Cities around the globe are offering more and more for tourists, residents and business travelers. City tourist bureaus are often looking to attract people to visit, stay and spend in their city. But few compete at the international level, as Indian Life & Style discovers in compiling its list of "Top Ten Cities in the World." Each city selected has a feature that clearly sets it apart from the pack. Come travel with Stephanie Choate on a journey to discover these wonders of the world.

1. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Business and Tourism Capital of the World
From seemingly endless deserts to rugged mountains, from tranquil parks to lively souks (local bazaars), Dubai has it all. As a leading regional commercial hub - 150 of the global Fortune 500 companies have regional bases in Dubai - as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure and a world-class business environment, Dubai provides investors with a unique and comprehensive value-added platform that makes it the logical place to do business.

Developers are also keen on Dubai's incentives, such as: no income tax, no property tax, 100% ownership in Free Zones, and no restrictions on capital repatriation. Over the past century, Dubai has grown from a desert town to a vibrant metropolis while retaining its Arabian exoticism and becoming an incredibly alluring destination.

Over 5 million people visit Dubai annually, and with the rapid expansion and hundreds of luxury hotels, tax-free shopping districts and a major cruise ship terminal, that pace will only increase. In fact, tourism is expected to overtake oil exports as a source of revenue in the very near future.

The famous Burj Al Arab Hotel, touted as the world's first six-star resort, soars above the coastline in the shape of a billowing sail, and at night is lit in a many-hued display of colored lights. Outside the city, safaris provide access to the wonders of the deserts and a look inside the striking life of Bedouins. It's a tourist's haven.

Development expert Dimitry Slabyak from Dubai Prestige Properties, Inc. says, "The first thing that comes to mind that draws tourism to Dubai is the Palm Jumeriah, a man-made island in the shape of a palm, that can be seen from space. Another is the project 'The World,' which is a collection of several man-made islands representing the diverse regions of the world in their respective continental groups. Dubai is definitely an investors' paradise."

2. Cape Town (South Africa)

Best Countryside City
From inspiring landscapes to bustling shopping districts, Cape Town's exciting and wide-ranging attractions make it Africa's leading travel destination. Table Mountain, one of South Africa's most identifying landmarks, can be reached by a revolving cable car and offers a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding countryside. It is the habitat for diverse flora, some of which is found nowhere else in the world.

After spending a day shopping and dining at the renowned Victoria & Albert Waterfront district, visitors can enjoy the endearing wild penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Other must-see attractions include Cape Point, Robben Island and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. With exciting possibilities and numerous types of attractions, a visit to Cape Town is sure to leave you exhilarated.

3. Jaipur (India)

Most Historic City; The Land of Royalty
The sprawling palace complexes and elaborate architecture found throughout Jaipur attest to its rich royal history. When astronomer Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded Jaipur in 1728, he infused it with a rich Indian lifestyle and ideals. The city itself is laid out according to the Hindu map of the universe and has been home to India's royalty for many generations.

Today, many of the old palaces and royal mansions have been converted into hotels, thus allowing visitors to completely immerse themselves in Indian heritage as they explore the resplendent history and vestiges of royalty. Take in the architectural wonders, such as the Hawa Mahal palace, one of the most popular and recognizable sites in the city, or discover the City Palace, where the royal family still resides. Other culturally rich landmarks such as Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar and the Laxmi Naryan Temple make any visitor's trip to Jaipur seem like a sojourn to the past.

4. Vancouver (Canada)

Most Livable City
Vancouver's impressive combination of economic opportunity and environmental awareness, as well as their attention to health, community and diversity, makes this Canadian city an incredibly appealing place to live.

Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver provides the culture and excitement of city life but also has easy access to an abundance of outdoors activities. Sea kayaking and scuba diving are readily available and easy-to-navigate scenic walking trails snake in and out of the forest. Grouse Mountain, a premier ski resort and hiking site, is located just 15 minutes from the sleek business buildings, fashionable shops, and nightlife of downtown. Vancouver is the best balance between city living in a natural setting.

5. Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Best Nightlife
Known as "the pearl of South America," Buenos Aires is celebrated for its energetic and passionate culture, especially after sunset. The city has a mammoth quantity of assorted nightclubs and bars, many filled with vivacious and fabulously dressed dancers that rock the house till sunrise.

