Best Cities to Visit
POSTED BY: Magonsdaughter
UPDATED: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 00:03
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Hmmm, only been to one of these
Forget what you know about these unusual choices for best city. Their standings on this Lonely Planet list don't go without merit.
New stadiums, global events, pop culture, festivals, and a little bit of fresh paint have all made these cities the next stand out stars of 2012.
1. London, England
London OlympicsThe Olympics are coming -- finally, an excuse to change Paddington Bear's outfit.“The Olympics are riding into town and a whole swath of the capital is being transformed in the process.” - Lonely Planet
This culturally saturated, yet sometimes dreary city revives itself with Olympic hype. The Games will give tourists more to look forward to than the standard tourist routine of Big Ben, Tate Modern and the London Eye.
The Royal Wedding in 2011 may have also given a little nudge to tourism in this England capital. Tour companies have been doing Will and Kate tours to add to the existing iconic Beatles, Harry Potter, and Jack the Ripper tours.
More on CNNGo: London taxis voted best in the world
2. Muscat, Oman
" I didn't know Satan's horns were that small.""Oman is firing on all fronts to attract international visitors, expanding everything from its museums to its resorts. Muscat is the focus for the revamp, with cultural events, luxury accommodation and aquatic activities taking center stage." - Lonely Planet.
This city historically hasn’t garnered much traveler attention but it has everything an active vacation calls for: markets, beaches, diving, turtle/dolphin watching, caving, kite surfing, trekking, desert safaris, rock climbing, all in one place.
It’s the perfect destination for families, couples, and thrill-seeking men facing a mid-life crisis.
Also, have you seen their completely post modern flag?
More on CNNGo: Oman's Jewel of Muscat: Re-creating a 8th century sea voyage
3. Bengaluru, India
Bangalore paintBangalore -- great for photo ops.“Perpetually drunk on the good life, this South Indian metropolis packs in the best brews, the scrummiest cuisines, and the liveliest arts and music scene, not to mention the hippest population you could hang out with.
This year, evenings in the ‘capital of cool’ are poised to get even more intoxicating.” - Lonely Planet.
Not your standard tourist destiination. This is for those who want to endure an entirely different culture. Despite its beautiful gardens, Bangalore's charms lay in the culture and people that emerge from the polluted chaos.
This modern city is a magnet for young urbanites who flock to the metropolis for work and play. Only downside? The bars and clubs close at 11:30 p.m.
More on CNNGo: Off season is on Season in these stunning cities
4. Cádiz, Spain
Carnival of CádizCarnival of Cádiz makes Halloween look like child's play. "Cádiz has found itself named Ibero-American Capital of Culture for 2012 – the first time a European city has held the honor.” - Lonely Planet
The annual Carnival of Cádiz shakes up this historic city's sleepy routine. People in Cádiz put on fancy dress and go wild for two weeks. It's a great opporitunity to interact with the locals -- who are known for their sarcastic wit.
Even if you don’t know Spanish, tourists are welcome to join the fun especially if they dress up and participate in all the activities. There are theater groups, choirs, poets and dancers.
More on CNNGo: Indian tourists flock to Spain
5. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm Stieg LarssonDon't expect the scary Stockholm Stieg Larsson pictured. “The film release of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo might have prompted a new wave of Stieg Larsson fans to look for the grimy side of Stockholm.
Unfortunately they’ll have to look quite hard, because Stockholm looks as perfect as it’s ever been." - Lonely Planet
If you fell in love with the romance of Venice, you'll love Stockholm. This metropolis is made up of 14 islands and over 50 bridges.
Highlights inc
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Add to that: nearly nameless, nowhereville podunk towns in Michigan.
I love this state, flaws and all, even with the festering scourge that is Detroit, and the complete crackbrained lunacy of Ann Arbor, it was "home" before I even knew it existed, for a fact I never cared for Maryland, and I *hated* Texas.
But from the moment I set eyes on it, spoke with the people, there's just something here in the countryside which touches the heart, makes you wanna stop and stay a while.
-F
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Madame Geezer and I had a good week in London a couple of years ago. Aside from the usual tourist stuff, we really enjoyed the Museum of Garden History near Lambeth Palace, and the St. John Restaurant just north of Smithfield Market. We're planning to go back sometime after the Olympic rush ends.
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Fresno
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Would love to go to Stockholm, but not likely to happen.
"I supported Bush in 2000 and 2004 and intellegence [sic] had very little to do with that decision." - Hero
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Actually been to 2, London was.....big, dirty, lots to see, loved the underground, did I say big? More like a couple of cities and number of towns and a few villages all connected...which is what it is.
Hong Kong...long time ago, crowded, 24 hour city, great food, stanley market images seared into my brain.
I really love Paris cliched as it may be, and plan to visit New York to celebrate a certain milestone.
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Where's that second one, never heard of that country.
I have Kathy Bates on speed dial, mwa ha ha ha (in exaggeratedly evil voice)
"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya.
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Toronto is my favorite Canadian city - everything you might want to do downtown is very walkable, the city is humane (public places to sit and drink water and take a break). There's night life, the Market section, sightseeing, shopping (even just window-shopping) and of course parks and the lake. I find it cosmopolitan and engaging, but not overwhelming. And compared to US cities it is, and feels, very, very safe.
But Orlando???? Really? You'd have to really, really like basketball to put up with the synthetic, expensive, cheap plastic and traSSShy experience that is Orlando. IMHO.
SignyM: I swear, if we really knew what was being decided about us in our absence, and how hosed the government is prepared to let us be, we would string them up.
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Quote:
Originally posted by RionaEire:
Where's that second one, never heard of that country.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Muscat%2C+Oman
||| Blog post explaining my name change: http://www.fireflyfans.net/blog.aspx?bid=9414 |||
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Contrary to what some may think, I actually liked my visit to Chicago. The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium were great, and Navy Pier was fun too.
Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen
" We're all just folk. " - Mal
" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall
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