Photo by Gordon L Wolford

Charleston has again been honored as one of the “Top Cities in the United States & Canada,” according to Travel + Leisure magazine’s recent 10th annual World’s Best Poll.

Charleston joins New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Santa Fe, Quebec City, Vancouver, Montreal, Victoria and Seattle on the magazine’s list of 2007’s 10 best destinations in the United States & Canada.

Living in Charleston we have a lot to be proud of. It’s consistent ranking as a top-10 destination is an acknowledgment of its enduring appeal not only as a destination but also, as a place to call home. This week I happen to be showing friends around visiting from New York. It is their first trip down here and they are having a wonderful time going to the beach on Isle of Palms, playing tennis and sampling some of the best food the Lowcountry has to offer. Their only complaint is that they just don’t have enough time to see all the sights, and sample all of the mouth-watering food choices that are available here. There is just too much to take in and enjoy in one week, so they have vowed to return for at least two weeks next time. Be warned that this is how it usually starts, before you know it you’ll be making the decision to move down here permanently. That is how it was for us as well as so many of our friends here.

Charleston area hotels also received high ranks again in this year’s poll of the “Top 100 Hotels in the Continental United States and Canada.” The Woodlands Resort & Inn ranked No. 2, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort ranked No. 5, Planters Inn ranked No. 7 and the Wentworth Mansion No. 40. The Woodlands, The Sanctuary and Planters Inn also earned the honor of being named in the magazine’s list of the “Top 100 Hotels in the World.”

Way to go Charleston!