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Articles (722)

2024年、世界のベストシティランキング50

2024年、世界のベストシティランキング50

タイムアウト東京 > トラベル >2024年、世界のベストシティランキング50 誰もが認める大都市は、他の都市と何が違うのだろうか。ある人は、要するに、賑やかなエリア、手頃な値段の食べ物や飲み物、アートギャラリーや美術館からライブ音楽や演劇まで、さまざまな楽しみ方があることだと言うだろう。また、地元の人々の幸福感、緑豊かな場所が身近にあること、コミュニティーの活気などを強調する人もいるかもしれない。 タイムアウトでは、それら全てにさらに別の項目も加えて、毎年恒例となった調査を行い、世界中の都市生活者に地元での暮らし、仕事、遊びの「今」を尋ねた。現地の人々の意見と洞察、そして都市の専門家たちのグローバルネットワークのおかげで、2024年も世界最高の都市ランキングを作成することができた。 例年通り、このランキングの基礎となるのは、その都市を最もよく知る人々、つまり地元の人々に対する世界規模の調査だ。調査会社のPotentia Insightと協力しながら、我々は何千人もの都市住民を対象に、その都市の食、文化、ナイトライフの質と価格の手頃さについて調査を行った。 また、「そこにいることで幸せを感じるか」「美しい場所か」「社会的なつながりは作りやすいか」など、その土地をどう感じているのかも尋ねた。最終的に、何千もの回答が集まり、今この時点での、世界で最も素晴らしい都市の生活の現実について、ユニークも洞察を得ることができた。 海外旅行が2019年以来の最高水準まで回復すると予測されている今年は、都市への休暇旅行を計画している人も多いだろう。そこで我々は今回の2024年版の調査では、各都市におけるグローバルな魅力も加点することとし、調査参加者にいま住んでいる都市以外で最も住んでみたい都市を聞いた。また、世界各地を拠点とする、100人以上の旅慣れたタイムアウトのスタッフライターとエディターに、どの都市が今、特にエキサイティングな場所であるかも尋ねた。 さて、今年はどの都市が上位になったのか、見る準備はできただろうか? さあ、出発だ。 関連記事『世界の文化的な都市ベスト20』『2024年に最もリーズナブルな海外旅行先は?』

Arnaldo Quintela é eleita uma das ruas mais cool do mundo

Arnaldo Quintela é eleita uma das ruas mais cool do mundo

A cada passeio pela região, nota-se um novo negócio abrindo suas portas. O labo B de Botafogo, que antes era endereço de várias oficinas mecânicas, foi revitalizado e virou um dos maiores points da cidade. São muitos os bares e restaurantes que ficam apinhados de uma galera bem descolada depois do anoitecer. Não à toa, a principal rua, Arnaldo Quintela, foi escolhida como uma das mais cool do mundo pela Time Out, ostentando um honroso 8º lugar no ranking produzido por especialistas locais. A High Street de Melbourne, na Austrália, liderou o pódio, seguida pela Hollywood Road, em Hong Kong, e pela East Eleventh, em Austin. Veja abaixo outras vias que valem ser exploradas mundo afora.

The 30 coolest streets in the world

The 30 coolest streets in the world

Ticking off the main tourist attractions on a city break is all well and good, but it’s only when you veer off down a side street or stumble across a leafy avenue that you really get a glimpse of a city’s true character. Streets are the heart of local life; they’re where communities come together, where new local businesses become go-to staples and where urbanites go out, hang out and have fun.  So what are the world’s coolest streets worth a stroll right now? To find the answer, we reached out to our global team of local expert editors and contributors, who each made a case for the coolest street in their city. We then narrowed down the selection to create a definitive ranking of the best avenues, thoroughfares, backstreets and boulevards on the planet. And so you have it: the coolest streets in the world’s best cities. Over the last few years, street life has gone through something of an evolution. Outdoor drinking and dining, at one point a temporary measure, has become a staple on many of the streets on our hotlist; only bolstered by green initiatives like pedestrianisation and low-traffic avenues. In other words, these streets have become much more walkable and pleasant places to spend our time. On every street on this list, there are bold, creative new ventures in food, drink, nightlife and culture: from listening bars to repurposed heritage buildings, these streets are where you’ll find a city’s most exciting cultural trends. Ready for a wander?  RECOMMENDED: 🏘️ The w

