這算是 2014年刊出的第一篇文章吧，剛好回顧一下我目前全球最喜歡的十個城市
(不過目前只有英文版，中文本很快會刊出)
It's been almost 2 years since
I listed my last "Top 10 Favorite Cities" in the world. Things have
changed a lot in my life. My perception about some places have also
changed. Thus, it is good time to update my "Top 10" list, when this new
year just starts.
Yes, Paris has fallen out of Top 10 for the first time in 20 years (supposedly at No. 12 at this moment). I haven't visited Paris since early 2011, and strangely, do not feel I miss it at all.
While at the same time, New York City, after at least half a dozen visits in 2013 (and a very lovely friend who's been a long time New Yorker has continuously encouraged me to move back to Big Apple), I decide to move NYC from its permanent No. 51 place (yes, you can say that I "banished" New York LOL), back to my Top 50. Unfortunately, it lands at No. 11, just barely missing the Top 10. Yes, I do still need time to consider if I and New York City (which was my No. 1 for several years from late 1990's to 2000's) indeed can love each other again :(
And this year's big loser is Washington DC, another of my former "home." Several unpleasant incidents makes me not wanting to be there for awhile. Well, it just takes over New York's No. 51 place XD
The following is my current Top 10 cities in the world.
10. Venice, Italy (Times visited: 4 times)
Finally an Italian city makes it to my top 10 (yes, that has never happened) After visiting it for the fourth time (and second time for the Biennial Art Fair), I finally learned to appreciate this overcrowded and always touristy city. It is always lovely to get lost in its streets.
9. London, England (Times visited: Too many to remember) This is one of few my current Top 10 cities I actually failed to visit in the whole 2013. It did take very long for me to appreciate London that it didn't moves into my top 5 until almost 20 years after I first visited it! I always enjoy its wonderful (and mostly free) museum and the ethnic (and thus, culinary) diversity of London. And yes, there is always hopping nightlife in London-town. Also, what not to love about the city that gives the world Adele (remember her song "Hometown Glory"?)
8. Munich, Germany (Times visited: 8) A short layover in April last year consolidates its status in my Top 10 (once again). One of my favorite cities in my favorite countries in the world. Always clean, safe, and cultured, it was great to see it let its hair down during Oktoberfest. It also has a nice natural setting. With such great airport (and good transportation to and from the Airport), I will find excuses to pass by here again and again, as I did last April on my way from Washington DC to Cape Town.
7. Vienna, Austria (Times visited: 6):
It was chosen by Mercer Institute as the city with "the best quality of life" for several years in a row. It looks understated and not shockingly attractive. However, the history and culture are everywhere. There are so many great museums, quite a few great coffeehouses, and even great natural setting (the Alps are just around the corner). The Rathaus Platz (City Hall Square) always has decent art or musical activities whenever I'm in town. I went there in both 2009 and 2010 for different conferences and started to like it even more. And at the end of 2013, I just wanted to see its Christmas markets so much, I actually bought a ticket to fly there from Dubai. What a surprise that it turns out that Vienna now has several big Christmas markets (all of them have their own cute souvenir mugs). Since now I reconnect with an old classmate there, I know I always have a friend to see and have tea with when in town.
6. Cape Town, South Africa (Times visited: 3) Cape Town is my favorite place in the whole continent of Africa. Though Africa is an enormously fascinating place to visit, African cities generally are unpleasant, polluted, chaotic and even dangerous. However, Cape Town is one big exception. Though there are quite dangerous parts of the town (and poverty is actually quite visible), it is mostly peaceful. With beautiful natural backdrop and intriguing mix of cultures, it is indeed one of the most interesting places on earth. And what not to love when there are so many lovely wineries just around the corner (The Cape area is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world)?
I started two of my "trips of lifetime" here (one overland to Nairobi, and the other sailing along the coast to Dakar, Senegal), so Cape Town will always occupy a special place in my heart. Now with some new friends based in Cape Town, I also know that I have people to visit when I'm in town!
At No. 6, you think Cape Town is my favorite place south of the Equator. No, it is actually...
5. Melbourne, Australia (Times visited: 3) After 2 visits in the past 2 years, now Melbourne not only consolidates the place for my favorite place in Australia (or, the whole Oceania), it is also my favorite city in Southern Hemisphere. Strangely, the weather was almost always bad whenever I visited. However, unlike Sydney, I can always find interesting places to go even when the weather sucks outside (yes, I meant museums!). Thanks Val, that I finally got to visit the headquarter of my favorite travel guidebooks last year (which sadly, might be closed down soon). In addition, now Melbourne is the city where I have more friends than any other places in Southern Hemisphere! (again, sorry, Sydney!) A conference later this year (in July, yes, again at the time when the weather may be bad) might bring me back there. And maybe this time, I want to stay there for at least a month!
