Grace on Pace

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Our 10 Favorite Cities Around the World

Our 10 Favorite Cities Around the World

Our 10 Favorite Cities Around the World

Cities have never been our preferred places to visit or spend tons of time, but in retrospect, certain cities we would love to go back to all over again.  Urbanites across the globe agree on a few things about their built environment, they want great architecture, food, activities, parks, open space, and transportation.  We may be in the “century of the city”, but the most integral factor, which is included in all of the points above, is clearly a city’s people.  They will ultimately set the tone for when you explore our top ten favorite cities below…


Our 10 Favorite Cities

Favorite Cities #10 – Chiang Mai, Thailand

Nestled into a valley of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai can be a sanctuary, where many stay much longer than they had anticipated. The city is laid-back and international but the landscapes and temples celebrate a traditional culture ideal for travelers, hipsters, nature lovers, and city connoisseurs.

Favorite Cities #9 – Cape Town, South Africa

Surf the Atlantic, climb mountains, indulge in wine tours and still find time to relax on the beach (with or without penguins).  Cape Town continues to reinvent itself as one of the most livable cities in the world.

Favorite Cities #8 – Bangkok, Thailand

Shiny Buddhist temples next to slick skyscrapers where long-tail boats race the automobile. The sweet and spicy food—served on the street or from the top of high-rise towers—Bangkok is addicting, affordable, and delicious.

Favorite Cities #7 – Mandalay, Myanmar

Mandalay is the economic center of northern Myanmar and considered the center of Burmese culture.  We feel lucky to have visited Myanmar in 2014 before it has rocketed to the top of must-go-now lists everywhere as travelers try to get in before the country is overrun with development.  A metropolis of Buddhism, we have not found a friendlier city in our travelers.

Favorite Cities #6 – Athens, Greece

Worshiped by gods, Athens is a city with the most magical history in the world.  A city where democracy was born and you can stroll through one of the most famous archaeological monuments in the world.

Favorite Cities #5 – Hanoi, Vietnam

The 1,000-year-old capital, considered one of the most affordable cities to visit is one of the best values for your money.  A low-rise city of lakes, peaceful parks, and outstanding cuisine, the city is a pleasant experience of exploring an often understood culture.  A cruise through nearby Halong Bay will be unforgettable.

Favorite Cities #4 – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

One the “happiest” cities in the world, famous for its Carnival festival, Rio’s gorgeous natural surroundings lend themselves to endless outdoor activities.  Even away from the samba and the soccer, Rio’s parks, beaches, gardens, and cultural sites kept everyday exiting and pleasant.

Favorite Cities #3  – Beijing, China

Rich in history, both ancient and modern, Beijing is home to an assortment of premier sites, most famously the Great Wall of China. Must sees, also include the Forbidden City, the largest ancient imperial palace complex in the world; the Temple of Heaven, an awesome site of imperial worship; and the Summer Palace, a lovely imperial garden.  There is also Tian’anmen Square where the People’s Republic of China was inaugurated by Chairman Mao and sure to be the site of many future events as China takes its next steps as a World power.

Favorite Cities #2  – Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is a vibrant city, straddling Europe and Asia as well as Christianity and Islam for thousands of years. The reality is that it’s very easy to travel, locals don’t try to hassle you or rip you off.  The city is beautiful, cheap, and full of life, cool bars, delicious food, and great sites.  Most of all, its and great place to witness where east meets west and get to know someone from a different background.

Favorite Cities #1 – Washington DC, USA

The Smithsonian doesn’t rob you of 24 bucks to experience history.  It’s centrally located to a bunch of great places: Philadelphia, New York, Ocean City, Richmond, Baltimore and you can drive an hour one way and reach the mountains, an hour another way to the beach, and an hour yet another way to the farmlands and country roads of Maryland.  Again, I may be a little bias here, but based on livability, sprawl, green space, natural assets, cultural assets, connectivity, isolation, and pollution, it tops the list in the US and is on par with any city world wide.


Southeast Asia Itinerary “Sampler Plate”

Southeast Asia Itinerary


South East Asia No. 1

Southeast Asia Itinerary – Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, & Cambodia “Sampler Plate”

Temples, Beaches, Great Walls, Monasteries, Tigers, and Elephants

Five Weeks (January 30th – March 3rd, 2014)

Since most international airlines fly to Bangkok, we decided to book a flight with a connection in Beijing and take advantage of the new 3-day visa on arrival. With our 72 hour clock ticking, we spent our time scaling the great wall, wandering the Forbidden City, and getting lost amid the city’s hútòng (narrow alleyways).

After securing our Myanmar visa in Bangkok, we wasted no time and booked a round-trip ticket to the ancient capital of Mandalay. After a 6 day round-trip minibus journey to the ruins of Bagan, Mount Popa, and the island monasteries of Inle Lake, we headed back to Bangkok.

Southeast Asia Itinerary

Southeast Asia Itinerary

We then took the direct bus to Siem Reap to see Angkor’s magnificent temples, before busing to charming Phnom Penh and on to Vietnam’s bustling Ho Chi Minh City.