The best Gatwick Airport hotels

The best Gatwick Airport hotels

With far flung flights to Hong Kong, short jaunts to Jersey and everything in between, Gatwick Airport remains one of Europe's busiest. Add to that its close proximity to the capital and its many attractions and it's clear to see why they need take-offs and landings round the clock. If your departure happens to be at an unsociable hour, or during peak commuter times, you'd do well to book a room nearby so you can get in early and board the plane feeling fresh and well rested. There's something to suit all budgets too, so don't worry about the pennies, simply pick your next stay from our selection of the best hotels at Gatwick Airport. Whether you're after sleek luxury or calm convenience, you'll find just what you're after here. Updated for March 2024: With airport hotels always being in high demand, we've decided to add a few more options for you to choose from. Look out for the manor house with an award-winning restaurant, and a small-scale family-run property with the friendly atmosphere of a B&B.  RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in London Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The best Heathrow hotels

The best Heathrow hotels

Based conveniently close to London's wealth of tourist attractions, and having evolved over the years into a five-terminal machine, it's no surprise that Heathrow Airport is Europe's busiest for international air traffic. It's little wonder then that you'll find a whole host of hotels to choose from if you need to catch some Zs before or after your flight. But which are the best hotels near Heathrow? We’ve put together a list of our faves to save you stressing and spend more time luxuriating after or ahead of your next flight. Updated for March 2024: As we understand how important it is to find the perfect airport hotel to get your journey off to the best start, we wanted to add a few more inclusions for you to choose from. Enter: A Radisson property with a London theme and sauna, and one from the Marriott with three international restaurants.  RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in London Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

The 7 best cheap hotels in Boston

The 7 best cheap hotels in Boston

Boston’s overnight accommodations are not for the faint of heart or the light of wallet. It’s an expensive town to a live in and an even more expensive to visit, but bargains can be found—it just requires some sleuthing. We’ve scoured the local landscape to locate the best cheap hotels in the city, each providing easy access to the best Boston attractions without triggering budgetary panic. (Save those pennies for the amazing restaurants in town and other treats.) RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in Boston Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

50 best things to do in Boston

50 best things to do in Boston

As with every year, March in Boston is a time for emerging from our winter-induced comas and hitting the city for some fun. Fortunately for those of you who are still in a state of seasonal stupor, we have amassed a list of foolproof activities sure to put a spring back in your step: the 50 best things to do in Boston. While our city may be known for some of the oldest restaurants, historic Fenway Park and swath of Freedom Trail landmarks, it also offers plenty of new and exciting places. Looking for more seasonal inspiration? Take a stroll through the best parks in town, bring your family to some kid-friendly attractions and check out some primo picnic spots. Our editors curate this list ever month, giving our expert picks for seasonal fun and year round activities that make Boston the amazing city that it is! How many from this month’s list have you tried? RECOMMENDED: The Best Restaurants in Boston Right Now    

The 15 very best happy hours in NYC

The 15 very best happy hours in NYC

For a cheap-ish date or cutting out early to dish with your coworkers, you just can’t beat happy hour in NYC. (Think of it like congestion pricing, but for drinking!) While some of the best bars in NYC serve up incredible deals during that sweet spot between lunch and dinner, you can also find cheap well shots and shot-and-beer combos at beloved New York dive bars, affordable brews at crowded sports bars and even a few bucks off the eye-popping evening prices at some of the city’s most luxurious cocktail lounges. Pair all that cheap booze with discounted oysters or an early dinner of a burger and fries to soak up the liquor before you find yourself blinking out of the bar and into the sunshine at the still-civilized hour of 6pm.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best bars in NYC

Where to go shopping in NYC

Where to go shopping in NYC

Whether you’re on the hunt for prime vintage, cheap (but still chic!) threads or avant-garde designer merch, shopping in NYC never disappoints. That is, if you know where to go (or sift through). Luckily, we’ve done the grunt work for you and uncovered the go-to spots to snag discounts, accessories, throwbacks and anything else you need to cross off your never-ending to-buy list. From trendy boutiques in Soho to thrift shops in Bushwick, you’ll find exactly what you envisioned at these retailers—if not more! Looking for stores in a specific nabe? Check out our shopping guides by neighborhood.

