No matter which of its nicknames you call it, from “La Bella” (The Beautiful) to the “Capital of Artists” or even “The Cradle of the Renaissance,” “La Città Gigliata” (The City Of The Lily), there’s no disputing Florence, Italy’s long-standing place as one of the world’s top global travel destinations. Michelangelo’s “David”? Check. Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”? Yup. Gorgeous history, architecture and good weather? Triple check. Not to mention the food …

For all of Florence’s many charms, however, its reputation among travellers appears to be slipping. In the 2025 edition of global travel publication Travel + Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Awards,” which is determined based on voting by international tourists, La Bella has fallen out of the top five. Here are two destinations that outrank it on this year’s list, both of which may fly a little lower under the radar (and one of which doesn’t require crossing an ocean to visit, for those of us in the U.S.).

Jaipur, India

Beating Florence (which ranks sixth on this year’s list) for the number five spot this year is Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, India. Full of ornate, honeycomb-inspired palaces and towering forts, Jaipur is, quite simply, an architectural marvel. Founded in 1727, it was one of India’s first planned cities. It received the nickname “The Pink City” in the 1800s due to its distinctive rose-colored sandstone buildings (legend has it that none other than Prince Albert gave it that nickname).

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Topping Travel + Leisure’s list this year is a destination a little closer to those of us in the U.S.: Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende. The city’s historic center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, showcases gorgeous 16th-18th century baroque and neoclassical buildings with their characteristic pink limestone facades and wrought-iron balconies. Cobblestone streets run through oft-photographed marvels such as the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose iconic pink neo-Gothic facade was designed by Zeferino Gutiérrez in the 1880s and 1890s. The city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Located about four hours northwest of Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende was lauded by Travel + Leisure voters for its unique cultural atmosphere and affordability. Some key factors that survey participants cited for the city’s popularity were centrally located museums, botanical gardens, a vibrant arts scene and a packed calendar of annual cultural events.

Finally, of course, there’s the weather. With an elevation of 6,200 feet, San Miguel de Allende has a temperate climate all year round. The hottest time of year to visit is May, when the average monthly high is 85, with an average low of 55. The coldest time, on the other hand, is January, when the monthly high is 72 and the average low is 40.

Nestled between the Black Mountains & Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, Black Mountain Adventure is a family-owned & managed business that offers an exciting range of high-quality, award-winning outdoor adventure activities.

Established back in 1992, Black Mountain Adventure is one of the leading outdoor adventure companies in the Brecon Beacons. 

With more than 30 years in providing outstanding adventure sports, the Black Mountain Team has an exceptional knowledge of both the fabulous mountains & magical rivers. 

The team will give you an adventure day to remember in our beautiful corner of Wales.

Why Choose Black Mountain Adventure?

‘The Brecon Beacons is widely known as one of the best places in all of the UK to enjoy a wide range of outdoor adventure activities. 

‘This special part of Wales is regarded as the go-to place to try out all kinds of land & water-based adventure actives so come & join us.

‘From archery to caving, paddle boarding to gorge walking, land karting to high ropes, & canoeing to mountain biking, there’s a whole host of fun to be had with our highly-qualified team.

‘Whether you’re an adventurous family, a group of work colleagues, a stag or hen weekend, a school party or a couple on a weekend escape, there is something for everyone here at BMA.

‘With more than 30 years-experience in award-winning outdoor adventures, we offer the widest range of activities of all the activity centres. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

‘Give us a call on 01497 847897  or email us at info@blackmountain.co.uk’

Activities:

Archery – Enjoy a fun, challenging & competitive sport that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Canoe / Kayak Hire – Enjoy a relaxing paddle on the River Wye in a canoe or sit-on-top kayak & take in the breathtaking views.

Caving – Explore the world beneath your feet in one of South Wales’ most exciting cave systems.

Clay Pigeon Shooting – Have a go at smashing clays out of the sky in this competitive, exhilerating activity.

Climbing & Abseil Wall – Learn to scale new heights or fine tune your skills on our outdoor climbing tower.

Gorge Adventure – Take an exciting scramble through a deep river gorge where waterfall jumps & a great deal of fun await you!

Guided Canoeing – Paddle down River Wye with an experienced river guide for an enjoyable activity for all the family.

High Level Ropes Course – Test your head for heights with this series of fun, high wired challenges.

Hill Walking – Enjoy a guided hike in the Brecon Beacons and take in some of Wales’s most stunning scenery.

Kayaking – Whether you’re looking to kickstart your kayaking journey or develop your skills we have a session to your needs.

Kids’ Summer Adventure Club 2025

Our Kids’ Adventure Club is back the Summer on selected Thursdays throughout the summer holidays. 

Children aged 8 – 15 years can come along and try out a range of exciting adventure activities under the guidance of our qualified outdoor instructors. 

Book today and give them a summer of fun and new experiences. 

