As the holidays wrap up, we return amidst a cold winter, back to our schools and places of work. We brace ourselves for the coming months of work and studying, anticipating our next break months away. For those of us in the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is our upcoming holiday, our last remnant of the weeks of vacation that we’ve been enjoying the last while. This edition, we doubt that the places featured will be your weekend getaway during MLK day, but may be trips to dream up for spring break or even summer. Fuel your daydreams, they’ll power you for the next six months till summer.
Note: This is not a ranking
Barcelona, Spain
Located in the northeast corner of the Iberian peninsula, Barcelona is the heart of rebellion against Spain. Just ninety three miles from the French border, the distinct culture of the Barcelona province is a stark contrast from the typical Spanish culture. For years Catalonia (the region of Spain that Barcelona calls home) has been at odds with the Spanish leadership in Madrid. Catalonia was an independent kingdom for years before losing wars against the Spanish in the late 1400’s and 1500’s and becoming unified with Spain. During the reign of Napoleon, Barcelona and Catalonia were occupied by the French. In the early 1900’s Barcelona was the center of the Republican movement in Spain, calling for Spain to have a democratic republic, as opposed to the monarchy-dictatorship which the Nationalists believed in. After losing the Spanish Civil War, the ensuing nationalist leadership of dictator General Francisco Franco punished Catalonia heavily, censoring everyday citizens of Barcelona, trimming their rights, and stemming their flourishing culture. However today, Barcelona is a spectacular destination for tourists, home to a distinct culture filled with culinary delights and world-class art. In Barcelona one can visit the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the largest unfinished catholic church in the world. Designed by Catalan native, Anton Gaudi, construction started in 1882, and hasn’t ended since. The stunning interior, filled with high ceilings, tapestries, and stained glass windows that are art in themselves compliment the majestic exterior, which overlooks this unique Spanish city. Moving on, tourists can dine on one-of-a-kind Catalan delights, such as Arròs negre amb allioli – black rice with aioli –, a local dish made with the ink of native cuttlefish and aioli. Barcelona is a magnificent city, from its historical buildings, to its world-class dining, to its famous soccer team. This is a perfect destination for spring or summer break, better yet, it’s a direct flight from most major cities around the world, including Boston.
Alappuzha, India
A little farther east than Barcelona, Alappuzha is situated on India’s southwestern coast, in the unique state of Kerala. Alappuzha – better known by its British name of Alleppey – is often considered the Venice of India. Alappuzha is home to the State of Kerala’s famous backwaters which are a network of canals fed by the Indian ocean that locals and tourists alike use to get around. The area around Alappuzha is surrounded by paddy fields as far as the eye can see, only split by canals carrying cool water from the nearby Indian ocean. Visitors explore this Indian treasure by renting houseboats – which come with a full staff –. One relaxes of the sofa of their private houseboat as their captain cruises them through the spectacular canals, with paddy fields and small villages along the way. After a few hours of cruising, tourists enjoy their first meal aboard, cooked by the onboard chef as the boat continues through the majestic scenery. After lunch the docks at the fishmonger where visitors purchase the fresh-caught seafood that they would like to dine on that night. After a brief shopping expedition the leisurely ride continues, exploring the canals that have rainforests and paddy fields on their left and right sides. As the sun sets the boat returns to the company’s docks where each houseboat company owns a small resort. As houseboats aren’t permitted to sail after dark, visitors can enjoy the amenities of the resort, whether it be a swimming pool or a gym. More adventurous travelers can walk along the nearby road which offers stunning views of the paddy fields. After a fresh-cooked dinner of succulent seafood, visitors are off to bed, awakening to a morning of cruising and breakfast before their trip ends. The experience in Alappuzha is one-of-a-kind, a unique houseboat trip that is unforgettable. For a similar experience as described above, stay with the Blue Jelly Resort where they offer these marvelous houseboating trips. Excited to visit? Alappuzha is a short two hour drive from the bustling Kerala city of Kochi which is in turn connected to most major cities in the world, including London – a direct flight away for Bostonians –.
Aswan, Egypt
Often in the shadow of the famed Pyramids of Giza, Egypt’s many cities and towns offer rich histories and cultural artifacts, often without the crowds. Aswan is one of these remarkable cities, home to the ruins of many ancient Egyptian pharaohs. Located alongside the Nile in southern Egypt, Luxor is a less-visited ancient city, home to remarkable artifacts and buildings from the pharaohs’ reign, such as the Unfinished Obelisk. Visitors can explore the alleyways filled with distinct shops and dine on distinct North African cuisine. Furthermore, Aswan’s visitors can just take in the scenery, with the stunning Nile River – and the often sight of a crocodile – cutting through the city. The desert lies on the opposite side of the river, where the sun beats down on endless dunes of sand. Most visitors to this spectacular destination use Aswan as the beginning or end of their Nile cruise. Tourists can fly to well-connected Cairo, before taking an overnight train to Luxor. After seeing what Luxor has to offer, visitors can embark on a multi-day cruising journey that takes them south to the villages in northern Sudan and north to the also-historic city of Luxor, home to the famed obelisks. From Luxor visitors board yet another overnight train to take them back to Cairo. Want to visit? Cairo is well connected to most major cities in the world, such as London and New York which are both a direct flight away.
Savannah, United States
Despite being a little closer, colder, and newer than Aswan or Barcelona, Savannah, located in the southern U.S. state of Georgia – just across from South Carolina – is a charming city, an iconic metropolis home to classic southern culture. Visitors can stroll through its historic cobblestone streets, visiting its ubiquitous parks and gardens. One can walk along the bustling Savannah River, filled with everything from small fishing boats to massive cargo ships heading out to sea. Looking across the river at South Carolina, tourists can see the cotton fields of former plantations, a reminder of the dark history that the region has in its past. In Savannah, there are numerous museums and historical sites that offer opportunities to learn about the region’s history of slavery. Following a visit to a museum, tourists can continue their journey by walking through the gardens of sprawling Forsyth Park, shaded by massive Spanish oak trees. After their exploration, famished visitors can enjoy a meal at any of Savannah’s fantastic dining establishments, feasting on gumbo, crawfish, fried alligator, and shrimp and grits, just to name a few. Savannah, Georgia is a remarkable place and is easily accessible, whether that be a direct flight over from most major cities in the world, or – in the more historic way – one can take the iconic overnight Silver Meteor train from New York to visit this distinct city.