The 14 best cookies in NYC

The 14 best cookies in NYC

Cookies and milk aren’t just for kids—and the best cookies in NYC are proof. Freshly baked at the city’s best coffee shops and bakeries, NYC’s most beloved cookies include elegant crinkle wafers, old-school black-and-white rounds and homey, familiar chocolate chips. These aren’t just some of New York’s finest cookies—they are some of the very best desserts in NYC. RECOMMENDED: See all of the best restaurants in NYC

The 15 best places to visit in the UK in 2023

The 15 best places to visit in the UK in 2023

So you’re thinking about planning a holiday for 2023. Some time off to relax, see some art, hang out with pals or just generally explore. But where should you go, exactly? Well, Time Out’s UK team is here to remind you that, actually, there are loads of amazing destinations, like, right here. Believe it or not, there are fascinating places all over the country you can visit easily, cheaply, and without having to catch a flight (or travel very far at all, in fact). To compile this ranking, we went to our local experts across the UK to figure out which cities, towns and regions are really worth visiting next year. These are places with thriving food, drink and arts scenes. They’re cities with big cultural openings and spectacular new hotels. And they all have at least one huge event (and in many cases, several) coming up that should immediately go in your calendars. Basically, they’re the parts of the country that everyone will be talking about over the next 12 months. And deservedly so. From an underappreciated coastal town that’s set to host the Turner Prize and a city where fine-dining doesn’t necessarily mean having to splash out to an old-school resort town with world-beating beer and the region with two of our favourite music festivals, this is the best of the UK for 2023. Happy staycations! RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in the UK Stay in the loop: sign up to Out There, our free newsletter about all the best stuff to do across the UK.

The 100 best horror movies of all time

The 100 best horror movies of all time

Everyone is scared of something. It might be something specific, like spiders or snakes or heights, or something less tangible, like death or failure. But deep down, even the most posturing tough guy harbours deep-seated fears. Perhaps that explains why horror has grown into one of the most popular of all film genres. Even if a movie doesn’t necessarily touch on the things that personally scare us the most, allowing ourselves to be scared at all helps us confront and ease the anxieties and fears that keep us paralysed.   Of course, horror hasn’t always been a moneymaker. Not long ago, it was mainly a niche interest, ignored by mass audiences and shrugged off by critics. The recent artistic and commercial success of films like Get Out, A Quiet Place and Talk to Me have brought retroactive respect to a genre once synonymous with schlock. So if you’ve spent too much of your film fandom dismissing horror, consider this your guide to everything you’ve missed. Here are the 100 greatest horror movies ever made. Written by Tom Huddleston, Cath Clarke, Dave Calhoun, Nigel Floyd, Phil de Semlyen, David Ehrlich, Joshua Rothkopf, Nigel Floyd, Andy Kryza, Alim Kheraj and Matthew Singer Recommended: 🔪 The best new horror movies of 2024 (so far)🔥 The 100 best movies of all time👹 Cinema’s creepiest anthology horror movies🩸 The 15 scariest horror movies based on true stories

Listings and reviews (266)

Jingle Ball

Jingle Ball

KIIS FM’s annual holiday behemoth’s lineup reads like a roll call of the station’s playlist: Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Niall Horan, Miguel, Flo Rida, AJR, (G)I-DLE and P1Harmony will all take over the Forum this holiday season. The best seats will cost you a boatload, so look out for news of a free pre-show that usually precedes the main event.

Ambulance

Ambulance

2 out of 5 stars

Free from the robot clutches of the Transformers franchise and his last, direct-to-Netflix thriller 6 Underground, Michael Bay returns where he belongs: a car chase in Los Angeles surrounded by muscled, sweaty men.  War veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), in dire need of cash to pay for his wife’s unspecified surgery, asks his career criminal adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) for help as a last recourse. Abdul-Mateen II is the more grounded of the two while Gyllenhaal is giving us crazy-eyes. What’s supposed to be an easy job gets really messy, really quickly, and the two brothers find themselves in a LA-wide police chase with an injured cop in the back of the ambulance they’ve hijacked. If he dies, their sentences will be much more severe. The steely EMT Cam (Eliza Gonzalez) rounds off this unhinged scenario, a relatively sane counterweight to the odd-couple brothers as she tries to keep the cop alive.  Ambulance is a remake of a 2005 Danish film of the same name, but pimped up à la Bay. Something is always happening, very loudly, and everyone is concerned with looking very cool while it happens. Most of the action happens inside the titular ambulance, and credit to Bay for making it feel as cramped and frenetic as the story demands through sweaty close-ups and lunatic banter. His camera goes from trembling close-ups to swooping helicopter shots of his beloved LA at dizzying speed. Something is always happening, very loudly, and everyone is concerned with loo

The Who

The Who

The Who—that is, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, some other musicians and two very prominent ghosts—come to town on their “The Who Hits Back!” tour. See them in Anaheim at the Honda Center or at the Hollywood Bowl.

Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace

Grand Central Market Holiday Marketplace

If you’re making a list and checking it twice, consider this annual shopping event for unique kitchen, pantry and tabletop finds, plus all sorts of foodie goodies. Hosts a bazaar most days in the downstairs basement event space, and on select evenings you’ll find visits from Santa (Dec 3, 10, 17, 24) or concerts (Dec 16, 23).

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles concerts

Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles concerts

You know it’s summer in L.A. when the live outdoor music starts swelling all over the city, including at MacArthur Park’s Levitt Pavilion. The Westlake concert series returns this summer with free shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Expect a genre-spanning mix of local acts that range from cumbia to ska to EDM. Check out the full season lineup below. Courtesy Levitt Pavilion

SESH Comedy BYOB Summer Pop-Up

SESH Comedy BYOB Summer Pop-Up

Throughout the summer, Lower East Side hidden gem Sesh Comedy is hosting a BYOB summer pop-up. Each ticket comes with an alcoholic drink of choice, while BYOB is still encouraged. Each night hosts two shows that run for 75 minutes each, and features comedians from Comedy Central, HBO, Colbert, Netflix, Amazon, and more. Lineups change weekly, so be sure to check out @seshcomedy on Instagram for weekly show details!

Arcadia Earth

Arcadia Earth

Immersive art exhibit Arcadia Earth has reopened after being closed due to the pandemic, and it looks better than ever! The exhibit aims to inspire visitors artistically and ethically, as it uses 15 rooms to spotlight the environmental challenges that our planet is facing (such as overfishing, food waste, and climate change). This exhibit will not only leave visitors in awe, but it will help support Oceanic Global, an organization devoted to raising awareness around our aquatic ecosystems. In addition, a tree will also be planted for every ticket sold, making it a perfect gift for your eco-conscious friends!

Young NYC Artists Showcase

Young NYC Artists Showcase

Hudson River Park is currently displaying a new public art exhibition, displaying works by graduates from NYC SALT, an arts nonprofit photography program that gives students the opportunity to develop both their artistic and career skills in the field. The exhibition focuses on the diverse and dynamic communities throughout the city that the SALT alumni call home, and features 22 works displayed on 7-by-9 foot panels along the park.

Weekly Buckaroos Comedy Show

Weekly Buckaroos Comedy Show

Looking for some hilarious free fun this summer? Every Tuesday night at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg, the “The Biggest Little Venue in NYC”, comedy fans can gather for a free show at 7pm! The lineups change weekly and can be found on the show’s Instagram and Facebook pages. For the safety of both the performers and the audience, proof of full vaccination is required for attendance. A full-service bar will be available with drinks and snacks for purchase throughout the show. 

O Traidor

O Traidor

4 out of 5 stars

Em maedos da década de 
80, Tommaso Buscetta, um importante membro da Cosa Nostra, a máfia da Sicília, tornou-se num dos primeiros arrependidos da história desta organização, fornecendo informações ao juiz anti-máfia Giovanni Falcone. Alguns anos mais tarde, a sua delação levaria à prisão de Totò Riina, o líder
 da Cosa Nostra, desferindo um sério golpe na organização, e conduziria até o antigo primeiro-ministro Giulio Andreotti à barra do tribunal (seria ilibado). Há em Itália uma longa tradição de “filmes de máfia”
(e de séries e telefilmes), sejam mais policiais e de acção, sejam mais documentais ou políticos. O Traidor, de Marco Bellochio, que conta a história de Buscetta, essencialmente a partir da altura em que passou a colaborar com as autoridades, é uma contribuição maior para este acervo. Bellochio apresenta-nos um Buscetta membro da Cosa Nostra “à antiga”. Isto é, antes que o tráfico de droga tenha substituído o de tabaco como a mais lucrativa actividade da organização, levando o monstruoso Riina
ao poder, desencadeando uma guerra no meio do crime siciliano e fazendo tábua rasa dos valores que a orientavam (nunca matar mulheres ou crianças, por exemplo). A certa altura, Buscetta 
(o magnificamente sóbrio Pierfrancesco Favino, que já vimos em Romanzo Criminale ou em Suburra), diz a Falcone ser um desses “homens de honra” dos tempos pré-tráfico de droga 
e massacres indiscriminados. Ao que este responde estar farto do “mito da máfia nobre e honrada”. Bellochio não min

