The most beautiful cities in the world

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It is often said that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and this is true for many things. Each city have its own charm and uniqueness, giving the city its identity. To me, the below 5 cities are the most beautiful in the world, both in individuality, charm, atmosphere and beauty.

1. Sydney: the Australian metropolis has plenty of charm and character. Neatly situated in the south-eastern corner of the country in New South Wales, the Harbour City oozes atmosphere. With over 4 million residents, the city is thriving. When you arrive in Sydney, you will be greeted by one of the world’s most amazing skylines. The famous Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge will stand out from the skyscrapers, and the contrast between all the buildings is something else. Sydney is a lovely place to walk around in, make the most of it. Stroll around the harbour district and go exploring in the smaller cobbled-stoned streets in the area.

2. Prague: not many people go to the Czech Republic’s capital and come back disappointed. It is a stunning city, situated by the river Vltava. Often called the city of a hundred spires, its extensive historic centre is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. There is no lack of atmosphere in the city centre, and all the sites are close enough to enjoy on foot. The most popular attraction in Prague is its castle. The Prague Castle stands above the historic town on a hill, and just so happens to be the largest ancient castle in the world. In the courtyard stands St. Vitus Cathedral, the most amazing building with a fantastic painted glass window. Back down in the historic district, you will find the Old Town. In the Old Town square, the Church of Our Lady of Týn and the Town Hall are not to be missed. The Jewish quarters will give you a fascinating account of the history of the Jews in Prague and you will be able to visit numerous stunning synagogues.

3. Paris: the City of Lights, or love as many romantics prefer to call the capital of France, is an amazing place. Situated by the river Seine, Paris has an endless list of attractions for every visitor. The picture perfect white fairytale-like Sacre Coeur Basilica dominates the area of Montmartre, and from here you will get breathtaking views of the city. The iconic Eiffel tour gives the skyline an edge, and the pretty cathedral of Notre Dame will impress even the harshest critic. Take a walk along the Champs-Élysées or stroll along the river Seine. Paris also makes for an ideal place to have a picnic. There are plenty of green areas, gardens and parks to sit down and soak up the French ambiance.

4. San Francisco: although not at strikingly pretty as the European cities, San Francisco has its own charm. The historic trams that crosses the city gives San Francisco uniqueness and are a popular past-time for tourists. The Bay area is beautiful, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge really glimmers and glistens in the sun. The skyline of San Francisco is one of the most beautiful in the world, and a great way to get a good look is to take a river cruise or go out to Alcatraz on an evening tour. There are impressive buildings in the city but none as stunning as the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square. Well worth a trip, even if it is just for a photo.

5. Helsingborg: the Swedish costal town, often referred to as “the Pearl of the Sound”, is a vibrant city in the very south of the country. It is seen as the gateway to the continent, and frequent ferry services runs between Helsingborg and Denmark. The two countries, although divided by the Sound, are close enough to be seen from one country to another. Helsingborg has a lot to offer with great beaches, lovely small cafés and restaurants along the seafront, interesting museums and parks. Towering over the city centre is the impressive Kärnan, a medieval 13^th century tower built by the Danes to protect the entrance to the Baltic Sea when they controlled this part of Sweden. From here you will get a lovely view of both Helsingborg and Denmark.

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5 amazing countries to visit

Most of us have favourite places which we return to frequently, or places that we dream of going to. What make a town, country or even a continent special to me, might be exactly what you hate about that place. It is very individual and it is a perfect subject to start a debate here on the blogg. Below I will start off by listing my top 5 countries and explain why they made it to my list. I will of course love comments on the matter and perhaps get your input as to what countries should be in the top five.

1. Sweden - it has to be up there as it is my home country and in all honesty, isn't too bad of a place to be living in. Naturally, the weather could be a bit milder, the winters a lot less dark but on the whole, it is an easy life, that feels rather secure. There are plenty of things to see and do, many of which I'm sure I will be mentioning in other posts. The people are friendly and it isn't at all as expensive as you think it is.

2. New Zealand - the land of the Hobbits, the Maoris and the amazing nature. If ever there was a heaven on earth, I would like to think it is here. Whether you go glacier walking, canoeing or sailing the Marlborough Sound, you will love this place.

3. Thailand - a favourite beach retreat when the European weather just doesn't do it for you. Miles of miles of sandy beaches, cocktails, Thai food and friendly people is all you require. If you feel a bit adventurous, there is always the potential to go trekking and sightseeing up north. The list of sports that you can enjoy is endless and it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to try it either.

4. Australia - what a country and what a continent. You will find most of what you need down under. The people of OZ are friendly and good natured, the climate variable depending on where you are and there is always an adventure around the corner. This is a place to go sightseeing, do trekking and canoeing or why not try the outback for a while.

5. Ireland - as I currently reside here, I could not leave it off this list. I came here because I was fascinated by the history, the scenery and the people. Although it has changed a lot in recent years, there is a beauty here that is hard to forget. The weather makes it hard to see through the grey, cloudy curtain that hangs over the islands more often than not, but if you do, you will be surprised at it's beauty and tranquility.

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Top 5 capitals in Europe

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Travelling in Europe is easy. You can backpack your way around or rent a car and drive to most places. For backpackers the Inter rail card is a great option which makes train travel cheaper. There are plenty of places to stop by and you get to see the main places of interest. With a car though, you will be able to go to the smaller towns and villages. To my top 5 capitals in Europe, you can travel anyway you want. It won't be hard to find them.

1. London - I have already previously talked about this fantastic city. It is my number one because of its atmosphere, and because there is so much to do and see. Not only the capital of Great Britain but one of the metropolises of the world. Come and enjoy Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, Big Ben, the West End and much more.

