Nominate Your Favorite To Win $300 In March: The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament 2012
This is probably the easiest travel contest and $300 dollars you’ll enter to win all year. The 4th year of The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament begins next week.
All you have to do to enter is name your favorite city in the comments of this post before next Monday, February 27th at 12:00pm US EST.
Cities Already Taken
Since my newsletter subscribers got word of the contest yesterday (they’re always the first to find out but don’t feel left out) these cities are already taken. Each person can choose one city except these and any others listed in the comments section already.
- Vancouver, Canada – (Donald)
- Singapore – (Dave)
- Istanbul, Turkey – (Deniz)
- Austin, United States – (Amy)
- Vienna, Austria – (Laura)
- Paris, France – (Bob)
- Reykjavik, Iceland – (Mike)
- Prague, Czech Republic – (Rod)
- Hvar, Croatia – (Lisa)
- Bergen, Norway – (Hetal)
- Fethiye, Turkey – (Julia & Barry)
- Padua, Italy – (Stephen)
- Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – (Juno)
- Rome, Italy – (Connie)
- Hong Kong – (Joy)
- St. Petersburg, Russia – (Katie)
That’s 16 spots taken and 112 remaining. Feel free to choose a second favorite if your city is already taken! Notice also that last year’s champion Porto hasn’t been selected so it’s up for grabs to whomever nominates it first.
Dates, Deadlines, And How The Tournament Works
By next Monday, February 27th 12:00pm US EST we’ll have 128 cities. The Best City To Visit Travel Tournament is a single-elimination tournament. Voting will begin Next Tuesday, February 28th to seed the cities (determining match-ups) and that Friday readers will begin voting that 128 group down to 64. Each week, through voting, the cities will be halved until there is only 1 remaining.
The person who originally picked that winning city will receive $300 from yours truly. And, as I did last year, I’ll visit the winning city before 2013 rolls around.
Voting will happen on these dates, so get your mouses ready!
- Round of 128: Friday, March 2nd; Round of 64: Tuesday Mar. 6th; Round of 32: Friday, Mar. 9th
- Sweet 16: Tuesday, March 13th
- Elite 8: Friday, March 16th
- Final Four: Tuesday, March 20th
- Championship: Tuesday, March 27th
The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 2nd and prize money sent out before the beginning of May.
Winners Come In All Sizes
In 2009 it was Sydney, Australia, in 2010 Zermatt, Switzerland, and last year Portugal’s Porto took the top prize. Those are cities with an average population of 1.9 million and none are in the top 15 of most visited cities in the world. That doesn’t mean that you all didn’t vote them the best and that your favorite doesn’t have a chance, no matter how big or small.
Remember, click here to the comments to nominate your favorite city before next Monday, February 27th at 12:00pm US EST. Good luck to you all!
Bonus: Sign up now for my RSS feed or daily email updates during the entire tournament month of March and win, I’ll add $50 to your prize.
Tehran, Iran
Bangkok
Lisbon Portugal
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
I suggest Montreal for the “Best city to visit Travel Tournament 2012″. Thanks,
Stéphane Pageau
My city, Barcelona!!
Tokyo! It’s open for business economically, and psychologically needs tourists to return. After 13 years, I am returning to Japan and making my first visit to Tokyo; join me!
A great reason to nominate a city!
Fez, Morocco – there’s simply no other like it on the Planet.
New Orleans, US
Its got food, music, art, parties, warm weather, and a culture unique even within its own state. Whats not to like?
One of the US cities I haven’t yet but am anticipating greatly to see.
I just got back from Porto, which I visited in part because of it winning your contest last year!
I’d like to nominate Edinburgh, Scotland. Absolutely beautiful city, some of the friendliest people in Europe, Scottish culture abounding, haggis, and plenty of ghosts.
Hi Kate, that makes me very happy and one of the reasons I love this contest each year. It does introduce many cities we may not have known as much about and encourage travel there. I hope you enjoyed Porto, I’ll look forward to your posts on it
I’ve got you down for Edinburgh, good luck!
Valparaiso, Chile!
The harbor, the hills, the elevators, the wall art. Its markets, its bars, its dogs. Its color and its people. Its empanadas and its completos. To me, there’s no other possible pick!
A very strong recommendation and nomination, I feel the energy already – good luck!
Charleston, SC
New York City
Tel Aviv, Israel
Los Angeles
Manchester, England.
Manchester Music Scene, known around the world.
Fashion
Football
Culture
A city that truly does have everything.
I’ve heard many wonderful things but haven’t been myself. Of course that could change in 4 weeks…good luck!
Rio de Janeiro! or how about less known Curitiba?
Hi Vinny, both are free. I’ll leave the choice up to you
Vinny, Rio is gone now but I don’t think you’ll mind if I put you down for Curitiba?
I suggest Da Lat in Vietnam. Just love that city. It’s small, but still a city.
