This is it, the Final Four of cities that have survived 6 rounds of voting over the last 3 and a half weeks. Fethiye, Sarajevo, Guimaraes, and Istanbul are all so close to the final, yet still far away. The debates in the Elite 8 heated up as to which two cities will meet in the championship and now you decide. Will it be Fethiye who (again) narrowly escaped Kuala Lumpur, favorites Sarajevo, steady but strong Guimaraes, or Istanbul; who made it to the finals in 2010? We’ll find out in 2 days.
Voting in the Final Four will be open until 11:30am US EST this Thursday, March 22nd. Results may not appear after you vote so check back throughout the day and I’ll post updates in the comments below. Those of you reading through email and RSS will have to click-through to this page to vote.
Please keep in mind the final votes for any poll aren’t final until they’re verified by my diligent verification team. The Championship round to decide The Best City to Visit in 2012 will begin next Tuesday, March 27th.
View The Best City To Visit 2012: Sweet 16 in a larger map
Best of luck to everyone!
Guimarães, European Capital of Culture 2012! Definitely the best destination in 2012!
Sarajevo n1! 🙂
Hope to visit someday Sarajevo, but in the meanwhile I definitely recommend you to visit Guimarães. You’ll see for your own eyes that I’m not lying when I say that Guimarães is the best destination in 2012 😉
Sarajevo rocks!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ickDV7ji6Oc&feature=related
Sarajevo forewer
Sarajevo ljubavi moja……….
Definitely Guimarães 😀
I just can’t watch. ‘Lambs to the slaughter’ comes to mind. Go easy on us, Sarajevo. 🙂
GOOD LUCK! 😉
At last count, the Fethiye contest was about 850-350, with Sarajevo leading.
Istanbul is the most beautiful city on earth
I agree! 😉
Sarajevo winer 🙂
GUIMARÃES <3
Come and see a unique region, where the traditions and customs of the past coexist with the avant-garde and modernity. Endless possibilities, ranging from adventure, through the well-being and culture, welcoming the visitor who chooses this authentic destination. For more information, see page Guimarães Tourism: http://www.guimaraesturismo.com/
Venha conhecer uma região única, onde as tradições e costumes do passado convivem com a vanguarda e a modernidade. Infinitas possibilidades, que vão da aventura, passando pelo bem-estar e a cultura, acolhem o visitante que escolhe este destino autêntico. Para mais informações, consulte a página Guimarães Turismo: http://www.guimaraesturismo.com/
Thanks, but keep the self-promotional links to a minimum please. It makes my spam filter grouchy.
Sarajevo – most beuatiful city in world!
Hello, i think that Sarajevo is winer,and i think that this city is the best location for meeting,and in the same time i love Istanbul,and i live now in istanbul,but Sarajevo is only one
OO yeahh.Sarajevo i think is only one 🙂
Sarajevo winner, definitely !!!!!
Guimarães must win! As you know this year Guimarães is the European Capital of Culture, everything is happening! Como and visit us! 🙂
I may be in 2012 depending on these next 2 rounds! So far looking good for Guimaraes but still another day and a half to go…good luck!
This round ends on Thursday? Which portuguese GMT time does it end?
Yes, it ends this Thursday; I believe it is 1530 GMT.
http://techguidefortravel.com/2011/04/19/easily-calculate-timezone-differences-with-world-time-engine/
Thanks 🙂 There’s still a lot of time to tell everyone to vote in Guimarães 🙂
Turkey-74.724.269 people (Istanbul-13,255,685)
Portugal-10,561,614 people (Guimares-52,181)
True, but remember, many of the people voting are not from either country 🙂 And there is no correlation between population and how well a city does in the tournament; otherwise India or China would win every year. (Or at least do much better – a terrible tournament for both countries this time.)
I believe there are no words to express how beautiful Guimarães is, not only the city itself, but the passion and hospitaliy that runs in every “vimaranenses” blood. We absolutely love to live here, but the moments that take our breath away are the ones in wich people from other citys, countrys and cultures come here and begin to love the city as much as we doo. (it happens every time ehehe).
We are waiting you! Come 🙂
Thank you Mafalda! Win or lose Guimaraes supporters have done a wonderful job promoting the city. I think all of us are now itching to go…
GUIMARÃES *-*
Sarajevo is the best! >)
Sarajevo all the way, the most beautiful city in this selection and generally!
Go Sarajevo!
Saraajeevooo is one
sarajevo ljubavi moja….
Sarajevo :))
Sarajevo is a magic city 🙂 my vote goes to him..
