After being on the road a while, sometimes you just need to chill, relax and catch your breath.  Because career break travel is active travel, all that constant moving around can take it out of you.  Even if you aren’t getting burned out, sometimes you just need a break from the action.

This is a 3-part series of the places I recommend for kicking back and taking it easy.  Part 1 of this series are my city picks. Part 2 looks at mid-size cities and towns. And, Part 3 includes my picks for the small, remote, out of the way towns. I start with big cities.

Each of these places offers something different.But, they all have 3 things in common.

1. They are traveler friendly.
2. They have a cool vibe
3. They make it easy to connect to the city, the country and the culture

Sometimes you need the modern conveniences to reconnect, access to the museums or want a wider selection of restaurants.  These are all places that I’ve visited and have found to be great for nesting until you’re ready to hit it again.

10 Great Cities To Chill and Recharge

1. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Often portrayed as a playground city. There are lots of places and neighborhoods to get away from the hustle and bustle.  While the city’s late-night culture may leave you groggy in the morning, the city’s cafe culture will get you centered again.

2. Wellington, New Zealand. This windy city is perfectly positioned to be your entryway from the south or the gateway to it. It’s a walkable city with lots of access to the water and lots of great sites and museums. If you fly to the city, be sure to buckle up upon landing. Those winds can really be fierce!

3. Cape Town, South Africa.  Known as the Mother City, Cape Town has a relaxed vibe so you’ll never feel in a hurry to do anything. And, if you’re really in need of a way to relax, go up Table Mountain on the cablecar. The views from there will calm you down in no time.

4. Melbourne, Australia. This city boasts great architecture and a burgeoning arts scene. It’s a city that can inspire you with its diversity and you can take it at your own pace.  The food is varied so you can find just about any type of food you need to get your hunger fix.

5. Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Whether or not you walk the Camino de Santiago, this welcoming historic city will have you in a zen moment in no time.  The old streets, cafes, restaurants, parks and sites will give you a sense that you have stepped back in time. And, the local hospitality will endear you to the area.

6. Barcelona, Spain. What can I say about Barcelona that hasn’t already been said? One of the things I love about this city is the public transport. You can get around on bus, subway, or even bike. Best thing to do here is find a neighborhood off the main center and know that you can get back to it quickly whenever you want.

7. Istanbul, Turkey. At first glance, Istanbul is a little overwhelming. There is so much and so many neighborhoods to know. But, even the main touristed centers calm down at night.  At the nexus between East and West, you will feel like you are at the center of the world here.

Photo Credit: David Silverline
8.Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Thoroughly modern with hints of its past still evident.  Just watch out for all the cyclists!  I love the spirit of the city. And, it’s large enough for you to find your own nook with lots of public transport for you to get around as needed.

9. Soweto, South Africa. On my last trip to South Africa, I was really blown away by Soweto. Lots of museums, B&Bs and smart cafes and restaurants are popping in some parts of the city. It’s got a great vibe and charm that I find superior to Johannesburg.

10. Bogota, Colombia.  I have to make a plug for my adopted home city. While it does cool down at night, I find the weather refreshing outside of the rainy season.  You can find whatever you need here and there are lots of neighborhoods to explore.  Whether you seek culture, good food, cafes or the nightly rumba, Bogota will help you get centered and give you good access for your next stop within Colombia or for accessing the rest of South America.

What other big cities around the world do you suggest for nesting during your travels?

Next up, my 10 Great Mid-Size Cities and Towns!

And finally, my 10 Great Small, Off the Beaten Track Towns

Tags: career break travel, travel advice

This entry was posted on Friday, February 4th, 2011 at 7:00 am and is filed under Jeff's blog, Life on the Road, Where to go. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.