Southeast Asia Itinerary

Next, we worked our way north with a stop in delightful Hội An, for atmospheric strolls and relaxing on the beach. Stuffed and bronzed, we moved onward to the antique streets of Hanoi and the awe inspiring Halong Bay.

Southeast Asia Itinerary

We then air-lifted out of Vietnam to laid-back Luang Prabang, Laos’ world-heritage city filled with temples, French colonial buildings, elephants and hill-tribe adventures. We then flew to chic Chiang Mai for temple-spotting, thai food, and tiger encounters, before heading back to Bangkok for our journey home.

Southeast Asia Itinerary

Southeast Asia Itinerary

 

Southeast Asia Itinerary

Budget = $3,700 / Person (Traveling with Eight People)
Flight - New York to Bangkok + 6 Regional Flights$3700
Bus, Tuk Tuk, Taxi, Moto Rental & Boats$3700
Lodging - Hostels & Hotels$3700
Food$3700
Activities - Entrance Fees, Massages, etc.$3700
Southeast Asia Itinerary Packing List

Documents / Essentials

  • Passport (w/copy in Paper) (w/scan saved online)
  • Dollar Cash Money (3-$100, 5-$20, 5-$10, 10-$5, 20-$1)
  • Driver’s License (w/copy in Paper) (w/scan saved online)
  • Credit Card (Visa or Mastercard) Call to Inform Them
  • Debit Card (Visa or Mastercard) Call to Inform Them
  • Myanmar Visa Application (Filled out Two Copies)
  • Flight Itineraries Printed Out (To Obtain Visas)

Liquids / Toiletries (In Plastic Bags)

  • Sun Screen
  • Tooth Paste
  • Bug Repellant
  • Mouth Wash
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Razor
  • Shaving Cream
  • Q-Tips
  • Nail Clippers
  • Advil
  • Imodium
  • Ciprofloxacin (Need Prescription)
  • Antihistamine Itch Cream
  • Lotion
  • Lip Balm

Food

  • Gummies
  • Pretzels
  • Beef Jerky
  • Granola Bars
  • Chewing Gum

Accessories

  • 48 Liter Backpack
  • Glasses
  • Sun Glasses
  • Belt
  • Lonely Planet Book
  • Camera w/ Charger
  • Phone w/charger
  • Outlet Converters
  • Head Lamp
  • Hat
  • USB Drives
  • Memory Cards For Camera
  • Day Bag
  • Dry Bag
  • MP3 Player w/ Headphones
  • Ear Plugs
  • Zip Lock Bags
  • Chewing Gum
  • Pen(s)
  • Travel Towel
  • Playing Cards
  • Book to Read

Clothes

  • (Wear) Sweat Shirt – Give Away on Arrival
  • (Wear) Jeans – Give Away on Arrival
  • Tennis Shoes
  • Sandals
  • Socks (5 Pair)
  • Underwear (12)
  • Khaki Shorts (3)
  • Swim Suit
  • Speedo
  • T-shirts (10)
  • Tank Tops (3)
  • Long-sleeve T (1)
  • Dress Shirts (2)

Southeast Asia Itinerary “Beaches”

Southeast Asia Itinerary

Southeast Asia Itinerary “Beaches” – Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, & Philippines

Beaches, Terraces, Towers, and Deserted Islands

Five Weeks (January 26th – February 26, 2012)

From Bangkok, we began our Southeast Asia itinerary by making a beeline for the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, spending time on the dive crazy Ko Tao and hippie Ko Pha Ngan.  Next we made our way across the peninsula to Krabi and the beachy hotspot of Ko Phi Phi, on Thailand’s Andaman coast.

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We then caught a cheap flight from Phuket to sophisticated Singapore and rented a car in Johor Bahru to explore mainland Malaysia. After 40+ years of Jennilou’s father being away home, we began our journey in Senai with a visit to his birthplace and his mothers and grandmothers grave stones. After Jennilou met her uncles, aunts, and cousins for the first time in Kelapa Sawit, we made our way to the future growth center of Kuantan for the evening. In the morning, we continued north to Terengganu to visit Jennilou’s aging and oldest aunt as she was unable to make the trip to Kelapa Sawit. Next, we headed to Malaysia’s multi-ethnic capital Kuala Lumpur before finishing our trip in the “historic state” of Malacca.

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Back in Singapore we fueled up at our favorite hawker Food Stalls and headed to Puerto Princesa (Philippines), for a week long sailing trip with Tao from El Nido to Coron.

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Using Manila we organized a trek to the Banaue Rice Terraces of North Luzon before ending our trip basking on Boracay’s party beaches.

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Southeast Asia Itinerary Budget = $3,100 / Person (Traveling with Six People)
Flight - New York to Bangkok & Manila to New York + 3 Regional Flights$3100
Bus, Tuk Tuk, Taxi, Moto Rental & Boats$3100
Lodging - Hostels & Hotels$3100
Food$3100
Activities - Entrance Fees, Massages, etc.$3100