Ottawa , General info:
9/10

Nestled on the banks of the majestic Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau Rivers, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. A thriving international technology and business centre and world class tourism and convention destination, Ottawa is also rich in culture and heritage with its many national institutions, parklands, waterways and historic architecture. It is home to a large number of foreign embassies and is a recognized centre for both academics and professional training. The city offers an open and welcoming environment to cultures from around the world, providing service in English, French, and a host of other languages.

Ottawa , Different stuff:
9/10

Ottawa is great city to explore on foot. With pedestrian friendly streets and the density of attractions, a car is expensive and unnecessary for the most part. An excellent place to start any tour of Ottawa is the Capital Infocentre, located directly opposite Parliament Hill on Wellington Street. They have maps and brochures for most tourist attractions in Ottawa, many of which are within walking distance.

Ottawa , Don't miss:
7/10

The Ottawa Bluesfest, an annual outdoor music festival that takes place each July in downtown Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. While ostensibly focused on blues, the festival has increasingly showcased mainstream pop and rock acts in recent years.

Ottawa , Food:
8/10

Ethnic foods from around the world are available at a wide variety of restaurants and street vendors throughout the city. The Byward Market area has a wide selection of different cuisines; the Chinatown area is along Somerset Ave. between Bronson Ave. and Preston St; Little Italy runs along the length of Preston Street, from Carling Avenue to Albert Street. Also try the tasty beaver tail, a doughy, deep-fried pastry associated with Ottawa, although a number of places claim to have created it. It's available in sweet and savory versions, topped with cinnamon, sugar, icing sugar, etc. In the winter, many places will offer it on the canal. During the summer, the only place downtown to offer it is in the Byward Market on George St. There is a variety of toppings and the taste of the beaver tail arguably stands out more with the classic sugar & cinnamon.

Ottawa , Hotels:
10/10

Within Ottawa and the National Capital Region, there is an abundance of hotels, offering a wide-range in choice in both style and price-range. The city is home to world-class luxury hotels with a long history and tradition of accommodating dignitaries, celebrities and sports figures alike. Yet at the same time, the city is able to offer top rated lodging to the more budget conscious traveller. The Bed and Breakfast industry is alive and well in the Ottawa area. For those travellers accustomed to a more personalized setting, there is an equally wide range of choices, with a number of Bed and Breakfasts options available.

Ottawa , Safety:
9/10

Ottawa is a very safe place to live and visit, so if you use common sense it is at least as safe as any other city. There are many tourists in the city, especially in summer months, and there are very few incidents of robbery or assault.

A note about marijuana, a decision by the Ontario Supreme Court in 2007 has rendered possession of less than 30 grams legal within the province.

Urbana , General info:
10/10

Urbana has maintained its status as a Tree City USA since the programs inception in 1976, and is the only charter member still in the program in the State of Illinois. It maintains over 100,000 trees on over 95% of its parkways.

Urbana , Cheap stuff:
8/10

Low cost of living.

Urbana , Different stuff:
9/10

Candlestick Lane is the name for a neighborhood in eastern Urbana. It is called Candlestick Lane because every year the residents decorate their yards for Christmas with lots of lights and figures. The tradition began in 1961 (maybe 1960) as a house-decorating contest sponsored by the Illinois Power Company.

The Urbana Free Library is located in the downtown area. The library is one of the first public libraries in Illinois and was founded in 1874. The library houses historical archives of Champaign County which can be used for genealogical research. The Urbana Free Library ranked 8th out of 877 public libraries rated by “American Libraries” in 2002. It has been ranked in the top 1% of American libraries every year since rankings began.

Urbana , Don't miss:
9/10

The Market at the Square - Every Saturday morning from some time in May to some time in November, dozens of vendors set up shop in the Lincoln Square parking lot in downtown Urbana. They primarily sell local produce (including corn, tomatoes, and watermelons), but one can also find local crafts, music, and booths for various community and political organizations

Urbana , Food:
8/10

Everything you can find in average U.S. city.

Urbana , Hotels:
9/10

Lots of motels and B&B which is normal comparing to size of the city, just a few hotels.

Urbana , Safety:
9/10

Crime rate is above U.S. national average.