Rules: These are all Molly's opinions. I don't care what your opinion is or if you disagree. The only rule that I enforced in making my choices was that I had to have physically been in the city the past year. The past year is defined as May 2007-May 2008. So, this would exclude Santa Fe and Washington, DC (two cities that would have likely made the list) but would include places like New York City and Boston (I had a connecting flight through Boston while coming home from Paris).
1. Most Relaxing City: Monterey, California
Put aside the fact that Monterey is a stunningly beautiful place, there are seals, and you are constantly looking at one of the world's most well preserved ocean sanctuaries...it's the atmosphere of Monterey that is so relaxing. The weather rarely goes above 70 degrees, the fog gives a comforting feel to this harbor city, and the people are warm and friendly.
2. Most Charming City: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Webster defines charming as "extremely pleasing or delightful: entrancing". Go to Luxembourg City and see if you can walk away from the city without being entranced. Luxembourg City is a multi-layer city, connected with bridges. It's so often overlooked, but Luxembourg is a major hub in Europe, as Luxembourg is home to the EU Secretariat.
3. Most Beautiful City: Pebble Beach, California
The other candidates for this title were Nice, Geneva, Zurich, and Strasbourg. But these other candidates do not compare to Pebble Beach. I've yet to see a place in the world that comes close to the natural beauty and splendid views that Pebble Beach offers.
4. Most Cosmopolitan City: Geneva, Switzerland
With over 250 world headquarters (including the United Nations and Red Cross), it's hard to argue that there is a city more cosmopolitan than Geneva. Geneva has world class shopping, banking, universities and businesses. Geneva is also very beautiful and clean.
5. Most Touristy City: London, England
This was a difficult choice for me to make. But, honestly, when I look back at all the cities I've visited and the memories that are evoked, the memory of London that I have is of all the tourist shops. Also, everything costs money for tourists. For example, in Paris, you rarely have to pay to go into a church. In London, you have to pay to go into almost every church. And when the dollar is so weak against the pound, it's no fun.
6. Most Efficient City: Copenhagen, Denmark
Hands down, Copenhagen was the most efficient city I've ever visited. The airport was easy to navigate, the trains ran like clock-work, the Copenhagen city card was well worth the money, and the city is easy to get around. One of the highlights of my Copenhagen trip was taking a water bus across the harbor...and it ran right on time!
7. Cleanest City: Vienna, Austria
Vienna offers a lot to see but one thing that really struck me about Vienna was that it was so clean. The parks were well maintained, the city had very little trash in it, and the tourist areas were particularly clean. Vienna has a really creepy metro system, but it's balanced out by the clean-ness and open atmosphere of the city.
8. Most Historical City: Paris, France
After living in Paris for a year, I can assure you that this could possibly be the most historical city in the world. From the Louvre to Notre Dame to Montmartre, there is historical appreciation everywhere in Paris. No matter what era of history you enjoy, be it the French Revolution or World War II, Paris has something to offer for every history buff.
9. Friendliest City: Strasbourg, France
I was so surprised with Strasbourg. For more information, you can read my previous post on the city. It was such a nice blend of French and German cultures. The people were very helpful and friendly, nothing like what I was expecting (probably because I had been living in Paris for 7 months). It's too bad that more people don't visit Strasbourg because if they did, France might have a friendlier reputation.
10. Best Food: Munich, Germany
Let me just say that I do not normally like German food. But, out of all the places I visited, I had good food at every meal I ate in Munich. Granted, it was a lot of beer and pretzels, but it was really good.
11. Most Affordable City: Salinas, California
Salinas is the "salad bowl of America", meaning that almost 80% of all fruits and vegetables come from Salinas. Driving through Salinas is a great drive, but more importantly, there are the many farmers markers that Salinas offers, from Monterey to Santa Cruz. It's possible to buy 2 pounds of strawberries for $3.00. That's affordable.
12. Best Shopping: New York City, New York
If you disagree, visit my Mom when she's in Manhattan, and you'll change your mind. Trust me.
13. Most Majestic City: Boston, Massachusetts
I flew from Paris to Boston and got a beautiful view of the Boston skyline. There is something majestic about the skyline of Boston right on the harbor. I have fond memories of strolling down Newbury Street, visiting the Boston Aquarium and walking the Freedom Trail. So maybe my version of Boston has been idealized, but to me, it's one of the most majestic cities in the world.
14. Best Overall City (Europe): Zurich, Switzerland
This was a difficult decision, but ultimately, Zurich encompasses everything that I loved about many different European cities. It is beautiful, peaceful, charming, and friendly. The churches are lovely and the swans on the lake are magical. Being in Zurich is like being in a snowglobe.
15. Best Overall City (United States): San Francisco, California
Why San Francisco? If you remember my rules, I had to have visited the city since May 2007, otherwise I would have put Washington, DC. But I really, really like San Francisco. I love the cool weather, the fog, the lights on the Bay at night, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Chinese food. The people are friendly and there is a lot of culture in the city, and I like that a lot.
