Top Tourist Cities in 2015

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
^^^^^ @gavna, a LOT of Brits go to Dubai on holiday. When I go to the ATP event I fly AA to LHR then get on BA - the planes are packed.

The number of Asian cities makes me think the Chinese spending is prevalent. I know they go to Singapore in big numbers - they're starting to drive up real estate prices.
 

NonP

Legend
I used to live in Seoul and still go back every year or so, and gavna is right that it (along with Busan) is a remarkably clean, safe and fun city to visit. And still a bargain compared to most of Japan, Hong Kong and Shanghai, which is why I often tell them it's one of the best-kept secrets of Asia.

A couple of tips if you decide to give Korea a shot:

1) If possible visit Korea in the spring or fall. I know that's sound advice for just about everywhere but it's especially true for Korea, with its relentless humidity in the summer (think New Orleans) and unforgiving chills in the winter.
2) Seoul is certainly doable without a guide thanks to its world-class subway system (you can get to just about every major attraction/district by metro), but when you venture out you probably want to have someone that can speak Korean. It'll make your travel a whole lot easier. (The same can be said of most Asian countries, of course.)
3) Bring cash (Korean won). Not just because a fair number of shops (especially in the countryside) won't accept credit cards but also because you can often score a bargain when paying with cold hard cash.
4) If you can do only one place outside Seoul make it Gyeongju (about 4-5 hours away), the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla and now a virtual museum with tons of important artifacts and sites including the must-see Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa temple.
5) Jeju Island in the south is another choice destination, boasting picturesque scenery, beaches and hiking trails.
6) Nightlife in Seoul may well be the best in the world. Amazing (and affordable) food and many places are open 24/7. Do take time to soak it all in.

As for the rest of the list (outside of the West), I'm personally turned off by the artificially squeaky-clean streets of Singapore (totalitarian isn't really an overstatement) which tend to take the fun out of the vibrant city-state, and I find Hong Kong a little too crowded and chaotic for multiple visits. Bangkok is another good choice as long as you avoid the shady areas. Never been to KL so can't comment.
 

acura9927

Semi-Pro
Bangkok is any but relaxing. I could not deal with 3-4 showers a day and my underwear soaked by just walking around.
If I ever do go to Asia again it would be to a small town cause you get the best foreign experience. A lot of these big Asian cities have too much Western feel to it.
 

kiki

Banned
In the port of Barcelona there were 5 big cruisers ( 5000-7000 people) one after the other.Uually they get them, but NOT AT THE SAME TIME

I can´t get how did they manage to do that.I mean, the harbour workers...should be given a full day free with casino included in one of those babies.
 

kiki

Banned
^^ there are only 3 cruise ships in the entire world with a maximum capacity over 5000.

Those were the cruisers and two more almost as big.5.000 Costa has two or three just themselves.

I have used Costa many times, then there are two US companies.
 

chrischris

G.O.A.T.
In the port of Barcelona there were 5 big cruisers ( 5000-7000 people) one after the other.Uually they get them, but NOT AT THE SAME TIME

I can´t get how did they manage to do that.I mean, the harbour workers...should be given a full day free with casino included in one of those babies.


Thats vulgar
 

hollywood9826

Hall of Fame
I went up to Seoul one weekend when I was stationed in Korea (Kunsan). I really had a good time. I would have went up there more but it was when the world cup was in town and there were too many people up there.

Its worth a visit for sure.
 
San Francisco
London
New York
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Amsterdam
and a lot of local places you have never seen :)

I live in San Francisco. I went to New York, Stockholm, Amsterdam and other places but it all depends on what you are looking for. When I saw a desert for the first time I thought it was so beautiful and amazing :mrgreen:

San Francisco is definitely beautiful and Seoul as well. Sydney and Vienna should be mentioned too.
 
D

Deleted member 733170

Guest
lol





I'd like to go to Istanbul too.
I went to Lisbon and Barcelona but they were not impressive.

I guess it depends what you expected to find!?

Lisbon is a beautiful city with all the tiled facades of the grand houses giving the city a unique aesthetic appeal. The Portugese are lovely people. The best kept secret in Lisbon is the food and how cheap the city is.

Barcelona has its charms too, again you eat well if you know what you're doing, but it's more touristy and expensive. Lots of interesting things to do, get lost in the Gothic quarter, parque Guell, in August there is a great live music festival in the streets. Having said all that I prefer Madrid.
 

Wynter

Legend
lol





I'd like to go to Istanbul too.
I went to Lisbon and Barcelona but they were not impressive.

I feel lisbon is such a historic place, once the pinnacle of humanity that one needs to go at least once, meant to be utterly beautiful too. Reading Robert Enke's biography got me interested in visiting it, he loved the place.

Barcelona and the Gothic Art screams yes

Florence for the Renaissance, the art the remaining culture, it seems a fantastic place to visit, but all of italy is definitely part of a future trip.
 
Rome is such an historical city I'd like to visit again. I have never been to Jerusalem. I'd like to visit whole middle eastern cities; Jerusalem, Cairo, Istanbul but Egypt is not safe for now
 

chrischris

G.O.A.T.
Rome is such an historical city I'd like to visit again. I have never been to Jerusalem. I'd like to visit whole middle eastern cities; Jerusalem, Cairo, Istanbul but Egypt is not safe for now


Rome yes absolutely awesome in its historic content and the architecture and style. Great food and the coffee is so frkin good too.
Jerusalem isnt so nice imo.
Kairo is messy but Alexandria is very nice .
 

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
^^^^^ @gavna, a LOT of Brits go to Dubai on holiday. When I go to the ATP event I fly AA to LHR then get on BA - the planes are packed.

The number of Asian cities makes me think the Chinese spending is prevalent. I know they go to Singapore in big numbers - they're starting to drive up real estate prices.

A lot of Fins get on ferries to the Baltic countries just to drink cheaply. It doesn't make the Baltic countries great tourist destinations (in itself). :)

I think Dubai is just a megamall. I can't imagine what you'd go there for, if not for shopping.
 

chrischris

G.O.A.T.
A lot of Fins get on ferries to the Baltic countries just to drink cheaply. It doesn't make the Baltic countries great tourist destinations (in itself). :)

I think Dubai is just a megamall. I can't imagine what you'd go there for, if not for shopping.

Yes agreed Dubai is for tunnel visioned mall predators.
To me it has zero appeal.
People pose as if in a reality show. ..
 
Honolulu. The tennis courts are free. Heaven. LOL.

Honolulu, Maui, Kauai are all beautiful. I think most of cities in America has free tennis courts. We have many tennis courts in San Francisco and all are free except Golden Gate tennis club which is managed by the city. It should be free as well because it is operated by tax payers money
 
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