I just came back from a whirlwind trip to SE Asia and I really enjoyed Penang, Malaysia. Very friendly locals, amazing food, and awesome places visit! It’s a small city with lots of delightful surprises!
In this content cities of all sizes have a good chance, good luck!
Hi everyone, a quick note that I’m recording all of your city nominations. Unless I say otherwise, I’ve got your cities entered into the tournament!
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa. Most amazing city in the world!
Hi Neal, I’m just approving the comments from the last few hours now. You just missed Cape Town, do you have a second favorite?
Darn, then I guess Buenos Aires will have to do!
Sure thing, it’s all yours!
Hi Anil,
No doubt about this year’s “Best City To Visit”, my pick is obviously Guimarães, Portugal, European Capital of Culture for 2012.
Abraço { from Portugal,
Rui
Another strong entry for Portugal! Good luck this year!
Paramaribo, Suriname!!!
Represent! You’ve got it
Antigua, Guatemala
Florence, Italy
Havana, Cuba
Actually, the more I think about it, it’s Luang Prabang. There is something magical about the sleepy little hamlet. So, if possible, please change my entry to Luang Prabang. Thanks.
No problem, I’ve got you down for Luang Prabang now.
Phuket, Thailand I love the convenience of a small city and proximity to the nice Thai Islands
oh man- there were so many of my favs already taken
grrrrr…..I didn’t see Ladakh, Kashmir, India- if it is already taken then I’ll do Izmir, Turkey
okay just so it is clear my FIRST choice is Ladakh, Kashmir, India–
second choice is Izmir, Turkey
Kashmir wasn’t taken, you got your first choice! Best of luck in the tournament!
Hi Anjuli, just to be clear, would the city be Kardil or Leh? I’m putting together a contest map now and am only seeing Ladakh as a region and wanted to be sure there wasn’t any confusion. Thanks.
Valetta, Malta
The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – incredible architecture, archeological sites, museums & monuments and also known for excellent restaurants, cafes and markets.
Wellington, New Zealand!!
Even though Lonely Planet has called it “the coolest little capital in the world,” most people skip Welly when visiting New Zealand, concentrating instead on Auckland to the north or Queenstown to the south. But Wellington is great – lots of culture, cafes, a beautiful waterfront, and one of the best museums I’ve ever been to!
I love enthusiastic entries, good luck!
Of course
Granada, Andalusia, Spain
haha, I couldn’t imagine you picking any other city!
hehehe… of course! (plus… if Granada is chosen you’ll come back and we’ll discover more corners of the city! +tapas bars +discos …)
I’m going to go with Yangon, Myanmar. The Tourism Board is really trying to promote it as a destination now that the veil is starting to lift…
Hopefully the contest will help their efforts (and your pocket) – good luck!
I nominate Baltimore Maryland.
Cairo, Egypt. I fell in love with it years ago.
I can see why, it charmed me too this last year.
Sydney, Australia – we need tourism!
2009′s winner, maybe a repeat??
Good luck!
Medellin, Colombia (because there is a lack of South American cities on the list, and I personally think it’s one of the best cities i have ever traveled to… oh the women and parties here)! lol
All very good reasons and selling points! Cheers to a good tournament
London. Always amazing
Dubrovnik, Croatia. Couldn’t be a more photogenic or enjoyable city anywhere.
Berlin, Germany – Excellent museums, history, and an immensely diverse selection of restaurants.
Beirut. A Middle Eastern city where you can buy decent cheddar cheese.
haha, most unusual quality of a city I’ve heard in a while
Good luck!
Liepaja in Latvia, which is not only famous for being a very musical place, but also has a prison in which for 10-15 EUR you will be treated like the soviet spy (http://karostascietums.lv/) one of the most extraordinary experiences I have had in my life.
I recall reading about this somewhere, I’m very intrigued. Interesting pick I look forward to learning more about. Good luck!
I’ll go dark horse American city with San Fransisco. Its beautiful (just remember hills stink but when you need a break, stop turn around, and enjoy the view of the bay!) and full of some amazing museums and cultural gems. And incredibly easy to navigate.
Everyone loves an underdog, especially in this contest
Btw, love your optimistic take on the hills!
It also counter balances all the sourdough, dungeness crabs, fresh cheese, and Humphrey Slocombe ice cream! Stuffed my face and still lost 5lbs, I think that alone is worth making it through a few rounds of this
I nominate Chiang Mai, Thailand — friendly, gorgeous, and very livable!
Very many travel bloggers there I know of; I think you’ll have a lot of voting support on this one!
I nominated that last year. I think it got to the final four. Good luck!
That it did
I nominate Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
the beaches are a piece of paradise… white and thin sand; clear water and beautiful people.
The Christ statue is gorgeous!
The Sugar loaf has a view that makes you want to live up there!
the whole city is beautiful!
I can’t wait to go one day…good luck!
