Visiting cities is a great way to get a snapshot of what a certain country is like, due to the high concentration of people, attractions and stores. A city break is a great idea for those wanting to getaway for a few days, as once you’re there you have a sprawling hub to explore and get lost in.
Some cities are worth visiting more than others however, as there are plenty that don’t really cater to tourists and visitors as well as others, making them quite isolating and perhaps boring experiences. To make sure that you avoid visiting a dud, here are some of the most popular places people have visited in the last year around the world, and why these cities should be on your bucket list.
Popular Places for a City Break
1. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the most visited city in the world, and has been for quite a while now, thanks to its huge popularity for both gap-year backpackers and holiday makers alike. Being in the heart of eastern Asia, it’s popularity may also be due to how well connected it is with the rest of the oriental world, but this also makes it a fantastic cultural hotspot with delicious street food, awe inspiring traditions and lifestyle, yet up-to-date and advanced technology.
What may also help make it an attractive place to visit is its comparatively loose politics and less conservative lifestyle. It’s a very accepting city, boasting a thriving LGBT+ community whose events and nightlife are an attraction of Bangkok all to itself.
Bangkok also has a strong sense of culture, due to it being one of the very few south-east Asian nations to maintain its independence throughout colonization, meaning that it’s been uninterrupted by a foreign imposition, making all their architecture and attractions that little bit more authentic and undisturbed.
2. Paris, France
Paris has eternally been an extremely popular tourist destination, due to its fantastic architecture, amazing food, and delicious artisan café’s. It’s also an extremely easy city to get to for those already in Europe as it has plenty of train connections to different countries but is also easily accessible by air.
Paris boasts some of the most famous landmarks in the entire world, such as the mesmerising Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, to name just a couple. The truth is, the regency architecture makes almost every building a landmark, making it a very pretty place to just roam and wander around in.
It’s also an extremely romantic city, making it a perfect destination for a couple’s retreat, which can be made cheaper with a coupon. One reason why it makes its visitors feel so lovey-dovey is the nightly illumination of the romantic lights, that casts each lane under a warming glow while also bouncing off the calm river Seine.
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The city of Dubai is a marvel of human creation and endeavour, due to it being situated upon a sweltering desert. It is a lavish, metropolitan city in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, making it an essential international travel hub, marrying both western and Arab culture together to create something marvellous.
Of course, Dubai is best when those visiting have money to spend, as it’s a city that caters more to the luxurious side of things. There are fantastic resorts, amazing eateries and let’s not forget about the ludicrous Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. It’s a good city to visit for excursions as well, as there are plenty of nearby activities that won’t be accessible for most in the western world, such as camel riding and dune surfing. Dubai is a city that has it all, meaning it is well catered for pretty much any traveller, just be aware of it’s more restricting laws and rules before you visit.