2. Paris - the city of romance. Take a walk along the Seine, have a picnic under the Eiffel tower or stroll around the Montmartre. There is plenty for you to see and experience. Why not go and say hi to Mona Lisa at the Louvre, attend a mass at Notre Dame or relax in one of the parks?

3. Copenhagen - the capital of Denmark has a lot to offer. It is a friendly and relaxed place and somewhere you can walk around quite easily. Visit the Little Mermaid, have a beer in Nyhavn or take a trip in one of the ferries. The amusement park Tivoli is one of the oldest of its kind and well worth the entrance fee.

4. Prague - beautifully situated and conveniently located, this capital has a lot to offer a tourist. Walk up to the castle, visit the Jewish quarters or sit down for a meal in the square. Most things are within walking distance and are easy to find.

5. Stockholm - situated on a lot if small islands, this Swedish capital is stunning in summer. The city is rich in history and there are plenty of things to see. The famous Vasa ship, the castle and the archipelago.

Or do you have other ones that should have been mentioned?

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What to do in London?

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London is one of my favourite places in the world. Not just because of its convenient location and status as a gateway to the world, but because of the never ending sights to see and the places to stroll around in. London might seem like a hectic place but if you look behind the corner, you will find peace and tranquility too. There are places crowded with tourists, like Buckingham Palace, Madame Tussuad's and the London Eye, but also places less likely to be visited, like St James' Park. With so many attractions, there is bound to be one that you like. Here are my top 5. Perhaps you will think different? Let me know.

1. Covent Garden - to me this is the heart of London. It is a place where I return over and over again. It is a perfect place to sit down and relax and enjoy the atmosphere. There is usually market stalls to browse through and free entertainment to amuse you.

2. The Imperial War Museum - an important museum as it is dedicated to the 2 World Wars. Here you will find everything you could possible want to know and see about these wars. You really will get a feel to how it was during the London bombings in their bunker. Try it if you dare.

3. Greenwich - take a ferry from Westminister to Greewich and enjoy the Thames. In Greenwich the pace is a lot slower and strolling around the streets is interesting. There are plenty of markets where you can pick up bargains.

4. The Tower of London - meet a Beefeater and let yourself be guided through the history of London. Not many places have such a rich history and the anecdotes are told extremely well. It is an interesting place to visit and you get a lot for your money.

5. The West End - no visit to London is complete until you have visited one of the many shows in the West End. Even just walking around Leicester Square will lift your spirits.

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Top 5 destinations in Australia

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I am continuing my top 5 lists and the subject of tonight is the wonderful land of OZ. Australia is a vast and beautiful continent and you need time and money to see most of it. I have been fortunate enough to spend 10 months Down Under and here are my highlights and places I would recommend;

1. Tasmania - this gorgeous place just south of Melbourne is like a country of its own. Take the ferry or jump on a plane to get there and then enjoy the beauty and the remoteness of this island. Take a tour around the area and see the sights. Don't forget to visit the famous and amazing Wineglass Bay, the remote parts up north where you can walk where no one has trodden before and a ghost tour in Port Arthur.

2. Western Australia -it is such a vast area that you could write a blog on WA just on its own. From Broome in the north to Perth down south, there is many places to explore and enjoy. Visit the dolphins at Monkey Mia, take a boat trip to see the humpback whales or snorkel at the Ningaloo reef. Western Australia will show you the true OZ; the remoteness and wilderness and the true spirit of the Aussies.

3. Kakadu National Park - no visit to Australia is complete before you have taken a tour to this National Park. To sleep under the stars in the rain forest, visit the spiders blocking your way to the toilets and swim in the billabongs and waterfalls. Beware of the crocodiles though and listen to the guides advise.

4. Ularu - more commonly known as Ayers Rock. This big rock is something else and to sit and see it changing its colours at sunrise or sunset is impressive. There are plenty of walks in this national park and information about the Aboriginal culture. A visit to the town of Alice Springs is also recommended.

5. Sydney - although not the capital of Australia, the largest city Down Under is a relaxed and friendly place. Go to the Blue Mountains, Bondi Beach or stroll around the harbour. You will not regret stopping over here.

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What to see in Ireland

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Many people have this romantic notion of the Emerald Island and sometimes I totally get that but other times I really don't. Today is one of those days when I have trouble understanding what I am doing here. You see, it has been raining non-stop the whole summer. Well, at least it feels like that after having had only a few days of pure sunshine. Looking out my window all I see is rain, rain, rain. What better way then to remind myself, and you ,about what makes Eire a special place.

1. The Cliffs of Moher - these huge rocks by the Atlantic are not just majestic to look at, but they make a great place to go and just contemplate life. They are immensely popular so beware of the crowds but do jump over the fence if you feel like it and stroll away on your own. It is windy up there so be careful and don't do anything stupid, but it is well worth the walk.

2. The Ring of Kerry - another one of those tourist traps so do go there in low season. It is a circular drive around one of the most beautiful peninsulas you will find here. Life moves in a slower pace in Kerry, it reminds you of a time long ago. Not in a negative way mind you, but in a really really nice, soothing way.

3. The Aran Islands - take the ferry from Galway out to these rugged islands. This is the real, hard Irish life that we have seen so many times in various films. Not many people live out on these islands and the sheer desolation out there is exactly what makes them so special.

4. Achill Island - no need to take a boat out here as this island is connected to the mainland by a bridge. It is a popular holiday destination with plenty of white, sandy beaches and holiday homes. It makes for a nice, relaxing weekend.

5. Galway - my favourite town in Ireland. There are a joi de vivre here that you don't find elsewhere. Perhaps it has to do with the young, hip crowd that lives here or the fact that their main street is oh so colourful. Have lunch in one of the pubs where you can enjoy live music and sit back and relax.

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