FROM BRISBANE TO BUCHAREST
Canadians looking for lesser-known destinations when making travel plans, study finds
Move aside Palm Springs and Fort Lauderdale. Canadian travellers are seek ing out lesser-known destinations to explore.
Research done by travel website Booking.com. shows a trend toward visiting cities rich in culture and history, those known as culinary hot spots and, of course, as beach havens.
The firm looked at destinations with the highest increase in year over year bookings from September 2016 to September 2017 and found these emerging trends among Canadians:
SAPPORO, JAPAN
While Tokyo is often the focus for visitors to Japan, Sapporo is gaining in popularity. The capital city of the northern island of Hokkaido is a great base for exploring the mountains and hot springs. The site of the 1972 Winter Olympics, Sapporo is now known for seafood and, of course, its beer. The Sapporo Beer Museum makes for an interesting side trip as it details the city’s history of brewmaking and includes tastings. Far removed from the neon glitz of Tokyo, Japanese style inns known as ryokans are common here, offering an authentic Japanese experience.
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
With the domineering former Communist Palace of the Parliament towering over the city and dreary apartment blocks lining some streets, a visitor might feel a little oppressed. Shake that off, otherwise you’ll be missing a dynamic city with many layers. It’s elegant yet vibrant, modern yet chock full of wild history, including the nearby Dracula’s Castle (Bran Castle). It’s recommended for architecture ( the Romanian Athenaeum, Stavropoleos Church), food, museums, abundant gardens and parks and for traipsing around the Old Town.
ZAKOPANE, POLAND
Also in Eastern Europe, but light years away lies this mountain resort that’s popular for ski holidays. Now as more travellers are looking for health and wellness holidays, it’s attracting summer visitors with hiking in nearby Tatra National Park. It’s a small city, with only 30,000 people, which makes it easy to navigate its quaint streets. One of the must-do activities, summer or winter, is riding the 1936 cableway to Mount Kasprowy (1,998 metres above the sea level). There’s also a funicular that starts in the centre of the town and climbs to Gubałówka hill.
LIMA, PERU
Once upon a time, youthful travellers headed to Bali, Thailand or India, but South America is giving them a run for their money these days. As the gateway to the bucket list Incan site of Machu Picchu, Lima is fascinating in its own right. The fast pace and abundant activities (paragliding, nightclub- bing, surfing) of the city perched precariously on the Pacific attracts the young, while older travellers appreciate the rich history and amazing food. In fact, Lima is considered the gastronomic capital of Latin America.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Most travellers to Down Under head to Sydney and Melbourne but Brisbane is also worth some love. The capital of Queensland has a happening restaurant and bar scene, and plenty of nearby vineyards. If that’s not enough, it boasts a number of beautiful beaches. Go surfing at Ocean Beach, soak up the sun at Sylvan Beach, spot dolphins at Red Beach or hang out at the beach style lagoons such as Streets Beach and Settlement Cove. If seeing some local wildlife is your thing, know that the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened here in 1927. Also nearby is the Australian Zoo, made famous by Steve Irwin, who hosted the documentary series Crocodile Hunter prior to his death.
NASHVILLE, TENN.
Nashville’s famous for its country music scene, including the Grand Ole Opry and the historic Ryman Auditorium, and music fans will want to catch live music in the numerous honky tonks scattered throughout vibrant neighbourhoods. Nature lovers should explore the city’s many parks, which are easily accessible by foot or bike. Always a cool cat, interest in Nashville really spiked following the success of the musical drama series named after it.
PORTLAND, ORE.
The little sister to Seattle, it’s telling that its unofficial slogan is “keep Portland weird.” Oregon’s largest city offers a hopping nightlife, food trucks on every corner, culture and the great urban parks. It’s also home to Powell’s, the world’s largest used and new bookstore which is spread over several levels on one block. Also, don’t miss a visit to one of the city’s many breweries. The city is best explored on a bike while nature lovers should take in Forest Park and ‘City of Roses’ at the International Rose Test Garden.