7 of Travel Writer Margie Goldsmith’s Favorite Cities

1. Old Delhi, India. Squeeze through the narrow alleyways of a bustling bazaar to buy everything from silk saris, handmade paper, and aromatherapy oils to a wide variety of freshly cooked food.

2. Paro, Bhutan. Home to a sacred Buddhist monastery, the Tiger's Nest, Paro is a place where you can walk past archers practicing in the fields, look up at golden spires, and listen to tinkling temple bells.

3. Cartagena, Colombia. A colorful coastal town within a walled city and a 500-year-old fortress, Cartagena boasts cobblestone streets, flower-covered balconies, and, at night, music in every small park.

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This travel story recently won kudos from the National Association of Journalists and Authors.

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The city’s oldest neighborhood features antique stores, art galleries, cafes, small restaurants, and (on Caminito Street) colorful tin houses. Tango is everywhere—even on the sidewalks.

5. Kyoto, Japan. In one of the world’s gentlest cities, you can take part in a tea ceremony, eat delicious sushi, and walk through the Gion geisha district and the restorative Kyoto Cultural Forest.

6. Sintra, Portugal. This shoppers’ paradise (antiques, porcelain, wine, jewelry) is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the must-see whimsical National Palace of Pena.

7. Oaxaca, Mexico. Southern Mexico’s most diverse city, another World Heritage Site, offers excellent nearby archeological sites, temples, museums, charming markets, and delicious food, including famous Oaxacan chocolate.