Welcome back to our yearly rendez-vous with the Best New Places Roundup! In case you missed it, every year I come on here to share my favorite new destinations from the past year. If you’re curious about my previous picks, here’s 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Now, let’s get right to it!
5 – Frankfurt, Germany
Most things I had heard about Frankfurt before going there were pretty bad, so I had relatively low expectations as I headed to Germany to spend a long weekend in the city with my brother, my boyfriend, and our friend Michele who lives there.
From the very beginning, I loved the dynamic blend of modernity and tradition that you can find in this city. Most of the city’s ancient buildings were torn down during World War II, but you can still find a few historic landmarks like the Kaiserdom and the Römer. Some parts of town have also been rebuilt to look exactly like they did before the bombings.
The food was also shockingly good: it’s a lot of meat, bread and potatoes. Definitely check out Apfelwein Wagner for traditional apfelwein and schnitzel. Another notable dish: the currywurst. Get it at Worscht Company and you will spend the rest of your life wanting to go back to Frankfurt.
If you’re a finance bro, or even remotely interested in finding out how banks and money work, you’ll also enjoy visiting the European Central Bank. Overall, there’s a lot more to do than I thought and the city looks a lot nicer than I had been told!
4 – Bari, Italy
I had seen Bari once before from a cruise ship, and at the time – I was around 14 years old – I had decided it wasn’t worth my time and I’d rather stay on board and explore the ship instead of getting off and exploring the city. Well, I’m glad I grew up! Bari is a not-so-hidden gem, and I highly recommend you check this city out on your next trip to Italy.
The old neighborhood of Bari called Bari Vecchia is worth the trip alone. We loved wandering around the maze-like streets and admiring the white homes, shops and churches scattered throughout the old town.
Besides the old town, my personal favorite thing about Bari is the food. We ate some incredibly fresh food while there, especially seafood – which is super fresh! Great places to check out while there are Panificio Fiore for focaccia barese and Nicolaus for the best and cheapest quality seafood you’ll ever eat.
Last but not least, Bari is known for the famous pasta making ladies! There’s a street in Bari Vecchia where local ladies spend their day making fresh homemade pasta at their doorstep. They sell it to locals and travelers alike. These are primarily old ladies, sometimes helped by their daughters or family members. Their recipes have been passed down for generations, and the quality of their products is unreal!
3 – Antigua Guatemala
I didn’t know what to expect from Antigua (and Guatemala in general) when I headed over there this past march for my friend Mariainés’s wedding. Whatever my expectations were, Antigua 100% knocked ’em out of the park. We happened to be there for one of the city’s largest religious processions, which made our experience even more meaningful. But even aside from that, I fell in love with the architecture, the cobblestone street, the people, the views and the food.
Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and because it still retains its layout from back in the 16th century. Every corner you turn, you can tell right away that Antigua was the cultural, economic, religious, political and educational center for the entire region: nowadays, it is a tourist hub as millions of people come to visit it every year – especially for the processions. If you can, come for one of those: it is a truly breathtaking experience!
2 – Matera, Italy
Another UNESCO World Heritage site claimed a spot on this list: it’s Matera, located in the region of Basilicata in Italy. Matera is not only one of the oldest Italian cities, but one of the most ancient cities in the whole world! It is believed to have been continuously inhabited since prehistoric times. Since then, locals have built houses, churches, buildings and businesses out of stone, using the rock that’s excavated in this area: this rock gives Matera a super unique and homogeneous look!
The best thing about Matera are the views! My best advice if you come here is to just get lost in the streets. Every corner you turn is a whole new view to take in!
1 – Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Lake Atitlán in Guatemala was my favorite destination of 2023. It’s definitely the one that makes me want to go back the most and makes me wish I spent more time there. This lake located in center Guatemala was one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen! It’s entirely surrounded by volcanoes and Mayan towns all along the coast: it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
My friends and I were able to explore four different Mayan towns along with our Mayan guide. We ventured through the streets and the stores, checked out a textile co-op and learned how chocolate is made! We rode tuk-tuks around the towns and enjoyed local food. I can’t think of a better experience in a better place. If you’re on the fence about Lake Atitlán or Guatemala in general, book. the. trip.
That’s all I have for you for this year! I’m super happy to be writing again and would love for you all to stick around and continue to support me like you’ve done in the past. I’m super grateful for all of my online friends! I wish you the BEST 2024: Happy New Year!