Travel debates, settled
Where to go, how to fly and where to sleep. Each verdict says who it is for and picks the better trip.
40 verdicts, most-searched first. Each one is dated and refreshed at least every 90 days.
- Should you visit Thailand or Vietnam?Thailand wins →Thailand for a first Southeast Asia trip: easier logistics and better islands, while Vietnam is the adventurous pick with arguably even better street food.
- Should you visit Portugal or Spain?Spain wins →Spain wins: more cities, more regions and more food styles than you can fit in one trip, though Portugal is the better-value, easier-paced pick.
- Should you visit Barcelona or Madrid?Barcelona wins →Barcelona for a first trip: Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter and a city beach in one place is hard to beat, even if Madrid eats and parties better.
- Is Disney World or Disneyland better?Disney World wins →Disney World for a proper week-long Disney vacation: four parks, resort hotels and water parks; Disneyland is better for a short, walkable 2-3 day trip.
- Should you visit Chicago or New York?New York wins →New York for a first visit: nothing matches its density of museums, Broadway, neighborhoods and food, though Chicago is cleaner, cheaper and wildly underrated.
- Should you visit San Francisco or Seattle?San Francisco wins →San Francisco wins: the Golden Gate, cable cars, Wine Country next door and a more postcard-ready city make it the stronger first trip.
- Is Carnival or Royal Caribbean better?Royal Caribbean wins →Royal Caribbean wins: its giant ships are floating theme parks with more to do, while Carnival is the cheaper, more casual party option.
- Should you visit Greece or Italy?Italy wins →Italy for a first trip: Rome, Florence and Venice deliver more art, food and history per day, while Greece is the pick for island-hopping and swimming.
- Which is better, Delta or United?Delta wins →Delta wins for most flyers: a strong reputation for reliability and service, though United's global route network is hard to top.
- Which is better, American Airlines or Delta?Delta wins →Delta wins: it's generally the smoother, more reliable experience, while American earns its keep mainly through its huge network and oneworld partners.
- Is Kauai or Maui better for a first trip to Hawaii?Maui wins →Maui for a first trip: beaches, great resorts, the Road to Hana and Haleakala sunrise in one island; Kauai is the wilder, quieter pick for hikers.
- Is it better to live in Austin or Nashville?Austin wins →Austin edges it for living: a bigger job market, outdoor life on the water and great Tex-Mex, while Nashville wins for a weekend of live music.
- Should you visit Costa Rica or Mexico?Mexico wins →Mexico wins for most travellers: better food, more variety and usually better value, while Costa Rica is the pick for wildlife and rainforest adventure.
- Should you visit Japan or South Korea?Japan wins →Japan wins for a first trip: more variety, from Tokyo's neon to Kyoto's temples and the Alps, though Korea is cheaper, closer-knit and loads of fun.
- Should you visit the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico?Puerto Rico wins →Puerto Rico wins for US travellers: no passport, easy to explore beyond the resort, with Old San Juan, rainforest and bioluminescent bays.
- Should you visit Portland or Seattle?Seattle wins →Seattle for a visit: a bigger city with more landmarks, waterfront and mountain views, while Portland is the cozier spot for food carts and beer.
- Should you visit Ireland or Scotland?Ireland wins →Ireland edges it for a first trip: easy road-trip loops, the Wild Atlantic Way and the best pub culture going, though Scotland's Highlands are wilder.
- Should you visit Los Angeles or New York?New York wins →New York for a visit: it's walkable, endlessly dense with sights and you never need a car, while LA rewards those who come for beaches and sunshine.
- Should you visit Toronto or Vancouver?Vancouver wins →Vancouver for a visit: mountains meet ocean right at the city's edge, while Toronto wins on big-city culture, food diversity and nearby Niagara Falls.
- Is Mykonos or Santorini better?Santorini wins →Santorini wins for most: those caldera sunsets and cliffside villages are unforgettable, while Mykonos is for beach clubs and nightlife.
- Is Maui or Oahu better for a vacation?Maui wins →Maui for a relaxing Hawaii vacation: better resort beaches and a slower pace, while Oahu wins on budget, history and city life in Honolulu.
- Is Cabo or Cancun better for a beach vacation?Cancun wins →Cancun wins: warm, swimmable Caribbean water plus Maya ruins and cenotes nearby, while Cabo is gorgeous but many of its beaches aren't safe for swimming.
- Should you visit Montreal or Quebec City?Montreal wins →Montreal for a first visit: a bigger food scene, festivals and nightlife, though Quebec City's walled old town is the more fairytale-pretty weekend.
- Airbnb or hotel: which is better?Hotel wins →Hotel for most short trips: no cleaning fees or checkout chores, consistent quality and a front desk when things go wrong; Airbnb wins for groups and long stays.
- Is Bora Bora or the Maldives better for a honeymoon?Maldives wins →The Maldives wins: far more resort choices at more price points and outstanding snorkeling, though Bora Bora's mountain backdrop is unforgettable.
- Is it better to live in California or Texas?Texas wins →Texas wins for most movers: your paycheck stretches much further with cheaper homes and no state income tax, though California's weather and scenery are hard to give up.
- Should you visit Boston or Philadelphia?Philadelphia wins →Philadelphia edges it: the birthplace of the nation, a superb food scene and noticeably better value than Boston for the same history fix.
- Should you visit Yellowstone or Yosemite?Yellowstone wins →Yellowstone for a once-in-a-lifetime trip: geysers, hot springs and bison herds you can't see anywhere else, while Yosemite wins on granite grandeur and ease of access.
- Should you visit Melbourne or Sydney?Sydney wins →Sydney for a first trip: the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi make it Australia's postcard, while Melbourne wins on coffee, laneways and food.
- Should you visit London or New York?London wins →London edges it: centuries of history, many world-class museums that are free to enter and easy day trips, while New York wins on raw energy and food.
- Is it better to live in California or Florida?Florida wins →Florida wins for most movers: no state income tax and cheaper homes, though rising insurance costs and hurricanes are real trade-offs against California's climate.
- Should you visit Charleston or Savannah?Charleston wins →Charleston edges it: a stronger food scene, nearby beaches and more to do, though Savannah's mossy squares are pure Southern magic.
- Which is better, Hilton or Marriott?Marriott wins →Marriott wins: the biggest hotel footprint and luxury portfolio on earth, while Hilton is simpler to earn status with and very consistent.
- Should you visit Los Angeles or San Diego?San Diego wins →San Diego for a relaxing trip: great beaches, perfect weather and easy-going neighborhoods, while LA is for Hollywood, culture and big-city energy.
- Bali or Phuket: which is better?Too close to call →Bali offers a unique cultural experience and diverse landscapes, while Phuket excels in nightlife and accessibility; both are stunning destinations.
- Iceland or New Zealand: which is better?Too close to call →Iceland shines with its unique landscapes and geothermal energy, while New Zealand offers diverse ecosystems and adventure sports.
- Banff or Yellowstone: which is better?Banff wins →Banff offers stunning mountain scenery and outdoor activities, while Yellowstone boasts geothermal wonders and diverse wildlife.
- Barcelona or Lisbon: which is better?Barcelona wins →Barcelona excels in culture and architecture, while Lisbon shines in affordability and scenic views.
- Paris or Rome: which is better?Too close to call →Paris excels in art and fashion, while Rome shines with history and cuisine; both cities offer unique experiences.
- Seoul or Tokyo: which is better?Too close to call →Seoul excels in affordability and culture, while Tokyo shines in technology and transportation; both cities offer unique experiences.
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