The most over-used word in travel information is ‘best’. Best hotel, best restaurant, best things to do – these are words that are impossible for so many reasons. Why? Because all travel is a matter of choice, preference, emotional engagement. What suits us will not suit others. There are few certainties. We all have differing tastes, differing responses to places, meals, service, comforts and we all have different moods that affect what we do and when we do it – day to day. So, asserting places are the best cafes (in London, in Paris, in Melbourne, in New York)…please! Did the author try every single café in that city before making such a pronouncement? And even then a café that suits a world-wandering 20+ year old may not suit a slowing down 70 year old who is just looking for a place to write his journal (with a pen).
Of course I am as guilty as the next person when it comes to typing the word into a search engine as I research a trip. So, yes, it has its uses as a keyword but never can it be the best. Do a test and look at the best-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor in…wherever. In this country, in early 2022, you will find yourself offered an Indian tapas bar (in London), a Turkish barbecue restaurant (in Oxford), a cocktail bar (in Leeds), a bar that serves pub fare only at lunchtime (in Glasgow). These are great for those who want to go to that type of place, and they get their reviews from that pre-selected clientele who do go to such an establishment – but the ‘best’ restaurant in that town?
I prefer ‘favourite’, meaning that from the limited selection I have tried, this place or thing is the one that suited us, at that time, for that purpose.
Oh, just to say, when asked, I have no favourite city or favourite country. How can I when it is the diversity of experience of place that makes travelling so fascinating? The trite answer would be the next one.