My Favorite City to walk,
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Walking on the asian side or the european side doesn't matter, it's an experience in all parts of this metropolis in the middle of the world. Ferries and feet are you hiking transport here, expect to walk long days up and down steep hills all the while being bothered for fresh grenade juice and live music, it's tough living in this age old city. This is the best city, in the world for non stop urban hiking. The sights, the smells, the atmosphere are unmatched anywhere. It's peaceful and chaotic with a huge dose of charm, it is a city that truly is unique.
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Absolute Charm,
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
The architecture can't be beat in the ancient city in the middle of Europe. Bear the cold and rain and take in the breathtaking sights while sipping a cup of mulled wine. Tourists or not it's not a place to skip. Old buildings with disney potential surround the city center where you can wonder for hours taking in the feeling like you stuck in the past. The food is good, the beer is better and you'll need a good amount of time to get lost in the narrow cobble stoned streets of a purely beautiful city.
......................................................................
Charm in the Real World,
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Remember the tourists in Prague, yeah, they're not here. The old world architecture and personality of Prague without the tourists and with a much larger river describe a city connecting in a part of the world often neglected. Budapest is a walkers dream with plenty to see, plenty to do and yes, plenty of mulled wine to drink. The history is interesting, the people are nice and it's a great place to walk around.
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The Stoned Oasis that is....
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
It's all true, I mean, everything is true of what you heard about Amsterdam. There are hookers galore, pot shops on every corner, shrooms stores and everyone is cool with it. What you don't know is it's built on a series of beautiful canals where friendly Dutch bicyclists live somewhat normal lives. It's a great place to get lost walking, you never feel scared and are always within a block of a coffee shop. The city is incredibly flat and you will never climb a hill walking in this stoned bliss of a city. It makes sense why people would want to live here, I would rather just visit.
....................................................................
My Personal Hell..
FES, MOROCCO
I have often described this city as, 'my favorite city that I never want to return to.' It is a beautiful maze of ancient desert streets, actually mind blowing in it's scale but it's exactly that, mind blowing. The constant harassment and pestering by locals make it a hard place to be and also one of the most unique and different places I will ever travel to, I just don't want to go again. Going to Fes is like stepping back in time to a place you didn't mean to go to, it's interesting and you appreciate it's difference but you just can't wait to leave.
...........................................................................
A Hipster's Dream
LONDON, ENGLAND
I really wish I didn't like this city so much, I don't like the English in general and especially an English Breakfast but I love this capital city on the Thames. Walking around clean urban streets with a sense that every culture in the world is just a stones throw away, that's London. The English history is immense and in English (a language I'm fluent in) with an insane amount of museums and sites all in an urban walk away. It's a fun place to stroll and I even fit in a bit but only a bit (I don't want to be British). and yes, that's my mom in the picture!
.................................................................
Square, yes, Interesting..yeah
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
I don't really know why I want to put this city on my list but I do, I like it. It's clean, boring and incredibly multicultural. Walk from chinatown to the Petronous Towers and tell you don't spot at least five foreign cultures and I'll give you five ringget. This place is a nice, family friendly melting pot that caters to tourists strolling it's nicely crafted streets. Spot fancy cars and five star restaurants and feel like you're not in se asia but in Taiwan. This is a weird place with some of the most impressive buildings you ever seen, it's worth a walk.
Sorry no photos of KL but google the towers, you will be impressed!
..........................................................
My Soul Belongs in...
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
One of my favorite cities to get lost in,and I know this because I have spent a lot of time having no idea where I am in this mega city in the far east. Wonder through narrow streets covered in neon signs letting you know just how close you are to a karaoke room or find peace in one of the ancient palaces. Did I mention food?? Seoul is a foodies paradise, just strolling through the korean streets you have the chance to taste some of Asia's best foods, everything from fresh (still moving) sashimi at insanely cheap prices to the most sincere korean bbq you ever had, Seoul is a blast but bring your wallet this place isn't as cheap as it once was. Feet and train are your tour guide.
....................................................
Te Amo,
MADRID, ESPANA
The picture-esq streets of the Spanish capitol are fun tramp around. There is plenty to see and more importantly plenty to drink. Buy a beer off one of the asian women slanging beer out front clubs for a Euro or visit a fancy sangria bar and hear an old timer play some piano tunes. Everything is right in the center and not too much of a walk but the best thing about walking in Madrid is the street art. From one color nyc throw ups to spectacular murals, this city is an art gallery on the streets! Think narrow cobbled stoned streets winding through neighborhoods plastered with witty and social commentaries but be careful who's fallowing you, it may be a prostitute or a moroccan kid ready to lift your wallet, Madrid is better for the seasoned traveler.
...................................................
Just a place to say you've been,
BELGRADE, SERBIA
The capital of Serbia feels as far removed from tourism as any city in Eastern Europe but this one has a charm. Hike up and down hills of this newly restored city feeling not like you're in a former Soviet country but like you're in a quaint Italian town. The people are beautiful (both male and female) prepare to have your head turned)) and very helpful in their own Serbian way. Stroll around the castle or grab an excellent cup of coffee on the pedestrian zone, Belgrade is a fun place to be.
