Welcome back to Underrated Cities, bringing you unexpected (and occasionally controversial) ideas for your next destination.
Today we're criss-crossing the Atlantic – with a stopover in the middle of the ocean. And even though we're visiting two different continents and a tiny island chain... you'll feel like you never left Europe.
Have a soft spot for a city? Feel it'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 map pin below... |
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This is a rare (OK, "rare") cheat entry – because if you're going all the way to Ponta Delgada, you really need to explore all of the other eight islands in the Azores chain.
For one thing, despite all being Portuguese islands pretty near to each other, their culture, dialect, and cuisine differ since each island was settled over a 200-year timespan.
The other – maybe more obvious – thing is: all the islands are super cool. From Europe's only tea plantation (Gorreana) to farms on top of prehistoric lava (fajã), the Azores are actually, properly, truly unique.
Our tip: hang out with the salty sea dogs who stop over on intercontinental sailing voyages – you'll find a bunch at the very eccentric Peter Café Sport. |
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Arguably the most European of non-European cities, Buenos Aires is also perennially underrated – luckily, we're here to change that.
Getting past the headlines of ongoing financial disaster, you'll find an energetic European-style city – sitting down near Antarctica. How'd it end up that way? Thank the historically eyebrow-raising immigration policy of "literally everyone, unless they're insane or have infectious diseases".
From speakeasies hidden behind flower shops (Florería Atlántico) to surprisingly legit and very relaxing Japanese gardens (Jardín Japonés), B.A. is a busy, cosmopolitan city... that you've probably never even considered visiting.
Time to change that.
Our tip: get up-to-date advice on the current cash situation before you leave – fake banknotes are common, even out of ATMs, and the coin situation is occasionally bonkers.
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Everything is relative. In some countries, Thessaloniki would be the top tourist drawcard – but in Greece, it plays second fiddle to Athens, Santorini, and half a dozen other islands of the Aegean.
But it has an atmosphere all its own. As you get lost in the Byzantine labyrinths of the upper city, Ano Poli, and watch cats leap between ancient crumbling pillars, you'll almost feel that you're in Constantinople itself.
Spend the rest of the day ambling down the hill towards the sea, stopping at whatever cafe or panorama takes your fancy.
Our tip: stay at Little Big House – one of Europe's best guest houses – whose owners have been dishing up incredible Greek hospitality for nearly two decades.
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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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