Alentejo
Portugal’s Alentejo area is just two hours from Lisbon and is about the size of Belgium. It is a place where time stands still, with hilltop towns perched above wildflower meadows and locals eating traditional fish stews by the unspoiled Atlantic coast. Inland wine lovers can try rich, velvety reds made in vineyards that combine new techniques with a viticulture tradition that dates back to the Romans. They can also make reservations at farm-to-fork restaurants, like the recently opened Restaurante da Herdade do Esporo, to feast on the land’s treasures.
Majorca
In the 1960s, this Balearic island was written off as where mass tourism began. Now, it’s bringing attention to its craft history, and creative people from London, New York, and other places are drawn there by its artisanal traditions and dramatic architecture. The best places to see its artistic comeback are Casa Balandra, a palm-framed artist residency and guesthouse where both well-known and new artists can work and meet, and the Fundació Miró, where Joan Miró’s work is shown in his old home and studio. This year, the art-focused Hotel Corazon will finally open its doors. The Sant Francesc Hotel, a perfect reimagining of a historic Mallorcan mansion in Palma, and its country outpost Can Ferrereta, in quiet Santany, are just two of a group of integrity-driven, design-forward hotels to stay at on the island.
Japan
Japan has finally let foreigners back in. This country has ancient customs, futuristic cities, steaming onsens, and islands in the middle of nowhere. With the opening of two new buildings in the Toranomon-Azabudai development, Aman has given the high-rise maze of Tokyo’s Okushibu neighbourhood a facelift. This area is becoming known for its late-night cafés. In the meantime, Kyoto’s craft traditions and geisha routines are still going strong, even though new hotels like The Hotel Higashiyama are shaking up the city’s hotel scene. Also, the Okinawa Islands are finally getting the international attention they deserve from tourists. Ishigaki, in particular, has some of the best beaches and diving on the island.
The islands of the Azores
The so-called “Hawaii of Europe” is a group of nine Portuguese islands in the middle of the Atlantic. You can now get there by taking a direct trip that takes four hours. The beautiful scenery here is the result of volcanic eruptions. They are surrounded by whale migration routes, and everyday boats head out to sea. On hikes around the island of So Miguel, you can see waterfalls, crater lakes, and thick cedar forests. The hikes often end with a hearty Cozido stew cooked underground using thermal heat. Pico has beautiful vineyards that will appeal to wine lovers, and Terceira, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at its liveliest during the Sanjoaninas fair in May.
Vienna
Austria’s capital is known for its musical history, Christmas markets, and Habsburg history. Recently, some new hotels have opened that raise the bar. The Rosewood Vienna opened last year in a former bank and is an excellent example of a clean, classic design. The Hotel Josefine has a funky take on Art-Deco style, and the Hotel Gilbert is all about Scandi style. Aside from hotels, 2023 will be the 150th anniversary of the Vienna World’s Fair. There will be a lot of cultural events to celebrate, and the Belvedere Museum will show masterworks by artists like Gustav Klimt as part of its 300th anniversary. Now is as good a time as any to go to Vienna.