Walking on the asian side or the european side doesn't matter, it's an experience in all parts of this metropolis in the middle of the world. Ferries and feet are you hiking transport here, expect to walk long days up and down steep hills all the while being bothered for fresh grenade juice and live music, it's tough living in this age old city. This is the best city, in the world for non stop urban hiking. The sights, the smells, the atmosphere are unmatched anywhere. It's peaceful and chaotic with a huge dose of charm, it is a city that truly is unique.
..............................................................................
Absolute Charm,
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
The architecture can't be beat in the ancient city in the middle of Europe. Bear the cold and rain and take in the breathtaking sights while sipping a cup of mulled wine. Tourists or not it's not a place to skip. Old buildings with disney potential surround the city center where you can wonder for hours taking in the feeling like you stuck in the past. The food is good, the beer is better and you'll need a good amount of time to get lost in the narrow cobble stoned streets of a purely beautiful city.
......................................................................
Charm in the Real World,
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
Remember the tourists in Prague, yeah, they're not here. The old world architecture and personality of Prague without the tourists and with a much larger river describe a city connecting in a part of the world often neglected. Budapest is a walkers dream with plenty to see, plenty to do and yes, plenty of mulled wine to drink. The history is interesting, the people are nice and it's a great place to walk around.
............................................................................
The Stoned Oasis that is....
AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
It's all true, I mean, everything is true of what you heard about Amsterdam. There are hookers galore, pot shops on every corner, shrooms stores and everyone is cool with it. What you don't know is it's built on a series of beautiful canals where friendly Dutch bicyclists live somewhat normal lives. It's a great place to get lost walking, you never feel scared and are always within a block of a coffee shop. The city is incredibly flat and you will never climb a hill walking in this stoned bliss of a city. It makes sense why people would want to live here, I would rather just visit.
....................................................................
My Personal Hell..
FES, MOROCCO
I have often described this city as, 'my favorite city that I never want to return to.' It is a beautiful maze of ancient desert streets, actually mind blowing in it's scale but it's exactly that, mind blowing. The constant harassment and pestering by locals make it a hard place to be and also one of the most unique and different places I will ever travel to, I just don't want to go again. Going to Fes is like stepping back in time to a place you didn't mean to go to, it's interesting and you appreciate it's difference but you just can't wait to leave.
...........................................................................
A Hipster's Dream
LONDON, ENGLAND
I really wish I didn't like this city so much, I don't like the English in general and especially an English Breakfast but I love this capital city on the Thames. Walking around clean urban streets with a sense that every culture in the world is just a stones throw away, that's London. The English history is immense and in English (a language I'm fluent in) with an insane amount of museums and sites all in an urban walk away. It's a fun place to stroll and I even fit in a bit but only a bit (I don't want to be British). and yes, that's my mom in the picture!
.................................................................
Square, yes, Interesting..yeah
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
I don't really know why I want to put this city on my list but I do, I like it. It's clean, boring and incredibly multicultural. Walk from chinatown to the Petronous Towers and tell you don't spot at least five foreign cultures and I'll give you five ringget. This place is a nice, family friendly melting pot that caters to tourists strolling it's nicely crafted streets. Spot fancy cars and five star restaurants and feel like you're not in se asia but in Taiwan. This is a weird place with some of the most impressive buildings you ever seen, it's worth a walk.
Sorry no photos of KL but google the towers, you will be impressed!
..........................................................
My Soul Belongs in...
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
One of my favorite cities to get lost in,and I know this because I have spent a lot of time having no idea where I am in this mega city in the far east. Wonder through narrow streets covered in neon signs letting you know just how close you are to a karaoke room or find peace in one of the ancient palaces. Did I mention food?? Seoul is a foodies paradise, just strolling through the korean streets you have the chance to taste some of Asia's best foods, everything from fresh (still moving) sashimi at insanely cheap prices to the most sincere korean bbq you ever had, Seoul is a blast but bring your wallet this place isn't as cheap as it once was. Feet and train are your tour guide.
....................................................
Te Amo,
MADRID, ESPANA
The picture-esq streets of the Spanish capitol are fun tramp around. There is plenty to see and more importantly plenty to drink. Buy a beer off one of the asian women slanging beer out front clubs for a Euro or visit a fancy sangria bar and hear an old timer play some piano tunes. Everything is right in the center and not too much of a walk but the best thing about walking in Madrid is the street art. From one color nyc throw ups to spectacular murals, this city is an art gallery on the streets! Think narrow cobbled stoned streets winding through neighborhoods plastered with witty and social commentaries but be careful who's fallowing you, it may be a prostitute or a moroccan kid ready to lift your wallet, Madrid is better for the seasoned traveler.
...................................................
Just a place to say you've been,
BELGRADE, SERBIA
The capital of Serbia feels as far removed from tourism as any city in Eastern Europe but this one has a charm. Hike up and down hills of this newly restored city feeling not like you're in a former Soviet country but like you're in a quaint Italian town. The people are beautiful (both male and female) prepare to have your head turned)) and very helpful in their own Serbian way. Stroll around the castle or grab an excellent cup of coffee on the pedestrian zone, Belgrade is a fun place to be.
