Quebec City, Canada

♠ Posted by monyreachraksmey in Top Cities at 9:52 AM

Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City is sometimes called North America's Paris, but that does a disservice to the city's particular mix of French-Anglo culture, which is in a class of its own. "The best time to visit Quebec City is in the winter," says contributing online editor Lilit Marcus. "You can take a skating or snowshoeing lesson and visit the Hotel de Glace, or Ice Hotel, which is only open from January to April." The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is the kind of place you should explore on foot with no specific path in mind, although it couldn't hurt to finish your walk at the Chateau Frontenac, enjoying a martini in the iconic, oft-photographed hotel.

Sydney, Australia

Despite being sun-soaked, lined with beaches, and full of beautiful people, Sydney remains a "real" city like New York or London. Its laid-back, outdoorsy vibe is exemplified nowhere better than the iconic Bondi Beach. Visit the Icebergs swimming club next to the beach (established in 1929) and its eponymous dining room for a bite and a spectacular view. For a real Oz original, grab a flat white coffee at Single Origin Roasters in Surry Hills.