Wings for Life World Run - Croatia

Wings for Life World Run - Croatia

Editor's note: the event is cancelled until further notice. The Wings for Life World Run is a charity running competition that's been held on the first weekend of May since 2014. Zadar is the only Wings for Life World Run race whose route extends along the sea, taking in the beautiful Adriatic coastline as well as much of the pretty city of Zadar. It is the third-largest in the world by the number of participants. In terms of the population of Croatia, it is the largest race of its kind in the country, as well as the race with the highest number of student entrants. In 2019, there were 9000 participants from more than 25 countries.RECOMMENDED: More great sports events in Croatia where you can join in

Pod Zidom Rooms

Pod Zidom Rooms

5 out of 5 stars

Situated just seconds away from Trg Ban Jelačić, Zagreb's central square, a stay at Pod Zidom Rooms places you truly in the heart of the city. An accommodation offer by the same team who run the Michelin-recommended Pod Zidom Bistro & Wine Bar which lies beneath, though these four, well-appointed rooms have no reception of their own, checking in downstairs couldn't be easier. The building's shared and unremarkable concrete stairwell gives way to an exquisitely-designed central corridor which grants access to each room. Three overlook the calm and largely pedestrian street outside and two have balconies. The uber-tasteful design runs throughout, from the beautiful modern bathrooms to the sleek bedrooms which each come with a king-size bed, perfectly positioned flat-screen TV (with complimentary Netflix), generous minibar and coffee and tea service, free broadband WiFi and a portable router so you can take the connection everywhere you go, comfortable work desk and central heating/air conditioning. Breakfast is taken downstairs at one of the most talked-about restaurants in the country. Indeed, aside from business travellers and couples on a city break, the rooms are frequently booked by gastronauts drawn to Zagreb because of the international reputation held by Pod Zidom's modern Croatian cuisine. The restaurant also has one of the best wine lists in the country.

News (694)

Estas son las 30 mejores calles del mundo

Estas son las 30 mejores calles del mundo

Visitar las principales atracciones turísticas de una ciudad está muy bien, pero solo cuando nos desviamos por un callejón perdido o tropezamos por una avenida arbolada podemos conocer el verdadero carácter de cada ciudad. Las calles son el corazón de la vida urbana; es donde las comunidades se reúnen, donde los pequeños comercios se convierten en protagonistas y donde los ciudadanos salen, pasan el rato y se divierten. Dicho esto, ¿cuáles son las mejores calles del mundo que vale la pena conocer y pasear por ellas? Para encontrar la respuesta, nuestro equipo global de editores y colaboradores aportó (e hizoun estudio) de la calle más bonita de su ciudad y, de ahí, creamos un ranking definitivo de las mejores avenidas, vías, callejuelas y bulevares del planeta. En primer lugar encontramos High Street, en Melbourne, Australia. Esta vía atraviesa los ultramodernos suburbios de Northcote, Thornbury y Prestons, y lo que la hace destacar son sus empresas locales y únicas. Desde Casa Nata, donde vienen auténticos pasteles portugueses, hasta Northside Wines, donde se puede degustar el vino local, pasando también por tiendas vintage y un cine independiente, esta calle está llena de vida. En segunda posición está una de las calles más antiguas de Hong Kong: el Hollywood Road, una bulliciosa vía que data de 1844 y que, según la leyenda, recibió ese nombre por los arbustos de acebo que antiguamente la bordeaban. Actualmente, ha cambiado, pero en esta calle hay de todo: el templo Man Mo,

Aquestes són els 30 millors carrers del món del 2024

Aquestes són els 30 millors carrers del món del 2024

Visitar les principals atraccions turístiques està molt bé, però només quan ens desviem per un carreró perdut o ensopeguem per una avinguda arbrada podem conèixer el veritable caràcter de cada ciutat. Els carrers són el cor de la vida urbana; són on les comunitats es reuneixen, on els petits comerços es converteixen en protagonistes i on els ciutadans surten, passen l’estona i es diverteixen. Dit això, quins són els millors carrers del món que val la pena conèixer i passejar-hi? Per trobar la resposta, el nostre equip global d’editors i col·laboradors va aportar (i fer un estudi) del carrer més vibrant de la seva ciutat i, d’aquí, vam crear un rànquing definitiu de les millors avingudes, vies, carrerons i bulevards del planeta. En el primer lloc trobem High Street, a Melbourne, Austràlia. Aquesta via travessa els ultramoderns suburbis de Northcote, Thornbury i Prestons, i el que la fa destacar són les empreses locals i úniques que acull. Des de Casa Nata, on venen autèntics pastissos portuguesos, fins a Northside Wines, on es pot tastar el vi local, passant també per botigues vintage i un cinema independent, aquest carrer està ple de vida.  En segona posició hi ha un dels carrers més antics de Hong Kong: el Hollywood Road, una bulliciosa via que data del 1844 i que, segons la llegenda, va rebre aquest nom pels arbusts de grèvol que antigament la vorejaven. Actualment, ha canviat, però en aquest carrer hi ha de tot: el temple Man Mo, centres culturals, restaurants, bars i molt

