Big cities are always part of my touring plans. I like remote routes through the mountains (wild camping and basic food) just as much as bustling city life (art, architecture and restaurants) so ideally every one or two weeks I leave the bush and ride into the city. The contrast makes both experiences more intense and enriching I find. For days off the bike I'll rarely to almost never choose nature (like for hiking or swimming) but go for the real R&R that only the city has to offer. It turns you back into the tourist that you are, too much hard labour on steep rough roads tends to make you forget that
. Besides, riding your bike in a big European city can be a lot of fun in itself (Berlin is truly a blast). But then, a big city is where I live, other people will say I just have a hard time making a choice...