Five Favorite Foreign Cities

I have been fortunate to travel abroad several times and to be able to visit cities in other countries. My top five picks for favorite cities include: London, Paris, Rome, Victoria, and Florence. If I had been able to travel even more, I am sure that other cities would make this list, but I have not made it to all the places I would like to visit. We have a long list of places we would like to visit, and slowly we travel our way through the list.

London is a favorite to visit because you get to see Parliament, Big Ben, the London Museum, Buckingham Palace, lots of pubs, and the tube (where you are reminded to, "Mind the gap.") You can ride double decker buses and visit with friendly people, chat up bobbys, ride in black cabs, but best of all sample good beer, bangors and mash in the pubs.

Paris is simply beautiful, graced by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Seine winding through the city with a river life of its own. Who can pass up cafe au lait and freshly made croissants? You can sit at an outdoor cafe for breakfast or have a drink later in the day and watch the passing scene. Flowers seem to grace stalls everywhere and perfume the air. The city is loaded with magnificant art museums, historical buildings, and commemorative arches to explore. The subway system is easy to understand and quickly enables you to get anywhere you want. Of course, you have to see the Eiffel Tower and see a smaller replica of the Statue of Liberty. One time while we were there and shopping, Queen Elizabeth was driven by in her car after completing a state visit to France. We waved as did many others.

Rome is all about history. If you ever studied Latin, you heard about the forum, Colliseum, Agora, Appian Way, Catecombs, Vatican, and so much more. To be able to visit the Sistine Chapel is a once in a lifetime treat. Everywhere you are treated to fountains, and you have to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain so that you will return to this beautiful city some day. Then there is the wonderful Italian cooking, which is very reasonable and magnificant. The beer is only so-so since wine-making is the passion both here and in France.

Victoria is a gem of a city in Western Canada on an island in Puget Sound. The easy way is to get there by ferry, and then you get to visit fabulous Buchart Gardens and sample the excellent food. Everywhere there are vistas with the ocean as a backdrop. The pace of life is delightful, as no one seems to be in a hurry.

How can you not fall in love with Florence? There are statues everywhere and magnificant museums and churches to visit. The roar of the ever present motor scooters adds to the din but does not detract from the environment. If you want to purchase fine leather goods, this is the city in which to do that. Afternoon spent in a cafe with a beer or glass of wine is only enhanced by being able to watch the lively passing scene. I think if I were a painter of fine art, I would have to study and live here for as long as my budget could support me.

As I said earlier, you could easily add other cities to this list as your travels unfold and you were able to visit them. Many cities have an ambiance that seems to define them in a unique way and frequently draws you to return to furthur sample their unique way of life. Travel, travel, travel!!!!!!