These are officially the most welcoming cities in the world

Sure, food, drink, culture and general good vibes are all pretty crucial things to bear in mind when choosing where to go on holiday. But you know what else is pretty important, especially if you’re going away for a while? How welcoming the place feels.

So thank goodness for our pals over at Booking.com, who have picked out ten destinations that consistently deliver when it comes to hospitality. They did this by counting up the number of Traveller Review Awards doled out to each destination, then weighting the list to account for the size of the cities (and to give the ranking some decent geographical spread). Here are the most welcoming cities in the world.

Top of the list is the southern Italian city of Matera. You may have seen it in the most recent James Bond film – its twisty, medieval streets make the perfect setting for a thrilling car chase. But it’s perhaps best known for its mysterious stone caves, which you can actually stay inside.

Next up is Bled, in Slovenia. This lakeside town is a great base for hiking and cycling but is also home to the famous Festival Bled, which takes place every year. Expect great live bands and even better food.

And in third place? That would be Taitung City in Taiwan. Known for its tropical weather and bustling night market, this coastal destination makes for a great mix of city break and beach vacay.

Planning a trip abroad? Here’s the full top ten from the Booking.com study: