So, the tour of duty is over, and you’re starting to itch a bit following a decent sized chunk of time spent reconnecting with family. Not that your family completely understands, but family time needs only last so long for military personnel, who are used to getting things done in a hurry. When you’re used to picking up and going on a dime, it can be hard to sit idle for any length of time. It’s especially hard to be still in a small town after seeing so much of the world. Reconnections made, it’s time to head to where the action is, and the best spots are in all the biggest cities, such as New York, Vegas, and Vancouver.

However, visiting military personnel might well be out of the loop in these cities, and without the benefit of a military base right in the heart of these metropolises, finding the place to be can be a challenge without an information resource such as Canada 411. New York for example, offers up five contemporary boroughs, and each has its own flavor. After being stationed in an Afghanistan desert for some time, the glitzy shopping and haute couture of Fifth Avenue might not have quite the appeal that designers hope to instill. But nearby, the Soho district brings a diversity that might be familiar to any international traveler. Bohemian and free spirited, the area creates a vibe that any returning soldier might well appreciate following residence near the dangers of battle torn areas.

But maybe it’s the darkness of the desert that’s gotten its claws into you. Then Vegas, based in familiar desert terrain, is the moving, bustling, well-lit capital of antithesis. With non-stop activity, the place hums at all hours, just like a military base! There’s always Vancouver, with its hipster flair and younger, less moneyed vibe. Go there and get re-schooled in cool.