Month: September 2019

1
SÃO PAULO É DA BOMBA

Wow, you had me at “São Paulo é da bomba.” You could literally say anything and it sounds sexy in Brazilian (yes, technically it’s Portuguese, but it really sounds different to me – Brazilian is more sing-songy so to speak). Either way, if you find yourself in São Paulo and over a weekend with not much going on, why don’t you heed the advice Lonely Planet suggests. From food to bars, back to more food and more bars, São Paulo sounds like a pretty fun place (but who would have thought otherwise?): “Plot your next moves at the Bar da Dona Onça in the shadows of the striking Edifício Copan, once dubbed the coolest building in Latin America. With a caipirinha in hand, this is a top spot to appreciate Oscar Niemeyer’s curvy modernist triumph up close. Hail a taxi to the Pinheiros bairro, an amazing part of town to sample some of São Paulo’s renowned nightlife. Line your stomach at Braz Elettrica, which dishes up cheap, thin-crust pizza paulista by the slice, and get set for an evening of bar-hopping.” Ainda é o fim de semana? (is it the weekend yet?)

2
AMSTERDAAAMN!

Nothing says “tourist” like going to one of the most touristed cities in the World. Add to that: nothing says even more “tourist” like being on an actual tour. Unless, I must actually admit, if it’s one of these tours: Bubbles & Bikes Tours; Tuk Tuk City Tour Including Cheese Tasting; Amsterdam Red Light District And Coffee Shop Tour; or, Amsterdam Street Food Tours. I may just be interested! From Luxury Travel Diary: “So if you are a cheese lover like me then whilst in Amsterdam sampling their local cheese varieties is heaven! What better way to see the sights and sample than with ‘Amsterdam City Tours’. This two hour tour is a really fun and different way of seeing the city and you still get to see all the sights through your window-less Tuk Tuk. At the end of the city tour we thoroughly enjoyed our cheese tasting session at “Cheese & More” where we learnt about the authentic cheese making process and enjoyed our four different kinds of cheese with dips and mustard, washed down with some speciality beer from the Maallust brewery. Yummy!” Cheese.

3
A NICE AND RELAXING HOLIDAY

Just kidding. For the most extreme travel experiences on Earth, check out this photo collection that CNN has put together. Obviously, this particular blurb will not be about nice and relaxing holidays, but rather adrenaline-inducing, at times gory and almost always challenging and exhaustive breaks away from your day-to-day. Running with the bulls in Pamplona, surfing Teahupo’o, hiking Death Valley, kayaking Inga rapids and much more: “The Inga rapids on the Congo River (Democratic Republic of Congo): A white-water kayaking team led by Steve Fisher attempted to brave the rapids — on an expedition called the Grand Inga Project — in 2011. Fisher was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year for the attempt.” Not going to lie. My heart was both like: “what are you waiting for?” and “are you nuts” all at the same time.

4
UNBORDERED

You ever feel like the vacation you’re on is the same one everywhere? Like they’ve all become so cookie-cutter? You book the same flight, head to the same resorts, get the same service, the same all-you-can-eat-buffets, the same activities – yes, they’re all in different and unique locations and there’s always something new to learn, but the travel and accommodation part almost always seems the same (unless you independently book your flights, lodging and activities, but sometimes even then). Flight Centre is a travel agency that actually gets it. Check out the video in this link for a really nice ad that gets the changing characteristics of the new generation of travelers. From Strategy Online: The campaign is based on the insight that the mentality of travelers is changing – Gavin Miller, Flight Centre’s VP of leisure, says people are seeking experiences outside of the typical “bucket list” of major destinations and attractions.  Cossette’s global CCO, Peter Ignazi, tells strategy that the creative is an exaggeration of what happens when vacationers see the same faces in the restaurant, on the beach, on the plane, and in the end realizing the trip they’d booked wasn’t as “special” as it could’ve been.”

5
JUSTRIGHTTOURISM

Overtourism – we get it, it sucks, we may be culprits of it or we may be victims (hey, I live in NYC). Undertourism – we get it, you want more visitors to share your culture (but ultimately to fill your coffers). If you know of a destination that is happy with where they’re at, please let me know. Actually, really, let me know because they’re probably doing something wrong and I can help (shameless plug). Well, either way, if I caught your attention with the undertourism part of this blurb, check out these destinations that National Geographic has put together of less under-touristed destinations: “This year, destinations are putting the brakes on overtourism like never before: Venice announced plans to charge for entry, Bruges capped cruise ship numbers at two per day, and Paris declared intentions to ban tourist buses from the city center. But a new phenomenon is developing. ‘Undertourism’ is the increasingly common marketing tactic being used by less-frequented destinations. Come here, they say, because we’re not as crowded as the neighbors. Visit us, and you won’t have to queue for your Instagram likes.”

Thanks,

Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!