My Favourite Cities

Montreal, Canada

Population: 3.4 million
Language: French
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter 
Why? A city I lived in for just over 4 years, Montreal holds all the promise of university students eager to share their ideas with the world, and all the charm and grace of a single 30-something lady. Quiet and demure, until you take her out dancing, or insult her people by beating them at a hockey game…

Sydney, Australia

Population:4.6 million
Language: English
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? Sydney is unbelievably clean for a city of it’s size. Add in the best weather in the world, plus world class attractions of almost every type, and you have a metropolis to rival the best of them.

Budapest, Hungary

Population: 1.7 million
Language: Hungarian
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? Technically two seperate cities – Buda and Pest lie on opposite sides of the river to one another, connected by a series of bridges and a deep history. Soak in the thermal spas, take in an opera, visit the underground tunnels of the castle, explore the local markets or experience the wild nightlife. Now if only I could pronounce the street signs…hmm…

Edinburgh, Scotland

Population:485 000
Language: Scottish English
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? A throwback to my Scottish roots – Edinburgh is one of the most fascinating cities to me. Over 14 centuries old, the downtown looks similar to how it probably looked centuries ago, and will probably look this way in centuries to come also. The annual Fringe Festival is reknowned across the arts world, and it boasts one of the best universities in the world.

Lugano, Switzerland

Population: 145 000
Language: Italian, Swiss German, (Romansch), (French)
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? For many, Venice is the city they picture when they thin of old Italian-style buildings reflecting on the water below, but for me, I far prefer the mountainous backdrop to Lugano, nestled in the southernmost tip of Switzerland, with Italy on three sides, and Lake Ticino at her feet.

 

……………………..More Coming Soon!

 

Taipei, Taiwan

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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Ljubjana, Slovenia

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Language: Slovenian
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Why? Like stepping into a fairytale, Ljubjana boasts castles, moats, dragons, and other strange and wonderful sights. Bonus: Most people speak English because they study it in high school.

Hoi An, Vietnam

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Bruges, Belgium

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Chefchaouen, Morocco

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Vancouver, Canada

Population:2.9 million
Language: English (Mandarin)
Climate: Temperate Rainforest (25C in summer to 0C in winter)
Why?