Fine, I’ll say it.. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thank you everyone, keep them coming! 61 slots filled and 67 to go…
Chicago, Illinois
Vernazza, Italy
After moving to Seville, Spain, I’m still completely mesmorized with the city – and I’ll risk having another winner on the Iberian Penninsula. Ham, flamenco, orange wine, Holy Week processions and a colorful April Fair. Tons to love, especially since you’re a fan of neighbouring Granada!
I’ll go for Macau – charming small city rich in history.
Bran, Romania – Dracula’s Castle is the main attraction here
Skegness – East Midlands, England.
Beautiful weather all year round, amazing nightlife, very flat…
No but really, Vientiane – Laos.
Wide avenues, chilled vibe, friendly locals. Without a doubt the quietest and most peaceful capital city I’ve been to!
Maybe they knew I was coming…
Beirut, Lebanon!
Hi Giulia, sorry it’s already been taken – do you have a second choice?
Ouch, I didn’t go through all the comments. Sooo could it be Mandalay, Burma?
Sure it can, you’ve got it!
Taipei City!
Hi Anil,
It’s disappointing to read that my first choice is taken, but Adventurous Kate has very good taste: Edinburgh is a great city to visit (3 trips and counting).
Hmmm, London is also already taken. I’ll offer a city where I stopped on a train trip from Edinburgh to London .. York!
Home of a terrific train museum and I hope to see much more this April.
Cheers!
A good in between choice, good luck!
Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. A multicultural city with beautiful architecture, great culture, delicious cheap food, the bascarsija, city hall, the latin bridge, the tunnel of hope, the sarajevo film festival and olympic mountains surrounding the city. need i say more…
Izmir, Turkey. Anjuli’s second pick is my first! Izmir is the best. The ruins, the history, the amazing coastline (try Blue Voyage in the Aegean), the food, the people…Need I say more? One more thing maybe, Virgin Mary spent her last days in Ephesus near Izmir.
Madrid, Spain
Venice, Italy
Pamplona, Spain. . . Hemingway was in the air.
Valencia. I love this city; it’s relatively close to Madrid and Barcelona and the beaches, but is pretty untouristed. Gardens, architecture, and the beautiful City of Arts and Sciences complex. The people there were NICE, and, as opposed to Barcelona, not burnt out from out-of-towners! =) Oh, did I mention the food?
Honolulu, Hawaii – Aloha!
Tallinn, Estonia
I was there was in college many years ago but it left an impression. Cobblestone streets, water views, and a fascinating language!
Hi everyone, still 2 days for entries to go and 50 spots left. I just wanted to let you know I’ve created a map for the contest so you can see the competition and which cities have been entered. If you’ve already entered a city and don’t see yours here, please email me to let me know.
Good luck!
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211422205105884480264.0004b9cfdd5c27a5192d6&msa=0&ll=11.424439%2C39.51387&spn=141.194072%2C12.304687
I visited Malaysia for the first time this year and was blown away by Kuala Lumpar. What a successful melting pot of nationalities and religions.
Oooh high concentration in Europe!
C’MON ASIA!!!
A very high concentration there, SE Asia though, not too bad!
Two nominations:
Leon, Spain (Awesome tapas, beautiful cathedral and a great college town)
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (like a European city in North America. Walled city, poutine, crepes, Chateau Frontenac and great bar/club scene)
You only get 1; I’ll let you choose if you’d like. If I don’t hear from you, Leon (first choice) it is!
Damn this Internet connection! Now all my favorite cities that I had in mind are taken!! Including Cairo? I was even afraid of choosing Cairo, not many supporters there haha
I kind of missed if Prague is taken or not, if it is then I’ll go for Luxor, Egypt…any Egyptology and history lovers out there?:D
(I would go for Siwa, Egypt but I know most of the world haven’t even heard of it, too bad)
Prague is gone unfortunately but Luxor is yours. I will say though that choosing a lesser known city isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, Zermatt did win in 2009
I choose Denver. Fantastic city, and coming from the East Coast, I can testify that people are “nice” here! One of the healthiest cities in the US, great variety of restaurants, museums, super-close to the Rockies (hiking,skiing..), and 45 minutes from Rocky Mountain N.P. Tons and tons of stuff to do here. And a lot of it is free!
Hey Anil,
Lets do Haridwar-Rishikesh, India
Hi Priyank, just to confirm, I’ve got Rishikesh as the city.
If I’m not too late, I’d like to nominate Toronto, Canada.
Not too late at all! 24 hours to go, and I’ve got you down for Toronto
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
I honestly have no idea what’s left – but if it’s a duplicate – that’s ok…it just means I’ll vote for it then!
My pick is Beirut!
haha, well Beirut has some support already then! You’ve still got 12 hours though if you want to pick another
I nominate the lovely Ljubljana, Slovenia!
Guanajuato, Mexico – most beautiful city in the world in my opinion
Nice to see one more Central American entry!
Thanks everyone, keep them coming. 13 hours left to enter…