4. Montreal, Canada (Times visited - I Used to Live There) Now moving back to my Top five, and another place where I have quite a few friends. Just don't visit it in winter, seriously.
3. Chicago, USA (Times visited - I Used to Live There) My former No. 1 city in the world (back in 2008) has been my No. 1 city in the US for awhile. They always have friendlier people than other US metropolis with similar sophistication level (yes, I'm talking about you, NYC and DC). A place that things come alive in summer but still offers a lot of things to do in the winter (well, as long that it is not -25C outside). If I really would like to settle down in the States, this would be my first choice.
2. Vancouver, Canada (Times visited - I Used to Live There) After one month's stay-cation in 2013, I officially declare that Vancouver is my favori... well, second favorite city in the world. Thanks for some of my old and new friends there, I finally feel truly at home in this lovely city. A place I formerly called home but could not stay because I could not find a real job there, this is one of the most scenic and naturally stunning places in the world. It doesn't hurt that it has *THE best* Asian food in the whole North America. Now, with a portable job that I can live anywhere, is Vancouver the place I should move to and re-settle in? Well, let's see...hopefully that its real estate price is not so inaccessible.
So...that leaves my No. 1 city in the world as...
Oh, well
No, there is no change...
It is still...
1. Berlin, Germany (Times visited - Too many to remember) For a history buff like me, Germany's "former" but also "new" capital is the most fascinating city in the modern time. It had morphed 5 times in the 20th century alone. Even after entering 21st century, Berlin still hasn't stopped its process of metamorphoses. Now the avant-garde art and nightlife center of the new integrated Europe, Berlin still remains a relatively bargain destination. Your Euro (or pounds, dollars, or pesos) can still go further here than many other European cities. For architecture buffs, many interesting modern building can be found here. I have long been aware Berlin is a fun place to visit while most of the world still did not know. Unfortunately, now the secret has been long out, and Berlin now is the 3rd most visited city in Europe (That means now I have to wait in a long line when trying to visit many museums)....
After visiting this city more than 10 times in the past 18 and 1/2 years (and actually living there in one summer) do I feel that Berlin is losing its edge? Yes, sort of, maybe. And yes, have I finally feel tired of Berlin? Well, we will need more time to see.
But I know, when I have a chance, I will not miss my chance to make a stopover there!
The above is the Top 10 places I have been to.
But, what about Top 10 places I haven't been to? Those "To Visit" dream destinations?
It will be revealed when the "Year of Horse" arrives, which is on January 31st 2014.
Cheers!
Yes, Paris has fallen out of Top 10 for the first time in 20 years (supposedly at No. 12 at this moment). I haven't visited Paris since early 2011, and strangely, do not feel I miss it at all.
While at the same time, New York City, after at least half a dozen visits in 2013 (and a very lovely friend who's been a long time New Yorker has continuously encouraged me to move back to Big Apple), I decide to move NYC from its permanent No. 51 place (yes, you can say that I "banished" New York LOL), back to my Top 50. Unfortunately, it lands at No. 11, just barely missing the Top 10. Yes, I do still need time to consider if I and New York City (which was my No. 1 for several years from late 1990's to 2000's) indeed can love each other again :(
And this year's big loser is Washington DC, another of my former "home." Several unpleasant incidents makes me not wanting to be there for awhile. Well, it just takes over New York's No. 51 place XD
The following is my current Top 10 cities in the world.
10. Venice, Italy (Times visited: 4 times)
Finally an Italian city makes it to my top 10 (yes, that has never happened) After visiting it for the fourth time (and second time for the Biennial Art Fair), I finally learned to appreciate this overcrowded and always touristy city. It is always lovely to get lost in its streets.
9. London, England (Times visited: Too many to remember) This is one of few my current Top 10 cities I actually failed to visit in the whole 2013. It did take very long for me to appreciate London that it didn't moves into my top 5 until almost 20 years after I first visited it! I always enjoy its wonderful (and mostly free) museum and the ethnic (and thus, culinary) diversity of London. And yes, there is always hopping nightlife in London-town. Also, what not to love about the city that gives the world Adele (remember her song "Hometown Glory"?)
8. Munich, Germany (Times visited: 8) A short layover in April last year consolidates its status in my Top 10 (once again). One of my favorite cities in my favorite countries in the world. Always clean, safe, and cultured, it was great to see it let its hair down during Oktoberfest. It also has a nice natural setting. With such great airport (and good transportation to and from the Airport), I will find excuses to pass by here again and again, as I did last April on my way from Washington DC to Cape Town.
