Hey, just for you, my friend.
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Welcome back to Underrated Cities, bringing you unexpected (and occasionally controversial) ideas for your next destination.
This week: two jaunts in the South Pacific, with a cheeky side trip to the Middle East? We'll take it.
Know a city that's criminally underrated and should be featured in a deeply excellent email series? Hit reply and let us know your top tip.
In the meantime, find your next destination below... |
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Even among Kiwis and Aussies, for whom the French territory is a short flight away, New Caledonia doesn't get nearly as much attention as fellow Pacific destinations Fiji and Rarotonga.
Nouméa combines the charms of a provincial French capital with a spectacular, tropical Pacific island setting. After starting the day with a petit déjeuner of fresh baguette and Époisses, wander down to Baie des Citrons and take a dip in the glittering ocean. Later, sunburned and salty, head to La Gavotte for some of the best Breton crêpes and galettes this side of the equator.
If you get sick of all the windsurfing and standup paddle boarding – what a life – there are excellent hikes in the mountains behind the city. For something a little easier, you could start with Ouen Toro Hill which rewards you with panoramic views of downtown.
Our tip: don't miss the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, which offers a window into the indigenous Kanak culture, as well as Kanaks' long struggle for independence. |
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Lebanon has no shortage of ancient coastal cities that predate the conquests of Alexander the Great – but most of them are spring chickens compared to Byblos, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
If you love history, you won't need much persuading to visit. It's got neolithic dwellings, a Bronze Age royal necropolis, the ruins of a Persian fortress, a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre, and an intact Crusader citadel – all within walking distance from one another.
But even if you hate history, it isn't the only itch that Byblos can scratch. It's super walkable, with a relaxed atmosphere, fresh sea breezes from the Med, and plenty of great food and drink. And unlike some other cities in Lebanon, there's a general sense of social harmony and peaceful coexistence across varied groups. Our tip: try the sesame cookies at Forn Abou Assaf. |
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Relatively few Aussies visit Tasmania, but the ones who do are pretty unanimous: Tassie's the most underrated spot on the continent.
And the natural starting point for Tasmania is Hobart.
Small enough to be walkable, interesting enough to justify the trip, and an accessible gateway to truly wild nature.
But you don't need to go far to explore Tassie: the hiking creeps right up the to the edge of the city (and we have the maps to prove it).
Our tip: the island's bigger than it looks on a map – you try looking big standing beside the Australian mainland!
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Our rec for the Minaal gear best suited to these destinations?
You'll want to be ready for serious summer heat.
So of course, it's the Crossbody 2.0. |
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"I now own two (both colors). I’m about to order another black as a back up, in case anything happens to my primary black one. I’ve ordered one for one of my employees. I’ll likely give these out as Christmas presents.
Need I say more? They’re that good. The inside zipper pocket. The zipper pockets on both sides. The mesh pockets inside. The magnetic clasp. The strap transition from bag to strap. It’s all done so well. I genuinely don’t know how it could be improved. Not too big. Not too small.
This is something I would turn around and go back to the house if I forgot. It’s part of my EDC. If you’re on the fence, do it!"
- C.C. |
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Got a city you think is underrated? Hit reply!
Let's get planning,
J, D, & the Minaal team |
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