5 Cities I Can’t Wait to Visit Again
So far, I’ve lived, traveled, visited, volunteered or studied in 33 countries around the world and even more cities. I’ve had amazing experiences in every place that I’ve been. But there are some that I just can’t wait to visit again!
These are the places that put a smile on my face when I think about them. They’re places where I have made some amazing memories. They’re places that I haven’t been to in a while and where I may have left something undiscovered. Usually, when I’m looking for flight deals or planning future trips, I’m primarily looking to go to places I’ve never been before. But I would make an exception for these five cities!
London
London is probably #1 on my “can’t wait to visit again” list. I fell in love with London hard and fast when I first visited back in 2012. It was the very first stop on my first solo trip and first journey to Europe. I was immediately enchanted by the historical buildings, cute houses and mesmerizing accents. London combined some of my favourite things: a fun and exciting city, live theatre and the royal family. After that first visit, I was able to travel to London again on my way to Swaziland, and on three separate trips while I studied abroad in Amsterdam. For a while, I planned to live in London. But life happened and plans changed. While I probably won’t be living in London anytime soon, I’d love to visit again.
Cape Town
I went to Cape Town for a birthday weekend adventure while I was interning in Swaziland with my friend, Ale, back in 2013. Our experience in Swaziland was totally life changing and I wouldn’t give it up for a minute, but it was also really hard. The day to day work we were doing was stressful and we both hit some breaking points during that summer. So Cape Town was the perfect escape. We loved the vibrant city, beaches, markets and delicious food. One of the best days was when we drove out to Simon’s Town, enjoying the view the whole ride out, and then got to see the little penguins on Boulder Beach. The next day, we drove out to Cape Point and took in even more incredible views. I would love to visit Cape Town again to soak in all those views one more time and explore the city even more.
Amsterdam
Uh, Amsterdam. It hurts my heart that I haven’t been back to my home of five months in over four years. I studied abroad in Amsterdam in 2014 and had the most incredible time. I met the best people, people I still call friends to this day, and got to go on so many adventures around Europe. But the best part was just making Amsterdam really feel like home. The canals, the cute Dutch homes, the cafes, the parks – everything about living in Amsterdam was awesome. Even the grocery stores were cool! Amsterdam is definitely a place I want to visit again – and hopefully soon. It’s an expensive city, but I’d love to be able to call it home again one day.
Seoul
Seoul, South Korea is an interesting one for me because I don’t usually talk about it. If you asked me my favourite cities, London, Amsterdam and Cape Town would be my top three (and Vancouver, of course!). Seoul is a city I usually forget about. And that’s exactly why I want to visit again. I went to Seoul in the summer of 2006 when I was only 14 years old. I went with my family friend, her mom and her mom’s boyfriend at the time who lived in Seoul. We had a ton of fun – eating the best food, being silly at karaoke, exploring temples and climbing mountains. I remember bits and pieces of the trip, but I don’t remember it all. And I certainly wasn’t involved in planning the itinerary. So I’d love to go back to Seoul and rediscover it as an adult.
Melbourne
When I look back on my Australia trip, I admit that I did like Sydney better than Melbourne. Sydney was a cool city. I loved the urban vibe and the beaches were phenomenal. There was so much to do and so many attractions to see. But I always said, Sydney was the place to see but Melbourne was the place to live. I didn’t have a ton of time in Melbourne on my trip, so when I visit again, I want to spend longer in the city. I think Melbourne is a place you fall in love with as you slowly discover the best cafes, parks and restaurants hidden in the alleyways. It’s somewhere I’d love to spend some more time. And I wouldn’t say no to driving the Great Ocean Road again!
There are tons of other cities I’d love to go back to (like Rome, for that one amazing gelato shop, or Cusco, Peru to make it up to Machu Picchu), but these are the five that I really can’t wait to visit again.
Which city are you dying to get back to?
Beautiful pictures Boo, and love the stories behind each city. You look very happy in them as well. I remember you telling me how much I would love Cape Town and that you and I will go back one day, would love that! Um, Seoul was 2007, the year I graduated from Sutherland-Chan. Remember you weren’t here for my grad but surprised me with a sweet grad card and got me a graduating pillow that had 2007 on it.
Thanks, Moo! Yes, we definitely need to get back to Cape Town. Thanks for the correction on Seoul 🙂
It was so great reading this knowing that you got to go back to London this past week! 🙂 I love thinking back on my favorite places I’ve visited. Like you said, I’m usually looking to explore somewhere different, but there will always be countries and locations within them that have kept a firm grip on my heart. It’s a hard balance, too, now that I’m with M because I really want to show and share with him the places that had such a profound impact on me while forging our own path and making new memories.
I’d love to hear more about your experience in Swaziland. (Apologies if it’s on the site and I haven’t found it yet.) We’ve discussed before how difficult international volunteering can be, and I’d like to hear your story.
Thanks for reading, Gwen! Yes, it was so awesome that we lucked out and got to visit London briefly. I had no clue that would happen when I was writing this post.
I totally hear you about wanting to explore new places with your partner but also show them places you’ve loved. Colin didn’t love London on his first visit back in high school and I really want to make him fall in love with it like I have.
There are some posts on Swaziland on the blog (if you head up to the International travel section and go to Africa, most of those are in Swaziland). But I do want to write up a post sometime about international volunteering and my thoughts on it. Such a big topic with so many different opinions.
Great pictures! We also love London.
Thanks! Yes, London is amazing!
I can understand London, but I have to say, I was not enamoured with Seoul. The cities I want to return to are much smaller: Segovia, Spain, Catania, Sicily, Heidelberg, Germany. These just felt more at home to me.
Good choices! I love some smaller cities too. Sadly I haven’t been to any on your list but have heard great things about all of them.