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Rome, London, New York, Sydney, Beijing…each great city acts like a beacon to travellers worldwide drawn to the bright lights, buzz and vibe that the city offers.
But for many vagabonds the best memories are made in the small places - the villages, the towns and the smaller cities in the countries we visit. It is in these small places that one often gets to experience the authenticity of a place; the people and the real culture.
You get a chance to slow down, chat to the locals and more often than not it can be far cheaper to stay in the smaller towns and villages than it is to stay in the cities.
Some of my favourite small places in the world are St. George’s (Grenada, West Indies) and Port Douglas (Australia) - although where I currently am (Plettenberg Bay, South Africa) may well be added to the list.
Where are your favourites?
June 5th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I agree Lea, when my buddy and I hit the road we tend to get out of the cities very quickly as well, both for financial reasons and for the vibe outside of the city.
Some of my favorite small towns have been Banos Ecuador, Pushkar India, Merzouga Morocco places like that…..
June 5th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I agree Lea, when my buddy and I hit the road we tend to get out of the cities very quickly as well, both for financial reasons and for the vibe outside of the city.
Some of my favorite small towns have been Banos Ecuador, Pushkar India, Merzouga Morocco places like that…..
Saying this I am headed to Paris this summer and will probably spend a week or so there touring the sites and relaxing….
June 5th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
My favorite small place? I’m not telling because I don’t want it crowded with tourists
June 6th, 2008 at 6:50 am
The culture of the city is no less “real” or “authentic” than in the nation’s towns and small places.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:52 am
My favourite is Nice, France… not THAT small but holds so many precious memories for me, I prefer it to any of the big urban cities I have visited.
June 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
So true and doubly so for family travel! Even when we go to big cities we usually stay at a beach nearby like in Barcelona or like right now in Lisbon.
That way we can enjoy the calmness of a more rural feel and still have easy subway or train access.
We loved Hallstatt, Austria in November, the Isle of Skye in September, Ese, France or the Luberon off season, Bay of Kotor, Montenegro, the small villages near Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco, Rovinj, Croatia and our 15th century small village in Andalusia where we have wintered the last two years which I won’t name.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I adore Orléans, France. It’s an hour away from Paris, right in the Loire Valley, with a rich history of Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc) and a beautiful cathedral not crowded with tourists.