I agree with tammyflorentin - Tel Aviv is a great, intersting, high-speed city. not enough tourists come because of security , which is a shame. The city has so much to offer, beaches, architecture, modern history, dining, pubs, shows..
I think it was mentioned earlier, but Quebec City and Montreal are two "musts" for this list - QC for European feel, food, architecture (you can even stay in a castle - now converted to a Fairmont... ahem) and Montreal for, again, great Euro flavor, fun nightlife, and just about 2-3 hours from the East Coast.
Luang Prabang, Laos is absolutely stunning - ever since my visit there this summer I've been obsessed with returning - it's haunting.
I also have extremely fond associations with Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, and Brussels. I know Europeans kind of think of Belgium as the ugly stepchild of their union but the food was amazing, the people so friendly and gracious, architecture beautiful, and Bruges was more romantic (in my opinion) than Venice, and much less crowded (too bad I was there alone!)
Also Lausanne, Switzerland has charm and beauty on a more intimate scale not found in Geneva. At least it did when I was living there over 10 years ago!
Posts: 45 | Location: (mainly) Seattle, US | Registered: 23 March 2006
Yes, I agree. Christmas in Bruges is especially magical. You hear bell concerts and the clip-clopping of horses’ hooves on the cobblestone streets. Decorated stands sell hot spiced wine and gingerbread cookies shaped like St. Nicholas.
Christmas carols play as skaters circle an outdoor rink. And there are more concerts and performances than you’ll have time to attend.
Here's one that would not get much mention anywhere. Petersburg, Alaska. It is a small city that has great Scandanavian flavor. From the Sons of Norway Hall to the great food you can find there. Take a day trip out of the city and see some great sceenery or a flightseeing trip and see the wonderful mountains there from a different perspective. I worked ther one summer and had the time of my life.
__________________________ I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
Two very nice coastal cities in China are Xiamen and Qingdao. Xiamen is compact, has great markets, easy to get around, and has a fantastic island just offshore with nice beaches and a great local Chinese tourist ambience. Qingdao is the San Diego of China - big bay, great weather, very good food, La Jolla lookalike beach, and pretty mountains behind. Both are used to foreigners and make it easy to visit.
Posts: 1 | Location: Seattle | Registered: 14 January 2007
Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz in Argentine Patagonia. The town looks like it is clinging onto the earth, about to be blown into the Atlantic at any second. If you get there, visit the old Train station (currently unused). There is a lovely group of former employees, all in their twilight years) who will be happy to sit you down for a chat and reminisce about their old jobs. Make sure you sign their visitor's book. Also check out the canyons nearby and the wildlife!
Originally posted by Not the first Travis: I almost regret starting this thread....
I mean, are we going to contribute to ruining these places by encouraging people to trample them? If it's just the BnA folks, that's one thing. And fortunately, the list of "great cities not so visited" has grown gloriously long. But look at all the lurkers on this website. The anonymous. The faceless. The cheaters.
I say they are denied entry to any of these suggestions.
Querétaro, Mexico.
Great Colonial city a couple hours from DF. Amazing architecture. Lively. Rich with history. Music and art everywhere. Friendly people. Almost ignored by foreign travelers, though there are many Mexican visitors.
YES - Must not let cheaters in on our special tips.
I'm going to nominate Hammerfest - the northernmost city in the world. (I'll likely get a few arguments here - from Russia or Alaska, but come on, cities?)
For balance - in the southern hemisphere, I'll throw in Devonport, NZ as well. A perfect little village, 10 minutes by boat from big city action.
Great places...I loved Miyajima near Hiroshima in Japan. Not exactly a city but nice. There weren't many tourists when I went there. I loved Chamonix in France too, but I think it would be full on in the winter when it is ski season.
Posts: 7 | Location: Albany, Western Australia | Registered: 24 February 2007
I actually just finished the ranking of my "Top 50 Favorite Cities" in the world and posted them on my website.
You can read it here... My Favorite Cities in the World Even my least favorite places are included (hopefully that will not bring too many hate mails along my way)
Yes, I really, really like Montreal and Quebec City as many posts here recommend. They are my No. 2 destinations in the world.
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Adelaide, South Australia (gets picked on a lot for being 'boring.')
