12 amazing cities to visit (by month)

But Cape Town is also a perfect travel destination for adventurous travelers. Climb Table Mountain or Lion’s head and enjoy the most beautiful views of Cape Town. Don’t forget to drive along Chapmans peak or make an unforgettable day trip to the Cape of Good Hope while visiting the penguins on Bolders Beach.

Yes, you can already guess where I’m going with this! Cape Town is the ‘place to be’ in January. At that time it’s summer vacation in South Africa, so keep in mind that it can get pretty busy there. If you prefer to squeeze in some peace and quiet, combine Cape Town with a stay on a vineyard in the famous wine region of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Not enough of South Africa, then definitely consider a road trip along the Garden Route. This route is phenomenal! A city trip to Cape Town is therefore highly recommended for the month of January. Don’t forget to check out this South Africa travel guide as well, before heading to Cape town.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland and probably one of the smallest places on my list of amazing cities to visit. It’s a great place where you have the chance to spot the famous northern lights, especially between the months of September and March. The name of this town may sound familiar to you? This is the hometown of Santa Claus. Even though the Christmas period in February is long gone, here you can enjoy the cozy Christmas atmosphere for a little longer without feeling guilty.

Besides spotting the northern lights (if you are lucky), and visiting Santa Claus, you can still experience a lot in Rovaniemi. Experience one of more epic Rovaniemi tours, such as an unforgettable husky safari, racing with a snowmobile, … or go exploring the picturesque town centre.

In short, a great city trip idea for February. If you would rather escape the cold winter weather, then you should definitely check out these amzing, sunny winter destinations in Europe.

We’ll stay in the North for a little longer to recommend a visit to Copenhagen in March. It’s still a bit cold then, but pleasant to visit the city with the necessary warm clothing. Copenhagen surprised me several times. On the one hand because of the architecture where historic architectural styles go hand in hand with contemporary minimalist design. And on the other hand because of the excellent cuisine, better known as Nordic cuisine.

Experiencing Easter in Malta is quite an event. From Good Friday to Easter there is an exuberant celebration in different towns. Starting with a Good Friday Procession where we see how Jesus is crucified to end with an Easter Procession where we see Jesus resurrected. This traditional celebration is specific for Malta and it is definitely worth celebrating with the locals. Moreover, the local inhabitants also welcome you with open arms.

Of course New Orleans couldn’t be missing from my list of amazing cities to visit. This city is known worldwide for jazz music and its vibrant nightlife in Bourbon Street. But of course this is only a fraction of what NOLA has to offer. The melting pot of cultures that you not only find in the architecture, but also in the local cuisine was the main reason for me to visit this city, and I must say it met all my expectations.

This city has been on my bucket list for a while. When I could finaly check it off in July, I was certainly not disappointed. But because of Hurricane Barry who had just struck, the atmosphere was not as vibrant as usual. That is why I would also recommend traveling here in the spring when you still have pleasant temperatures, but no chance of hurricanes.

Going back and forth to New Orleans for us Belgians or Europeans, is maybe a bit far. But this city can easily be integrated into a longer vacation such as a Deep South Roadtrip. If you are in New Orleans, don’t forget to explore the surrounding countryside. This is certainly worth it!

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, and also one of my favorite cities in Italy. I have visited this city a few times and it keeps surprising me time after time. Every time I visit Florence, I discover something new.

The best way to discover Florence (according to me): definitely don’t rush  to see everything. Discovering everything in a few days is just not possible. Allow yourself to be immersed in the splendor of this mesmerising city, stroll through the streets and admire the beautiful architecture. Take a break once in a while with a tasty aperitivo and antipasta or a delicious Italian gelato. In June the weather is perfect for ice cream.

Would you like to extend your city trip and discover more of Italy? A city trip to Florence can easily be combined with a visit to the city of Pisa or explore the 5 beautiful towns of Cinque Terre. From Florence there is a good train connection to these cities.

Of course Ghent has much more to offer than just the ‘Gentse feesten’. Discover this beautiful medieval city and architecture on foot or by boat from the various canals. Visit the Gravensteen and learn everything about medieval torture practices. Go urban and admire street art from young artists in the city. Enjoy the local delicacies and often treat yourself to a fresh Belgian beer.

A city that I certainly want to visit again is Ljubljana in Slovenia. I barely had 1 full day to explore Ljubljana and this was way too short. But also just long enough to fall in love. This  well kept, cozy city is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Slovenia and exudes a super relaxed atmosphere.

In the evening we accidentally ended up at a food market on the central market square of Ljubljana. This food market takes place every Friday evening from mid-March till the end of October. Here you can taste local, but also exotic dishes. The atmosphere and hospitality of the locals was just amazing.

One of the biggest surprises to make it on my list of amzing cities to visit is definitely Leiden in the Netherlands. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this city has definitely stole my heart. This student town that is also named little Amsterdam because its many canals, has a lot of charm. Besides to the cozy streets, beautiful canal houses and wonderful restaurants, there is a huge variety of culture in various museums in Leiden.

If you travel all the way to Mandalay I guess you are visiting other destinations in Myanmar as well. In recent years, the country has invested a lot in decent transport options. The most important tourist spots and largest cities are already accessible by bus or by plane, which makes traveling within Myanmar much easier. Be sure to plan a city trip to Mandalay in your itinerary through Myanmar.

Last but not list on my list of amazing cities to visit is Miami. The European winter always makes me long for warm and tropical destinations. In December, the climate in Miami is perfect: neither too hot nor too cold. Strolling and drinking cocktails on Ocean Drive, sunbathing or a long walk on South beach and admiring the Art Deco district are the must do activities to soak up the tropical atmosphere.