10 cities to visit before you die

[snaw]

Is it a bit smelly?

No more so than any other big city - not the cleanest air I've ever experienced but it's a bit mental and frantic. I like that. Went a few times for work years back, and I always had a good time there.

[DaveB]

All UK ones, i was hoping to get some handy tips on where to take Mrs Durbs on a weekend break for our anniversary but think i'll give Liverpool and Cardiff a miss as she isn't into thievery or fighting outside kebab shops.

Just tried booking Venice but no joy on dates/sensible price. Anyone tried Bruges? Done Rome and Amsterdam so they are out.

Venice is expensive, especially if you stay in the city proper, but it is well worth it. No other city like it in the world.

There are a few things you can do to control the cost but it is never going to be cheap.

[gingerjedi]

Foreign cities, my list would be:

New York (best city on earth, imo)
Barcelona - amazing architecture, great people, lots of fun.
Seville - Andalusia at it's best
Sydney - the harbour/beaches make it something special.
Paris - nowhere in the world quite like it
Rio - party time
Berlin - party time
Honk Kong - play hard, work hard
Tokyo - like visiting a different planet, just a weird and wonderful place.
Buenos Aires - beautiful women, and a total vampire city - it starts when the rest of the world is in deep sleep.
Vancouver - dunno exactly why, I just loved it.

UK, I'd put Edinburgh top, to be honest. Otherwise - I like most of them, but none of them really blow me away. I think that's partially because they're British, so they don't have that allure that foreign cities have.

No Rome??

[bekarovka]

If you're ever going to be in Rumania, Timisoara is very nice.

[snaw]

No Rome??

Nah, I like it and Italy in general (Off to Italy, inc Rome this Friday), but personally it's never blown me away.

[TriggerHippy]

I'd perhaps put Cape Town on that list ...

[bogeyman]

Venice is expensive, especially if you stay in the city proper, but it is well worth it. No other city like it in the world.

There are a few things you can do to control the cost but it is never going to be cheap.

Agreed. It is unique.

Best in spring or autumn when it's cooler and the day-tripper hoards aren't swarming around so much.

The Lido is a good place to stay. The Excelsior or the Des Bains. They will pick you up from Marco Polo airport in their own speedboat, which is nice. The only way to arrive in Venice!

[DaveB]

Agreed. It is unique.

Best in spring or autumn when it's cooler and the day-tripper hoards aren't swarming around so much.

The Lido is a good place to stay. The Excelsior or the Des Bains. They will pick you up from Marco Polo airport in their own speedboat, which is nice. The only way to arrive in Venice!

Definately too hot in August, but if you get away from the main "Sights" - St Marks Sqr, The Rialto, The Grand Canal - then there are really very few people around and you can wander in peace.

We stayed on the Lido as well, the cost of a water taxi from the airport was eyewatering so we took the regular ferry service to the Lido for 22E each and actually enjoyed the ride. It was far more sedate and you get a chance to get your bearings a bit more.

The Lido is definately a better place to stay, unless you have some serious cash to splash on a hotel like the Cipriani. Food is better and everything is cheaper as well.

The ride across the lagoon on the Vaporetto in the morning is a great way to prepare for a day's sightseeing

[TimberWolf]

The only thing I remember about Italy is that the Pizza's were a disappointment and that the water tasted funny. The Spaghetti Bolognaise was great, but as I recall the portion I was served was too small and I didn't get enough cheese or meat. I think I was hungry during most of my trip around Europe.

[weemster]

No real order :-

Chicago
Madrid
Sydney
Paris
Las Vegas
Hong Kong
Queenstown
Auckland
St Louis
Singapore