Amsterdam is at the top of my list. I love that it is a small city, making it a pleasure to explore by bike or on foot. The canals give it a unique charm, and the public transport is very efficient. The train network is also excellent for travelling to other Dutch towns and across Europe. All of this makes it a truly special place.
Added to this, it is the most pet-friendly place I know. You can take your dog into pretty much any cafe, brown bar, or restaurant, and the staff always give them so much attention. It’s such a dog-loving city.
I make no apologies but London remains my favourite city in the world, although obvious,y I haven’t visited them all! I was born in East London and brought up in South East London. Although I’ve lived away from London for many years I can easily visit and do so frequently. I prefer to walk, and will walk for miles, as there’s always something new to see. I love its architecture, history, museums, art galleries and theatres. There is so much to do there and still loads of places on my list to see.
Italy is my favorite country. I really feel back in time. Sitting in neighborhood restaurants in an alley nuzzled in between two buildings thousands of years old with the balconies facing you. Feeling like someone will walk out from thousands of years ago to chat. Eating the traditional food. The art all about in the architecture and modern storefronts still look like art but in a new era. It just a good feeling place. I’ve been to several cities there and can’t pick a favorite.
• Hong Kong, because it’s such a vibrant, delicious city, with easy access to mainland China and other parts of Asia.
• London, for history, culture (especially museums and literature, and being able to visit their settings) and walkability. I also love afternoon tea, which you can easily get everywhere there. Plus, full English breakfasts and Sunday roasts.
• Washington, D.C., for history, museums, neighborhoods, notably solid subway system (compared with other parts of the U.S.) and ability to easily take trains among other East Coast cities. It’s also flat and easily walkable. And unlike most cities around the world, because of its height restrictions on buildings, I feel like I can really breathe there, rather than feel buildings looming. (With few exceptions, buildings are not allowed to be taller than the Washington Monument.)
• Chicago, for its amazing architecture, museums, river and lakefront, walkability, great food, music, amazing people. I never visit in winter, though, because I can’t hack the snow.
Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), - its chaotic and crazy but is so alive. Love the food, love the people and love the energy of its youth as the city (and whole country) grows into an international destination while keeping its culture. We taught there for many years on and off, and visit every year…so I guess you could say its our second home. People either love it or hate it…no prizes for guessing which side we are on.
I was just in Hong Kong last year, most recently. It’s changed since the 1990s, but from a visitor’s POV, is still terrific, IMO. Mainland China’s progress has been stunning, by comparison.
Hope you will get to see D.C. and Chicago. The latter is especially wonderful in the fall. To me, D.C. is best in spring.
BRIGHTON & HOVE Sussex coast England
Why?
It’s just 1 hour by train from London
35 mins from Gatwick
80 mins from Portsmouth
2 hours from Southampton
2 hours from Seven Sisters
Georgian Architecture and a Royal Palace
It’s in between 2 Castles (Lewes & Arundel)
It has 8 miles of seafront
It has a busy music theatre and arts scene
It has bohemian shops
It has a quirky inclusive lifestyle
It has a great Premier League Football team
Sussex Cricket ground is here
The South Downs are in walking distance
It has the best public transport
That’s a tough question! I love the city where I live - Vancouver and I also love the city where I was born - Dublin. There’s lots of cities I’ve so enjoyed in my travels but just can’t narrow it down to one.
New Orleans, Louisiana hands down—has the most flavor from the food to the music to the folks! Beautiful architecture, real American history beyond the tourist haunts.
Santa Fe, New Mexico is a close second for similar reasons!
I think it helps if those responding add where they actually live bc it gives perspective - It’s always interesting to me, for example, to hear a European name a US city among its favorites.
We are US based but a French/American couple who spend a lot of time in Europe. Have lived in Southern California and in NY State.
Have not been to more than 30 countries but of where we have been, we both absolutely LOVED Seville and Bruges. Our daughter lives in Nice, which we also love (but we prefer Le Lavandou in summer), in the US we love Hermosa Beach, California.
I am more of a small town or country person than city person, but I guess if I had to pick one major city I’ve visited and would want to go back to it would be Paris or Dublin.
Well, then again I was really captivated by New Orleans with its merging of cultures in such a fascinating way. I live halfway between NYC and Boston (two hours to either) and feel at home in either one. My mom is a native New Yorker and as a kid my parents would take us into “the city” once a month to visit our elderly relatives and get immersed in culture, whether the performing arts or museums. I can only take NYC in small doses though. I usually go in for a day but come home after. Boston feels a little calmer to me yet still has lots of cool neighborhoods with gorgeous architecture and plenty of culture.
One city I’ve been to too many times to count is Los Angeles, which I find way too sprawling and annoying to get around. I’ve gone there to visit friends and relatives but never understood the draw. However, no matter where I go I appreciate my experiences. Chicago has really interesting history, and I loved San Antonio - the only place I’ve been in Texas.
My husband and I went to Quebec City for our honeymoon, following in my parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps! I loved it there and hope to do a THS sit there or nearby some time.
I haven’t been to many countries, so my sampling is limited. However, I appreciate lots of New England towns I visit and get to revisit again and again.
We are all so lucky to be so well travelled and have such options. My favourite of all is Venice, Italy. We were fortunate enough to spend an entire month there during carnival prior to covid. It was a magical experience, but I fully understand if you go in the height of summer your experience will be very different.
Second choice Brienze in Switzerland, just a beautiful Swiss village on a lake.
Third I think is Sicily, so many wonderful places to visit.
But I have been to a lot of great places apart from this. The world is an amazing place.
Yes, hard to pick favorites. Mine are ones I’ve returned to repeatedly, because they stand out for me. There are many places I’ve visited and enjoyed, but wouldn’t return to, because once or twice was enough.
Everyone has been to so many great places, and a reminder of some of the places I still want to visit (Florence)!
New York always has so much energy to it, and it can be like walking around a film set. You walk out of the Subway station and there is an iconic building, like the Empire State Building. And, i loved the Met.
Rome is just beautiful, the whole city is a museum… and the food. I highly recommend gelato from Giolitti.
I’m a big fan of London too. Great history, iconic locations, museums. It pretty much has it all.
I went to Sydney when i was a teenager, so my perspective may be out of date. To me, it was the coolest place.
Florence is magical. I definitely want to return. I love Rome as well. So much history everywhere you turn. A friend of mine lives there, so I’ve been lucky to use her home as a base and travel to other parts of Italy. I’m looking forward to returning in the spring.
Sydney is terrific. I love Melbourne, too. I wish Australia were closer.
My favourite of all is Venice, Italy. We were fortunate enough to spend an entire month there during carnival prior to covid. It was a magical experience, but I fully understand if you go in the height of summer your experience will be very different.