Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales, and is best known for its castle, its shopping arcades, its taste of Welsh culture and its nightlife. When I arrived, there was a music festival at Cardiff Castle (its principal attraction), which is somehow a good summary of the impression I got from Cardiff: I really don’t care what you think - I’m living my life right here, right now, as I want.
Read MoreI heard Bristol described as hipster Britain full of Banksy art. I’ll add that it feels lived in and loved. When I look back, I won’t think of it as a brilliant tourist destination for its sites or to-dos; I’ll remember how life just seemed to always be vibrant and unfurling. I’ll remember watching the locals who just seemed to be taking their time to enjoy and appreciate their city.
Read MoreMy first thought walking through Bath was that it could easily be the setting for a romcom. For me - none of its tourist hotspots gave it this effect. It was the houseboats and cottages lining the canals, the short walk to long beautiful hikes, and the overall ability of the downtown architecture and businesses to just charm you.
Read MoreFrom a feminist bookshop to a volunteer-run anarchist cafe to a shop literally called Crystals, Brighton was the perfect little oasis for me on my Eat Pray Gay year. A famous seaside city and the unofficial gay capital of the UK, Brighton is a delightfully easy place to spend a few days.
Read MoreI’m two months through my 16-month round the world trip. I’ve seen some amazing things in 26 cities across 9 countries - and cracked open parts of myself I had no idea I’d be accessing on this journey. This recap covers where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, how I’ve grown, and if my budget and packing list are holding up. Life on the road isn’t always easy - but for me, right now, it’s right.
Read MoreLondon doesn’t have the wild, cramped hustle I would expect from a 9 million person city. At all points, even downtown, it always felt spacious and accessible to me. It’s also one of the culture capitals of the world - from theater (Broadway comparable) to being one of the world’s four fashion capitals to having Europe’s largest concentration of higher education institutions, London drips culture. Its scale, diversity, and economy leave something for everyone.
Read MoreParis lives up to its reputations. It seems everyone wears black and smokes. It has some of the best art museums and most magnificent architecture in the world. Many of its pristinely manicured parks are among the prettiest public gardens in the world. You’re never more than a minute or two from a Parisian cafe. For me, though, it’s just too busy, too packed, and too dirty to spend much time in.
Read MoreI heard Luxembourg described many ways - from a tranquil urban oasis, to a great place to raise children but not to be a more adventurous person, to a golden cage. I think all are true; as a place to live, it’s not for everyone. On vacation, though, it offers a serene verdant escape from the chaos of Europe’s larger cities while still offering the comforts of urban life.
Read MoreAmsterdam has something for everyone. Its canal rings are beautiful and charming, and many of the neighborhooods feeling very residential, quiet, and accessible. Walk a few blocks and you’ll get a section catering to the most hedonistic edges of tourism - bars, clubs, fast casual food, cannabis, shrooms, and the red light district. Regardless of what you’re looking for, you will find it.
Read MoreMost of Rotterdam was bombed during WW2. Its reconstruction shows how a European city may be built from scratch today. It’s spacious, pedestrian and biker friendly, and full of eclectic architecture and art. The overall design leaves Rotterdam feeling accessible and never overwhelming. It’s like the city planners found a sweet spot between suburbs and city - something immensely livable.
Read MoreBrussels is full of quirky public art and counter culture establishments. It’s also the EU capital and NATO headquarters so parts of the city are formal, political, and international. The overall result is remarkable - a genuine, authentic, lived in city that really comes alive around 5PM in the plazas when residents gather for a glass of wine or beer. It stole a piece of my heart from the start.
Read MoreLyon is the third largest city in France and is considered France’s gastronomic capital. The city consistently walks the line of having ornate pieces but never taking them too far - always stunning but never overwhelming. The result is that the city seamlessly moves between sections - between houses and Roman ruins, between basilicas and cafes. It just seems like a really lovely place to live.
Read MoreGeneva seems a natural fit to be the world’s “peace capital.” It’s lovely and has little to take fault with - beyond the prices. Lake Geneva and its fountain offer a stunning central view throughout the city, and the incongruence of its diverse neighborhoods can be both shocking and delightful. It’s a less stunning lake city than Zurich, though, and less idyllic a French city than nearby Lyon.
Read MoreZurich can feel too perfect - but that doesn’t render it any less delightful. It’s beautifully integrated with the nature around it, leaving it feeling equal parts city and forest. The ecosystem is remarkably well preserved - birds chirping constantly, bees everywhere on the flowers, clean air, and pristine blue water. It’s easy to spend days at its lake, mountains, or old world historic districts.
In many ways, Zurich feels like the model for what a modern city can be.
Read MoreMilan is a city of sophisticates with the economy to support them; it whispers “you can’t afford me.” If you want to step into the world of the magazine elites - fashion runway clothes, old money grandeur, and Michelin starred restaurants - then Milan is a good for you. If prefer nature, counter-culture spaces, and idyllic old-world charm - Milan doesn’t have them in large supply.
Read MoreMy first impression of Genova was that it was smoggy, congested, and dirty. Then I ate focaccia . . . and I was sold. The birthplace of pesto is a celebration of olive oil - and I could not stop eating.
There’s a lot else to love. It has a pedestrian friendly historic district, a long seaside promenade that goes straight to charming villages, and a loud, boisterous culture that draws you in.
Read MoreNice was not one of my favorite cities, and the thing I most enjoyed about it was the train ride to it / bus from it - which went along the cliffs and offered stunning views of the riviera from high for hours. The French Riviera is beautiful to look at, with steep cliffs, colorful architecture, and pristine blue water. Nice gives a taste for it - but I think the best views were from a distance.
Read MoreI’m one month into my 16-month round the world trip. I’ve seen some amazing things in 13 cities across 3 countries. I’ve learned a lot about myself and living a life on the road. This month one recap covers where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and how I’m evaluating my budget and packing list. If you’re thinking of doing a long trip yourself, it’s full of advice on adjusting to life on the road.
Read MoreI fell in love with Marseille in the same way I fell in love with Philly. That is to say, at first I hated it. It felt gritty, unexceptional, and uncontrolled. Then, once I got over myself, I became thoroughly charmed by the same things. It’s a city that bleeds authenticity, bursts with attitude, good food, and beautiful settings - and has a stunning national park.
Read MoreIn Bordeaux, I evolved from bored, to captivated, to enthralled. It reveals its magic in a slow drip. At first, it feels one-tone - all opulent and similarly colored. Once you adjust, the architecture is stunning - the kind that The US would make a facsimile of. When I fell in love was wandering around at night - when the city exposes itself to be vibrant, multicultural, and thoroughly modern.
It’s more than just wine - though there’s also lots of wine.
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