7. Vienna, Austria (Times visited: 6):
It was chosen by Mercer Institute as the city with "the best quality of life" for several years in a row. It looks understated and not shockingly attractive. However, the history and culture are everywhere. There are so many great museums, quite a few great coffeehouses, and even great natural setting (the Alps are just around the corner). The Rathaus Platz (City Hall Square) always has decent art or musical activities whenever I'm in town. I went there in both 2009 and 2010 for different conferences and started to like it even more. And at the end of 2013, I just wanted to see its Christmas markets so much, I actually bought a ticket to fly there from Dubai. What a surprise that it turns out that Vienna now has several big Christmas markets (all of them have their own cute souvenir mugs). Since now I reconnect with an old classmate there, I know I always have a friend to see and have tea with when in town.
6. Cape Town, South Africa (Times visited: 3) Cape Town is my favorite place in the whole continent of Africa. Though Africa is an enormously fascinating place to visit, African cities generally are unpleasant, polluted, chaotic and even dangerous. However, Cape Town is one big exception. Though there are quite dangerous parts of the town (and poverty is actually quite visible), it is mostly peaceful. With beautiful natural backdrop and intriguing mix of cultures, it is indeed one of the most interesting places on earth. And what not to love when there are so many lovely wineries just around the corner (The Cape area is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world)?
I started two of my "trips of lifetime" here (one overland to Nairobi, and the other sailing along the coast to Dakar, Senegal), so Cape Town will always occupy a special place in my heart. Now with some new friends based in Cape Town, I also know that I have people to visit when I'm in town!
At No. 6, you think Cape Town is my favorite place south of the Equator. No, it is actually...
5. Melbourne, Australia (Times visited: 3) After 2 visits in the past 2 years, now Melbourne not only consolidates the place for my favorite place in Australia (or, the whole Oceania), it is also my favorite city in Southern Hemisphere. Strangely, the weather was almost always bad whenever I visited. However, unlike Sydney, I can always find interesting places to go even when the weather sucks outside (yes, I meant museums!). Thanks Val, that I finally got to visit the headquarter of my favorite travel guidebooks last year (which sadly, might be closed down soon). In addition, now Melbourne is the city where I have more friends than any other places in Southern Hemisphere! (again, sorry, Sydney!) A conference later this year (in July, yes, again at the time when the weather may be bad) might bring me back there. And maybe this time, I want to stay there for at least a month!
4. Montreal, Canada (Times visited - I Used to Live There) Now moving back to my Top five, and another place where I have quite a few friends. Just don't visit it in winter, seriously.
3. Chicago, USA (Times visited - I Used to Live There) My former No. 1 city in the world (back in 2008) has been my No. 1 city in the US for awhile. They always have friendlier people than other US metropolis with similar sophistication level (yes, I'm talking about you, NYC and DC). A place that things come alive in summer but still offers a lot of things to do in the winter (well, as long that it is not -25C outside). If I really would like to settle down in the States, this would be my first choice.
2. Vancouver, Canada (Times visited - I Used to Live There) After one month's stay-cation in 2013, I officially declare that Vancouver is my favori... well, second favorite city in the world. Thanks for some of my old and new friends there, I finally feel truly at home in this lovely city. A place I formerly called home but could not stay because I could not find a real job there, this is one of the most scenic and naturally stunning places in the world. It doesn't hurt that it has *THE best* Asian food in the whole North America. Now, with a portable job that I can live anywhere, is Vancouver the place I should move to and re-settle in? Well, let's see...hopefully that its real estate price is not so inaccessible.
So...that leaves my No. 1 city in the world as...
Oh, well
No, there is no change...
It is still...
1. Berlin, Germany (Times visited - Too many to remember) For a history buff like me, Germany's "former" but also "new" capital is the most fascinating city in the modern time. It had morphed 5 times in the 20th century alone. Even after entering 21st century, Berlin still hasn't stopped its process of metamorphoses. Now the avant-garde art and nightlife center of the new integrated Europe, Berlin still remains a relatively bargain destination. Your Euro (or pounds, dollars, or pesos) can still go further here than many other European cities. For architecture buffs, many interesting modern building can be found here. I have long been aware Berlin is a fun place to visit while most of the world still did not know. Unfortunately, now the secret has been long out, and Berlin now is the 3rd most visited city in Europe (That means now I have to wait in a long line when trying to visit many museums)....
After visiting this city more than 10 times in the past 18 and 1/2 years (and actually living there in one summer) do I feel that Berlin is losing its edge? Yes, sort of, maybe. And yes, have I finally feel tired of Berlin? Well, we will need more time to see.
But I know, when I have a chance, I will not miss my chance to make a stopover there!
The above is the Top 10 places I have been to.
But, what about Top 10 places I haven't been to? Those "To Visit" dream destinations?
It will be revealed when the "Year of Horse" arrives, which is on January 31st 2014.
Cheers!
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