The world is such a beautiful place, with lots of varied and amazing places to see, food to try, and people to meet, so how do you choose where to go next?

If money was no option you could see it all, but for most of us time and funds are limited, that’s why this guide lists the top five cities on the planet.

These cities have been consistently rated the best by travellers in terms of culture, adventure, scenery and history – add them to your list of ‘must-see’ places to explore and start saving up now.

Seville, Spain

Seville, the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region, has undergone a revamp in recent years and transformed from a sprawling metropolis to a refined European city.

Seville manages to blend its unique history with a modern edge, while keeping its own identity, setting it apart from other cities around the world.

Three of the top sites to visit include:

• The Gothic Seville Cathedral, built between 1434 and 1517 and where Christopher Columbus’s tomb is located
• The Real Alcazar castle complex which is a UNESCO-listed tourist attraction and has featured in the ‘Games of Thrones’ TV series
• Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza which was built in the 18^th Century and is the oldest bullring in Spain.

Detroit, USA

Known for its ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname ‘Motor City’, Detroit is a surprise entry on the list but it has also undergone several recent changes to become a new travel favourite.

Visitors will be impressed with the city’s $24m (US) renovation, which has embraced its motoring past, while looking to the future, by converting buildings that were once car factories into hotels, coffee shops and restaurants.

Detroit is also the birthplace of Berry Gordy Jr’s famous ‘Motown Records’ so music lovers are in for a treat when they visit the original headquarters.

Canberra, Australia

Canberra, the capital of Australia, has something for everyone with national monuments, galleries and museums built around a large artificial lake.

It’s also a nature lover’s paradise with several gardens, parks, and nature reserves dotted throughout the city with most accessible for free.

Visitors should take a tour of the new and old Parliament Houses and stroll through Australia’s National Botanic Gardens which is set over 35 hectares of cultivated garden and 50 hectares of remnant bushland.

Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg in Northern Germany has been called the ‘Venice of the North’ because of its many waterways and canals.

It is Germany’s second-largest city and biggest port and has benefited from its central role in international trade throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to become one of the country’s wealthiest cities.

Top three sites to visit include:

• Speicherstadt – the World’s largest warehouse complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans an area of 260,000 square miles and features neo-gothic brick architecture. (https://www.madisonavenuemalls.com/)
• Miniatur Wunderland is the largest model railway attraction in the world. The exhibit includes 1,300 trains made up of over 10,000 carriages, 130,000 trees, and 400,000 human figurines.
• Altonaer Balkon Park dates from World War II, and with its prime spot right by the harbour, offers scenic views from the northern bank of the Elbe.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung City is located in south-west Taiwan and faces the Taiwan Strait. It is Taiwan’s largest port, second-largest city and at the heart of the country’s heavy and petrochemical industries.

Kaohsiung is well-liked by travellers because it’s easy to get around, with most major attractions clustered within walking distance, or just a short bus ride away.

There are also two swimming beaches within the city area, and 1000 hectares of almost-pristine forest nearby, ready to be explored.

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out The World’s Ultimate Bucket List for 2018.

Sources: Lonely Planet / Flight Network