The World's Best Capital Cities
The world's best capital cities are exciting, romantic and chock full of culture. Most will have great hotels at all price levels, and a cracking mass transit system that makes it easy to get in and out of the city. At least one city makes up in beauty and history what it lacks in modernity, but it's still worth it to go!
Paris, France
Forget about those folks who say Parisians are rude. They're not, but it does help the tourist to speak just a bit of French. Everyone knows where they have to go: the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the Left and Right Banks, the Champs Elysees, Notre Dame. The city is not only beautiful, but it works.
Sydney, Australia
It's not only the capital but the biggest city, seated on a famous and huge bay dominated by that opera house with its sail-like roofs. The city has not only the bay, but beaches before it and mountains behind it. The visitor should take some time to shop in Redfern, meander around Hyde Park and have a bite to eat at the restaurants of King's Cross. From Sydney, most of the other big cities in Oz are readily accessible.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
This great, big bustling city feels a bit European, but its heart is still Latin. The tourist should make sure they check out Avenida 9 de Julio, which is supposed to be the widest avenue in the world, the Casa Rosada and the National History Museum. Some of the best places to shop remain the Calle de Santa Fe and the Calle Florida and the visitor can tango the night away at one of the trendy dance halls. What's more, any purchases made with an amex india card can earn you Membership Rewards points to spend on travel.
Wellington, New Zealand
Has any city ever been more green, literally and figuratively? Famous for its eco-friendliness, New Zealand seems to have the best of all worlds, from Caribbean climate to Swiss Alps to Norwegian-type fjords. The visitor should stop by the Museum of New Zealand and the city's many arts and music festivals. If they're lucky, they can visit the Weta Workshop and give a shout out to the folks who brought the world the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Stockholm, Sweden
This city is built on a series of islands in Lake Malaren and the Baltic Sea. The New City is both beautiful and efficient and nothing expresses that better than the City Hall, or Stadshuset. Since Stockholm is built on water, a great way to see the place is via boat. The visitor should make sure to stop at the Royal Palace, the Riddarholm Church and the beautiful Djurgarden with its recreation of old Swedish villages.
Thimphu, Bhutan
How can one beat a country that has a happiness index? This smallish capital is tucked in a lush valley in the west of the country and has Dechencholing Palace, home of the handsome and recently married young king and his even younger wife. But handsome young king aside, one comes to Thimphu not so much for the crazy night life, of which there is none, but for immersion in the culture. Must see sites are the Fortress of the Glorious Religion on the Wang Chuu river and the Palace of Great Bliss, as well as the many old monasteries. The tourist shouldn't forget to visit the weekend market to pick up some of gorgeous native fabrics and yak butter.
