Going on holiday and taking a break from the world is the best thing anyone can do for themselves. What’s even better is leaving your guidebook in the hotel room and just winging it. Letting your nose, eyes and feet guide you through a city is a fantastic way to find its heart. Take the number of a local cab service and the address to your hotel with you.
Here are five cities that you will want to get lost in:
Istanbul, Turkey
Step away from the major tourist attractions and find a hidden world of local shops, juice vendors, eateries, bars and shish cafes. Let yourself listen to the sounds of the streets and the call to prayer from the city’s mosques. And while you’re in the city, make it a point to visit the Grand Bazaar.
Venice, Italy
While the canals are one of the major attractions of Venice that you want to experience, there are many hidden alleys and off the beaten track waterways you can explore too. You can great a taste of everyday Venetian life by heading up to Cannaregio. For an extra special experience, walk through the city at night and enjoy the sound of the water in the dark.
San Francisco, USA
Get away from the tourist areas and take a walk through the different neighbourhoods that make up the city. From North Beach to Chinatown, Mission District to the Castro, you will find shops, bars, eateries and other things that will catch your fancy that you won’t find in the guidebook. You can catch a cab or bus, streetcar, Muni Metro light rail or the city’s famous cable cars to get from one neighbourhood to another.
Bruges, Belgium
Belgium is a land known for their beer and their chocolates. The old city of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is surrounded by canals. It has cobblestone streets, small homes and shops full of tasty treats. While the city is not very big, you can still have fun exploring the buildings, alleyways and hidden squares.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam
Vietnam is a country that is changing and Ho Chi Minh City will surprise you. It is full of scooters and motorcycles but very easy to traverse thanks to the spiralling grid from District 1, also known as Saigon. The best way to see the city is by motor taxi. Decide where you want to go and head out.