Guimares may be European Capital of Culture, but still it doesn’t mean it should win here 😉 Be aware that Portugal has already won Bosnia in play-off for UEFA Euro 2012, now it’s turn for Bosnia to win at least this tournament 🙂
haha, perhaps a rematch coming up?
ahahah and a great win it was 🙂 but now it’s time for Guimarães to show how great it is 🙂
we’re gonna have to get 3,5 times as many votes against you guys to even the score for how Christiano Ronaldo humiliated us 😛 (after our own players made a fool out of themselves)
SARAJEVO FTW!!!
GOO SARAJEVO
Could you please tell us the updates?
Hi Ramo, I’ll have a fresh update for all of you in the morning, once the Americas have gotten a full day of voting in.
Who have once been in SARAJEVO.. Will come back to visit it again!!! <3
sehe seher sarajevo zlatni dom e moj
wowww *__*
realy SARAJEVO is amazing
Hm… My doubts are between Istanbul and Sarajevo… I adore both cities.. But Sarajevo has a soul, that rarely any town has!
No doubt, Sarajevo is de winner!
VOLIM SARAJEVO
Guimaraes is an unique city. I can’t even imagine how some Portuguese don’t know their own birthplace (Portugal was born in Guimaraes). Well, I’ve been to Sarajevo and really loved it but my vote will go to Guimaraes this time. I go to Portugal every now and then and I cannot miss a visit to this beautifull, lovely medieval city! Such as the locals that are the most special people! Go Guimaraes!
Indeed! Go Guimaraes!! 😉 Defitinely!!
guimarães <3
Once a wise man sad, who drinks water on “Bascarsija” will definitely come back again 🙂
Go Sarajevo 🙂
Go Guimaraes Go!
The whole of Spain is with you!
Thank you Daniel 🙂 Hope you can visit us this year! Once “nuestro hermano”, always “nuestro hermano” 😉
Good luck! An interesting race going on right now, a wild one!
I see it coming, Sarajevo-Guimaraes in the final. This would be a great final! So original!
Sarajevo is magic! Guimaraes beautiful! Now, cant wait to see the results!
🙂
Sarajevo !!!!!
Any updates Anil ?
I hope to get live results up later today. I’ll post an update below though right now 🙂
Will you give us any other update before the poll is over?
Yes, expect one before tomorrow morning 🙂
Hi everyone, before the live results are up here are the latest updates:
Fethiye-Sarajevo: Sarajevo strong lead
Guimaraes-Istanbul: Guimaraes ~5% lead
Voted for Sarajevo and Istanbul. 😀
Glad to see that Guimarães still ahead. Unfortunatly a small difference to Istambul. You should close the poll right now 🙂
LOL! Still about 24 hours to go, keep the votes coming!
Went to Sarajevo for first time few years ago and got amazed with the city, people, history and culture. Kept going there every year since. Good luck Sarajevo!!
The Soul of Guimarães…the best destination in 2012! Visit us and you’ll never want to leave!
Sarajevo and Istanbul!!!!!!!!!!! The best two cities in the world! Basically, Sarajevo was made by Turks, and it is not wonder if we see two cities in the final! I hope so. The problem is that I don’t know which one to vote for in the final! I love both of them! Maybe Sarajevo, just because Istanbul is already so famous! Ok, Sarajevo win! Hopefully!!!
Sarajevo win, hopefully. I live in Sarajevo, and it’s the most beautiful city in the world. Love you Sarajevoo <3
Is this enough
Sorry…not enough for this 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sisNdz7xHhw
hii Francisko Silva,thank you,open your eyes please and better watch,because of you i love Sarajevo more and more and more. Are you in any other city seen mosque and churce so nearly,and three national live together with peace and love,Sarajevo is one
Update please, and some numbers regarding the Sarajevo-Fethiye and Istanbul-Guimaraes difference
Scroll up to the top, the results are currently live; simply click ‘view results’ under each poll.
Guimarães, Portugal off course!! 😀
Good night
I’m from Guimarães/Portugal, i love my city, Portugal born in Guimarães, it’s a good city to live, and all you are invited to come here this lovely city. GUIMARÃES THE BEST CITY IN THE WORLD
ANYONE ELSE VOTE FOR FETHİYE ? 😀 ihope guimaraes and fethiye wll be n final leg…. fethiye winnerrr 😀
welcome to sarajevo;the best place on the whole world!
Fethiye is absolutely beautiful city and rich in every respect…I believe the best city must be Fethiye !
Of course SARAJEVO (Ljubavi Moja):-)
Sarajevo is a great city. I LOVE SARAJEVO!!!
the results aren’t showing??