There you have it! I'll be living in Monterey, California this summer but plan on making many trips. I have ideas about going to Big Sur, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, possibly Napa or Sonoma, and San Francisco. Also, after I graduate (in December), I want to take a big trip. My first choice right now is Cairo, Egypt. If anyone has any other ideas, send me an email and let me know!
1. Most Relaxing City: Monterey, California
Put aside the fact that Monterey is a stunningly beautiful place, there are seals, and you are constantly looking at one of the world's most well preserved ocean sanctuaries...it's the atmosphere of Monterey that is so relaxing. The weather rarely goes above 70 degrees, the fog gives a comforting feel to this harbor city, and the people are warm and friendly.
2. Most Charming City: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Webster defines charming as "extremely pleasing or delightful: entrancing". Go to Luxembourg City and see if you can walk away from the city without being entranced. Luxembourg City is a multi-layer city, connected with bridges. It's so often overlooked, but Luxembourg is a major hub in Europe, as Luxembourg is home to the EU Secretariat.
3. Most Beautiful City: Pebble Beach, California
The other candidates for this title were Nice, Geneva, Zurich, and Strasbourg. But these other candidates do not compare to Pebble Beach. I've yet to see a place in the world that comes close to the natural beauty and splendid views that Pebble Beach offers.
4. Most Cosmopolitan City: Geneva, Switzerland
With over 250 world headquarters (including the United Nations and Red Cross), it's hard to argue that there is a city more cosmopolitan than Geneva. Geneva has world class shopping, banking, universities and businesses. Geneva is also very beautiful and clean.
5. Most Touristy City: London, England
This was a difficult choice for me to make. But, honestly, when I look back at all the cities I've visited and the memories that are evoked, the memory of London that I have is of all the tourist shops. Also, everything costs money for tourists. For example, in Paris, you rarely have to pay to go into a church. In London, you have to pay to go into almost every church. And when the dollar is so weak against the pound, it's no fun.
6. Most Efficient City: Copenhagen, Denmark
Hands down, Copenhagen was the most efficient city I've ever visited. The airport was easy to navigate, the trains ran like clock-work, the Copenhagen city card was well worth the money, and the city is easy to get around. One of the highlights of my Copenhagen trip was taking a water bus across the harbor...and it ran right on time!
7. Cleanest City: Vienna, Austria
Vienna offers a lot to see but one thing that really struck me about Vienna was that it was so clean. The parks were well maintained, the city had very little trash in it, and the tourist areas were particularly clean. Vienna has a really creepy metro system, but it's balanced out by the clean-ness and open atmosphere of the city.
8. Most Historical City: Paris, France
After living in Paris for a year, I can assure you that this could possibly be the most historical city in the world. From the Louvre to Notre Dame to Montmartre, there is historical appreciation everywhere in Paris. No matter what era of history you enjoy, be it the French Revolution or World War II, Paris has something to offer for every history buff.
9. Friendliest City: Strasbourg, France
I was so surprised with Strasbourg. For more information, you can read my previous post on the city. It was such a nice blend of French and German cultures. The people were very helpful and friendly, nothing like what I was expecting (probably because I had been living in Paris for 7 months). It's too bad that more people don't visit Strasbourg because if they did, France might have a friendlier reputation.
10. Best Food: Munich, Germany
Let me just say that I do not normally like German food. But, out of all the places I visited, I had good food at every meal I ate in Munich. Granted, it was a lot of beer and pretzels, but it was really good.
11. Most Affordable City: Salinas, California
Salinas is the "salad bowl of America", meaning that almost 80% of all fruits and vegetables come from Salinas. Driving through Salinas is a great drive, but more importantly, there are the many farmers markers that Salinas offers, from Monterey to Santa Cruz. It's possible to buy 2 pounds of strawberries for $3.00. That's affordable.
12. Best Shopping: New York City, New York
If you disagree, visit my Mom when she's in Manhattan, and you'll change your mind. Trust me.
13. Most Majestic City: Boston, Massachusetts
I flew from Paris to Boston and got a beautiful view of the Boston skyline. There is something majestic about the skyline of Boston right on the harbor. I have fond memories of strolling down Newbury Street, visiting the Boston Aquarium and walking the Freedom Trail. So maybe my version of Boston has been idealized, but to me, it's one of the most majestic cities in the world.
14. Best Overall City (Europe): Zurich, Switzerland
This was a difficult decision, but ultimately, Zurich encompasses everything that I loved about many different European cities. It is beautiful, peaceful, charming, and friendly. The churches are lovely and the swans on the lake are magical. Being in Zurich is like being in a snowglobe.
15. Best Overall City (United States): San Francisco, California
Why San Francisco? If you remember my rules, I had to have visited the city since May 2007, otherwise I would have put Washington, DC. But I really, really like San Francisco. I love the cool weather, the fog, the lights on the Bay at night, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Chinese food. The people are friendly and there is a lot of culture in the city, and I like that a lot.
There you have it! I'll be living in Monterey, California this summer but plan on making many trips. I have ideas about going to Big Sur, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, possibly Napa or Sonoma, and San Francisco. Also, after I graduate (in December), I want to take a big trip. My first choice right now is Cairo, Egypt. If anyone has any other ideas, send me an email and let me know!