Sailing in Croatia: A beginner’s guide

Sailing in Croatia: A beginner’s guide

To explore Croatia by sea is to reveal its true secrets. Croatia has it all – the range of sailing options, the spectacular scenery, the unspoiled bays, the myriad islands and, most importantly, clear, calm and clean waters around them. Europe’s finest sailing playground is affordable, relatively safe (at sea and on shore) and contains a diversity of destinations for all kinds of visitors. Novice sailors can charter a boat with a qualified skipper, potter around the islands, and find out as much, or as little, about sailing as they'd like. Those who are serious about learning to sail, or improving their skills, can take a course at one of the sailing schools. Sailors of varying abilities, wanting the security and bonhomie of a group, can join a flotilla holiday. If your party includes someone with a skipper’s ticket there’s a multitude of charter options, with yachts and motorboats, while high rollers can take a fully crewed luxury yacht, classic or contemporary, and cruise the party hotspots. © Nature Park TelaščicaTelaščica on Kornati Where to go It’s surprising how much you can see in a week. The diverse appeal of Croatia’s 2,000 islands, islets and reefs, together with the varied mainland ports and anchorages, will leave you wanting to come back for more. In the north, the Istrian peninsula and Kvarner Bay have a high concentration of marinas and a more cosmopolitan feel than Dalmatia, due to the pervasive Italian influence. If gastronomy and culture are important, this

Secret treasures of Croatia: Joža Putnik’s travelogue

Secret treasures of Croatia: Joža Putnik’s travelogue

A recent arrival at the Croatian History Museum in Zagreb, a unique travelogue from a century ago records the adventures of Josip Franjo Mikulec from Zagorje. Nicknamed Joža Putnik, this agricultural worker decided to travel the world and meet as many interesting people as possible. His impecunious odyssey took him nearly 30 years, during which time he met personalities such as Mussolini, Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, whose signatures feature inside. Neva Zganec/PIXSELL His scrapbook never left his side. By the end, it weighed 25kg and filled 1,244 pages. After Joža’s death in Genoa in 1933, the book passed into the hands of the Mikulec family, from the village of Krušljev Selo near Oroslavje. They later sought for it to be bought for posterity by the Croatian State. Recently, the Croatian History Museum managed to raise the funds to purchase it. Staff now hope to digitise it so that the public may peruse its fascinating pages. The story is further complicated by the fact that Joža travelled the world twice, selling his first journal and diary in America. These are now in the hands of a private collector, and there are moves afoot to negotiate a price and bring both back home to Croatia to complete Joža’s legacy. In Oroslavje, meanwhile, local mayor Viktor Šimunić is launching an initiative to open a promenade in Joža’s name and memory. Paula Bosančić/PIXSELL

Historic palace in Slavonia to reopen after €13 million revamp

Historic palace in Slavonia to reopen after €13 million revamp

The historic seat of the noble Pejačević family, set between Osijek and Kutjevo in Našice, Slavonia, will soon reopen its doors after its major conversion to a five-floor museum and wine bar. Pejačević Palace was built in 1812 for the dynasty that produced two Croatian bans or viceroys, and Croatia’s first female composer, Dora Pejačević, whose mortal remains lie in the crypt of the family chapel here following her death after giving birth in 1923. The grand property is still referred to the Big Palace to distinguish it from the little one, also belonging to the Pejačević family in the same grounds. After World War II, it passed into state hands but the interior remained richly furnished, its art collection intact. Davor Javorovic/PIXSELL In 2015, the City of Našice settled legalties with the heirs of the Pejačević family to became the property owners, and initiated the procedure for its protection and restoration. Receiving financing of more than €11 million from the EU Regional Development Fund, the City was able to raise the €13.3 million necessary to carry out the conversion of the palace to a museum. A permanent exhibition will focus on the Pejačević heritage, particularly the life and work of Dora, and the property will also serve as the headquarters for various cultural institutions. Activities can take place on all five floors, from a large multifunctional hall of 100-seat capacity, to the basement earmarked as a wine bar. Paula Bosančić/PIXSELL

