1
WO IST DER GASTGARTEN?
This week we cover the city that has the best quality of life according to Departures. Shall I share which one it is here or make you click that link? Hm. I’ll make you click that link, but, I’ll give you a couple of hints to see if you can figure it out. It’s not in the Americas, Asia, Oceania or Africa. It’s population is about 1.8M strong, it’s been known as the city of music and the city of dreams, and it’s also where Pez candy was invented (probably how it earned its nickname as the city of dreams): “Globally, [this city] tops the ranking for the 10th year running, closely followed by Zurich…In joint third place are Auckland, Munich, and Vancouver – the highest ranking city in North America for the last 10 years. Other global cities including Singapore, Montevideo, and Port Louis maintained their status as the highest ranking cities in Asia, South America and Africa respectively.” Last chance! If you haven’t figured it out by now, the final hint: check the title.
2
NO CAMARGUE-MENTS HERE
This one I can personally vouch for. If you want something that seriously jumps out at you from a van Gogh, or The Notebook (what? I like Rachel McAdams), go here. It’s wild and stunning and honestly, it’ll make you rethink all your life’s decisions and drop it all to call this little sliver of land home. From National Geographic: “Head to western Europe’s largest delta, where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean Sea, and you’ll find a lesser known side of Provence. The Camargue spreads like a fan from the ancient Roman city of Arles, and in its folds lie green rice paddies, rose-colored salt flats, grass-filled marshes, and wide, windswept beaches. Nearly 400 species of birds call it home, as do prized black bulls and indigenous horses tended by guardians, the local cowboys who bolster the region’s wild-west reputation.”
3
SUNDAY TO SUNDAY
I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for Bogotans (Bogotoans? Bogottens? Not sure. Ok, just checked, apparently it’s “Rolos”). Anyhow, this is what I’m trying to get at: “It’s like falling in love all over again; every Sunday without fail, and holidays too, the inhabitants of the car-choked, noise-filled, stressed-out city of Bogotá, 8,660 feet up in the thin air of the Andes, get to feel that the city belongs to them, and not to the 1,600,000 suicidal private cars, 50,000 homicidal taxis, nine thousand gasping buses, and some half-million demented motorcycles that otherwise pack into the buzzing capital of Colombia.” How freeing does that sound? Book me a trip Sunday to…just Sunday!
4
TUNE YOUR ATHENAS
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: Greece is one of the top destinations if you like fun, beach, social life, a warm culture, amazing food, beautiful sunsets, history, landscape, adventure, basically everything. And its capital, Athens, is a special place that you will inevitably pass through. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend your time there from Lonely Planet: “Spoiled for choice – that’s likely how you’ll feel with a mere day in Athens. The Greek capital is brimming with grand sights, celebrated cuisine and legendary nightlife, so deciding where to begin can be challenging. The secret is in not trying to do everything. Instead, take in a couple of the tourist highlights and then delve beneath the city’s skin to get a feel for this alluring capital.”
5
BEAUTIFUL ISLAND (LITERALLY, FROM “ILHA FORMOSA”)
Looking for a place in Asia that is under-hyped? Look no further. I have the one for you, and apparently that’s why the Portuguese moved in 500 years ago as well and tried to keep it a secret. From the Thrillist: “Yes, Taiwan is a wallet-friendly destination, but so is Southeast Asia at large. And while most travelers crowd into Thailand and Bali, this island sitting just off China’s eastern coast remains seriously overlooked. Amateur move, frankly. If you’re looking to boost your travel street cred, you need to put Taiwan on your hitlist.” Let’s keep it our little secret as well.
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!