Recently in I Heart My City Category

This year, inspired by our "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. But we have to admit that in our focus on cities, we overlooked some of the less-urban offerings. So today we look at Yosemite's winter wonders with the help of Pete Devine.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Yosemite National Park

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to The Ahwahnee Lodge.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Degnan's Deli.  

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Crane Flat Snow Play Area.

Strap on your skates at Curry Village Ice Rink and enjoy the view of the stars over Half Dome - wow!

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, which is known for its crust of bright ice on granite.

This year, inspired by our "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer Meaghan Clark, who gives us a glimpse of San Diego.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: San Diego

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I head to San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, where the quintessential features of San Diego are mixed with the holiday spirit; boats deck themselves with the colors of the season as they ride through the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Harbor Island and Coronado.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Extraordinary Desserts, where the name says it all - just don't limit yourself to the cocoa, as specialty made cakes, brownies, cookies are excellent.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head up the mountain to Julian. The small city isn't just famous for its apple pies; its snowy mountains are home to campsites in the summer and sled races (weather permitting) in the winter.

Strap on your skates in Coronado's ocean ice rink and you enjoy the view of the Pacific just steps from iconic Hotel Del Coronado.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Balboa Park's December nights, where more than 30,000 tourists come from all over to enjoy the festive lights, sounds, and spirits of the holiday season. The Spreckles Organ Pavilion teems with carolers and performance artists while the international houses feature country-specific treats, as Santa, his reindeer and all the Christmas lights fill up the 1,200 acres.

A great place to take the kids during the season is The Old Globe Theater's production of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," an annual holiday event that doesn't frighten the little ones as it does make them hoot and holler for the green-faced creature that everyone has come to love.

This year, inspired by our "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Iming Lin, who shows us Cape Town's festive side.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Cape Town

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Table Mountain for the all natural holiday foliage of fynbos.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is somewhere with serious air conditioning, but the rational person would enjoy a glass of wine in the beautiful sunshine. 

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to the west coast sand dunes or on a surfboard at any of the great beaches.

Strap on your shoes at the Promenade and enjoy the view of the Atlantic and Table Mountain.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out Long Street which is known for its holiday light show.

Happy Holidays to all of our readers! Things on the blog will be a bit quieter over the next few days while the staff is busy traveling. We look forward to picking things up full force in the new year.

This year, inspired by our "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer Natasha John, who gives us a glimpse of Vancouver. "On a perfect sunny day, you can see the North Shore mountains and their snow capped tips. De-vine!" John says. (Click here for our walking tour of the city, featured in our January/February issue.)

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Vancouver

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to St. Paul's Hospital after dark for the largest display of Christmas lights downtown.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is at any JJ Bean.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head Mount Seymour, which also offers a great view of downtown Vancouver.

Strap on your skates at Robson Square (pictured, above) and enjoy the view of the smiles on your fellow skaters' faces.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Van Dusen Gardens, which is known for its Festival of Lights.

A great place to take the kids during the season is Stanley Park's Bright Nights.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer Erin Maury, and she shares what she loves most about celebrating the holidays in London.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: London

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Harrods for spectacular window displays. This year is a Wizard of Oz theme, complete with Dorothy's
red shoes, sticking out from the building. Now how does this relates to the holidays you ask? I'm not so sure, but amazing nonetheless.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa (or tea, really) is at The Wolseley. Grand and special yet unpretentious, the Wolseley is a former car showroom on Piccadilly.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head Hampstead Heath, but of course snow is required. Either way, the view of London is lovely.

Strap on your skates at the Natural History Museum and enjoy the view of the festive lights and the German Romanesque architecture. Temporary rinks pop up all over the city from November through January, rinks at Somerset House and the Tower of London are also quite festive settings.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Royal Guards at Buckingham Palace, which are known for their bearskin hats. They look like they have been scooped out of a scene from The Nutcracker.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is D'Arcy Flueck a writer for the website www.chicsetera.com, sharing what she loves most about Paris during winter.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Paris

