The Cool City That German Tourists Keep to Themselves

The entire world in your inbox.

Hello all—

This winter has certainly been a weird one—deep cold snaps, snow in Southern California, all mixed with unseasonably warm weather that at times had us all in t-shirts. Here’s hoping spring is more predictable!

I feel like we’ve all got that random spot in the world that we inexplicably have always wanted to visit. For me, that was Hamburg, the former independent German city state that is now its largest port city. Maybe it was the architectural icon the Chilehaus or the romance of the canal system—I’m not sure! But I recently visited for our series It’s Still a Big World and was positively charmed. It’s an impressive place with cool architecture, good food, interesting ideas about urban planning, and the, um, “German Mona Lisa.” (You’ll have to read the story to understand my hesitation.)

Lately, I’ve found myself more and more befuddled by the ingredients I see on cocktail menus. Sometimes that’s exciting and leads to new pleasures, other times it’s an unmitigated disaster. One of the cool parts about it is that it allows so much more of the world to play a part in terms of ingredients, and one of the big contributors has been a renaissance of regional alcohols. Well, Liz Weisstuch has a send up on one of the hot new boozes you’ll likely see more and more on menus–rakija, a former Balkan peasant drink.

Since spring is around the corner, many of you are no doubt starting to plan your Greece summer trips. Just in time, Demetrios Ioannu reports on how the residents of Plaka, Athens sole historic neighborhood that sits underneath the Parthenon, are beyond fed up with the antics of tourists.

— William O’Connor, Travel Editor

The Cool City That German Tourists Keep to Themselves

Nicknamed the southernmost Scandinavian city, Hamburg is a port city and a business hub, but that doesn’t mean that there’s not a lot to see and do there.

Tourists Are Destroying Athens’ Most Beautiful Neighborhood

Overtourism in the last couple years has made Plaka's residents wonder if their world-famous views are worth it any more.

Is This Rustic Southern European Booze the Next Mezcal?

These days, a generation that watched a grandparent or uncle casually cook up šljiva at home is fine-tuning the recipe and turning the age-old craft into a modern business.

Delaware’s ‘Star of the East’ Is Underground Railroad Icon

On a bicycle journey retracing the Underground Railroad to Canada, AME churches were central stops.

“One of the first things I noticed when entering the lobby of Airelles Val-d'Isère was a wooden table covered with a spread of pastries and cakes, including a brioche scattered with pink pralines that were so bright they bordered on fluorescent—a regional specialty, apparently.”

– Erin Zaleski introduces readers to a fabulous new hotel in the French Alps for our Room Key column.

Feel Like You’re in First-Class With This In-Flight Gadget

This may be a slightly strange travel accessory, but investing in this portable foot hammock will be well worth the stares. This foot sling helps prevent swelling and cramping by promoting circulation and keeping the feet and legs upright. Plus, even at just around $15 a pop, this adjustable foot strap gives you that first class feeling without having to shell out an additional $50+ for a free glass of cheap champagne and slightly more leg room.

— Scouted by Mia Maguire

BUY ON AMAZON >>>

Travel Inside Some of Japan’s Coolest Houses

Rare is the book that so thoroughly upends your romanticized image of a place while still inspiring you to travel there. But such is the case with Japanese Interiors the latest selection for Just Booked, our series on exciting new coffee table books. This new book by Mihoko Iida, published by Phaidon, takes readers through a variety of Japanese houses and gives clear and fascinating insight into the historic forces that shaped Japanese design.

Don’t miss our other selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked.

BUY ON AMAZON >>

Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts or newsletters, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.

© 2023 The Daily Beast Company LLC I 555 W. 18th Street, New York NY, 10011

Privacy Policy

If you are on a mobile device or cannot view the images in this message, click here to view this email in your browser. To ensure delivery of these emails, please add emails@thedailybeast.com to your address book. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, or think you have received this message in error, you can safely unsubscribe.