Throughout my first 19 years of life, I have been very fortunate in being able to see cities all over the world. I have traveled to the United States, been to several European cities, and a handful in the Middle East. My time is these different places have exposed me to a wide range of lifestyles and have allowed me to develop an understanding of what I appreciate in a city.

These are my top five favorite cities that I have visited (in no particular order) and why.

1. Rome, Italy

I visited Rome during my senior year of high school on a class trip. The food, the weather, and the history easily made it one of my favorite cities I had ever seen. Being able to turn any corner and run into some ancient ruin gave the city a unique feel you do not receive everywhere and made it extremely special.

2. Beirut, Lebanon

I have had the privilege to visit Lebanon many times because it is where my father grew up so it is home to a lot of families. Although it is not a typical destination, this city has my heart because it is where I go to embrace my culture.

Seeing family, eating the authentic food, and immersing myself in the culture has made it one of my favorite places to visit.

3. San Diego, California

This is my favorite city I have been to in the United States. It is clean, not overcrowded, and by the beach. The warm weather, blue skies, and the Pacific Ocean radiate a positivity that translates to the people and makes walking through the streets a pleasant experience.

The high-quality restaurants, cute little beach town shops, and palm trees are all major factors in my decision to call this one of my favorite cities.

4. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is the most beautiful city I have ever been to. It is surrounded by crystal blue water scattered with boats. The unique structures that makeup Dubrovnik allow it to stand out in comparison to others.

The red-roofed buildings create a scene you rarely see, and the old palaces are great tourist spots. Because it was historically a maritime base the city is also surrounded by large walls that give visitors a sense of the history.

5. Boston, Massachusetts

Because I have grown up outside of Boston I have moved beyond being a tourist of this city. However, because it has become more of a home to me it will always be one of my favorite cities in the world.

All of the history that Boston has to offer along the Freedom Trail has always been especially fascinating to me because it is so close to me. I have fallen in love with many different restaurants and my familiarity with all of the different parts of the city has made it even more special.