Category: Capital Cities

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****1/2
Cost: £££

Culturally and historically one of the most important cities in human history
No problems as a Sikh at the airport or going around the city
Incredible variety of landmarks to visit, and a unique cityscape to see
From the UK - cheap to get to, and reasonably priced food and accommodation
Main Sights: Hagia Sophia, Suleymaniye Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus, Kadikoy, Taksim Square

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ****
Cost: £££££

No issues at the airport as a Sikh
People are generally friendly and polite, but have a distrust of foreigners
Relatively expensive city, and surprising still heavily cash based
Incredible metropolis that stretches for miles, with an endless things to see and do
Main Sights: Asakusa, Akihabara, Ikekeburo, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ginza, Senso-Ji, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Sky and Crossing, teamLAB planets, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck, Yoyogi Park, Zojo-Ji, Imperial Palace, Roppongi, Omoide Yokocho, Atago Jinja

Summary

Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals ***
Cost: £££

No issues at the airport as a Sikh but a few strong stares in the city
A city that feels like an open-air museum with history all around
Excellent night-life near the city centre, and a lot to see and do during the day
Relatively cheap for a European city
Main Sights: Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library, Plaka, Temple of Hephaestus, Panathenaic Stadium, Panagia Kapnikarea, Metropolis Cathedral of Athens

Summary

Airport Rating ****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££££

Small-dated airport, but no issues travelling through as a Sikh
A relatively strict city-state, especially when compared to some of the other countries on the Gulf coast
Not too much to do, main sights are shopping centres, but the locals are friendly
City is quite dull, but there are areas of beauty, particularly along the coast
Not as expensive as the UAE, but certainly not a cheap destination
Main Sights: Kuwait Towers, The Avenues, Souk Al-Mubarakiya, Coastal Walk

Summary

Airport Rating **
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £££

Airport loses another two stars since last review with another questionable experience
Bangkok is still sensory overload, in good ways and bad
Public transport is relatively extensive, cheap and easy to use
Things have become slightly more expensive since my last visit, but cost of living in the city remains manageable for those on holiday
Main Sights (this time): Wat Saket, Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market, Terminal 21, Ong Ang Canal, Khao San Road, Sikh Gurdwaras,

Summary

Airport Rating ••••
Reception of locals *****
Cost: £

Not easily connected from the UK, requiring connecting flights from larger neighbouring countries
No issues as a Sikh in the airport, or walking around the city (in fact, I got a lot of positive attention)
Expensive to fly there, but very cheap when you arrive
Lacks the x-factor that some other capital cities in neighbouring countries have
Main Sights: Wat Si Saket, Patuxai, That Dam, Vientiane Night Market

First impressions of Washington DC

22/8/2022

Summary

Airport Security *****
Reception of locals *****

No issues with immigration or airport security when arriving or leaving from the three DC-area airports
It's a relatively small city full of government workers and lobbyists
The swamp isn't just a nickname, it is hot and humid
While the city is expensive, there are a lot of free things to do
There are Gurdwaras and a small but vibrant Sikh community
Infrastructure is poor, but it's a walkable city

Summary

Airport Rating ••••
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

A flight that takes less than an hour and costs less than £20 from Birmingham
No issues as a Sikh in the airport, or walking around the city (bonus, there is also a Gurdwara nearby)
Walkable city centre with plenty to do over a short weekend
A lot of similarities with British cities outside of London in terms of architecture, but a definite Irish vibe to the place
Main Sights: Little Museum of Dublin, Trinity College, Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar area, St. Stephen's Green

Summary

Update: I originally posted this in 2018 but I've updated in 2022 following another visit
Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

No issues with airport security when landing or leaving Rome Fiumicino airport on two different occasions
Saw only one other Singh during my 4 days in the city, but locals are welcoming and although not as multicultural as London or New York, it is still an open, cosmopolitan city
Capital and largest city in Italy with a history stretching back 3,000 years including being the foundation of the Roman Empire
Main Sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Villa Borghese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish steps, Aventine Hill, Via dei Coronari, Trastevere

Known as the Eternal City, the Capital of the World and the first ever large metropolis, Rome as a city is almost unparalleled in terms of its history and impact on the western world.

I decided to spend a few days discovering the history and story of the city with tips from locals born and raised in the city and found Rome to be one of my favourite cities that I have visited - both as a general traveller, and as a Sikh.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

23/5/2022

Summary

Update: I originally posted this in 2018, but have updated in 2022 following another visit
Airport Rating *****
Reception of locals *****
Cost: ££££

One of the strangest cities in Europe, with an eclectic mix of history, culture, beauty, art and seediness.
No issues at all with airport security, and Schiphol Airport has modern scanners so you don't remove liquids or laptops either.
Not the cheapest city to visit, but better value than cities such as Zurich.
In the spring time, full of UK stag parties clustered around the Red Light District, but locals are fine, although there is a growing nationalist movement.
Main Sights: Westerkerk, Anne Frank House, the many museums, two Gurdwaras, canals, Amsterdam Arena, Vondelpark, Red Light District

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Your Journey starts here

Istanbul, Türkiye

Summary

Tokyo, Japan

Summary

Athens, Greece

Summary

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Summary

Return to Bangkok, Thailand

Summary

Vientiane, Lao

Summary

First impressions of Washington DC

Summary

Dublin, Ireland

Summary

Rome, Italy

Summary

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Summary

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THE TRAVELLING SINGH