World

Where in the world have you encountered the friendliest welcome? If you voted in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards this year, your vote will have influenced the results below. These are the cities we turn to for the warmest hospitality, where we’ve encountered locals willing to help whether we’re struggling to navigate a neighbourhood restaurant’s menu or look perplexed en route from A to B on a new metro system. From laid-back hotspots Down Under to South Korea’s neon-hued capital, these are the friendliest cities in the world for 2026. Clifton Beach, Cape Town Getty Images10. Cape Town. Score 96.00Cape Town holds onto a position in the top ten – although it’s a slight tumble from third place in 2025. The colourful port city sits on the cusp between ocean shores and mountain ranges, so drift up by gentle cable car to the flat-topped peak of Table Mountain, or marvel at the penguin colonies on Boulders Beach. A traditional South African barbecue, or “braai”, is also essential to understanding the social culture here, where loved ones gather to share stories, laughter, and plenty of flame-grilled food. Dusk in Chinatown, Bangkok

Where’s the most memorable place you’ve laid your beach towel? Was it on the shores of a Hawaiian island, where surfers catch mighty Pacific waves as they break? A Portuguese gem adored by locals where the attention is on the icy Atlantic beyond? Or a Mediterranean idyll where the same family has tended to sun-worshippers from a rickety shack for generations? This is what we asked you, the readers of Condé Nast Traveller, as part of the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026. Across the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North and South America, along Italy’s Tyrrhenian Coast and around the unspoilt fringes of Asia, these are the best beaches in the world right now. Sperlonga, Italy Getty ImagesBest beaches in Europe20. Elafonissi Beach, Greece. Score 77.3319. La Baule-Escoublac, France. Score 79.2718. Playa de la Barceloneta, Spain. Score 80.0017. Banyuls-sur-Mer, France. Score 81.1116. Praia de Benagil, Portugal. Score 81.6715. Balos Lagoon, Greece. Score 82.5014. Agios Ioannis Beach, Greece. Score 85.4213. Voidokilia Beach, Greece. Score 85.5612. Plaka Beach, Greece. Score 88.3311. Kathisma Beach, Greece. Score 89.1710. Fig Tree Bay, Cyprus. Score 89.79. Porto Katsiki, Greece. Score 90.008.

Readers' Choice AwardsThese are the best cities in the world, from Amalfi to Tokyo—as voted by Condé Nast Traveler readers. October 6, 2026UnsplashTrends come and go, but here at Condé Nast Traveler, one thing never changes: your insatiable appetite for seeing the world. This year our readers cast an almighty 798,867 votes in our 39th Readers’ Choice Awards to tell us about the planet’s best travel experiences: You fell hard for palace hotels in Morocco, cruised down the Amazon, and got swept up in New York City’s exhilarating energy. Now, read on to find out where your favorites fall among the winners—and get inspired for where to go next, whether it's to a top-rated hotel or resort, or centered around a worthy cruise, spa, or island. These are the best cities in the world as voted by you, our readers. View the Readers’ Choice Award winners for the best cities in the United States here. From historical sites to local art, signature dishes to sun-washed beaches, there’s something for everyone to love among these small international cities. Getty10. San Sebastián, SpainSan Sebastián has everything you could want from a seaside resort town—especially if you arrive hungry.

© 2026 World Gold Council. All rights reserved. World Gold Council and the Circle device are trademarks of the World Gold Council or its affiliates. All references to LBMA Gold Price are used with the permission of ICE Benchmark Administration Limited and have been provided for informational purposes only. ICE Benchmark Administration Limited accepts no liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the prices or the underlying product to which the prices may be referenced. Other content is the intellectual property of the respective third party and all rights are reserved to them.

Asian countries have responded more aggressively than others to the energy supply crunch caused by the U. S. and Israeli war on Iran and now they are running out of resources to continue their response, the World Bank warned in a new report. The report actually focuses on the potential of artificial intelligence to help Asian economies grow but names energy import vulnerability as one major headwind to that growth. “Subsidies have been by far the most common policy response [to the crisis] among emerging and developing economies,” the World Bank said, adding that “Countries with substantial subsidies in place generally have had smaller increases in retail gasoline prices than non-subsidizers, but this relationship weakened considerably for headline inflation.”Energy remains a spot of weakness for Asian countries due to their overwhelming dependence on imports but, according to the World Bank, AI can change that by motivating a shift towards greater domestic electricity generation, which would in turn lead to lower demand for imported energy commodities.

Sandra Ferguson played Amanda to Robert Kelker-Kelly's Sam on Another World. Robert Kelker-Kelly’s Another World leading lady Sandra Ferguson — who now goes by Sandra Dee Robinson — is remembering her former co-star following his death at 62.

FIDE, the German Chess Federation (DSB) and LandesSchachverband Sachsen-Anhalt e. V. invite all FIDE member federations and eligible teams to participate in the World Senior Team Chess Championships taking place in Magdeburg, Germany from March 31 (arrival) to April 11 (departure) 2027. The Championships are open to all players, regardless of rating or title, who reach the required age during the calendar year of the competition. Teams may register only through their national chess federations, and there is no limit on the number of teams per federation. All players on a team must be members of the same national federation. The event will feature four categories: Age 50+ Open, Age 50+ Women, Age 65+ Open, and Age 65+ Women. The Women’s sections will be held subject to a minimum of 10 teams from at least two continents. Registration is now open:https://www.worldseniorteamchess2027.org/registration/ The registration deadline is January 31, 2027. Invitation, schedule, regulations (PDF)Official website: worldseniorteam2027.fide.com Email: worldseniorteam@fide.com

Just one Canadian destination earned a spot on a very prestigious list of the world’s best big cities. Almost 800,000 people have weighed in, and Montreal, Que., has been named one of the

Jacob Kiplimo, at just 25-years-old, has had one of the best seasons in running history - and on Sunday, he could cap that off with a win and World Record at the 2026 Chicago Marathon. Kiplimo currently holds a personal best of 2:00:28 over the full marathon distance, and he also has the half marathon World Record of 57:20 to his name - but more on that soon. Australian, British, Irish and Canadian audiences can watch the Chicago Marathon LIVE on FloTrackTigst Assefa Runs Gritty Berlin Marathon Finish Despite Ruptured Achilles2026 Chicago Marathon Elite EntriesThe Ugandan has had an unbelievable season so far in 2026. It all started at the 2026 World XC Championships where Kiplimo collected his third World XC Title in-a-row. He gapped Berihu Aregawi to win by 18-seconds in a statement victory. Kiplimo then headed to Portugal in March. At the Lisbon Half Marathon, the young star set a World Record in the Half Marathon by posting a 57:20 for a 48-second victory. Just over a month later, Kiplimo ran the 2026 London Marathon. In just his third race at the distance he finished third with an astounding 2:00:28.

Home Races Races by type IRONMAN IRONMAN 70.3 Short Course Tri World Championships Pro Series Races by location North America Latin America Europe Middle East Africa Oceania Asia Elevated Experiences IRONMAN Xclusive Challenge IRONMAN Experiences powered by NIRVANA VIP Experience Training Get started Find your race Find the time Make a plan Get the gear Fuel your body Prioritize recovery New to triathlon Start with the basics Training and nutrition Stay motivated