Research: this is the most beautiful city of 2024.

Are you still looking for a last-minute vacation destination? According to Travel & Leisure (which I consider the best source for travel tips), we need to look a bit further from home this year. Every year, they conduct a survey to find out which vacation destination comes out on top. About 186,000 readers filled it out, rating various cities both within and outside Europe on their attractions, culture, hospitality, shopping, value, and, very importantly: the food.

The results are in, and I can give you many chances to guess the right answer, but I don't think you'll get it. In fact, I had never heard of the place myself.

The destination I'm talking about, which has also been crowned number one for 2024, is San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. It is a fairly ‘small’ city, located in the center of Mexico, with about 140,000 inhabitants. So no white beaches and clear blue water, but you do get a lot in return. It is mainly known for its beautiful architecture, exemplified by the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a gigantic church that is illuminated in the evening.

Moreover, you can taste local food throughout the city for a bargain, and perhaps even more importantly, it is very safe for tourists. In Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is known as a second Disneyland for tourists, due to the gentleness and beauty of the city.

@sanmigueldeallende.mx Sunsets that captivate in San Miguel de Allende 🧡 #travelbucketlist #dallastx #sunsetvibes #mexicomagico #cdmx_oficial #guanajuato #mty #viajestiktok #californiaadventure #pueblomagico #atardecer ♬ Love story orchestra – ⚜️

Is there a specific time when you should visit this town? No, it doesn't really matter. San Miguel de Allende is one of the few destinations in Mexico that is perfect to visit as a tourist all year round. Due to the city's location, you won't be bothered by many rain showers during the rainy season (June to October).

However, there is a small point of criticism: to get to San Miguel de Allende as a Dutch person, you have quite a journey ahead. From Schiphol, you fly to a major hub in the United States like Atlanta, Dallas, or Houston. Then you take another flight to León or Mexico City, but once you arrive in Mexico, you're not there yet. From León, it's about an hour and a half drive to San Miguel de Allende, and from Mexico City it's a three and a half hour drive. For this reason, it's better to combine the city if you're already in Mexico or on a road trip.

@noemiibarra Replying to @kriztal_g hope this helps 🫶🏽 #sanmigueldeallende ♬ original sound – Noemi

Source: travelandleisure.com