Buenos Aires is regarded as the birthplace of tango, a dance known for its highly sensual moves. The city hosts an annual Tango Day in December, which brings out the best of the best in the world of tango. La Recoleta, The Palermo and Costanera are areas packed with diverse nightlife and ardent party-goers, but the entire city comes alive at night, so if you are in Buenos Aires after dark, you guaranteed to have fun.

6. Sydney (Australia)

The Ultimate Oceanside City
Dine at world-class restaurants, shop at quirky boutiques, browse multiple museums and experience high-profile performances and festivals, all without ever losing sight of the ocean. Known throughout the world as "The Harbor City," most of the city life in Sydney is centered on the vibrant oceanfront. Ferries carrying passengers to the various seaside districts churn the bright blue water as sailboats pepper the harbor with their pristine white sails. Organized Sydney Harbor Bridge climbs offer a fantastic vista of the area.

The iconic Sydney Opera House offers tours and has a steady stream of varying performances year-round. Visit Bondi Beach, which is a thriving hub for sunbathers, surfers and people-watchers. Sydney offers boundless activities along the water, making it the ultimate oceanside escape.

7. Geneva (Switzerland)

Political Center of the World
Nestled among ominous snow-covered mountains and a serene lake, Geneva appears to be just a picturesque ski town on first glance. However, it is home to some of the most powerful institutions in the world, most notably the United Nations.

Geneva has the most important congress center in the world, holding over 5,000 high-profile conferences each year. This political area is an international mecca with 39% of the population being made up of foreigners from over 180 different countries. Nearly every country is represented in Geneva, giving it a feeling of diversity and worldliness that is found nowhere else around the globe.

8. New York City (USA)

Best Arts and Entertainment
Though New York City is universally famous for a plethora of elements, it especially stands out for its dynamic arts and entertainment scene. The longtime center for the arts in America, NYC's art scene has grown to globally impressive heights. It is home to hundreds of art collections, from gargantuan museums to tiny galleries. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds over 2 million works of art, spanning prehistoric to modern times. NYC is also a center for performance arts, boasting premier theater productions on Broadway, as well as eccentric independent performances.

For those with more classical taste, the renowned NYC Ballet enchants viewers with its repertoire of ballets, especially the must-see winter favorite, The Nutcracker. If you don't explore NYC's arts and entertainment, you haven't seen the real NYC.

9. Mumbai (India)

Best City with Something for Everyone
Once you pass through Mumbai's monumental Gateway of India, an entire spectrum of every imaginable opportunity and possibility unfold. From the palatial estates of glamorous Bollywood stars to the bustling markets selling inexpensive trinkets, any level of decadence or thriftiness can be found in India's largest city.

Visitors can treat themselves to pricey upscale restaurants, or grab equally tasty local cuisine from street vendors. Visitors can see professional cricket matches at Wankhede Stadium, or take in the multitude of aspiring amateurs that pack into the large park known as the Oval Maidan.

Just 10 km. off the coast lies the intriguing Elephanta Island, where cave temples reveal ancient carvings of Hindu gods, including an 18-foot high depiction of Shiva. For those who want to stay close to the city, simply watching the multitudes of different people and activities at Chowpatty Beach or along Marine Drive can pleasantly fill an entire day. Mumbai is a city that will awaken all your senses.

10. Istanbul (Turkey)

Best Combination of Modern and Ancient Elements
Istanbul is a city with a split personality. Straddling the Bosphorus River, but also the divide between Europe and Asia, Istanbul houses a mix of thoroughly modern and historic cultures. Ancient mosques share the skyline with urban skyscrapers. Vendors at the Grand Bazaar sell their goods to powerful businessmen on top-of-the-line cell phones. In the same day, you could travel the same routes as legendary crusaders, visit a sultan's palace, and have dinner and a martini in the flashy revolving restaurant in the 236-meter high Endem TV Tower. Istanbul connects continents, cultures, and entire civilizations and offers a richness in culture to each and every visitor.

Did your favorite city make the list? If not, what city do you like best and why? Email us your thoughts at info@indianlifeandstyle.com.