Mystery of shipwreck resurfaces thanks to new aerial photos

Mystery of shipwreck resurfaces thanks to new aerial photos

A new series of aerial photographs taken by PIXSELL’s S Šime Zelić has revived the mystery of a ship that sank near the lighthouse at Veli Rat exactly 40 years ago. The Italian cargo ship Michelle, which was carrying fertiliser, ran aground in a storm in May 1983 just off the north-western cape of Dugi Otok, a two-hour ferry journey from Zadar. According to testimony from the lighthouse keeper at the time, the savvy sailors took advantage of the conditions and deliberately diverted the ship into the shallows to claim insurance money for the ageing vessel. If they did, it was a rash move, for local residents of Veli Rat had to come to the rescue of the ailing crew. Sime Zelic/PIXSELL While the Italians unloaded the cargo from the stranded ship and left it at the mercy of the sea, the event proved a turning point. After the Michelle disaster, a law was passed to force ship owners to retrieve their own wrecks from the sea. Nevertheless, the Michelle stayed where she was, exposed for four decades to the waves and the weather. The hull remains surprisingly well preserved, the portholes of the lower deck still visible, as well as the mast – as photos show from recent aerial footage. Only one question still hangs over from 1983: who will come and take away Michelle – and who will pay for it?

Neretva Delta attracts kitesurfers from all over Europe

Neretva Delta attracts kitesurfers from all over Europe

Kitesurfers come from all over Europe to the Neretva Delta, where the river empties out in the Adriatic at Komin. Here, the Maestral wind blows late afternoons in summer over the long sandy shores lining this spit of land in central Dalmatia, creating the perfect conditions to kitesurf. It was here that Lovre Šuman and a few local enthusiasts set up the Komin Kiteboarding club a decade or so ago. Now Germans, Austrians and Hungarians head this way from the end of May to the end of September. The club also offers tuition for anyone over the age of 12 who wishes to learn: “This sport is specific because it is accessible to everyone and can be learned in just three days with professional assistance,” says Lovre Šuman. “It is more about technique and practice. We spend hours in the sea working on it. Anyone can find their level and those who try fall in love with the sport.” “I was taught by a man from Slovenia who is now 70 and still kitesurfs. There are a lot of people over middle age who want to try it because it is not physically demanding. This one of the most favourable winds in this part of Europe for this sport because it is constant, it blows almost every day and is very good for learning the basics.” Komin Kiteboarding Club

Zagreb couple set up centre for exotic birds in Slavonia

Zagreb couple set up centre for exotic birds in Slavonia

Husband and wife Davor and Zrinka Derković Ivčić have left their busy lives in Zagreb to take care of exotic birds in the unspoilt surroundings of Slavonia. Becoming familiar with colourful birdlife while on holiday in Tenerife, visiting the island’s Loro Park, the pair decided to set up their own parrot breeding farm, buying their first bird from Kokolo farm in Križevci. As their birds were more and more numerous, space in their Zagreb flat became smaller and smaller. They decided to sell it and buy a house in order to provide their menagerie with a more comfortable home. That’s when they moved to Samatovci near Osijek in Slavonia. They acquired a site of three hectares and set up their own company, ‘Only Exotic’. “We often used to rent a house in Slavonia to escape from the hustle and bustle of Zagreb. We would enjoy peace, animals and local food. In addition, we believe that the Osijek-Baranja County encourages the work of young entrepreneurs,” they told Pixsell’s Paula Bosančić. Davor Javorovic/PIXSELL In addition to taking care of their birds, Davor and Zrinka are also turning to rural tourism. In their house in Samatovci, they plan to provide guests with accommodation, homemade Slavonian food and massage treatments. They aim to open a family hotel for pets with a personalised approach, where guests can spend time with their pets or leave them in care. Davor and Zrinka would love to share their knowledge with others and plan to make presentations and hold education abo

