There are some places that definitely need to be seen with your own eyes. You can watch as many French movies as you like, but nothing will ever compete with emerging from the Subway (or the Métro de Paris if you want to be fancy) and seeing the Eiffel Tower dominate the skyline right in front of you. When we’re children, we’re kind of dependent on the places that our parents take us for vacation, which tend to involve a couple of days cramped into the back seat of a car while the landscape flashes past with the smell of old fast food becoming a little overwhelming. But once we reach adulthood, with out very own salaries, or at least a credit card, then the world is your oyster, or any other shellfish of your choosing. So what are some of the must see places in this glorious world that you need to experience, even if just once…
Paris, France
Yes, yes, we all know the stories of snooty Parisians treating tourists like garbage and roving thieves who seem to see tourists as walking ATM’s, but once you arrive in the French capital, you’ll find that the clichés are largely untrue. You can’t expect everyone to speak English, but with a few French words in your vocabulary, a world of friendliness will open to you. Stroll the narrow streets of the Marais and climb the hill in Montmartre, taking care to stand over some grass so there’s some cushioning when your jaw hits the ground at the beauty of the view. Going up the Eiffel Tower is a wonderful experience, but visitors in the know will instead go up the Tour Montparnasse, an office tower with a viewing deck that gives even better views.
Sydney, Australia
If you believe vacation brochures, Australia is composed entirely of beautiful beaches, red earth and Sydney. Sydney is featured front and center whenever Australia is promoted, simply because it’s a stunning city, and we all like to show off our good points. There’s the fabulous architecture of the Sydney Opera House, framed from certain angles with the amazing Harbor Bridge, which is lovingly called “the coat hanger.” Sydney offers a cosmopolitan city surrounded by water, with world-class shopping and dining, with a short bus ride to some of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen.
Lisbon, Portugal
The Portuguese capital is often overlooked when people venture around Europe, but this city is in fact the oldest city in Europe, offering dusty sun-kissed alleyways and some of the warmest people you’ll meet. Lisbon is incredibly cheap, and you can get by on very little here- eating and drinking to your heart’s content without breaking the bank. Climb the hill to the Castle of São Jorge for a 360 degree view of the city and marvel in the fact that there’s been a castle or fort on the site since the 2nd century BC.
Miami, Florida, USA
Miami has a clear advantage over other US cities, and that’s its enviable geography. Imagine a big city where you’re warm all year round, with a brilliant Cuban influence on music and that delicious food. Miami is no longer the stomping ground of The Golden Girls, but is the place where the young and sexy strut their stuff, as well as being great for families who crave a bit of a party atmosphere after visiting nearby Orlando. No visit to Miami is complete without driving a sports car along the water with the top down and your favorite tunes played loud, and the folks at IXRental Super Car Hire have you covered.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world, but don’t let that put you off- there’s room for everyone in this massive Thai metropolis. The mixture of traditional and modern make this city a captivating experience, and you can browse for traditional Thai handicrafts at the Chatuchak Market, and then hit Siam Paragon, a massive shopping mall where you can buy Gucci and BMW’s. The easiest and cleanest way to acquaint yourself with the city is to take the Skytrain; a monorail that whisks you above the traffic, giving you a bird’s eye view of this truly unique place.
