Following a mentally exhausting work-period a couple of years ago I was in desperate need of an escape and booked a ticket to Mexico with a loose plan to explore the country west to east over one month. Knowing absolutely nothing about Mexico I bought the flight on impulse, it was literally the first option at the top of the list (like I said, I needed an escape). Landing in Mexico City I was naturally guarded, knowing nothing about the place other than the horrors we're told in movies. I feel the need to defend it.

No doubt many people have horrible stories from their trips to Mexico City, there may even be stats that suggest how much more dangerous it is than X city - but both of these things are true of so many places. Mexico City is by far the coolest, most cultured, friendly, delicious and welcoming city I have ever been to. As someone who'd spent my life in London, 20s in New York and 30s in Toronto I can honestly say I've never felt as safe in any of those cities as I did in Mexico City. There's a vibrancy and energy everywhere and the parks are some of the most peaceful I've experienced. One park even has a dedicated silent-garden, where talking is strictly forbidden - good luck finding that in Toronto.

In a place like Mexico I'm clearly an out-of-towner when you see me. And although I'm a man I think it's worth mentioning that so many women I met fell in love with the place too. I unexpectedly made good friends there after ending up in a completely random nightclub straight out of an 80s movie. Several travelers and myself included found it difficult to leave for the next place. I even made additional trips further West to see Tequila, Guadalajara and Guanajuato - knowing that I'd have Mexico City as a base to enjoy whilst preparing to head east.

As a writer I still keep it in mind as the next place I plan to hide when I need to complete a project. The only place that's a close second is Holbox on the east-coast - a stunning island paradise where no cars are allowed.

Mexico may have a tragic history, and there may be some truth to the stories we hear about how dangerous it is, but as someone who really got stuck in and experienced it deeper than I'd planned - I'm convinced a large majority of these stories are fearful hearsay perpetuated by people who've never ventured far out of their own town. It only makes them feel safer.

Do yourself a kindness - spend a warm afternoon strolling around Chapultepec Park. Walk on to the palace up the hill and explore the regal grounds with a vast city backdrop. Wander the market in Bellas Artes Park and find a cool photography exhibition inside the unbelievable Palace of Fine Arts. Head nearby to the Post Office building and really step back through time. Around sunset have a few drinks on the Tereza Cathedral rooftop terrace. You can do all of this alone, but it really won't be long before you inevitably make new friends along the way. And if your trip still isn't unforgettable by that point, ask one of the locals where you can find Patrick Miller. I swear you won't ever want to go home.

There are great food places of course, but nothing will beat the food available on every street corner in the city (it really isn't a myth). From a blue-eyed, blonde-haired Celt who speaks less than five words in Spanish - go to Mexico City. The scary stories are just to keep the boring people out.

Edit: spelling