Bar owners in Istria turn abandoned beach into eco-friendly idyll

Bar owners in Istria turn abandoned beach into eco-friendly idyll

A beach strewn with rubbish in a hidden cove at Štinjan near Pula has been transformed into an idyllic seaside attraction thanks to the tireless work of a local bar owner and his wife. In 2016, Mario Krekman and his wife were walking their dog when they came across a beach that had been used as a rubbish dump for years. Instead of ignoring it, the couple contacted the local council, which carried out a minimal clean-up. Then Mario decided to take matters into his own hands. He and his wife designed an eco-friendly bar ideal for the surroundings, a minimalist oasis for relaxation. They presented the idea to the council and got the go-ahead. Over six months, they transformed the beach completely, making furniture and the interior from the wood they found there and in the surrounding forests. They also repurposed old waste, coming up with a name and motto for their new initiative: the Lost Bay beach bar, under the watchwords No Plastic Is Fantastic. Music shows, art exhibitions and various other cultural happenings now bring plenty of visitors to this once neglected slice of coast north-west of Pula. For more details, see here.  Paula Bosančić

Estos son los 30 lugares más bonitos del mundo

Estos son los 30 lugares más bonitos del mundo

Elegir los lugares más bonitos del mundo no es tarea fácil. Después de todo, ¿cómo se puede comparar una cascada atronadora con una ciudad iluminada por faroles? ¿O de una colina con los colores del arcoíris a una reluciente mezquita blanca? La buena noticia es que el planeta no está sujeto a los mismos estándares rígidos de belleza que los humanos. Ya sea una pequeña isla, un país entero o un templo budista, todo vale en nuestra lista de los lugares más bellos del mundo. En todos los continentes se pueden encontrar algunos de los sospechosos habituales y recomendados por cualquier viajero (después de todo, ¿qué es una lista de lugares hermosos sin las salinas de Bolivia?) junto con algunos de los lugares de belleza menos conocidos del mundo o incluso destinos infravalorados a pesar de su belleza, todos elegidos por la red de escritores de viajes trotamundos de Time Out, que han experimentado personalmente la belleza de cada lugar en esta lista. El ranking lo encabeza Kotor Bay, en Montenegro, con la silueta de la fortaleza medieval zigzagueando por los escarpados acantilados como desafiando a la gravedad. En segundo lugar, Islandia, concida como 'la tierra del fuego y el hielo' por la existencia de volcanes y aguas termales, campos de lava y glaciares en un mismo territorio. El top 3 lo completa Marruecos con Erg Chebbi, "el tramo de arena más evocador que se pueda imaginar", como sugiere Jeremy Flint, el viajero que lo recomienda como uno de los lugares más bellos del mundo

Experts explore ancient sunken road near Korčula where people walked 7,000 years ago

Experts explore ancient sunken road near Korčula where people walked 7,000 years ago

A major archaeological discovery off the island of Korčula has attracted the attention of experts around the world. Recently, during underwater research at the submerged site of Soline, archaeologists discovered a 7,000-year-old road in Gradina bay that connected the settlement with the coast of Korčula. During subsequent research, Igor Borzić from Zadar University then noticed strange structures in the sea, which triggered further investigation. This May, he and his colleagues hit upon a settlement four to five metres down, identical to the one in Soline. These neatly arranged stone slabs were part of a road four metres wide. It once linked a settlement on an artificially created islet off the Korčula coast. Divers then uncovered flint blades, stone axes and fragments of grindstones from the Neolithic era. Thanks to earlier radiocarbon analyses of preserved wood from the Soline site, it was possible to determine that the entire historical settlement dates back to around 4,900 years before Christ. This means that people used this newly discovered road almost 7,000 years ago.

Dive deep for Istria’s latest tourist attraction: Raša mine

Dive deep for Istria’s latest tourist attraction: Raša mine

After a year and a half of intensive renovation, the former coal mine at Raša in eastern Istria has been reopened, repurposed as a tourist attraction. The local municipality has invested €870,000 into this authentic mining museum, 1.5 kilometres of accessible tunnel that welcomed its first visitors this July. Along with the museum, a miner’s lodging was also built, an authentic evocation of the miner’s everyday life, both inside and outside the mine. The Kova Experience tour lasts 2.5 hours and shows every aspect of the miner’s hard and dangerous work. Currently tours are only given in Croatian, with English-friendly ones available through Arsiana (Croatian-only) or email info@arsiana.hr. This tourist project, in addition to reviving the history and industrial heritage of Raša, highlights the importance of mining activity in the area, which dates back to the Venetians. After World War I, and Italy taking power in Istria, in 1935 Mussolini approved a loan of five million lire to construct the Raša settlement from scratch. The entire town was built in just 547 days and is an architectural and industrial curiosity in its own right. From 1928 to 1966, more than 10,000 miners worked here.  Paula Bosančić