Alternative travels

Go Beyond the Famed Metropolis

Forget the usual travel fling, alternative cities around the world are extending their hands of welcome to seekers of something unrivaled. 

Rome tick. Paris tick. Tokyo tick. New York tick. Even Cape Town and Buenos Aires tick. Safari tick and now especially going to Mars with you know who (ugh, surely we can go with someone else?), tick. 

Luxury travel has centered on these famous cities and of course the various well-represented - and known - experiences people squeeze into their bucket lists. They, of course, have been getting better and better, but the more sophisticated traveller is hunting for something somewhat unexpected that these “tourist icons” couldn’t offer - even if they tried very hard. And so there is a rise of alternative cities now offering something, yes luxurious, but also utterly surprising.  Like Bucharest, trust me.

But where did it all begin? Perhaps this new gesture has started with people moving out of these “famous cities.” All this movement to “secondary cities” means these newly found cities are gaining attention and, naturally and organically, finding love in new ways. We can, thus far, credit America for starting the trend. More people are moving out of, for instance, New York and Illinois than are moving in, according to the annual list compiled by United Van Lines, a moving company that has put together an annual survey of where Americans are moving for the last four decades. In the 48th study the Southeast of America is the top moving destination, plus Sunbelt states like South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas. West Virginia is leading the nation in inbound move percentage, while New Jersey tops the outbound list for the seventh consecutive year  

Oregon, with Portland’s appeal of walkable neighborhoods, public transport and cuisine, has been at the top of the moving list for a decade. Plus places like Charleston, Greenville and Asheville are also receiving the love. And with this movement has come tourism too. 

Greenville, SC

It is Richard Florida, urban studies theorist, who makes the most compelling case for “quality of place” and the three T’s of economic development: technology, talent and tolerance in his book “The Rise of the Creative Class.” He says, “Independently minded, innovative, creative people, who value lifestyle, are looking at a handful of alternative cities. They’re after a new way of living that embodies true quality.” And so these people move to secondary cities and open coffee shops, great dining, craft stores, and so heaps of exclusive experiences just magically appear because these cities have never had it – opportunities for travellers seeking something “unfound” are endless now. 

Only a decade ago it was merely the major cities in the world that offered urban culture, that thing they call “refinement” and some version of what people call “European quality of life” (Zurich meets Paris right?) – today a series of imaginative cities are reborn as purveyors of such right here in America. But the rest of the world is, in fact very much, following. 

This is the urban shake-up of our era – seekers call and alternative cities respond. Thomas Woltz, owner of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, sees alternative cities globally as the future of innovative development and that this trend will just continue to expand to more places and bring people who will both live there and come to visit: “I respond intuitively to the authentic grit that places like Birmingham, Nashville, Louisville and New Orleans share and like their bold experimentation in food, hospitality and art allowing these cities to flourish.”

And boldly the dying-to-be-inspired traveller will go to a series of new cities that will emerge on six continents. Some of these cities are years in the making and offer the most sophisticated (yet undiscovered) beauty you can imagine and others are just rising to the surface and with a gentle pop inviting the savvy, and chic, traveller to take a very big sip. 

Some of the alternative cities worth discovering now that the shine of the world’s capitals aren’t enough for the jaded traveller. I mentioned Bucharest, right?

Montevideo, Uruguay

It’s not just the city of Montevideo that is really gaining traction – it’s in fact the whole country. But, because Uruguay is so small, it’s easy to get access to almost the entire country on one trip - all from the capital. And that’s the luxury – just 20 minutes and you’re at some of the finest wineries, like Bouza right outside the city. “Uruguay is a small country, but you can find beaches, pampas, unique wines and great food and lovely people,” says Veronica Curtis, Abercrombie and Kent, Country Manager for Argentina. “Punta del Este is the exclusive spot in Uruguay, and small villages such as Garzon and Carmelo are becoming popular with those looking for off the beaten track destinations - but all of it is still close to the city of Montevideo.”