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to the Place de la Concorde. From the Hôtel de Crillon there is an amazing view onto the square, which has a huge Ferris wheel at this time of year. If you decide to take a ride on the wheel there is a stunning sight of Paris during the day, but especially at night, when the Champs-Elysées is lit with festive lights and lined with colored ice sculptures. (Entry 10€ for adults, 5€ for children under 10. Grand Roue de la Concorde, The Ferris Wheel at the Place de la Concorde, November 20th 2009 until January 20th 2010.) Place de la Concorde, 75008, Paris. Métro: Concorde.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa or chocolat chaud, as it is known in Paris, is Angelina's. Founded in 1903, this classic Belle Epoque tea room was a favorite of Proust and Coco Chanel. The difference between American hot chocolate and the French chocolat chaud you ask? The French drink real chocolate mixed with milk. The whole process is akin to an art form, and will surely have you melting when you try this thick delicious brew. Angelina's 226 rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris. Métro: Tuileries.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to the Charléty stadium (I know, sledding in Paris? Mais oui!). The entire stadium is covered in snow, allowing a multitude of winter activities like downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sledding, trampolines, igloo building and more! Suitable for ages 3 and up. Free entry. "Charléty sous neige/Charléty under the snow," December 19 to 31, 2009 (closed the 25th). Stade Charléty, 99 boulevard Kellerman, 75013, Paris. Métro: RER Cité Universitaire. T3 Stade Charléty.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Nick Rowlands, who gives us an ironic twist on Christmas in Cairo.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Cairo

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Zamalek. This posh island is overrun with expats, so the shops are full of Christmas trees and Santas, and you can almost convince yourself that Christmas matters here!

The best place to grab a cup of sahlab (a sort of sweet, hot custard drink with nuts) is at Cedars. Combine with a shisha pipe for the ultimate in mellow comfort. 

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to a different part of the world... Lebanon should do it!

Strap on your skates at Genena Mall, and enjoy the view of the locals gawking at the funny foreigner wobbling around the ice!

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Fiona Hillard, of the Glove Box Blog who gives us a dose of Irish cheer from Dublin.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Dublin

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Grafton Street to hear the street choirs and see the beautiful lights and extravagant window displays.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Butler's Chocolate Café, on the corner of Wicklow Street and South William Street.   

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to the Phoenix Park  (weather permitting!).

Strap on your skates at Smithfield ice rink and enjoy the view of  the enormous 40 foot Christmas tree.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the ornate horse-driven carriages at Stephen's Green park.

A great place to take the kids during the season is the traditional pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre. The Gaiety's Christmas pantomime has been a family favorite since 1894.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer Sarah Pruitt, who gives us a glimpse of New York City.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: New York City

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Union Square.

During the holidays they set up a wonderful market featuring all kinds of artwork, crafts, jewelry and other unique gifts, and it's adjacent to the Greenmarket (where you can pick up a steaming cup of hot apple cider) on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is City Bakery; their cocoa is thick and rich, pudding-y, almost Spanish-style. Instead of churros, enjoy it with one of their famous pretzel croissants.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Riverside Park. Less crowded than Central Park, with fabulous views of the Hudson River.

Strap on your skates at the ice-skating rink at The Pond at Bryant Park, and enjoy the views of the New York Public Library (from the back) and the holiday market set up in the park.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out underneath the Staten Island Ferry and some of the best skyline views of the city.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer Anne-Sophie Redisch, who gives us a glimpse of Oslo.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Oslo

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always take in a concert with Sølvguttene (The Silver Boys).
 
The best place to grab a cup of cocoa after a vigorous hike is Frognerseteren. In the city center, try a steaming mug of glogg (a delicious spicy winter drink served with raisins and chopped almonds--with or without alcohol) at the Christmas market by City Hall.
 
If you want to find great sledding, check out Korketrekker'n (the Corkscrew). The 2,000-meter-run takes about ten minutes at full speed. Rent a sledge from Akeforeningen (Oslo tobogganing association).
 
Strap on your skates at Narvisen on Oslo's main street Karl Johan and enjoy the view of the National Theatre, Parliament, and the Royal Palace.
 
For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the roof of the Opera House, which offers fantastic wintry views of the Oslo fjord.
 
A great place to take kids of any age during the season is Tryvann Winter Park, just 20 minutes by metro from the city center. Rent skis or snowboards and try one of the 14 slopes or miles and miles of cross-country tracks.
 
For all of your gift-giving shopping in one store, check out Sandvika Storsenter, Scandinavia's biggest shopping mall.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Brendan McGuigan, who gives us a glimpse of Calgary.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Calgary

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Higher Ground in Kensington for a lovely eggnog latte.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Caffe Beano... so delicious, my goodness.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Fish Creek Park, where there's hills of every shape and size!

