Traveling the world is one of the most exciting things to do. Hopping onto a plane or boat and making it to the next dream destination is a hugely captivating adventure for many.
One of the best things about traveling is the completely different cultures, rituals and daily habits of the area’s people. It’s even more exciting if go to completely different places, some rich in history and others rich in culture.
This article aims to shed light on 4 cities in the world, that are completely different from each other and offer contrasting attractions but that are all worth a visit!
Las Vegas, U.S.
A hugely popular area within the U.S. and a city that many Americans visit at least once in their lifetime. The top 6 city to visit after New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Orlando.
A unique spot in the world that is hard to replicate because it is already filled with so many replicas, such as the Eifel Tower and the Pyramids of Egypt.
Las Vegas is rich in excitement, glitz and glamour. It boasts some of the most well-known casinos to date, such as the Bellagio and the Venetian, which offer tourists the thrilling adventure of placing bets and potentially walking away with great winnings.
You can click here to read more about some sensational gaming offers. Many people know the casino world of Las Vegas from famous movies such as Oceans 11, which had a star-studded cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon.
The excitement and allure that these movies gave to Las Vegas can never be taken away and are one of the big reasons that many tourists flock to the city – to get a taste of that Las Vegas life.
This city is known as the entertainment city of the world, with many events taking place, including highly anticipated fighting matches and concerts.
Many UFC fights are held at the MGM Grand Hotel, with fighters entertaining massive audiences. The city knows how to put on a show, with music, celebrities and dancers on-site at every single UFC fight. If you’re not interested in martial arts, Las Vegas still has a lot to offer.
Famous singers are often on stage belting out their famous tunes, such as Cher, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Adele. All of whom took up residency and offered pro-longer tour dates in the city of entertainment.
Restaurants are also in high demand in this desert city. Famous chefs such as Gordan Ramsy opened up multiple restaurants in the city, captivating guests with delectable British cuisine.
Saint Honoré is a cult attraction, offering some of the most delicious couture doughnuts and beignets in the whole of the U.S. making one thing for sure – Las Vegas has plenty to offer.
Cape Town, South Africa
Taking a massive leap across the world, to the tip of Africa, you find yourself in Cape Town, South Africa. Known for its exquisite beaches and year-round warm weather, this is a city you have to visit before you die.
This city offers many beautiful natural enchantments, such as one of the natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain which forms the centerpiece of the city.
The mountain stands at 1,086 meters, more than 3,500 feet high with two cable cars leading up and down from the base of the mountain. For those more adventurous, you can also aim to hike up the mountain.
The hike is steep and filled with big rocks that you essentially need to climb up with your full body but no ropes are required. A tedious and tiring 2 – 3 hour adventure but one that is met with some of the most beautiful views in the world of the Atlantic Ocean and the city.
Robben Island is another must-see spot in Cape Town, which is the island that housed the noble and great Nelson Mandela for 27 years.
A country that was then riddled with racism and functioned on an oppressive society through the ‘Apartheid’ closely meaning ‘separate nature’ in the language called Afrikaans.
Take a short boat ride from the Waterfront harbor and spend a few hours on the island with a guide who explains how Robben Island and the country used to operate before the democracy in 1994 when Nelson Mandela was elected the new president, representing the party ANC (African National Congress).
For visitors looking for some beauty in the city, the beaches of Cape Town are stunning. If you plan on visiting Cape Town in the summer, which runs from November – March, be sure to go to Camps Bay, Clifton, Kalk Bay and Blouberg Beach and lounge around on the white and yellow sands of South Africa.
One thing to note is that the water is very cold, as the Atlantic Ocean forms the main water source for the beaches in Cape Town. The current is also very strong, with large waves hitting the shorelines, so be sure to swim where the lifeguard instructs or better yet, swim in one of the tidal pools along the ocean bed.
Don’t forget to go for a famous South African ‘braai’ which is known elsewhere as a ‘barbeque’. The meats in South Africa are famous, the ostrich, kudu or beef steak making for some of the most beloved braai dishes.
