Few things get me more excited than visiting a new city.

I tried, I really tried – but the countryside just doesn’t do it for me. Sure, it makes for a nice Sunday afternoon ride. A weekend getaway. But living there permanently? I’d say “Someone pass the arson” before I’d even reached the destination!

So when this week’s theme was announced, I was beyond myself. I thrive in cities – I feel truly alive. And whenever I snap a photo that captures the very essence of a cosmopolis, it only fuels my need to do just about everything there is to do in that city.

The souk in Marrakech at nightfall

A rainy urban reality in London – seem from the top of a double decker.

Busy, busy Louvre.

And this is just a sample of how busy the Louvre can get in the middle of the day – can you see the endless queue that lines up against the building? This is why I much prefer London – no queues, and most importantly, no entrance fee!

A urban tree in London

The urban scenery in Ottawa – flags and government buildings.

Boston and the Charles River

My favorite piece of street art in the entire world.

I love you too, Montreal street art!

A week evening in Piccadilly Circus

As you can see from this essay, my favorite cities around the world are New York City, London and Berlin. I love the diversity in each of them, the easy transportation and the delicious food scene. And although I’m definitely not a hipster (I look terrible in a wool hat, and I make horrible coffee), I very much enjoy walking around their neighborhood and observing them in their natural habitat.

Very entertaining, I tell you.

Bustling Berlin

The 40-year old Montreal metro at Berri-UQAM station

The heights of downtown Montreal

What do you think?

Do city energize you as much as they do me? Or do you tend to get overwhelmed by the action?

In my case, I really think Montreal is a good option for both urbanites and nature-lovers. You have the city life on one hand, quiet neighborhoods and cozy cafés, but on the other hand, the wide open spaces are only within an hour’s drive from the city center, whether you opt for forests, lakes or mountains.

I am definitely preaching for my own choir – but I mean, Montreal is almost perfect, so I really don’t see what’s wrong with telling everyone about it. ;-)

Can you guess where this was taken?