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Although visitors have been to Angkor Wat for decades, the town of Siem Reap was largely overlooked. The laid back small town vibe with French colonial feel and of course endless nature is what gives it its exclusivity. At the Amansara travellers are given the most unique visit to the city far beyond the temples. “You can see the sunrise at Angkor Wat but then breakfast on delicious Nom Ben Chok (traditional noodle dish) at Amansara's Khmer Village House, take an open jeep ride through the deep countryside to observe the harvesting of sugar palm, a boat ride on Tonle Sap from silted to floating fishing villages with picnic lunch and wine served aboard Amanbala, a life changing session at the Spa with resident spiritual guru Stephen Jeanes and finally a not to missed performance at Phare Circus – all in one trip,” says Sally Baughen, ex-General Manager at the Amansara. Of course, the more distant temples of Banteay Chhmar, Preah Vihear & Koh Ker are all easily connected in one day by helicopter for seekers of the most exclusive parts of Cambodia.

Palermo, Italy

The capital of the island Sicily manages to maintain its original soul of a typical slash traditional Mediterranean city with its layers of different cultures (Greek, Roman, Arab, Spanish, etc.) deriving from centuries of different dominations. It is exactly there where the exclusivity comes in – a proper meditative slowing down combined with the fineries of life. “ A day cooking with the Duchess is not simply a cooking lesson in an extraordinary location - an 18th century palazzo by the sea - it's also a fascinating journey through Sicilian culture and food,” says Matteo Della Grazia, owner of FuorITinerario Discover your Italy, who organizes the most intimate and unrepeated tours of Italy. For the most unique experience Della Grazia organizes a trip to the island of Pantelleria - south of Sicily very close to the African coast – to stay in the typical local houses (dammusi) plus day trips to hike to the top of Mount Stromboli volcano.

Brno, Czech Republic

It’s the city of cafes really. Suddenly these cafes are attracting visitors that have already done Prague. “Brno, an energetic city that honors history, prides itself on modern architecture (like Villa Tugendhat was recorded on the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage) and really loves the arts with a highly concentrated new art scene (including Gallery of the Young: Galerie mladých),” says Jiří Dužár

public relations manager at CzechTourism in New York. With a relaxed atmosphere and fewer tourists the city has attracted a host of young people starting businesses and setting up Czech handcraft that is not available anywhere else in the world.

Haifa, Israel

Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have been the darlings of Israel for travelers (yes, even now). But there is another city that is gaining traction as an alternative. Haifa is attracting chefs, investors, younger generations of artists, creatives and designers and has an unexplored street culture away from tourists. “Haifa is the best mix between city and beach and a mountainous landscape. Green forests and great hikes and views that are much more extensible than in other cities in Israel, or just about anywhere,” says Nir Margalith, Founder of Puzzle Israel, an expert travel operator. 

Want to go beyond alternative cities, what about alternative experiences?

Abandoned island?

Soneva Resorts in the Maldives. Soneva Jani, on the island of Medhufaru, part of an uninhabited five-island cluster in the Noonu Atoll. Just you, and anything you need on call. 

Desert glamping?

Abercrombie and Kent with collaboration with Alto Atacama has their starry night camping in the Atacama Desert exclusive offering. Just you in a spot never explored before. 

Surfing in the arctic?

Hit the waves in the Arctic Ocean with Eleven Experience at their Deplar Farm, a native sheep farm turned luxe-lodge in the northern part of the country. 

The next scuba diving destination?

Having never really promoted themselves, the island of Saba, or “unspoiled Queen,” is gaining traction as the next scuba diving destination in the world. Low key Caribbean beauty – just don’t tell anyone about it.  

Views from a working sheep station in New Zealand? 

Head to Flockhill's high country lodge that is nestled within a 36,000 acre working sheep station- a silent witness to life in the majestic Southern Alps.