Now is the best moment in years to visit (or revisit) your favourite cities. We showcase some of the newest highlights that have opened in ten top European, African and Middle Eastern cities in recent years, while also exploring some of the evolving travel trends and priorities at those destinations.
AMSTERDAM – SWEETS hotel – As in most places around the world, the pandemic saw Amsterdam’s public areas suddenly empty of the usual tourist crowds. This has triggered serious debate on the future of the city’s tourism and how to prioritise sustainability. SWEETS hotel, however, has long been an innovator constantly looking for new ways forward. What makes it special: It’s one hotel spread across 28 repurposed ‘bridge houses’ formerly used by canal bridge staff. What to experience: The stay is the experience, with guests enjoying unique views above, across and onto the canals.[Photo: Mirjam Bleeker, courtesy of Sweets Hotel]
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BARCELONA – Poblenou – The Poblenou district has benefited from Barcelona’s search for a new touristic balance and identity post-Covid. What makes it special: Poblenou is a model example of how visitors can discover a different Barcelona by venturing beyond the tourist hotspots and exploring more authentic city districts. What to experience: Once a gritty light industrial area, Poblenou is now a creative quarter with eye-catching design and architecture, as well as new galleries and museums like the Can Framis Museum, specialising in contemporary Catalan art. There’s even an outpost of The Hoxton, the open-house hotel concept that started in London’s East End. [Photo: Museus VilaCasas/Wikimedia Commons]
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BERLIN – Tempelhofer Feld – Berlin encompasses a massive urban footprint of almost 900 sq km, but there’s so much more to the German capital than just its built environment. What makes it special: Sited on the city’s old airport, Tempelhofer Feld is rather unique. How often do you find 386 hectares of land in the heart of a modern capital simply given over to recreation use? What to experience: You’ll find all ages here, from sunrise to sunset, enjoying a myriad of sports and helping out in the urban gardening section, but the real appeal is the people and the sense of community. This is a place to unwind and convince yourself – at least for a few hours – ich bin ein Berliner.
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CAPE TOWN – Street Art – Think Cape Town, and we’re guessing you’re imagining Table Mountain, beautiful vineyards, beaches and more – but you can now add street art to that list. What makes it special: Baz-Art has been promoting public interaction with urban art in the city since it was founded in 2016. It has also supported the creation of over 200 murals in the city via its annual International Public Art Festival (IPAF), making it one of Africa’s street art hotspots. What to experience: Contact Baz-Art for a personal tour to get the ultimate insider take on Cape Town’s street art highlights.
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DUBAI – Museum of the Future – Dubai is already established as a city of superlatives, and this stunning new museum, which opened in February 2022, only adds to its appeal. What makes it special: The complexity of the torus structure (‘torus’ being geometry speak for ‘doughnut-shaped’) is enough in itself to draw many visitors. What to experience: The future! The museum actively invites visitors to see, touch and shape the interactive exhibits, which present visions of future technology, new worlds and new ways of living.
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DUBLIN – 14 Henrietta Street – Visitors to Dublin may enjoy its warm welcome, cosy pubs and historic charm, but only few have time to dig deeper beneath the surface of the city. What makes it special: Opened in late 2018, 14 Henrietta Street presents 300 years of Dublin history through one building, going from its elegant Georgian construction through to later life as a neglected tenement. What to experience: Make sure to arrange your guided tour in advance so that you are sure to experience this singular, award-winning museum to its fullest.
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LONDON – The Paddington Bear Experience – Slated for 2023 but still without a confirmed opening date, this showpiece immersive experience will be housed in the former County Hall building adjacent to the iconic London Eye. What makes it special: This will give kids of all ages the chance to enjoy the charm of Britain’s most beloved adopted bear in an entirely new way. What to experience: Access is always everything for the hottest of London tickets, so visitors are advised to sign up in advance for priority access.
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OSLO – MUNCH – Surely nothing could symbolise the pandemic better than Edvard Munch’s The Scream. With apt timing, the new MUNCH museum opened in October 2021. What makes it special: With over 200 Munch works on permanent display, this is comfortably the world’s largest Munch collection. What to experience: Explore the rest of the new Oslo waterfront with MUNCH located adjacent to the Oslo Opera House and the Deichman Library, opened in 2008 and 2020 respectively.
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PARIS – Bourse de Commerce – Opened during Covid, this new museum is home to the contemporary art collection of French billionaire François Pinault. What makes it special: Housed in the Bourse de Commerce, the city’s former grain exchange, the museum building is a magnificent hybrid of its original structure – similar to the Roman pantheon – and star architect Tadao Ando’s modern conversion. What to experience: Architectural and artistic inspiration. Come for the architecture and stay for the art!
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ROME – Roam from Rome – Italy has been prioritising slow tourism practices post-Covid, with hiking trails to be extended to connect all 25 of its national parks, and with visitors encouraged to explore beyond the country’s famous city centre attractions. What makes it special: Our fave example of the new trend is to combine a visit to Rome with a horse-riding trip around the surrounding Lazio region. What to experience: Just imagine horseback-riding on the beach or around a beautiful lake, while relaxing with an agritourism stay and sleeping in converted stables.
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