Fancy yourself as a globetrotter? Check this out then. Guess this city.
city is an eclectic mix of old and new, East and West. It is a bustling metropolis and an epicurean paradise. Formerly, Constantinople, it is the only city in the world that bridges two continents – Asia and Europe. It is the largest city in the predominantly Islamic country of Turkey.
Did you get it right? It’s Istanbul, the gateway to Europe, and a majestic capital straddling Asia and Europe.
Cities have their own allure. There is nothing like discovering or learning about a city and losing yourself in its irresistible pull. There is a thrill in connecting with different cities and in the process having a better grasp of humanity, history, culture, and geography of the world. Globalization has created a world without borders. This reality plus the hunger for knowledge has served as a catalyst for people to venture forth and acquaint themselves with the cities of the world. Come, let’s take a sneak peek at some of the world’s greatest cities. Let’s discover diverse worlds as we tread from one city (familiar or newfound) to the next and be entranced.
- London
Few places in the world have more landmarks than London. Whether it is Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham palace, #10 Downing Street or Harrods, the sights of London are legendary. London thrives as a collection of vibrant and distinct communities. There is West Hampstead, Kilburn with its Irish heritage, Hampstead Heath (a vast park in North London) and Soho Square. Take a tour of London canals and discover a floating community of houseboats.
- Paris
Paris is the City of Romance. Cliched. Over-used. But we can’t really it describe it otherwise. Think Romance as in the Wordsmith-style of Romance. Of all that is beautiful and essential to humankind. Meander through the cloistered streets of Montmartre. Be awed by modern art and “hi-tech” architecture such as the Beaubourg Center, the cultural heart of modern Paris. This blending of old and new architectural styles adds up to the many reasons why almost everyone ultimately falls in love with Paris.
- New York
New York is called the city that never sleeps. Climb up the Empire State Building. Pass by the Chelsea galleries. Experience the sights and sounds of Brooklyn night clubs. Take your fill of Broadway shows. Immerse yourself in the museums of New York. Truly, it is the 21st-century city.
- Hong Kong
This is one of our personal favorites. Reach for the sky. Hong Kong’s skyline is one of the most spectacular in the world. Take a tram ride up Victoria Peak and be prepared to be awed. Savor culinary delights honed to perfection. And take out your credit cards and splurge. Hong Kong is a shopping paradise. We know. We have come back poorer, but richer in memories and experiences from Hong Kong.
- Chiang Mai
This is the first city on our list that really is not a city. Chiang Mai in Thailand is paradise revisited. Just an hour’s ride from Bangkok, Chiang Mai has charm, mountains, and greenery. Join in the festival of Songkran (New Year Water Festival) and the Loi Krathong (candle festival). Along with the showers of water and the twinkling kites that light the night sky, the city comes alive and molds the old with the new, eliciting a sense of nostalgia. Finally, pay homage in the temples in Chiang Mai. Bask in its cooler climes. It can’t get any better.
- Dubai
Dubai is a world on its own, a giant-sized playground for the whole family. It is the second largest of the seven states making up the United Arab Emirates. Luxury villas, theme parks, and skyscrapers dot the desert and the coast. However, Dubai is not all glitz and glamor. Or at least, that’s what we would like to believe. For a glimpse of its past, visit the Deira District – narrow alleyways, nondescript buildings, jewelry shops, spice souks, and breathe in a variety of aromatic spices. Try skiing at the Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. Or visit the wonderful island of Sar Bani Yas.
These are just a few of our favorite cities. The world is vast, and not every city can make it. Unraveling the myriad cities of the world may take a lifetime but take the first step, you’ll never regret it. Travel, read or surf, take your pick. Keep discovering… Keep learning.
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