My Favourite 5 Cities

I love travelling. I love it so much. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all across the world, from the United States all the way to Australia. I love visiting new places and meeting new people. Every city has something different to offer so I never get bored.  There’s always something new to see, something new to do or something new to eat(one of my favourite parts is trying the local food.) The people are different and the overall atmosphere is different. When my family goes to visit  a new place, we don’t dawdle. From morning to night, we don’t stop walking so we can hit as many landmarks or “points of interest” as possible. Every city that I’ve been to, I loved. But I still managed to pick out a top 5. These are the cities which I would go back to visit in a heartbeat.

1. Venice, Italy

I fell in love with Venice the way you fall asleep; slowly, and then all at once. I love Venice SO much. They don’t call it the ‘City of Love’ for nothing.  I visited Venice just last summer while on a cruise that travelled the Mediterranean. Venice, Italy was our last stop. As soon as I disembarked the ship, I fell in love. I was in awe of how beautiful the city was. The fancy bridges, the glistening blue water, the gondolas, etc. Everything was just so… perfect. What I loved most was how the entire city was surrounded by water. The city was like a painting. In Venice, one of the most popular tourist attractions is San Marco’s Square. This is where all the famous pigeon pictures are taken. You can pay the people walking around the square and they’ll throw food onto your clothes and on your head. Then, all you have to do is wait for yourself to be attacked by pigeons. You can get some really nice photos and it’s so much fun to watch the swarm of birds take over. Sadly, it’s now illegal to feed the pigeons. 🙁 The next best thing to do in Venice is to go on a little gondola adventure. You can choose where you want to start and which canal you want to travel. The gondola rides can be at least a hundred euros, which is pretty expensive, but it’s SO worth it. You see all the little nooks and crannies of Venice and it’s a great way to sit back and relax. You also see the bits you wouldn’t normally be able to see because of the water. Walking around the city is also a good idea. It’s not too big so you can see a lot on your feet. I loved going into each of the little stores and looking at the masks, which are VERY popular in Venice. There are so many different styles and each one is crafted with so much detail and patience. Sadly, I was only in Venice for a day but already, I can say it is my favourite city that I’ve ever been to.

2. Paris, France

Paris is always a good idea. It really is. I was there for 5 days, but it wasn’t nearly enough. The Eiffel Tower was a must and the view from the top was breathtaking. I also went to the Musee de Louvre, where I saw the Mona Lisa. Asides from that, we visited the Arc de Triomphe, took a river on the Seine River and walked around on Champs Elysees. Paris is a city with SO much culture. You could spend an entire day at the museums and still have so much more to see. The language is beautiful, too. I learn French in school so it gave me a great opportunity to practice it by actually talking to people and asking for directions. The best way to get around Paris is by subway (which they call the metro). It can be very easy to get lost or get separated from family so be careful! What I love most about Paris and France, in general, is the atmosphere. You’re surrounded by people who speak French, good wine, amazing weather and beautiful scenery. It’s like a dream come true; a fairytale. One of the best ways to spend a day in Paris might just be to walk around the city, with a baguette in one hand and a beret on your head, and just take it all in. If you haven’t been here before, I DEFINITELY recommend it!

3. New York City, New York 

The city that never sleeps. A concrete jungle where dreams are made of. New York City is amazing. You never know what you can expect when you go visit. Everything’s constantly changing. New York City is where you want to be if you want to go the extra mile in life. In terms of travelling, it’s also where you want to be. There are places to shop, museums to look at, places to eat, places for concerts, etc. You can find anything in the Big Apple. A must-do is to go to the top of the Empire State Tower and look out. The view is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Central Park is a great place for a leisurely stroll and Time Square is where you want to be for all things entertainment and excitement. The Statue of Liberty is also a  popular landmark. If you want, you can also go up to the top of it  (where her crown is) and peer out. Anything is possible in NYC. There’s really no telling what you can do and what you can’t do. The possibilities are ENDLESS. One thing’s for sure: You will have a great time and you’ll want to go back.

4. Barcelona, Spain 

Barcelona, Spain. A gem of a city in the Mediterranean. This city went above and beyond my expectations. There were SO many things to do and places to visit. On top of that, taxis are so much cheaper than other countries in Europe, which made it incredibly easy to get around. There are tons of tourist attractions to visit. Sagrada Familia (pictured above) is a church that was built by Antoni Gaudi. It’s one of the most famous churches and to this day, it’s still under construction. The church uses the donations to keep adding to the building, until one day, it can be finished. Gaudi is a legend in Barcelona. Other buildings that he designed were Caso Mila and Caso Battlo. The Mont-Juic Fountains are a sight to see, as well. It’s commonly referred to as the Barcelona Magic Fountain. Every night, there’s a show with shooting water, lights and music. A must try food in Barcelona is paella.  It’s a mix of rice and seafood, or you can get it with something like chicken. It’s a local delicacy so if you do choose to go to Barcelona (which I highly suggest you do), you’ll see it everywhere. Definitely give it a shot! Trust me, you’ll fall in love with the history and the sights of Barcelona.

5. Los Angeles, California

Clear blue skies. Palm trees. Ocean breeze. Warm weather. Beaches. Coming from Toronto, Canada, Los Angeles is an escape from the harsh reality of winter here. It’s paradise. When you go to LA, you don’t really go to sightsee, but rather, you just go to relax and rejuvenate. Walk around, go to the beach, enjoy the wind in your hair. There are some really nice attractions none the less, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, and Disney Land. Sunset Boulevard is probably one of the most famous places to visit. During the day, it’s relatively quiet, with shops and diners lining the street. At night, it’s filled with neon signs, nightclubs and tons of parties. Los Angeles is warm all year long so planning a vacation wouldn’t be too hard. When you’re there, all you have to do is remember one thing: relax.

What are some of the top 5 cities that you’ve been to?