Oldest city in the country named friendliest travel destination in the US offering historic charm and pristine beaches
They’ve had plenty of time to practice.The oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States has just been named the friendliest, or “most welcoming,” destination for travelers in the country.Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St.Augustine, Fla.
remains a favorite with vacationers centuries later — enough so to vault the small city to the top spot in a new Booking.com user survey that considered multiple factors to determine which towns liked tourists the most.More than 360 million verified customer reviews were analyzed to come up with the hospitality-happy list, reps for the popular booking engine said — with two Northeast weekend standbys, Cape May, N.J.
and Newport, R.I., taking second and third place, respectively.“The U.S.
is such a diverse country that has so much to offer travelers, and we’re thrilled to see destinations like Saint Augustine recognized in the global list for their exceptional hospitality,” the site’s Ben Harrell told Travel + Leisure.“St.Augustine has always been known for its historic charm, and now travelers will also come to know it for its welcoming environment and excellent accommodations,” he said.
The popular travel site cited the city’s “historic downtown is lined with cobblestone streets and landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century stone fortress offering sweeping views of Matanzas Bay.” “Travelers can explore the lively St.George Street, lined with boutiques, galleries, and cafes, or take in the beauty of Flagler College, a stunning example of the over the top, imposing nature of typical Gilded Age architecture,” the experts said.Nearby beaches were also given a nod for their “pristine” beauty.
The insiders also recommended hotels popular with readers, such as the Renaissance St.Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel and the “charming” Cedar House Inn.Other smiley spots in the top ten included Sedona, Arizona and Lahaina, Hawaii.
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