Strap on your skates at Olympic Plaza and enjoy the view of Stephen Avenue Walk and the Calgary Tower.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Aysegul Surenkok, who shows us what Christmas is like in Istanbul.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Istanbul

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Kuledibi Mahallesi and stroll around its back streets, shop for niche items, and climb the Galata Tower for a vast view. Or I head for the Bebek Coast for a lovely parade or take the ferry to Adalar (the Princes' Islands).

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is the Ara Café on Istiklal Street--their Mexican-style hot cocoa tastes like real chocolate in liquid form.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Kartepe, the nearest mountain for skiiing, or Kartalkaya.

Strap on your skates--more likely your rollerblades in Istanbul--at Sahilyolu (Coastline) by the Asian Bosphorus and enjoy the view of the Princes' Islands.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the historical monuments in Sultanahmet. Or for a more unique experience, treat yourself to a hammam (Turkish Bath) session in Cemberlitaş Hammam or Galatasaray Hammam. They are known as a meeting hub for the ladies to select a 'bride' for their sons, as well as for their architectural and historical significance.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're reveling in the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer David Friesen, a local expert for Nileguide, giving us a glimpse of Beijing.

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Beijing

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Danger Doyles for some good beer, fun company, and food that reminds me of home.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Sculpting in Time because it's quiet, cozy, and has a beautifully artistic atmosphere. 

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Nanshan. It's the best ski resort in the Beijing area and only 60 kilometers from the city center.

Strap on your skates at Houhai and enjoy the view of Drum Tower.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Great Wall of China, which is known for its stunning winter views and beautiful architecture that will make any holiday picture a memorable one. Head to Simatai for the best views of the wall section near Beijing.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're kicking off the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is travel writer Abigail King of the Inside the Travel Lab blog, giving us a glimpse of Toulouse (which she reminds us is the fourth largest city in France).

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and e-mail us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year, click here for a list of cities we've featured so far. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: Toulouse

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to the outdoor Christmas Market in Place Capitole, the heart of Toulouse.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is in Café Bapz on 13 Rue de la Bourse. You can also get cinnamon, vanilla, and blackberry tea plus all the crumbly cakes you could ever want.  

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to the Pyrenees, baby! You can reach the French ski resorts in an hour or push on for another 30 minutes to reach the giant playground of Grandvalira in Andorra.

Strap on your skates at Place Capitole and enjoy the view of the marble columns in swirling pink outside the Town Hall (pictured, above).

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Place de Daurade, which is known for its laid back feel and view of the floodlit bridges stretching across the Garonne.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're kicking off the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Stephanie Hunt, dishing her secrets in San Antonio.

Want to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and email us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: San Antonio

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to University of the Incarnate Word's Light the Way display.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Candlelight.

If you want to find great sledding you have to head somewhere north!

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Alamo Plaza, which is known for its Christmas tree and the Alamo all lit up at night.

A great place to take the kids during the season is Santa's Railroad Wonderland.

This year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" series on Intelligent Travel, we're kicking off the holiday season by asking our readers to share their favorite ways to celebrate in their cities. Today's city-lover is Nancy D. Brown of the What a Trip blog, offering her picks for San Francisco. 

What to share the things that make your city special? We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and email us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year. Happy Holidays!

My City Celebrates: San Francisco

When I need a dose of holiday cheer, I always head to Union Square in San Francisco.

The best place to grab a cup of cocoa is Ghirardelli Square, after a (Powell Street) cable car ride, of course!

If you want to find great sledding you have to head to Lake Tahoe.

Strap on your skates at the Embarcadero Center, and enjoy the views of the city lights.

For a classic holiday photo op, be sure to check out the Golden Gate Bridge. The best vantage points are from the Presidio and can be taken from Crissy Field, the Coastal Trail and Torpedo Wharf.

Last year, in our "World of Christmas" series on the blog, we reached out to hotel insiders in a dozen cities to find out their top suggestions for celebrating the holidays. But this year, inspired by our ever-popular "I Heart My City" posts on Intelligent Travel, we're opening it up to you.

We've put together a festively-themed fill-in-the-blank questionnaire after the jump, and we'd love to hear your responses. So cut and paste the list, fill in your answers, and email us your picks at intelligenttravel@ngs.org. (Please include links and photos if possible). We'll be featuring your "My City Celebrates" posts through the New Year. Happy Holidays!