Hi everyone, the final results will be up later today! Keep voting and I’ll end the suspense in a few hours – good luck!
hi i would like to know the final results,where i can find it
Hi everyone, there are still about 4 hours of voting left! (I miss-typed on Facebook for those of you who saw that message.)
GUIMARAES the most sweet city 😀 LOVE GUIMARAES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can I vote,please?
Scroll all the way to the top, pick your city, and click vote!
Shouldn’t it be already close?
*closed
the final results is it showing??
not yet :s
For all people who desire to know an ancient and awsome historic town, which is world heritage and one of the european capitals of culture with such magnificent landscapes as Penha Mountain and also be in touch with nice and friendly people as its inhabitants, please do not hesitate and vote for Guimarães.
what about results?
The poll should be closed already. Can you confirm us why is it taking so long?
What’s wrong with this poll? Shouldn’t be active by now.
come on,i cant wait more 🙁
The final results are now up everyone!
i cant find
Guimarães made it into the final aginst all the odds 🙂 Is there any doubt that Guimarães is the best destination in 2012? Of course not…
*against
It was the a great match! Now #2 seed Guimaraes vs. the #5 Sarajevo…what a battle we have to wait for and watch!
yeeeeee sarajevo love you
Guimarães, my love, my passion, my life.
Wow, 1,575 votes. Happy with that, despite the tremendous beating. 🙂 Sorry Istanbul didn’t make it. We know where our vote’s going for the final… 😉
It was one hell of a fight and you put on a great tournament. A large number of votes against a strong city. Sad to see you go but look forward to the finals and next year as well!
Sarajevo, of course!!!!
GUIMARÃES THE BEST CITY… GLAMOUR,PASSION,BEAUTIFUL…
Obviously 🙂 It’s the Paradise on Earth…
Are these the final results? Is Guimarães in the last two cities to be voted?
This round ended a few hours ago, the final is Sarajevo-Guimaraes next Tuesday.
I’m thrilled, so haapy right now!! Guimarães best destination 2012, without a doubt! let’s hope our brothers Spain, Brasil, Moçambique, Angola amd others will support us next round!!!! Guimarães****Portugal****
I love the enthusiasm and look forward to an exciting final! Good luck!
GUIMARÃES allez GUIMARÃES allez GUIMARÃES allez 😀
GUIMARÃES the most beautifull city in the world <3
Forza SARAJEVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Go Sarajevooo !!!
Sarajevo , who else!
Vote for Sarajevo!!!
Sarajevo is Nr. 1
Sarajevo is the city with the probably biggest amount of local-patriots of all cities in the world. You really have to see that, something pretty unique for Sarajevans, most of us really adore our city far beyond “normality”.
Only Rome, Paris, New York and maybe some other huge world metropolis have more songs dedicated to them, than Sarajevo has (and this is a city with half a million people). The songs are made from all artists, not just those from Sarajevo and Bosnia, but from whole former Yugoslav countries and much further. The city has a soul, it’s unique, the people, the humor, the mentality, the look, everything. And it is said that if you come to Sarajevo once, you will always want to come back.
We have survived the longest siege in history, we won in the end.
This place has been screwed over for millions of times through history and has risen every time even more beautiful than before and the unique and in ex-Yugoslav area famous “sarajevan spirit” of the “sarajevska raja” (sarajevska raja means sarajevan crew, sarajevan posse) was never destroyed
That’s why we say: “Sarajevo will be, everything else will pass/end”.
It’s unique for its multiculture, a mix of nationalities and religions, a mix of architecture (modern, communist, turskih, austro-hungarian, all within a few hundreds of meters)…
There is so much to say about the “One and Only”, but come and see for yourself 😉
Sarajevo! Sarajevo! Sarajevo!
Bordo boja, to je dusa moja!!!
Enjoy the spirit and the taste of Sarajevo, the unique city!
Show me the place on the Earth where you can find within a diameter of 500 meters a worship place of all 4 religions, Muslims, Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Jews?
And this is a spirit of multicultural, multi-religious, cosmopolite Sarajevo City.
And NO other European city was like Sarajevo, NO other European city is like Sarajevo, NO other European city will be like Sarajevo, and, finally, NO other European city can ne like Sarajevo. Including – of course – Guimaraes.
Most welcome to SARAJEVO.
Sarajevo is the city with the probably biggest amount of local-patriots of all cities in the world. You really have to see that, something pretty unique for Sarajevans, most of us really adore our city far beyond “normality”.
That’s because you don’t know Guimarães people…
Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo 😉
rajvoSa !
Guimarães is the place to be this year. A city full of charisma,good food, lots of history and fabulous old architecture just to name a few points of interest.
