4 Wonderful Cities You Should Visit After Lockdown

Lockdown may have closed the door on any plans you might have had of travelling to some of the world’s greatest cities, but lockdown is going to eventually end and when it does you’ll no doubt be even more eager to travel.

While the cruise ports may now be empty and the airports turned to ghost towns, that shouldn’t stop you from searching for inspiration for your next holiday destination once travel resumes. To give you something to look forward to, we’ve decided to highlight four wonderful cities; search Airports near me, and plan out your visit once the lockdown is over.

London

London may not be Europe’s largest city, being eclipsed by both Istanbul and Moscow, but it’s arguably the most diverse metropolis on the continent. Roughly 300 languages are spoken in England’s capital, allowing visitors to mingle with a wide range of cultures.

You’ll feel the varied cultures and over two centuries of history while walking past London’s palaces and limitless iconic landmarks which include Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. There’s something for everyone in London. From beautifully manicured green spaces like Hyde Park to the entertaining musicals of the West End. There are plenty of free museums to explore by day and you can enjoy the nightlife that comes from London’s great casinos, clubs, and bars.

While it may have incredible public transport via the London underground, the city is also quite walkable. A stroll along the Thames will introduce you to many of London’s wonders including the glorious Kew Gardens, one of the most beautiful gardens of Europe. Be inspired by this incredible city that gave rise to musicians such as Adele, Coldplay, Elton John, and more recently Dua Lipa. This is also where writers Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf crafted their masterpieces and where one can visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre which is just metres from where Shakespeare’s original theatre once stood.

Berlin

Another city sporting a diverse cultural landscape, Berlin is often considered to be one of the coolest cities in Europe. The city offers up its squat culture, love of techno, and aching coolness that drips from its trenchcoat-wearing residents.

Counterculture is one of Berlin’s greatest selling points. The city prides itself on its individuality and Berliners are renowned for being among the most freethinking people in the world. This is why its squats are so famous and why people take such great effort trying to gain entry to Berghain, one of Europe’s most exclusive nightclubs.

The city has seen its fair share of tragedies, something that can be witnessed through the city’s monuments like the Holocaust Memorial and Book Burning Square. See the incredible Brandenburg Gate and remnants of the mighty Berlin Wall which was finally brought down in 1989.

Carve out a private spot in one of Berlin’s roughly 2,500 public green spaces such as Tiergarten or simply join the city’s famous beer culture. Take time to check out the dynamic street art scene and possibly take in a touring band or DJ that frequent the city.

Tokyo

While bigger isn’t always necessarily better, this does ring true for the world’s largest city. With a land area of 8,547 Km2 and a population of 38 million, Tokyo is by far the largest city on Earth. And its physical size is matched by the enormity of things you can do while you’re there.

With a city so large, it can be a daunting task knowing where to start with what to do while you’re in Tokyo. Tokyo’s temples and shrines such as Sensō-ji and Zōjō-ji often grab visitors’ attention first. You then may be enticed to check out the city from above by heading up the Tokyo Skytree, the world’s largest tower, before heading to the Toyosu Fish Market for some of the freshest sushi imaginable.

Tour the Imperial Palace and its gardens or feel like a kid again at Tokyo Disneyland, the first Disney park to be built outside America. Travel during spring to catch the pink blooms of hanami season, best viewed in Ueno Park, or catch the fiery foliage of autumn. Don’t forget to embrace Ryogōku’s sumo culture and discover Tokyo’s fashionable side in Harajuku.

Cape Town

Cape Town sits at the very southern end of Africa, one of the final points of civilization before a 6,000 kilometre journey across the ocean before you hit Antarctica. This beautiful city blends African nature with contemporary design, and plenty of enriching history to go around.

The city’s most prominent landmark is Table Mountain, rising above the city in all its glory. You can hike the mountain’s Platteklip Gorge Trail or opt for the more relaxing and very scenic Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Drive out towards the Cape of Good Hope in search of baboons and ostriches or wander the roughly 1,000 acres of the stunningly beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. You can also come face to face with plenty of penguins at Boulder’s Beach.

A trip to Robben Island is a must in order to see where former South African president and anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Shop the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront and maybe sample some of the Cape’s many delicious and affordable wines. If you’re into whale watching, a day trip to Hermanus during migration season should provide ample opportunities to spot southern right whales.