Top 10 Cities

Now that I've been to Rome, I feel I can put together some sort of a 'top 10' list for cities. There are two lists - Top 10 Cities I Would Visit Again and Top 10 Cities I'll Never Visit Again. Here they are:

Top 10 Cities I Would Visit Again

I'm actually not really a big city person. I prefer nature or activity travel, but visits to major cities are often more convenient. You can get a good cultural experience from most cities also. The rankings below were determined first by pure gut feeling, and then justified afterwards.

1. Sydney - I'm not sure I can really say that I've seen Sydney since I spent most of my 2 weeks there bumming on Manly Beach. I honestly don't remember doing much else. I think I spent a day in the city, visiting the Opera House and Bondi Beach. Oh, a few days were spent up in the Blue Mountains where I hiked all day and swam (at a local pool) in the afternoon, everyday. I could do this all over again.
2. Washington, D.C. - There are tons of nice things to see here - monuments, memorials, museums, zoo, etc. etc. Plus good nightlife and the restaurants are up and coming. There are enough greens (lawns, trees, etc.) to make a nice atmoshphere to stroll around in. A fountain here and there to relax by. Some of the country's best museums are there. The best part of it all? It's all FREE! My last endorsement of the city is here.
3. Tokyo - This is practically my second home. I lived here for two years and have family and friends there. I'm back here at least once every other year. The crowds suck a bit, but if that can be overlooked, you have the craziest place like no other. Food's great, service is great, and everything is just oh-so-cute. Some posts from my recent trip to Tokyo over the holidays are here and here.
4. Paris - There's a lot of nice places to stroll around in Paris. The cafes are charming, and you can get crepes everywhere. Lots of great museum too. Nearby Versailles is also a place I'd like to go again. First time there was a week back in '98. Also had a short trip there back in Oct.
5. London - It's sort of like New York (see #6), but with more history. You won't get bored in this city with all the different sites, parks, and day trips you can do from here. I lived here for four months but I wouldn't complain if I had to go back. The only downside is the strength of the GBP. Post on last trip there is here.
6. New York - Another former residence (for 2.5 years) where you can get and do anything. Museums, broadway shows, night clubs, restaurants, Central Park, karaoke boxes, you name it... you will never be bored. And with such a diverse crowd of people living in the city, you are bound to meet some people with similar interests as you. You can find a club or a social circle for just about everything. The mountains are also only a few hours away for some decent hiking and snowboarding. Post on last trip there is here.
7. Capetown - The best city in South Africa bar none. The beaches are crystal blue (albeit cold) with white sand, table mountain is fun to climb, you can see Penguins, you have a waterfront, and you're in one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited. Your dollar or euro will go a bit further than the above cities also.
8. Kyoto - A must see in Japan. Been there three times or so but I keep going back to the same stupid temples because I like them. I need to check out some of the other ones though. In spring time when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it is just absolutely beautiful there.
9. San Francisco - Home of the Ghirardelli chocolate factory. You can go there and get a free sample, and then go back again later when the shifts have changed. Chocolate isn't the only reason it's on the list either. This is a city surrounded by hills and water. Pretty neat. Plus, it's got a lot of Japanese influence being that it's on the West coast. The Golden Gate bridge is also pretty, and the cable cars are just charming.
10. Hong Kong - I had a hard time picking this last one. I chose Hong Kong in the end because I was only there for two days (on a business trip at that) when I was there and I don't think that did it any justice. I like the Chinese culture and would like to spend more time in that part. I hope next year I will get to do the China trip I've been planning for 2 years now!

Top 10 Cities I'll Never Visit Again

As a good friend always reminds me - never is a really long time. So let me put it this way - these were the cities I thought sucked royally (imho). The only way I'd go back is if someone paid me to go.

1. New Delhi - I was only there in passing on my way to Agra, but the 2 or 3 hours I was there was more than enough. The city was just filthy and crowded. I was also there with a group and we ended up getting split up because our taxi drivers took us to different places. Lucky for us we found each other in Agra.
2. Athens - I was there 3 days and it was two too many. There is nothing to see or do there except Acropolis. For all the other frustrations I encountered there, read this post.
3. Los Angeles - A massive sprawling city for the rich and famous. Hollywood is the only tourist site and touristy it is. It's just not worth the traffic to go into L.A. Stick to the surrounding areas like the beaches.
4. Cairo - I had to go for the Pyramids. Aside from that tho, the people there were mostly rude and were always after your money. Check out my post on Egypt for more.
5. Dubai - Three words sum up this place: traffic, construction, and boring. Oh, make that four: expensive. See my Dubai post for more.
6. Durban - Anywhere where they tell you to take a taxi after dark, even though you're in a group, going to a destination that's about a five minute walk, can't be good. Aside from that, there's just nothing to do. (Get eaten by sharks at the beach?) It's just a place where backpackers can stock up on stuff you can only get from cities before trodding off to better places.
7. Naha (Okinawa) - Yet another boring place. I think it would've been a lot nicer tho had I had some company and could rent a car to explore around. I was basically at the mercy of Japanese tours which shuffled you from one stop to another, with a break at a souvenir shop every chance possible.
8. Cancun - Mexico's great, but Cancun isn't Mexico. It's about as touristy as it gets with every kind of American chain restaurants imaginable in existance there. The surrounding areas are great though, just bypass Cancun itself. See my Riviera Maya post for more.
9. Rome - I just had too high of an expectation for this place. The place is overrated. You probably saw my recent post. I'll leave it at that.
10. St. Petersburg - A lot of people say it is nice, but I just didn't see that. There is the Hermitage and few other things to see but not much else. I remember having a hard time finding a place to eat. The streets also seemed dead. Hardly saw anyone walking around. Then again, this was back in '96 when I was less experienced in traveling. Maybe I just didn't know where to look.

Btw, for your reference, here are the list of places I've been to. Perhaps next time I will do a top 10 list of places to see in general.