The main deference between Sarajevo and Guimares is that Sarajevo had suffered 1600 days of brutal siege, and gone through it all. Today, it’s rebuilted with the most beautifull mosaic of cultures and religions in the world. There is no place in the world with a mosque, chatolic church, ortodox church and singoge so very near each other. 🙂
enjoy in Sarajevo!
my SARAJEVO I MISS YOU AND I WILL CAME BACK TO YOU ONE DAY………YOU ARE AS LIKE AIR I CANT STAY WITHOUT YOU,when i hear something about you my heart is crying and i dont know will i ever find city as like you.
I hope that votes for SARAJEVO r coming from out brothers and sisters in Turkey :)))
Everyone should visit sarajevo, the culture and history here are amazing , and the people are kind and full of love, and we love to see tourists from all of the world in our city, because not so long ago, we were fighting to save sarajevo from agresors…
sarajevo horde bog i čaršija neka zivi bonsna nasa drzava
My vote for the most beautiful city… SARAJEVO!!! 😀
Sarajevo must win! 🙂
For the mooost beautiful city on Earth… SARAJEVO 🙂
Guimarães will win the tournament. Why ?
Because all our british friends will share with us their care and love towards Guimarães and its historic and ancient beauty. Also because all people willing to take a deep step in the past of Portugal birthplace must como to the town.
Sarajevo. 🙂
And in Sarajevo, you will be welcomed, indeed. You’ll feel the way people are warm, and how much they care. Beucase, even though we’re diffrent, we still accept it, and we learned how to live with it, so every one of us has a friend who is Muslim, Christian etc..
There is a place in a world called Sarajevo; it’s waiting for you 🙂
Sarajevo has a soul a wonderful, open friendly soul that was nourished and developed through thousands of years of its history. East truly meets West here like nowhere else. You will learn, see and meet so much new and you also have a good time with people who like to have a song and a dance.
You will always wish to come back and Sarajevo will welcome you with open arms everytime.
I was in Sarajevo last year and I hope that I’ll come back again one year.
The best food you can get is CEVAPI 🙂 and ofcourse sarajevsko beer, which I think is top 20 in the world.
Cheers
Guimarães!
Thank you everyone! I appreciate all of the tips for both cities, I’m taking note depending on where I end up going first! I guess you’ll all tell me next week 🙂
Guimaraes clarooo….=)
Sarajevo is just more then a city…its a way of living…if you visit it once you have to come again. It has something magical. Although the people there suffered a lot, they are still smiling and they are full of joy; drinking coffee in one of hundreds little coffees in the city. Sarajevo is a city with a soul. It is like a child; naive and it always makes the first step. If you visit this city, you will meet a lot of locals, because unlike for example Parisians, Sarajevians love tourist and they will always take some time to talk to you, show you around or share a meal or coffee.
Sarajevo is a place where everything is just fine and where you can enjoy the little things in life…without rushing…the mountains and nature around the city are incredible.
Especially recommended for people who love food, friendship and a simple, but intensive way of life 🙂
Sarajevo!!
Sarajevo :))))))
ONLY FOREVER-SARAJEVO
Is it necessary to keep the finale when we know who’s the winner?!? 🙂
Sarajevo
Guimarães was founded in 959, saw the birth of Portugal in 1128, is a World Cultural Heritage UNESCO site and European Capital of Culture in 2012. Sarajevo is great but Guimarães is fabulous.
Both are awsome, but I’ll vote for my hometown – GUIMARÃES!!!
It’s how we say here, these days: “You also are a part of it too!” – Including you all from Sarajevo!!!
Sarajevo is the best!!
Sarajevo is the best!!!
My choice is GUIMARÃES!
No doubts.
European Capital of Culture 2012.
UNESCO World Heritage.
The birth city of Portugal (the oldest European country).
Guimarães is beautiful!
City of football, excelent gastronomy, good weather, many cultural events every days, with nice and cool people and an amazing historical center.
Cool bars, Night party, great beer and food…
Must-See.
I Love Guimarães!
Sarajevo <3
I recommend Sarajevo 🙂 it is multicultural city and also it is very rich city in historical monuments and proud of its traditions.
just come and visit it..
Sarajevo-simply the best!
that is Sarajevo,only one n the world
Come on.. We wonna vote the winner .. 😀
Almost! Less than a day now, get ready tomorrow early!
i would love to see saravejo, it must be really wonderful city. but right now my vote goes to guimaraes!
My vote goes to Sarajevo wonderful city
European Capital of Culture 2012.
UNESCO World Heritage.
The birth city of Portugal (the oldest European country).
Guimarães is beautiful!
My vote goes to guimaraes!