Fifteen cities down, and eleven more to go. Time to add five new cities to the list.
For the second-to-last installment of Alphabet Cities, these five cities finally start to touch the back half of the alphabet, though the offerings remain as diverse as ever. All five of these cities are from locations as varied as possible, if you have been struggling to think about where your next adventures should push forward to next.
An interesting fact about these cities is that they are all capitals of their home countries and regions, if you ever wanted to have a great taste of what the location has to offer. Each city is incredibly rich in culture and is definitely worth a visit if you can.
Port Louis, Mauritius
As the name states, the city was originally a port for French and then British colonies. Now, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a well-known meeting place for the young locals, and an interesting Chinese and Indian mix that appears in the cultural makeup of the community.
Shopping in the Bazaar pairs well with Chinatown for eating, and many historical buildings, museums, and beaches are very much waiting for you to enjoy when you get here. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Quito, Ecuador
Fancy an adventure at the top? Quito is actually the second-highest capital city in the world, and you get two “cities” for the price of one. The “Old City” contains the heritage district and a slew of notable historical buildings like Government Palace, while the “New City” houses the restaurants, cinemas, and Quito’s more modern side. If you’re tired of the two “cities,” then you could easily take a break in one of the many open spaces and parks in the area, with gardens and trees galore. Not a bad time at all for being atop the mountains.
Riga, Latvia
If you ever wanted to take an adventure to the Baltics, then you can’t go wrong with the region’s largest city. Take a chance to walk around the city and marvel at its Art Nouveau beauty, where many decorative houses are simply gorgeous.
There are also medieval offerings in terms of castles and cathedrals that are definitely worth checking out, as well as some churches that you don’t need to be religious to admire. Just walk the streets of Riga and prepare to be amazed.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
It’s another former port capital city, though this time it was colonized by the Spanish, and it is just as worth it to visit and take a trip there. Memories of its colonial past echo heavily through the streets and in buildings like San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal.
The beaches are abundant and the nightlife areas are plentiful enough to enjoy through the night. After that, parks like Parque de las Palomas and Paseo de la Princesa are perfect places to relax and sit idly by the next day.
Tbilisi, Georgia
If you want real history, like the kind of history that has witnessed 5000 years of colonizers and still came out on top, then you should definitely visit the charm and sophistication of Tbilisi. Pace through the streets and you’ll madly fall in love with the 19th-century houses and streets full of intimate charm.
However, the best part of the city is absolutely the people. One simple utterance of the word “gamarjabat,” or hello in English, and you’ll quickly gain friends and be asked to join in on the fun.
From P to T, these capital cities are absolutely worth visiting, or at least deserve a footnote in your journals for the next time you plan a vacation.
