LONDON

                                     
Why I Love It: It took me awhile to love London. When I moved there for grad school, I spent the first three months comparing the city to New York, and I often found the former lacking. Where was the energy and buzz? Why did everything close at 11pm? And how come I can't find a proper bagel in this place? All very important questions, clearly. But then I stopped comparing and started enjoying London for what it is — a beautiful blend of history and modernity with a more understated charm than Paris. Now, whenever I visit London, I'm reminded just how gorgeous this city is and why I grew to love it so much. Another bonus: countless free museums and access to endless culture, plus a number of amazing markets (including this favorite). 
Why It's Worth Visiting: Beyond the free museums and great markets, London presents its past and present so well. You can immerse yourself in British history as easily as you can enjoy the more modern attributes of the city, like the Shard or the Tate galleries. There is also something to be said about passing the time in London's parks before enjoying one of the countries most well-known traditions: afternoon tea. 
Favorite neighborhood: I don't think I can pick just one neighborhood so I will name two, one in East London and one in West London. My East London pick: Hackney, home to Victoria Park, which is particularly amazing in the fall. My West London pick: Holland Park, home to a whole lot of prettiness.