Sometimes you have a limited period of time to travel. A short city break can sometimes be the best option to see some of the worlds most interesting cities. We’ve put together a list of cool cities to visit in 2011 for the ultimate short break.
1. Rome
This city never goes out of style. There is something here for every traveller and something new to discover for anyone who has been there before. A surrealistic convergence of ancient and modern. State of the art nightclubs, international festivals and you get to walk the streets Caesar once walked.
2. Cape Town
Every celebrity worth their salt has been to the southern most city of Africa because it is beautiful. Ride the rotating cable car up Table Mountain and enjoy a glass of champagne while enjoying the beautiful panoramic view below. Many movies are filmed here because it is simply wicked. Models, secluded beaches, fast cars, cocktails all year round and and and…
3. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the new, um, er New York. Arty, avant-garde, angst filled and awesome. Walk on the wall, swim in the middle of the forest or get your groove on to any tune you please: Jazz, Russian Disco, Kitsch, Hip Hop – nothing is off limits and there is no such thing as too late to party.
4. New Orleans
Cool is picking up the pieces and showing the world that you can’t keep a great city down. Eat Cajun style chicken or head to the French Quarter for Creole cuisine and oysters. The Mardi Gras definitely makes it onto the top 10 party list. If you have a penchant for something smoother, New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz.
5. Havana, Cuba
No school like old school. Hemmingway would agree. Where better to smoke a Cuban cigar? After tugging on a stogie, cut a rug, Rumba style. If you just want to cruise, hire a classic 50’s car and drive retro style. Art, music, baseball and the Buena Vista Social Club. Need I say more.
6. Budapest, Hungary
Two for the price of one. Buda and Pest are divided by the Danube and together form one of the most buzzing cities in Eastern Europe. Over 3 million people are moving in and out of the two halves at one point in time. Chill in the park on tiny Margaret Island on the Danube, take a spa day or hangout in an the ancient Roman baths. Word to the wise, skip the strip clubs.
7. San Remo, Italy
Long before reality TV, this town on the Italian Riviera has been hosting the San Remo Music Festival for pop star hopefuls. The Casino here is world class and forms part of the PokerStars European Poker Tour circuit with over a million euros for first place. Pretty sweet.
8. Prague, Czech Republic
Unlike most European capitals, this exquisite City did not get bombed to bits in WW2. Nothing is cooler than walking through the beautiful streets of this buzzing city. Have a coffee with ex KGB mobsters at La Dolce Vita café before hitting the late night clubs.
9. Amsterdam, Holland
The city is famous or infamous for legalised marijuana, the interesting shop fronts in the red light district and a host of other vices. What makes it cool though, is the range of culture beyond that: tulips and other flowers, loads of cheese, The International Documentary Film Festival and their Queen Mother’s birthday, which is shin dig the whole country gets involved in.
10. San Jose, United States
This city is cool because it is one of the leading cities in America when it comes to reducing it’s carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gasses. Eco travellers may enjoy over 90kms of urban trails including Coyote Creek.
Photo by klara.kristina