The smokey flavor of the food, coupled with the South African tradition of standing at the beach with a fire whilst watching the sunset and sharing a meal, is a piece of culture that every tourist should aim to experience.
Lima, Peru
Another hop across the world, all the way over to South America.
Known mainly for the captivating cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, there are other exciting places to visit within South America.
One area that is often overseen but that offers a massive amount of culture and history in Lima, Peru. The city itself is busy and relatively cosmopolitan but they have managed to keep their culture rich in the food they offer, with fresh granadilla juice and hot churros being sold all over the city on the sides of the streets.
This city is also an important gateway to one of the most beautiful natural sites not too far away from Lima, namely Machu Picchu. Most travelers use Lima as a sounding board to move on and start their adventure of hiking toward Aguas Calientes, which is the base town for anyone looking to hike up Machu Picchu.
Spending time in Lima is a great way to first enquire about certain tour operators and find the best price. Taking a short flight closer to the area and then acclimatizing for a few days before starting the hike up the mountain is the best step as the high altitudes of Machu Picchu stand roughly 7,900 meters or almost 30,000 feet above sea level.
Many travelers choose what is called the ‘Incan Trek’ which is usually a 3 to 5-day hike through the Incan Mountains which gets you to Aguas Calientes through a maze of jungle and South American agriculture.
It’s important to find a trustworthy and safe tour guide, as some are not legal and take travelers through treacherous treks just to save time.
The hike from base camp to the top of Machu Picchu only takes about an hour, with hikers forming a line outside the mountain entrance from 4 a.m. to catch the sunrise once up.
The breathtaking views of the old Incan Ruins are as breathtaking as beautiful. There are many rumors about why the area was abandoned, spanning over smallpox, civil war and the Spanish Conquest. No one will ever know the true reason but one thing is for sure, it should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Vienna, Austria
If you are looking for a city rich in culture and history, then Vienna is the place for you. Nestled in the small country of Austria, Vienna is a cosmopolitan European city.
This city is known for its spectacular museums, castles, government buildings and parks. It was voted the number one best city to live in, in the entire world for 2023 and received this title consecutively in previous years for many reasons. The museums, such as the ‘Naturhistorische’ and ‘Kulturhistorische’ offer some of the most beautiful and timeless art.
The castles, such as ‘Schönbrunn’ were home to the famous Empress Elisabeth of Austria famed for her beauty and was long considered one of the most beautiful women in the world. There are huge buildings, such as the Hofburg, which is where Hitler gave his famous speech, now known as the ‘Hitler balcony’ where he spoke in his famous dictatorial manner. A city rich in history and culture – a sure stop for anyone doing a Euro tour.
Visitors can also look forward to beautiful scenic areas and outdoor adventures. The Danube River runs through the city, offering a swimming opportunity for locals and travelers alike. Rent a city bike from the city center and cycle for a mere 20 minutes to reach the Danube River.
Set up a picnic spot and lay out a towel to enjoy sunbathing directly in the middle of the city. If water and swimming are not your cup of tea, Vienna boats plenty of well-mainted parks, all around the city. One of the most beautiful is the ‘Türkenschanz’ park situated in the 18th district of Vienna. Other noteworthy parks are ‘Stadtpark’, ‘Volksgarten’ or the ‘Rathaus Platz’ parks which have plenty of grass areas for a towel, many clean benches and history-rich statues to look at.
One last thing that you can
ot forget when it comes to Vienna is the food. Don’t forget to try their famous ‘Goulasch’ which is a beef stew and finish it off with a sweet dessert of ‘Apfelstrudel’ which is a sweet apple casserole. The ‘Sachertorte’ is a delectable cake, that is the most famous in the whole country and served famously at the ‘Sacher Hotel’ in the first district.
A chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam makes for the perfect end to every meal. The country loves chocolate, with famous items such as the ‘Mozartkugel’, a pistachio, marzipan and nougat ball covered in dark chocolate and named after the famous composer, Mozart who is from Austria, is one of the most beloved daily treats for Austrians and tourists alike.