KLPC

Merely a decade ago, Cinque Terre was as popular as Mondays. But thanks to Rick Steves and the advent of social media, word about this hidden gem spread faster than ebola, becoming an epidemic in and of itself. So concerning is the influx of tourists that Italian officials will instate a quota on the number of visitors this summer to 1.5 million. The lottery system to determine the lucky souls able to visit these sleepy abodes atop the cliffs will help preserve the culture and sustainability of the area, which UNESCO dedicated as a World Heritage Site in 1997. While these backwaters are no longer the best-kept secret in travel, it still remains a largely untapped source of majestic beauty. Just don't expect to enter "Cinque Terre" into your GPS or that 5-star resorts are waiting ... read more

If William Shakespeare had worked as a tour guide, his vivid depictions of Venice would've put Rick Steves out of business. Shakespeare's 16th century play, The Merchant of Venice, portrayed a bustling port on the Adriatic that at the time, was the envy of the world. It has since lost the status of a premier financial capital, although stuck in time are the beautiful architecture and romantic ambiance that only this city can exude. But hurry to book your trip because the Floating City won't be floating for long, as researchers have reported the town is sinking up to 20 cm each century, meaning the frequent winter flooding will only worsen. Some even estimate Venice will be submerged in 70 years, so unless you plan on donning scuba gear to visit St.Mark's, the time to go ... read more

The birthplace of the Renaissance has itself experienced many rebirths. Not only did Florence survive the rule of the Romans, Byzantines, Austrians, and even a short guy named Napoleon, but it thrived by preserving the best aspects of each era. While their conquerors came and went like Kanye's money, the city planted its roots in fine art, architecture, and wine. Having celebrities like Michelangelo and da Vinci decorate their toilet seats was the wealthy Florentines' way of showcasing power, which sparked a tiny cultural revolution we now call the Renaissance. If the rich today took notice of Florence, they'd be spending more to maintain the world's treasures instead of dropping a fortune to feed their pet ostrich, but thanks to their "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality, folks like the Medici helped revitalize society's thirst for ... read more

The city of Manchester missed the memo that Brits are supposed to be prim and proper. So unapologetically brash is this town, that even its pretentious older sibling, London, denies any association with this armpit of England. From the painfully harsh northern accent to its arid industrial landscape, Manchester is a spitting image of Pittsburgh and all its bad stereotypes; only difference is that it replaced "boys" with "lads" and "man" with "mate." But despite every preconception working against it, this town has managed to crawl up the list to become the "U.K.'s Second City," an unofficial title that Birmingham gladly forfeited just to avoid a brouhaha with its obnoxious cousin. Manchester has since established itself as the country's 2nd biggest urban area, has the U.K.'s 2nd biggest economy, and is the nation's 3rd most visited ... read more

On paper, London is the who's who of global cities. It's the world's most visited destination and has the busiest airport on Earth (Heathrow), making JFK look as empty as a Jags game. It has the most billionaires in the world (72), so plentiful that Sir Richard Branson is just another number. It's considered the world's leading financial center and top investment spot, even Forbes Magazine brushed aside New York City and Wall Street to call London the most influential city on the planet. The town's conglomerate of 43 universities was ranked #1 internationally for higher education, making Cambridge, Massachusetts feel like junior high. And if that weren't enough, it's the only city to host the Olympics 3 times, an ode to its incredible infrastructure that comprises of top-class museums, a theater scene second only to ... read more