Last year I made a list of my ten favorite cities I visited in 2018. I decided to conclude the year with a new list of ten of my favorite cities I visited this year that I highly recommend. Let's start booking kids!
1. Istanbul, Turkey
I went crazy for this one definitely. There is always something about big cities with a very strong character. Last year was Tokyo, this year for sure was Istanbul. When it comes to the food, the Turkish coffee, baklava, kebab, kefir, Turkish breakfast, etc. it all comes together in perfect satiety. The city itself with its beautifully colored sunsets and striking mosques all around standing tall make the scenery breathtaking.
2. Kotor, Montenegro
I visited Kotor twice this year so that says a lot. Kotor is a fortified town in the coast of Montenegro. It's medieval old town and impressive scenery is what makes this place so unique and worth going. You can do a steep but short hike up a fort and really take in this town.
3. Luxor
I didn't know about this place until I arrived to Egypt and a guy I met in a hostel in Cairo was telling me I should definitely go there. Luxor was the capital of Egypt for around 2,000 years. The city has been named as the "world's greatest open-air museum", and there is no surprise in that as the city is filled with ruins on both sides of the Nile. On the West Bank I recommend visiting Medinet Habu, Colossi of Memnon, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Valley of Queens (there is also the Valley of Kings that is too recommended). On the East Bank the Luxor Temple is also a must and there are also a few museums on this side. There are many ruins to see in Luxor, so I highly recommend spending no less than two days here, one is not enough.
4. Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a place you have to go at least once in your life. It is the heart and soul of so many religions all cramped together in its old town. Its history goes way back and it doesn't matter what you believe in or you don't believe in anything it's still an incredible place with a great amount of spirituality coming from all over the world. The people here are incredibly nice and surprisingly open-minded. At night we went for a few drinks at Mahane Yehuda Market, during the day it a normal market selling local fruits, vegetables and products and at night bars open up with shisha/hookah and drinks.
5. Barcelona
I lived in Barcelona for a semester in college back in 2014. This year I went back and it still takes my breath away like a did a few years ago. There is so many great things about this place: weather, food, scenery, architecture, history, art, nightlife, etc.
6. Zürich
When I would hear things about Switzerland I never really heard much about Zürich. I wasn't expecting much when arriving there and was planning to go more around the country. To my surprise it is an incredible and beautiful city. Even though I was there just two days I loved it! For brunch I'd suggest a cute place called Babu's in the city center and for a traditional Swiss dinner, Volkshaus.
7. Vienna
I had visited Vienna back in 2012 and really felt like I needed to go back with new eyes. I am so glad I did because everything felt so new to me. Vienna is one of the most interesting cities in Europe and one of my most personal favorite. It's beautiful Imperial palaces that decorate the city, the home of many historical artists, its cozy and elegant cafe's, and its present day vibe that seems to take you back in time.
8. Athens
There is so much history in this place that still today you can walk around it and experience it for yourself which is what makes this place so great. To be able to step foot on all the history books that you've read growing up is what makes this place so special to me. Yes, it's chaotic and yes, the city itself isn't amazingly beautiful but all it's history, museums, and ruins balance that off.
9. Petra
This abandoned city was once a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106. In 2007 it was named one of the new seven wonders of the world and there is no surprise in that. It is so majestic and beautiful, it's so crazy that this place is visitable.
10. Ohrid
I'll end the list with a little tiny town I stumbled upon in Macedonia. If you are looking for a quite and peaceful place to lay your mind and thoughts, it's here. I spent two nights in this town and loved it. I was in between places and wanted to stay put in a small place far away from everything. I really enjoyed my stay here and I am confident you will too.
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Breathe in this world, fear nothing.