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Yes, the blog is still alive, believe it or not. I've unfortunately come down with a pesky ailment known as 'work', meaning I have less time to rabbit on about, well rabbits in some cases.
My nature nonsense isn't for everyone though and oddly enough, I do have a life outside of just knowing lots about ducks. Back in the olden days when Tiger King was just a type of prawn and exam results were actually as a result of exams, I happened to be able to leave the house and even the country without fear of someone coughing on me in a different language. No quarantines, no masks, just embracing other cities and their cultures.
The UK does indeed have some spiffing city break opportunities themselves, however, if you were to weigh up New York versus Old York, the yanks sadly triumph there. We all go on holiday to escape the monotony of what is inevitably our everyday lives in search of something different and even better. Glossy images of sun-kissed promenades or world-famous architectural phenomena draw us in and get those juices flowing. The reality is that whilst some cities surpass their expectations, some may fall short of the mark.
In the last four years, I have gone abroad on seven occasions to (technically) six different countries all in aid of a tantalising trip never to forget. Whilst all my journeys are memorable, alas some are for varying reasons. Please note that this list isn't solely based on the cities themselves but also influenced by my own experiences there. It's merely my opinion and I'd love to hear contrasting stories from the places I've visited.
Right, let's crack on. In ascending order:
7. ROME, Italy
The wooden spoon in this list goes to Italy's capital and although it is not an awful city by any means, my stay was probably the least enjoyable of the lot. The city that famously was not built in a day and one where you also get two countries for the price of one (thanks Vatican City). On paper, an ancient city brimming with history with enough gelato to form a glacier sounds like pure perfection. In reality, the experience for me felt a bit awkward throughout. In Rome's defence, we planned this trip dreadfully. We'd picked a remote hotel, hadn't planned out what we wanted to when and we didn't have too much disposable income at the time. I'm also not a huge history boffin so although the majesty of the colosseum was incredible, it felt a bit vacant on the inside. Even though we thought we'd gone outside of peak season, Rome felt crowded and at times overwhelming. There were also a few hiccups with public transport which, being British, only added to the frustrations. The pizza was good though, as you'd expect.
Pro tips for Rome: Go in autumn/winter when it's colder, don't listen to strangers and have a vague interest in ancient history.
6. DUBLIN, Ireland
A* for convenience but a solid D for the whole trip in general. We discovered flights that meant we could leave for Dublin early in the morning and return the same evening (for around £18, which is cheaper than my commute). The buzz of spontaneously booking a day trip to essentially a different country did wear off fairly soon after arriving though. The castle and ha'penny bridge were must-sees and we ticked these off the list fairly quickly. What I loved about Dublin was a combination of feeling like a familiar city but also being basically abroad. The day was boding well until literally midday when the most Irish or Irish things struck. No, a leprechaun with a pint of Guinness did not throw some fudge at me, it rained. When I mean rained, it Irish rained. None of this English drizzle, it went for it. Ultimately, walking round Trinity College, St Patricks Church and the Temple Bar was quite so enjoyable whilst we were soaked to the bone. We also happened to eat at the one restaurant on the Temple Bar that did not serve Guinness. It's like an English cafe without tea. All in all, Dublin can be done in a day and presumably more enjoyably if the sun comes out.
Pro tips for Dublin: Skip the Book of Kells, look for cheap flights, and bring an umbrella.
5. MARRAKECH, Morocco
Two years ago, I blessed the rains down in Africa for a semi-city-break, semi-all-inclusive break. Forget the great plains or the Congo basin, Africa above the Sahara is hot hot hot and its tourism industry is developing nicely (well, probably not right this second). What I didn't realise was you need to fill in an immigration form when you arrive and leave the country, so be prepared. I've never seen such a mad scramble to get a pencil in my life. This almost desert destination, despite being a sunbather's paradise also has plenty of culture to it. Its botanical garden, the Jardin Majorelle, is a stunning oasis in the city centre, along with its main square filled with market stalls that give visitors plenty to do. On top of this, no-one can turn down a camel ride, ride? The downsides lie in both the intense heat which my pasty English body couldn't handle and the up-front nature of the locals which my pathetic English mindset couldn't get my head around. Brash street salesmen are of course part of the culture and if you prefer a quieter getaway, perhaps the streets of this Moroccon city may not be to your liking.
Pro tips for Marrakech: Make sure to try and plan experiences in advance, bring a pencil case, don't stay in the sun for too long.
