( CNN ) -- Thailand 's recent political troubles may have worked in Japan 's favor when it came to this year 's Travel + Leisure awards , with Kyoto knocking Bangkok off its spot at the top of the magazine 's world 's best cities list . The Thai capital , which was placed under curfew earlier this year during a military coup , is nowhere to be seen in this year 's top 10 , voted for by the magazine 's readers , despite repeat appearances in the number one spot . Kyoto , a city on Japan 's Honshu island famed for its ancient temples and spring cherry blossoms , was praised by T + L special correspondent Sarah Spagnolo for `` an emerging style scene that 's cutting edge . '' Second on the list is Charleston , South Carolina , which , according to Spagnolo , improved on its 2013 seventh-place ranking thanks to accessibility , standout hotels ( including the Planters Inn ) and `` a mouthwatering culinary scene where shrimp grits are just the beginning . '' Several tourism heavyweights , including Rome and Florence , maintain their places in the top 10 , while others make the grade after failing to place in 2013 . Siem Reap , the developing resort town near the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia , New Orleans , Mexico City and Seville , Spain are all new entries . Surveys of T + L readers were also used to compile award lists in other categories . The Triple Creek Ranch in Darby , Montana , was named best hotel ; Santorini , Greece , was named best island ; Disney Cruise Line was named best of the `` mega cruisers '' ; Singapore Airlines the best international carrier ; and Singapore Changi Airport the best international terminal . Rancho la Puerta in Tecate , Mexico , was named best spa . T + L 's World 's Best Cities 2014 . 10 . New Orleans . 9 . Mexico City . 8 . Barcelona . 7 . Seville , Spain . 6 . Istanbul . 5 . Rome . 4 . Siem Reap , Cambodia . 3 . Florence , Italy . 2 Charleston , South Carolina . 1 . Kyoto , Japan .
Annual survey looks to Japan to name world 's best destinations . Travel + Leisure follows , based on a survey of readers , with destinations , venues and services rated . Kyoto replaces previous winner Bangkok , which dropped out of top ten following political turmoil .