http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/sydney-voted-worlds-best-city/2007/09/05/1188783272929.html
Sydney might seem more like a security fortress than an ideal holiday destination as APEC rolls into town, but travellers have voted it the best city in the world.
A survey of 30,000 readers of luxury travel bible Conde Nast Traveller put
Sydney in first spot for favourite overseas city, ahead of Paris, New
York and Rome.
Australia ranked fourth in the countries category behind India, Italy and Thailand, while the Great Barrier Reef was named the 10th best island destination in the world.
Sydney, which ranked third in last year's survey, impressed travellers for being the most clean and user-friendly city as
well as having the best restaurants.
"I'm delighted that readers of Conde Nast Traveller voted
Sydney their favourite overseas city," Conde Nast Traveller editor Sarah Miller said.
"They think that it is fantastic for its friendly people but they really adore the varied cuisines on offer, with the city scoring the highest for food.
"As somebody who loves
Sydney, I thoroughly endorse the readers' choice."
Ms Miller said while Australia had slipped one place in the countries category in this year's survey - the 10th run by the magazine - it still had plenty of appeal for tourists.
"A past winner, Australia scored consistently highly in all categories but coming out
well on top is the scenery and the friendly people," she said.
"I must say Australia is one of the best destinations I've ever been to, so I thoroughly agree with the readers."
The Great Barrier Reef made its debut appearance in the favourite islands category, with the Maldives and Greek Islands claiming the top two spots.
When it came to rating the best spots to lay your head after a hard day's travelling across Australia and the South Pacific,
Hobart's Henry Jones Art Hotel came out on top.
It was followed by the Great Barrier Reef's Angsana Resort & Spa, Longitude 131 at Uluru in the Northern Territory, Lilianfels in the NSW Blue Mountains and Huka Lodge in Taupo, New Zealand.
The magazine's readers voted
Sydney Airport as the world's seventh best, with Hong Kong International in first place ahead of Changi in Singapore and Dubai International.
Australia's national carrier Qantas also nudged into seventh place for favourite long-haul airline.
AAP