Favorite Cities:Los Angeles, CA: It's been home to me for 85-90% of my life. For some reason, the thought of a "native Angeleno" is an oxymoron in a lot of people's eyes, but at any rate, it's my hometown. Like most metropolises, it can be a maddening place to live especially with the smog, traffic, and urban sprawl but you can find and do almost anything here.
Long Beach, CA: It's somewhat of an underrated oceanside town when compared to other Southern California beach cities given that Downtown can seem rather drab while inland, it's kind of too gritty. Now that the city has spruced up Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach is beautiful now without losing that nice gritty melting pot feel that inland Long Beach is more or less known for.
San Diego, CA: For the same reasons stated already.
Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain): My ancestral home and the pride of Catalonia (some of us like to think it's not part of Spain). Barcelona just has a unique feel all its own from other big European cities, in that it's bipolar, but in a good, vibrant way. As someone said, there's a good contrast between the modern and classic here, but there's more to it than what can be described that you need to see for yourself. Excellent location, great food (especially the seafood), and of course: FC BARCELONA. More than a club to us Barca fans.
London, England: I've been to London 8 times and it never gets old and each time, it feels different in a good way. It doesn't quite have the grandeur of Paris or the timeless romanticism of well, Rome, but London is really a charming place.
Paris, France: Not my favorite French city, but it's just one of those few cities you need to visit once. It can be overwhelming in some/most respects, but you'll find pockets here and there that are very laidback.
French Riviera: J'adore la Cote d'Azur. I can't single out one city and so, I'll say Nice, Cannes, Montecarlo (Monaco), and Saint-Tropez are all fantastic. On second thought, I love Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for the quaint tranquility and sheer beauty.
Marseille, France: My favorite French city. It reminds me of Long Beach in a way in that it has this eclectic feel. Kind of an underrated French Riviera stop in some ways I think, just because I think tourists in general like to hover around the Riviera's trademark towns.
Grenoble, France: I studied abroad here and this is my ex-girlfriend's stomping grounds. It has this college town feel that in some instances feels like Silicon Valley to me but with a beautiful backdrop of the Alps, being smack dab in an Alpine valley. Kind of a big city to think it has an Alpine village feel though. Great skiing here though.
Edinburgh, Scotland: I visited here once and it really surprised me. It's like London in the midst of some beautiful foothills.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada: Stayed a week because of a chess tournament I was in, but it allowed me a day or two of sightseeing. I liked the culture and geography of it all and it seemed like everywhere I had gone, there were smoking hot chicks everywhere. Must be the French blood.
Cities I'd like to revisit:Amsterdam, Netherlands: I was only here for a day and had passed by a few sights, stopped by a "coffeeshop", and visited the Red Light District. Need to spend more time here.
Boston, MA: I was here for a few days to visit MIT while I was applying for college. Like what I see.
New York, NY: I tend to think people have a love-hate relationship, but I just like it and that's all. Probably need to stay a few weeks to really appreciate NYC, personally, like I have with the other European places I've been to.
Chicago, IL: Same comment for NY.
Washington, DC: Same comments for NY & Chicago.
Dublin, Ireland: Only hung around for a few days, but just like the laidback charm.
Glasgow, Scotland: I visited Celtic Park for a tour, but I absolutely want to see an Old Firm derby: Celtic vs. Rangers.
Cities I want to visit:Manchester, England: Have to go to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: I've always heard Buenos Aires, just by walking around, felt like Paris or Prague or some other grand European city, but has the same vibe New York City and Las Vegas have where it's a 25/8 kind of town. As a soccer fan, I have to, just have to see El Superclasico: Boca Juniors vs. River Plate. I know the rivalry is just as tense as Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, but have seen on TV and heard that the atmosphere is nothing you'll ever see in any sporting event. (Also, I met a Racing Club fan who said Racing vs. Independiente is just as heated as El Superclasico, but lesser known. Extra motivation to go to Buenos Aires.)
Istanbul, Turkey: A co-worker had recently gone there and she says she had a blast. Again, as a soccer fan, I want to see Galatasaray play Fenerbahce. From what I see watching The Real Football Factories: International, it's like Manchester United vs. Manchester City on steroids.
Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Goa: I've never been to Asia, but these 5 cities are at the top of my list.
Vancouver, BC, Canada: I know it has the reputation of being the "L.A. of Canada" and from what my friends say, it's bloody awesome. Need to take the Amtrak up to Vancouver some time.
Split, Croatia: A quiet seaside city that looks like a Riviera town, I like. Hajduk Split vs. Dinamo Zagreb. What a maddening atmosphere that has to be.
Milan, Italy: I think Italy is kind of overrated, but I'd love to go to Milan just to skip it for the Lake Como District. Beautiful. Oh, and to see Milan vs. Inter.
Dubai, UAE: I love how posh and ultramodern things look in Dubai.
If anyone has been to any of the destinations I dream of going to, let me know.
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