The World Unfolding | March 20, 2025

My Favorite Cities in the World (Plus, Win My Favorite Coffee!)

Author

Jeff Rehmar
March 20, 2025

Subject: My Favorite Cities in the World (Plus, Win My Favorite Coffee!)

Some cities tattoo themselves onto your memory.

They stick with you—the smell of espresso in a quiet Venetian alley, the rush of NYC’s subway at 8 a.m., the way Tokyo’s neon chaos somehow feels peaceful. These are the cities that changed me, the ones I keep coming back to, even if only in my mind.

And because travel is getting more expensive, I’ll show you how to visit these places without overpaying, where to stay for great value, and how to stretch your budget while still traveling well.

📩 If you’re new here, join 300+ travel lovers who get The World Unfolding every week!
👉 Subscribe here

Follow us on Instagram at: instagram.com/theworldunfolding

Melbourne – Golf, Coffee, and the Art of Living Well

Melbourne doesn’t beg for attention. It doesn’t need to. You know you’re in the right place when your barista takes their craft more seriously than some surgeons. The laneways? A maze of street art, hidden bars, and people who seem like they have nowhere to be—but also know something you don’t.

And then there’s the golf. The Sandbelt is legendary. Allister MacKenzie’s trip to Australia in 1929 changed golf in Oz for ever.

✈️ How to get there smarter:

  • United, Delta, and Qantas fly nonstop from the U.S.

  • Best points redemption? Air Canada Aeroplan or American Airlines miles—as low as 80,000 miles in business class.

  • If paying cash, flying into Sydney and taking a $90 domestic flight is often cheaper.

🏨 Where to stay:

  • First time? Stay in CBD (Central Business District).

  • More character? Fitzroy for nightlife, South Yarra for a quieter vibe.

  • Best points redemption? The Westin or AC Hotel by Marriott.

New York City – The City That Never Asks for Your Approval

New York doesn’t care if you love it. It shoves you into a subway car, throws a slice of pizza into your hand, and dares you to keep up. The magic isn’t in Times Square—it’s in the late-night diners, the underground jazz clubs, and the feeling that everyone here is chasing something big.

✈️ How to get there smarter:

  • NYC has three airports (JFK, LGA, EWR)—compare all.

  • Google Flights price tracking helps snag fares under $250 roundtrip.

  • Chase Sapphire cardholders? Transfer points to JetBlue or United for strong redemptions.

🏨 Where to stay:

  • Skip Midtown—too expensive, too touristy.

  • Instead? Brooklyn (Williamsburg), Long Island City, or the Lower East Side.

  • Best points redemption? The Moxy NYC Downtown (Marriott) or Hilton’s Conrad Midtown.

Vancouver – Where Nature Wins Every Time

Some places just don’t seem fair. Vancouver is one of them.

You can take a public bus from downtown and be skiing in an hour. You can eat sushi so fresh it should be illegal. You can spend an afternoon kayaking, then drink a craft beer at a waterfront bar while watching the sunset over the Pacific.

✈️ How to get there smarter:

  • West Coast? Look at Alaska Airlines mileage deals—one-way flights as low as 12,500 miles from LAX and SFO.

  • Midwest or East Coast? Fly into Seattle and take the Amtrak across the border ($40).

🏨 Where to stay:

  • Downtown hotels are pricey—stay in Richmond (15 min by train) for better rates.

  • Best points redemption? Hyatt Regency Vancouver or JW Marriott Parq.

  • Also check out Vancouver Island and Whistler

Tokyo – Where Chaos and Precision Coexist

Tokyo makes no sense, yet works better than anywhere else on Earth.

Millions of people, but no one bumps into you. The trains run exactly on time, yet the streets feel alive with spontaneity. And then there’s the food—from tiny ramen shops to sushi masters who have been perfecting their craft for decades.

✈️ How to get there smarter:

  • Best mileage redemptions?

    • ANA via Virgin Atlantic: 55,000 points in business class.

    • Japan Airlines via Alaska: 50,000 points one-way.

  • Cash fares? Fly into Haneda (HND)—closer to the city than Narita.

🏨 Where to stay:

  • Points travelers? The Tokyo EDITION (Marriott) or Hyatt Regency Shinjuku.

  • Cash travelers? Mitsui Garden and Tokyu Stay—modern, compact, and well-located.

Want My Favorite Coffee? Here’s How to Win a Bag! ☕

I’m giving away a bag of my favorite coffee (from a spot you can’t find in stores) to one lucky reader!

📢 How to enter:

  1. Forward this email to a friend who loves travel.

  2. CC me (your email) on the forward.

  3. You and your friend will both be entered into the drawing.

I’ll announce the winner in next week’s email!

How to Travel Smarter Without Sacrificing Comfort

✅ Use Points & Miles – Programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan save you thousands.
✅ Book Flights Strategically – Google Flights price tracking + flexibility by 1-2 days can save hundreds.
✅ Leverage Free Hotel Nights – Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt all offer free night awards through credit card programs.

✈️ Check today’s best flight deals

More to Watch: Travel Smarter, See More

1️⃣ Tokyo’s Food Scene Like You’ve Never Seen It – Anthony Bourdain in Tokyo (Parts Unknown) – The late, great Bourdain explores the depth of Tokyo’s food culture.

2️⃣ Why Venice is Best Without a Plan – Venice: A City Built on Water (Flying The Nest) – A visual journey through the canals, hidden corners, and history of Venice.

3️⃣ Melbourne’s Coffee Obsession Explained – Why Melbourne Has the World’s Best Coffee – If you love coffee, you need to visit.

What’s Your City?

These are the places that changed me. Now, I want to hear from you.

📍 What’s a city that got under your skin? Hit reply and tell me.

See you next Thursday,
Jeff

🌍 Subscribe to The World Unfolding