4. PRAGUE, Czechia.
Remember like every film or TV show that depicts Eastern Europe as this cold, desolate and glum place? Prague is definitely the living counter-argument for this perception. With so many cities in the Eastern block opening their arms to tourists over the last few years, Prague is arguably the jewel in the crown. As soon as Brits realised it's got running water, electricity and cheap beer, the stags flocked to the Czech Republic for a mad one on foreign shores. Turns out there is more to this city then just prancing with 'the lads', it's a place of intriguing history, both ancient and modern. With a picturesque old town, scenic bridges and arguable the largest castle in the world, you won't complain about being bored. That exchange rate helps the bank and most Prague residents have learned English at school, so there's less of an awkward language barrier. The best word to describe Prague would be quaint as there are lots to do but nothing to truly take your breath away. Our experience was somewhat tainted by the choice of hotel (my bad) but there are plenty of other options available. The city isn't huge either so you can tick everything off your list in under a week. Also, there are chimney cakes, they're awesome.
Pro tips for Prague: Don't bring too much cash with you, get a chimney cake, be super careful when booking a hotel.
3. VALENCIA, Spain
A controversial pick this. There certainly bigger cities in the world, cities with more glitz and glamour and certainly more cities with things to do. I don't know why but I just adore Valencia. Perhaps overshadowed by other Mediterranean destinations, Valencia is a vibrant hub for culture, history, and food. Their central market is one of the largest in Europe and the famous 'City of Arts and Sciences' houses some of the most unbelievable modern architecture you will ever see. For sun-seekers, you can alternate a city break with a beach day, such as the beauty of being by the coast. For our trip, we spent a bit of time in the botanical garden there, as well as the famous cathedral which offers unrivalled views across the city. Perhaps the draw of Valencia was the lack of hustle and bustle. It doesn't feel like a tourist-packed rat-race, the pace of life more relaxed and with a public transport network that can take you anywhere across the city, it is perfectly suited for city-breakers. Much like Prague, it isn't an endless paradise by any means but there's definitely enough in Valencia to keep you more than occupied for a weekend away.
Pro tips for Valencia: Have a fondness for Paella, find a decent beach to go to, visit their zoo (because I didn't get round to it!)
2. NEW YORK CITY, USA
From small oranges to Big Apples, the city that never sleeps is a must for any holiday-goer. What astounded me about New York City was truly how much there is to take in at every moment you're there. The gargantuan skyscrapers and the boulevards that feel like they wrap around the globe, it's a feast for the eyes. I'm not going to explain everything to see in NYC because everyone knows about the Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty and World Trade Center (they're all amazing by the way) but I also enjoyed seeing a production on Broadway, visiting the railway-turned-garden 'Skyline' and having an authentic New York Cheesecake. Yes, there is a lot of food and yes it is massive. My weird food epiphany came when having fried chicken along with a scone because that's how Americans chow down. I don't need to sell NYC too much as it pretty much sells itself and it's a city everyone longs to visit. My only hesitations were the long flights and the aggressively manic street life of New Yorkers. You don't have time to sit and soak it in, you've got to keep moving otherwise the crowds will devour you. The city that never sleeps will certainly keep you awake for the first day or so but once jet-lag hits, good luck. All in all, New York City is mesmeric.
Pro tips for New York City: Plan well in advance, get a tourist pass early, beware the moody weather patterns.
1. BARCELONA, Spain.
It had to be exceptional to outweigh New York City and oddly, Barcelona does just that. In comparison to a city renowned across the world, maybe it doesn't have the universal draw but when put simply 'Where is the best city break destination?' - the answer is Barcelona. Much like Valencia, its Mediterranean climate ideal for anyone escaping grey skies and it allows for the same beach break flexibility. Sports fans can marvel at the Nou Camp, art aficionados can gaze at the wonders of Parc Guell and, well any tourist really, can appreciate the magnitude of the enormous Sagrada Familiara. There's no more vibrant spot in Europe than La Rambla under the Spanish summer sun with market stalls teeming with tapas. Barca is one of the few cities where we ran out of time and would happily return in the future. Such as the hold of the city, if it has the power to draw you back in then it's definitely somewhere special. Yes it can be overwhelmingly busy at times and has a bad reputation for street crime but in honesty, most European cities do, the spotlight just seems to be on Barcelona. If you're logical and aware of your surroundings, there are no issues. A city with bold basilicas, astounding stadia unique cuisine, Barcelona rightly tops the list.
Pro tips for Barcelona: Book more than a week, don't walk around with cash in your hand, don't mention Bayern Munich.
Subject to this global pandemic magically disappearing overnight, where should I go next? Which of my decisions on these destinations do you disagree with? Let me know in whatever way you can.
Adios amigos!
