Barcelona

Park Güell in Barcelona
Photograph by Michael Melford

Barcelona is a city where architecture and urbanism are one.—Paul Goldberger

Hong Kong is one of the greatest maritime cities there has ever been—noisy, boisterous, cluttered, and vibrant. I left Hong Kong in the royal yacht Britannia in the early hours of the morning on July 1, 1997. It was quite a way to go! But then, the British Empire can only end once. —Christopher Patten, former governor of Hong Kong

Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Photograph by James L. Stanfield

It has retained its identity through successive changes of name, population, language, religion, and political status, its character and spirit enduring through the centuries as if it had an ageless soul.—John Freely

Jerusalem is the energy center of the world. All three major religions were born on the same piece of Earth. It’s like the spiritual battery of the whole world. —Roseanne Barr, actress.

London is the jewel of England’s crown. It is a timeless and regal city that combines a wealth of heritage and pageantry mixed with the very best of vibrant, cutting-edge modernity.—Hugh Thompson, chief yeoman, Tower of London .

Manhattan island, New York City, New York
Photograph by Jodi Cobb

New York is the supreme laboratory of modern life.—Ric Burns

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
Photograph by James L. Stanfield

Paris is not only a place but a state of mind. Whoever goes there takes away the greatest meal he has ever had in his life, a romance that will linger forever, and a dream that will never be repeated. All you have to say is "Paris" and the movie will begin.—Art Buchwald, author

Over São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photograph by Theo Westenberger

Where the smooth sea pats the rugged mountain to show that life, like nature, is full of contrasts.—Paul Coelho

When I awake, I can see through eucalyptus and palms and over red-tiled roofs a wedge of the Pacific Ocean. "Last edge of the U.S. of A.," I think. I like my house perched on the last moment of the American West. A little ship floats across the window and I board it for a moment, imagining all the unknown worlds west of here.—Frances Mayes, author and resident

 Photograph by Rainbow

 Photograph by Jodi Cobb

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy

The first time I saw Venice I was dumbstruck at this glorious civilization emerging from the water, kind of crumbling, kind of leaning, and supporting itself still. We stayed at the Gritti Palace and listened to the church bells ring all the time. I had the best nap of my life there.—Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, actress