In my opinion, the best cities are the ones with variety. Some have great scenery, some are business capitals of the world, some have famous landmarks and some even have beaches.

However, the best cities nail it in every category; EARTH, WATER, FIRE and AIR. They literally have all the elements.

1. Rio De Janeiro

EARTH: Home to the world’s largest urban forest and endless spectacular hikes. Whether it’s the popular trek up to Christ the Redeemer or one of the other equally stunning trails, there is nature all around you in Rio to keep your hiking feet happy.

WATER: Rio and the ocean are synonymous. It’s easily one of the best cities for a beach bum. There is over 50km of sand and each zone has its unique quirks and characteristics, (shout out to Posto 8/9 for flying the Pride flag). Surf, swim, tan or play volleyball every day on your visit to Brasil’s coastal city.

FIRE:  Why have beautiful beaches without the weather to enjoy them? Luckily, with over 2000 hours of sunshine a year and average annual temperatures of 24C, Rio is a dream whatever month you visit.

AIR:: According to the internet… Rio has the world’s bluest sky! Who knew that was something that could be measured!?

2. Los Angeles

EARTH: Los Angeles offers over 175 hiking trails within the city. Ironically, many of them require a car to get there. A personal favourite is Solstice Canyon in the Malibu area. Solstice Canyon offers a more tranquil hiking experience than the popular Runyon Canyon, Hollywood sign  and Getty Observatory trails.

WATER: Ask someone the best cities with a beach and LA is bound to come to mind. Whether it’s enjoying the boardwalk at Santa Monica, people watching at Venice beach or the more laid back vibes of Dockweiler, there is a beach for every occasion. If surfing is your thing, head up the coast to Malibu or even Santa Barbara.

FIRE: Of all the places I’ve been, LA has the climate I’d like to live in permanently. While winter gets a ‘little’ cooler, there’s 300 days of sunshine. And it never gets cold. They don’t call it a California tan for nothing!

AIR: LA’s air conditions almost lost it a place on the ‘best cities’ list. As you land at LAX, the smog from pollution is so bad it’s a visible cloud hanging over downtown. However, there are so many places where you can breathe cleaner air (see the hikes above^), so I’m giving it a pass.

3. Hong Kong

EARTH: You haven’t seen Hong Kong until you’ve seen it from Victoria Peak. This hike in the middle of the city has a challenging incline, but is worth it for the panoramic views. I was surprised at how many parks and green areas existed in such an overpopulated city.

WATER: Hong Kong’s beaches can’t compare to others on the list, but  it is an island. It’s impossible to go far without seeing the sea. Central Pier is an interesting place to hang out. It has plenty of food and drink options and a ferris wheel. It’s also worth mentioning that when it rains in Hong Kong it RAINS. So whatever way you look at it, Hong Kong isn’t a dry destination!

FIRE: If you’re still deciding when to visit Hong Kong, aim for the end of September.  The Fire Dragon Dance marks the beginning of the Mid-Autumn festival. The celebrations include drums, fire and a 67-foot long dragon weaving through the streets.

AIR: Hong Kong is one of the best cities for dramatic skylines. It has twice as many skyscrapers as New York and plenty of vantage points to admire it from. There’s no shortage of ways to spend time in the sky here.

4. Boston

EARTH: Boston has a Freedom Trail built into the city’s sidewalk. It begins in the glorious 44-acre Boston Common and winds 2.5 miles around the city passing all the most significant landmarks.

WATER:  Famous for the Boston Tea Party, Boston’s Harbour is an iconic area of the city. From here you can relax with a drink, watch the boats come and go or even hop on one and take a popular whale watching cruise.

FIRE: There are few things as iconic as New England in the fall. The city, and surrounding areas, turn fiery shades of reds and orange as the leaves change colour. If there was ever a time to visit Boston and this corner of the world, its fall (Autumn).

AIR:  Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you… ! Boston’s nickname, ‘Beantown‘ came from the pilgrims love for the local dish, baked beans. While the locals are unlikely to call it this now, it’s a fun story and it sells postcards, and that counts as ‘air’ right?

5. Edinburgh

EARTH: Built on 7 hills, there is no shortage of green space and hiking opportunities in Scotland’s capital. You can climb Arthur’s Seat for views of the city, or venture further out for hikes through the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh has perfect picnic spots (when the weather suits!) in its large parks. Check out The Meadows, Princes Street Gardens and Inverleith Park for starters.

WATER: The Shore is an up and coming area in Leith, 20 minutes from the centre. Have dinner at the foot of the Water of Leith from one of the ever-expanding range of restaurants, or just grab a drink and watch the world go by. On the other side of the city, South Queensferry is an equally picturesque town. With a harbour, cobbled streets and beautiful views of Edinburgh’s famous bridges, its a perfect day out and change of pace from the city.

FIRE: Edinburgh is one of the best cities in the world for celebrating New Year. Traditionally called “Hogmany”, the streets fill with people from all over the world. There are concerts and ceilidhs and the grand finale is a spectacular fireworks display over the castle. An equally brilliant fireworks show can also be seen in summertime to mark the end of the World’s Largest Fringe Festival: The Edinburgh Fringe. Not to mention… Edinburgh Castle is built on a volcano!

AIR: The city’s nickname Auld Reekie is Scots for ‘old smoky’. This came from the history of coal and wood burning that would cloud the city in smoke. Nowadays, Edinburgh’s air is fresh and there are endless open spaces to enjoy the outdoors right on your doorstep.

And there you have it, 5 of the best cities with all the elements! Sure, some of them were a bit of a reach, but what’s life without a little artistic license?

What do you think? Do these cities have it all or is there somewhere I’ve missed? Le t me know in the comments below or talk to me on Instagram