The Optimist

Sydney has been ranked the world's top city in an international tourist poll by a top US travel magazine.
The Australian tourist mecca scored the highest points when rated by readers of US-based Conde Nast Traveler in the magazine's annual readers choice awards.
The awards, which began in 1988, are awarded after questionnaires are sent to the magazine's 387,000 subscribers, who rank top cities, islands, resorts and airlines.
Sydney scored the highest mark this year, on 87.7, beating Florence (86.8), San Francisco (85.9) and Bangkok (85.8), with readers commenting on the city's "ambience and friendliness".
Also scoring mentions in the regional lists were US city Santa Fe (84.1), and Venice and New York (both 82.9).
Melbourne was the only other Australian city to make the list, scoring 76.3.
Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said the award was good news for Australian tourism.
"This is a well deserved win," Ms Bailey said today.
She said the Sydney Harbour, Opera House and great shopping made Sydney "one of the greatest cities in the world".
She said the award should spur more Americans to take the trip Down Under.
"Conde Nast is one of the most recognised travel publications, especially for the American market," Ms Bailey said.
"Sydney is an international gateway for tourists.
"First stop is often Sydney, but then they visit other great cities such as Melbourne and regional areas such as the beautiful Yarra Valley."
She said the American tourism market was worth $1.9 billion annually with more than 450,000 Americans visiting Australia each year.
It is not the first time Sydney has been rated best city by the magazine.
Sydney has won top spot on the magazine's best city list many times since 1993.