Hello city-lovers! Ashley Biggers writes to us from the Southwest, where she's an associate editor at New Mexico Magazine, to tell us why she loves her hometown of Albuquerque.

Want to see your city on IT? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an e-mail, fill in your answers, and send your responses to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org. And if you're still waiting for us to feature yours, fear not! We're going to keep posting as long as we keep getting them (please include photos and links!).

Albuquerque, New Mexico is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Sandía Peak Tramway, the world's longest aerial tramway. From Sandía Peak, you can take in views of the entire valley--and adjust to the high desert altitude.
  
When I crave flamenco music and dance I go the National Hispanic Cultural Center. When I crave Native American drumming, I go to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

To escape the city I head to the Jémez Mountains where red rock cliffs, natural mineral hot springs, and a quaint village await.

If I want to discover a new local author I go to Bookworks.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in the tasting room at Casa Rondeña Winery in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the "Chevy on a Stick," also known by its formal title "Cruising San Mateo." It's a '54 Chevy perched on an archway and tiled over in the name of public art.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from Casa de Benavidez it has to be the sopaipillas (friend dough puffs drizzled in honey).

Mariposa Gallery is my one-stop shop for one-of-a-kind finds created by emerging artists.

Locals know to skip El Pinto and check out Sadie's Restaurant for authentic New Mexican food instead.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go hiking at Elena Gallegos Open Space.

For a huge splurge I go for a full day of treatments at Betty's Bath and Day Spa.

Photo ops in my city include the Sandía Mountains at sunset. The mountains draw their Spanish name from the watermelon shade they turn at sunset. One of the best vantage points is from the Petroglyph National Monument on the West Mesa.

Namaste, city-lovers! Arun Bhat writes to us from Bangalore, India, and tells us why his city is the best.

Want to see your city on IT? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an e-mail, fill in your answers, and send your responses to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org. And if you're still waiting for us to feature yours, fear not! We're going to keep posting as long as we keep getting them (please include photos and links!).

Bangalore is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is for a walk through Cubbon Park. It is a quiet place in the center of the city and it's surrounded by beautiful buildings that are more than one hundred years old. Pink and yellow Tabebuia trees loaded with flowers add colour to the park in winter.

When I crave ice cream, I always go to Corner House.

To escape the city, I head to Nandi Hills.

If I want to watch a play I go to Rangashankara. They have plays running six days a week.

For complete quiet, I can hide away Lalbagh. The park is big enough to provide solitude for everyone.

If you come to my city, get your picture taken at Vidhana Soudha (left). It is the most well-known landmark in the city.

Landmark Book Store is my one-stop shop for great collection of books, music, and videos.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go and eat in a Darshini, the quick-eat places you can see everywhere in the city.

For a huge splurge I go to Mynt restaurant in Hotel Taj West End and take a garden side table. Not to miss are the excellent Tortellini and Chocolate pudding.

Photo ops in my city include the Cubbon Park area and the Gandhi Bazaar (below). The best vantage point is Ebony Restaurant.


The most random thing about my city is the rain. Unlike the rest of India where it rains just three months, rain in Bangalore is completely unpredictable and arrives at any time of the year.

Hello, city lovers! Today we are heading to Copenhagen, where Alexandra Redisch tells us what not to miss in the Danish capital.

Copenhagen is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Tivoli Gardens (left), one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

When I crave cake and hot chocolate in old world-settings, I always go to La Glace; the oldest confectionary in Denmark.

To escape the harsh city-life, I head to the uninhibited town of Christiania, where one makes love, not war.

If I want to be amazed by beautiful marble sculptures and a breathtaking winter garden, I go to the New Carlsberg Glyptotheke, where they also have a lovely tea room.
For complete quiet, I can hide away in the Royal Library; a vast modern building known as the "Black Diamond" (below).

If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Little Mermaid (right), an iconic statue depicting the heroine from the famous fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen.

If you can only order one thing off the menu from the art-nouveau-style Café Norden, it has to be the famous pancakes.

The Magasin du Nord, located in Kongens Nytorv, is my one-stop shop for great shopping.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to Rosenborg Castle (below). There is an entrance fee to step into the castle, but the gorgeous 15th-century gardens are accessible to all! For a huge splurge, I go to the main shopping street, Strøget, where they have everything from Topshop to Chanel.