23. Washington DC, USA 25. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is the rarest of beasts: a capital that puts an equal premium on the joys and benefits of heritage and hedonism. History and culture rise up from the foundations, but what’ll put a smile on your face is the city’s garrulous sociability and irrepressible humor. Though Dublin’s in a slightly sour mood these days, thanks to its troubled economy, the city does its very best to welcome visitors. Grab a pint at the Guinness Storehouse, explore Dublin Bay and Malahide Castle, drift down the River Liffey and enjoy Dublin’s rich literary history.
24. Singapore Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens for towers of glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel. At first glance Singapore appears shockingly modern, but this is an undeniably Asian city with Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions. It’s these contrasts that bring the city to life.
23. Washington DC, USA Washington DC means white marble, verdant lawns, and the colorful, ritualistic pag- eantry of American politics: the Capitol dome; limousine processions on Inauguration Day; the mournful, somber, stately changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. There more museums in DC than you could see in a year, monuments and historical sites to keep you busy for a lifetime.
22. Zurich, Switzerland This formerly staid banking capital has experienced such a creative explosion in recent years, and such a mushrooming of innovative bars, restaurants and shops, that Zurich resembles Berlin’s salad days of the mid-1980s and early ’90s. Zurich remains Swit- zerland’s commercial and financial hub, and the canton is the country’s most affluent. Explore the city’s atmospheric cobblestone Old Town, window-shop glittering boutiques and jewelers lining upmarket Bahnhofstrasse, take a cruise on the lake or stand on the Top of Europe in the surrounding Alps.
21. Cairns, Australia Tropical, wild and rugged, Queensland’s Far North )(the region surrounding Cairns) proves the theory that size doesn’t matter. Although small geographically, this stunning destination contains the richest pockets of biodiversity in Australia, if not the world. The dense and ancient rainforests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area coat the landscape, spilling out onto gorgeous beaches. Offshore lies the spectacular Great Barrier Reef Ma- rine Park. From Cairns you can easily swim the Great Barrier Reef, snorkel past tropical fish, cruise from Port Douglas, and trek through the rainforest.
20. Vienna, Austria Grandiose Vienna was the showpiece of the all-conquering Habsburg dynasty. Monu- mental edifices line the city center, world-class museums burst with treasures, white stallions strut their way down mirrored halls, and renowned orchestras and angelic choirboys perform in lavish concert halls. Vienna has plenty of lower-brow pleasures too – walks in the woods, the river, indulgent evenings in its renowned wine taverns.
19. Orlando, Florida Orlando is many things to many people. If you have kids, Orlando is home to the planet’s top theme parks (Disney and Universal). If you love the outdoors, Orlando is within easy reach of the Florida Everglades and untrammeled natural areas. If you love space, you’re not far from the Kennedy Space Center.
18. Athens, Greece Redolent with mythology, loaded with art and architecture, Athens is an affable city enliv- ened by outdoor cafes, gardens and urban eccentrics. The city may look like a concrete jungle, but beyond this off-putting veneer it has heaps of charm. Almost every house and apartment has a balcony hanging with geraniums, and many of the city’s streets and squares are fringed with orange trees. Away from the museums and monuments, the Acropolis and Omonia Square, Athens has a lively outdoor culture and zest for life. Get to know the city better on a private walking tour, or use Athens as a base to tour surround4.
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ISSUE INDIAN MIRROR 9
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