Munich, Kyoto and Bordeaux have been named some of the most beautiful, pedestrian-friendly tourism destinations in a new list compiled by Booking.com.
For the selection, the online reservation site teased out trends from the reviews of their 26 million travelers, who praised the walkable neighborhoods of cities with ample green spaces, quaint and charming streets, and village-like feel.
Strap on your most comfortable walking shoes, for their selection for the best car-free destinations:
Munich
The biggest pedestrian-friendly feature going for Munich is its English Garden, a sprawling park in the center of the city that’s among the biggest in Europe, with its own lake, beer garden and Japanese tea salon.
Kyoto
Headed to Kyoto? Visitors recommend planning extra stroll time around the temple Kiyomizu-dera, where ancient sanctuaries and food stalls create a dynamic, animated street scene.
Helsinki
One of the best ways to take in the minimalist beauty of Scandinavian design is to stroll through the streets of Helsinki, a tribute to Finnish heritage.
Bordeaux
Along with the city’s neoclassic architecture and majestic Pont de Pierre bridge, Bordeaux boasts the largest reflecting pool in the world at Place de la Bourse, the Water Mirror.
Florence
With its ancient cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways, off-limits to mobility of the motorized kind, the city invites visitors to amble slowly and enjoy its distinctly Florentine beauty. A particular favorite is Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge that was spared during the German occupation of the Second World War.
Rounding out the selection are New York, Perth, San Francisco, Vancouver and Montevideo, Uruguay. JB
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