter. Other cool things to check out include the aquarium Siam Ocean World and the Grand Palace.
Paris
Paris is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do. Some of the most famous tourist attractions are the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre art museum, and Versailles Palace. The most popular sightseeing destination is the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Paris has lots of other great museums, including the Musee Rodin, the Centre Pompidou, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Musee d’Orsay.
Singapore
Singapore is a gorgeous island in Southeast Asia. If you’re visiting, you’ll definitely want to check out the Singapore Botanic Gardens, which is free to enter. For great nightlife and shopping, check out the Marina Bay. Other attractions that show off the beauty of Singapore are the Singapore Zoo, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and Merlion Park.
Dubai
Located in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has a variety of things to do and see. Check out the waves at Jumeirah Beach, or go skiing at Ski Dubai. Shop at the Dubai Mall, and check out the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Some other fun places include the Wild Wadi Waterpark, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, and the Jumeirah Mosque.
New York City
The only city on the list located in the U.S., New York City is bustling with things to do. Do some luxury shopping on Fifth Avenue, see a play on Broadway, and check out the sights from the top of the Empire State Building. Central Park and the High Line Gardens are free.
Istanbul
Located in Turkey, Istanbul has many beautiful mosques to visit, such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Go shopping at the Grand Bazaar, and enjoy a coffee at Taksim Square. Museums include the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
Rounding out the top 10 most popular city destinations are Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Seoul. Each has many unique tourist attractions and beautiful sites to see. And if you’re planning a trip anytime soon, especially if you’re staying close to home in one of America’s most popular cities like Los Angeles, LuxPads has a wide selection of luxury vacation rentals available as well.
Article submitted by Community Writer.