Cost: £45 per child, per day

Ages: 8 – 15 years

Duration: 9:30 to 4:30pm

Location: Black Mountain Adventure Centre, Three Cocks, LD3 0SD

Activity programme

Thursday 24 July – Archery & Stand Up Paddleboarding

Thursday 31 July – High Level Ropes Course, Zip Line & Raft Building

Thursday 14 August – High Level Ropes Course, Zip Line & Stand Up Paddleboarding

Thursday 21 August – Climbing Tower & Canoeing

What to bring:

Packed lunch, snack & water bottle. Change of clothes & waterproofs. Sunscreen & Hat for the sunny days.

Just drop your child off at our activity center at 9:30am with suitable clothing, food & drink for the day. If the weather is less than ideal on the day then activities may be altered to suit but this will be confirmed with you at drop off. 

How to book

Book online today via our calendar below, select the date(s) you want and book, easy! Or simply give us a call 01497 847897

With so much travel content online, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting our next holiday destination. If you enjoy a spot or two of casino gaming, the potential shortlist of destinations gets only slightly smaller.  

Today, we’ve boiled it down to the top seven travel destinations for casino enthusiasts. So, if you are looking to take in a spot of casino gaming as you jet around the world, then these destinations should all be places you should consider. 

Looking for a unique market in a multi-billion-dollar industry 

Online casinos emerged as a serious contender to the traditional, more conventional model of casino gaming. Some companies sought to ensure they offered a route for people to play casino games that provided an experience not available online.  

Admittedly, this is an increasingly challenging task as the internet becomes a one-stop shop for all things casino gaming. There are sites like AskGamblers that utilize their platform to onboard experts who can thoroughly explore every aspect of what a casino has to offer. They browse through casinos’ marketing ideas, social media presence, site security, gaming library, and the unique elements that help them stand out in such a saturated market.  

However, the destinations we’ll touch on today have been able to navigate this tightrope and have helped buck the trend that has seen millions of casino gamers move away from conventional platforms and seek out online casino gaming.  

Monte Carlo, Monaco 

If you are travelling the world to find a luxury casino, then it doesn’t get much more luxurious than Monte Carlo. We apologize if you haven’t got the budget that stretches to some of the eye-watering prices you will find in Monaco.  

However, globally, there are fewer than a dozen places that can rival what’s on offer in Monte Carlo. Their casinos offer exclusivity, a real who’s who of celebrities, and a quaint setting that is in stark contrast to the 24/7 non-stop action you can find in Vegas. Although there are many notable tourist spots in the French Riviera, if you are looking for a way to relax and explore some of the most glamorous casinos on the planet, then Monte Carlo should be high on your list.  

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Viva Las Vegas, Sin City, a place that is notorious for casino gaming and travel. For over half a century, gamblers have jetted in from all over the world to experience the blinding bright lights that adorn every inch of the strip.  

As the unofficial gambling capital of the world, Las Vegas has perfected the fusion of casino gaming with world-class entertainment. It’s the global hub of combat sports, hosting many of the top UFC events that took place in 2025.  

However, even from a historical perspective, if you are a casino enthusiast, then Vegas is a must at some point. Granted, it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle it once had, but it should be on the bucket list for those who have a penchant for a casino game or two.  

Thackerville, Oklahoma 

We wouldn’t recommend a two-week stay in Thackerville, but if you are looking to explore the world’s biggest casino, then this is where you will find it. Renovated just over 15 years ago, the hotel features over a dozen restaurants and hundreds of different casino games to explore.  

Sydney 

If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, or you want to take in what the best casinos have to offer down there, then Australia’s most populous city is a no-brainer. While it might have dozens of other appealing tourist spots, the Aussies’ love of gambling means you can find casino games in Sydney and right across Oz.  

London 

Just like Sydney, London is a worldly city that has so much more to explore than its casinos. With that said, the nightlife in London and the world-class entertainment on offer put it right at the top of the list. Sure, you’re not going to spend an entire week in London cruising around casinos, and nothing else, but they are well worth checking out as part of your vacation.  

Macau 

The best way to describe Macau is the Chinese equivalent of Las Vegas. In terms of revenue, Macau is by far the biggest gambling region on Earth, dwarfing Vegas. While it has struggled to maintain the customer numbers it achieved toward the end of the 2010s, for casino enthusiasts, a trip to Macau is still worth it for the size and scope of some of the casinos.  

As people discuss who they think will be the next James Bond in great detail, those who are 007 buffs might recognize some of the high-rise buildings in Macau and casino floors from Skyfall.  

The Bahamas 

If it’s the sun you are chasing, then the Bahamas is going to propel itself right to the top of your list. Sure, Vegas is right in the middle of the desert. However, the Bahamas offers beaches, a laid-back lifestyle, and luxury casinos that all have something different that goes beyond the basic resort experience.  

Final thoughts 

We’ve spanned the whole globe searching for the top destinations today. If we had to pick one of these destinations for a casino enthusiast, which would it be? We’d have to go with Vegas. It has been the casino gaming hub of the US and a gambling mecca since the mid-20th century. Although this has changed since the rise of online casinos and locations like Macau have started to challenge Vegas on a global scale, it still retains its heritage and stature as the premier tourist spot for casino enthusiasts.