TRIPPIN’ TO THE WORLD’S FRIENDLIEST CITIES—VIRTUALLY AND IN RECOLLECTION

WHAT BETTER WAY TO BEGIN THE YEAR than to visit friendly cities?! Good for Marika Spitulski and Nice News for offering “From Amsterdam to Auckland: 15 of the Friendliest Cites in the World.” What’s more, I thank the Business Travel and Expense gods for occasionally giving me T&E totals that exceeded my annual salary.

Early Retirement. This was all part of my “Early Retirement” strategy in which I’d tack on a few days’ vacation after completing the R&T business travel. At my own expense, of course, though the primary airline cost was already covered by either my host or the magazine. 

Indeed, I’ve not visited every city on the Nice News list, but there are a goodly number that are with recollections galore.

Virtual Only. Five of the Nice News fifteen are virtual visits only: Amsterdam (11th on the list), Dublin (9th), Melbourne (7th), Manchester (4th), and Sydney (2nd). Friends speak well of Amsterdam’s charms. Old R&T pal John Dinkel and his wife Leslie have kin in Australia. (They were visiting son Kevin and his fam when their stay got Covid-extended. This was probably when JD learned to pronounce Melbourne with an all but missing r.)

Here are the remaining ten cities, also listed in reverse order.

Berlin. Image by RossHelen/iStock. This and other images from Nice News.

Berlin (15th). In my early retirements, I visited Tempelhof, which was the city’s airport in the American Sector during the Berlin Airlift. Tegel in the French Sector has had an Eco vitalization. I fondly recall my discovering an affinity for Currywurst street food and also attendance at Staatsoper Berlin. (Talk about distinctly different attractions!)

Paris (14th). I remember the City of Lights for a friend living there, though we’ve not seen each other in years (“we’ll always have Paris….”); for rapping my imaginary walking stick at the center of the Place de Opera; and for once “Driving a Parisian taxicab.” Yes, Parisians are special and it’s a magic city.

Lisbon (13th). The Estoril circuit, about 15 miles west of Lisbon, was home to the 1984–1996 Portuguese Grands Prix. I’ve enjoyed the event a couple times, including one with Rob and Betty Walker when we lunched at a restaurant known as a hotbed of spies during World War II. 

On another visit, a colleague and I happened on a little bistro in nearby Cascais. Midway through our seafood lunch, who came in but Bernie Ecclestone, F1’s majordomo of that era. (Whether I realized it or not, in those days I was traveling with quite the crowd.)

Auckland. Image by Iacob MACACI/iStock.    

Auckland (12th). I’ve been to New Zealand twice, once focused on the South Island’s Waiorau Snow Farm; the other, Auckland and the North Island. I recall Auckland is like San Diego seen from the wrong side of the car (and road). Or maybe the Kiwis have it correct.

Copenhagen. Image by fl1/iStock.

 Copenhagen (10th). This Danish city was deemed No. 2 in the Economic Intelligence Unit’s 2023 analysis of the world’s most livable cities (Vienna was No.1). I’ve enjoyed the wonder of Copenhagen’s Tivoli and various other funky neighborhoods.

San Francisco (8th). I can speak well for camaraderie in this city by the bay: Late pal Bill Fink, of Morgan sports car fame, and his wife Judy lived in San Francisco before moving across the Golden Gate north to Bodega. 

Montreal. Image by Asael Peña/Unsplash.

Montreal (6th). Home of the Canadian Grand Prix, on and off 1978–present, is the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Notre Dame Island as the St. Lawrence River flows through Montreal. I’ve enjoyed the race several times and this charming North American city with its French ambiance.

New York City (5th). “Sure,” Nice News reports, “New York may be loud and crowded in certain areas (looking at you Times Square), but that just points to the love of locals and visitors alike!” I’ve been visiting the Big Apple since undergraduate years and have many happy recollections. One included a Staten Island Ferry adventure; another came at an East Side pub after attending a Hachette awards ceremony.  

Edinburgh. Image by pawel.gaul/iStock.

Edinburgh (3rd). Nice News says, “If you’re looking for a combination of magical castles that will take you back in time and friendly atmosphere, Scotland’s capital is for you.” I’ve been to Edinburgh only once, with Rolls-Royce no less.  I recall a splendid time was had by all.

Toronto (1st). “The largest city in Canada,” Nice News observes, “got particularly high scores in acceptance of diversity, making friendly impressions, and happiness.” I recall its Yonge Street, much of which was agreeably hep. 

May the year 2024 be a memorable one—in good ways. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024