Snubbed cities offer much
These frequently ignored cities are underrated gems.
As a middle child, I can sympathise with the quiet achievers when it comes to travel destinations. Those that just keep truckin’, while more brash or cute-as-a-button counterparts hog all the attention and gain all the plaudits.
In Europe it’s much the same as anywhere else: the travellers who take the time to explore the smaller cities, the also-rans and the ‘‘maybe next time’’ towns are truly rewarded.
This summer many tourists’ itineraries will tick off the big guns: Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Florence, Nice, Berlin – maybe Prague, Budapest and Dubrovnik if there’s time. And often it does come down to time. The big names have their worthy attractions but these cities less visited by Kiwis deserve a place on your itinerary too.
Lyon
Paris has the Eiffel Tower. Nice has the beachside glamour. Lyon is somewhere halfway between the two but somehow ignored by many travellers who make time for both. This is the gastronomic capital of one of the world heavyweights of cuisine. Set on the confluence of the Rhone and the Saone rivers, Lyonnaise cuisine is influenced by the nearby Alps, Beaujolais wine region and the hinterland’s status as France’s food pantry. Despite the availability of locally grown fruit, vegetables, fish and meat nothing is wasted... which makes for some interesting menus. The list of Michelin-starred chefs that have come from here could fill a cookbook, but be sure to visit the many cheap and cheerful bouchons – Des Filles or La Jura are my picks.
Porto
Portugal is finally stamping itself on to Antipodean tourists’ radars. Lisbon is lauded as western Europe’s cheapest capital, while southern hotspots near Faro and Lagos make for excellent summertime Instagram fodder. As a result, poor old Porto in the north gets snubbed. Based at the mouth of the Douro River, and birthplace of the eponymous tipple, visiting the port houses alone should be enough to lure Kiwis. The city is hilly yet compact, colourful and shabby-chic, with trolley buses and cable cars. The weather is warm and sunny and the lunchtime special is a triple meat and cheese grilled sandwich sitting in a pool of beer and tomato sauce (a Francesinha).
Antalya
Antalya Airport is on the list of the world’s top 30 busiest airports. This Turkish tourist town is beloved by German and Russian holidaymakers but makes my list only as the gateway to Turkey’s beautiful and not-yetoverrun Turquoise Coast. Use a flight to Antalya combined with a discount dolmus (shared taxi van) to access spectacular and secluded coves on one of the Mediterranean’s leastdeveloped coastlines. Hike the ancient Lycian Way, paraglide over Oludinez, kayak over sunken ruins from Kas or just find a quiet stretch of sand near Kaputas. Terror attacks in Istanbul in 2015 severely dampened demand to the Turkish Riviera, despite this coastline being a largely safe region. The result has been an oversupply of hotel rooms and a further weakening of the Turkish lira, so there are bargains to match the beauty.
Liverpool
You don’t have to be a Beatles fan to appreciate this northern beauty. The city’s history as an essential Industrialera port has left it with some grand city centre buildings and a few scars linked to its role in the slave trade best told at the International Slavery Museum near the docks. Modern-day Liverpool is raucous, whether watching Everton, or Liverpool FC at Anfield or soaking up the Scouse bar scene around Ropewalks you’re guaranteed a good time with friendly locals.
Use a flight to Antalya combined with a discount dolmus (shared taxi van) to access spectacular and secluded coves on one of the Mediterranean’s least-developed coastlines. Hike the ancient Lycian Way, paraglide over Oludinez, kayak over sunken ruins from Kas or just find a quiet stretch of sand near Kaputas.
Ljubljana
Slovenia is too often overshadowed by neighbouring Croatia and Hungary, despite its position at the crossroads between eastern and western Europe. Add to that the Venetian influence of neighbouring Italy, the gripping recent history of the Balkans and four seasons of stunning natural beauty, and this little nation packs a punch. Its capital Ljubljana (pronounced lyoo-BLYAHnah) is a good base to explore the country. The city itself has Tivoli park and a castle, but its lack of ‘‘must-dos’’ means an afternoon with a drink by the Ljubljanica River offer a respite from a busy itinerary. Stay here to explore picturesque Lake Bled, skiing in the Julian Alps, or the Skocjan Caves. Email if you have a travel issue you’d like Josh Martin, a London-based travel journalist, to write about.