There’s nothing like a vacation to lift one’s spirits, especially during the doldrums of winter. For many, jetting off to new and exciting locales is one of life’s greatest pleasures—but it’s important to complete some research before picking a destination for that next hard-earned vacation. It’s easy to research common factors like popular tourist attractions, weather, or exchange rates, but one much less covered factor is the friendliest of the local people.
Local legend has it that Bucharest derives its name from a founder whose moniker literally meant “joy.” Whether Bucur the merry shepherd is responsible for creating the vibrant city, there's no denying that Bucharest remains a happy metropolis. In the 1900s, the city was nicknamed “Little Paris” because of the architectural decadence that greets visitors upon their arrival.
The rule of the Khmer Rouge left Phnom Penh with a not-so-distant bloody past, and there are still signs of the city’s strife to this day. Despite its dark recent history, Phnom Penh remains one of the least Westernized capitals in all of Asia. As a result, travellers can experience unexpected foods—tarantula kabob, anyone? And temple tours that are a step back in time.City scores—Expert opinion: 3.9; Port of entry: 1.9; Safety: 1.9Over-tourism—Tourism carrying capacity: 5.
São Paulo is a beast of a city. With more than 12 million people calling the city home, travellers should be prepared to battle traffic and smog. Don’t let that deter you from visiting a locale that boasts 90,000 unique events per year. The diverse population includes the biggest settlement of people of Japanese descent outside of Japan, a thriving Italian community, and the largest gay pride parade in the world.City scores—Expert opinion: 4.5; Port of entry: 1.0; Safety: 5.
Mumbai is home to Bollywood, a massive flea market devoted to fashion, and Juhu Beach, a locale known for relaxation and all the street food your heart desires. But there’s another Mumbai too, one where the past is ever present. For those seeking that Mumbai, there’s Elephanta Island, Siddhivinayak Temple, and the Taj Mahal Palace. To truly feel the heart of the city, it’s best to experience both sides of this eclectic metropolis.City scores—Expert opinion: 5.8; Port of entry: 2.6; Safety: 4.
Formerly the capital of Brittany, Nantes sits on France’s longest river, the Loire. Like many French cities, there’s plenty of architecture and castles to enjoy, but Nantes is a far quirkier locale. In addition to the expected haunts, there are unique places like Les Machines de l’Île, where you can interact with machines straight out of the imagination of Jules Verne, and Jardin des Plantes, home to 10,000 unique species of plants.City scores—Expert opinion: 4.8; Port of entry: 2.