When you live in a new country, sooner or later you will start spending your holidays discovering it. And you will never return to Italy so frequently. So bridges and weekends will become opportunities to get to know the small and large beauties around you. Just like the locals do. Let's see 5 destinations that only expats know about. That is to say that who has moved, now integrated, he discovered. But that is not part of the traditional sightseeing tours.
5 destinations that only expats know: Amiens, France
Capital of Picardy, a northeastern France (just an hour by train from Paris), Amiens is nestled on the banks of the River Somme. There are two elements that characterize it. One is precisely the river. On its banks overlook the houses with colored facades and many cafes and restaurants with outdoor tables that invite you to sit and enjoy the comings and goings. The second is the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the largest in France. Both the externally, beautifully decorated, and the interior, with the statues, the wood inlays of the choir, the naves and the vault, are worth a visit. Furthermore, from June to September, the cathedral lights up with a myriad of colors. Projected onto its facade by external spotlights, they reproduce the original shades of the door and its decorations. The same ones that the citizens of Amiens saw in medieval times.
Amiens is also nicknamed the "little Venice of the North" for its neighborhood of Saint Leu. Famous for the canals that cross it, the houses overlooking the water, the flea markets, the many open-air venues. Also worth visiting are the floating gardens called “hortillonnages” and the house of the writer of the “Around the world in 80 days”, Jules Verne. Here he lived for eighteen years and in fact the house-museum today preserves many of his documents and objects.
Don't forget to taste the local specialties. In particular, the very famous macarons (many flavors to choose from for these soft biscuits) and the Beat cake (which looks like pandoro). Another typical dessert is le tuiles en chocolat, chocolate puffs with almond flakes. If you prefer savory look for the local version of cake (which would be the crepe salty). It has a filling of bechamel, cooked ham, Emmental and mushrooms and is baked au gratin.
5 destinations that only expats know: Burg Satzvey Castle, Mechernich, Germany
This castle is located at the extreme western border of Germany (about 50 km south of Cologne). Here the time seems to have stopped. To the Middle Ages. In German it is called wasserburg, because it is surrounded by a moat like the castles of fairy tales. The first evidence of the village where the castle is located dates back to the Ducento. The building as we know it today is from a century later. From then to the present day it has been many things. A fortress, a military outpost and finally the home of several aristocratic families that have succeeded each other over time. Even today the castle is inhabited and also offers the possibility of sleeping under its roof (via Airbnb).
The building it's fairytale, with slate roofs, stone exterior, red and white shutters. Within its imposing walls there are several courtyards, which are the setting for events and festivals throughout the year, such as medieval markets and knightly jousting. The idea is to re-propose the ways of life and customs that allow you to relive the medieval era. Also worth visiting is the hall of coats of arms, where all the emblems of the noble families who called the castle "home" are kept.
La German cuisine of this region is made up of hearty and full of taste dishes, prepared with poor ingredients. As in the case ofHalve Hahn, which should literally be half a chicken, but instead is buttered rye bread with cheese, mustard, onions and pickles on top. Or the Himmel und ääd, which means heaven and hell. A dish based on potatoes, applesauce, black pudding and fried onions. Finally, there is the Döppekooche, a potato pie with chopped onions, eggs and spices, covered with bacon or sausage, to be baked in the oven to create a crispy crust.
5 destinations that only expats know: Cotswolds, Great Britain
In the English Midlands, between Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's hometown, Bath, founded by the Romans and famous for its baths, and reachable from Oxford e Bristol, the Cotswods are a huge green area, dotted with villages and towns that have retained the charm of the England of yesteryear. The landscape is that of smooth hills green, where there are many paths to do on foot or by other slow means. The attractions are i small towns, between stone houses and country pubs. Then there are castles, natural areas, gardens with animals and botanicals, national parks and much more.
If you're adventurous, the best way to explore the Cotswolds is by renting a car, grabbing a map, and following your instinct as a traveler. You will discover so many places that you would not have planned to see and little hidden gems that will be the ones you will remember best from this trip. Otherwise there are several itineraries to follow. One among all what it leads to Moreton-in-Marsh, where the writer of the “Lord of the Rings”, JRR Tolkien, used to come often and which is probably the main source of inspiration for the village of Bree. In the book Bree is a place where hobbits and men coexist peacefully and hosts a pub, where Frodo first meets Aragorn (The Prancing Pony). The real name of the pub is The Bell Inn.
To eat instead, have a hearty breakfast, skip lunch and then try theafternoon tea. Typically English, it is a sort of very reinforced snack, since alongside the tea they also serve sandwiches, cakes, pastries, sweets such as scones with butter and jam. You can choose from several options, including the one at Highgrove Royal Gardens, which belong to Prince Charles and are located near Tetbury.
5 destinations that only expats know: Cosmosphere, United States
This is not a place to visit, but a museum of space and exploration of the universe. It is located in the town of Hutchinson, definitely out of the way of traditional tourist routes. It can be reached with a journey of approximately 400 km from Oklahoma City and Arkansas City. Obviously this museum is very popular with children. But it's actually perfect for anyone curious to understand more about our relationship with space.
By taking an all-inclusive ticket you will be able to see different attractions. The Hall of Space collects many original objects from the space race of the USA and Russia. Including the Apollo 13 command module and the Apollo spacesuits. The Dr. Goddard's laboratory it takes you back to the XNUMXs at the birth of rockets and twice a day there is an interactive show with several "explosive surprises". The planetary digital engages you with the sight of the starry night and the description of celestial objects that are often no longer seen due to light pollution. Finally, there is the ,. Towered over by a huge dome, it offers an immersive experience when viewing documentaries about the universe and the earth.
What do the Austronauts eat? If they pass in Arkansas these are some of the typical dishes. The hypercaloric cheese dip, a mix of melted cheeses with spices served with tortilla chips or French fries, comes from Mexico and comes in unimaginable colors, such as deep yellow, orange and red. If you like strong tastes try i fried pickles, that is, the breaded and fried pickles. The dessert has an uninviting name, possum pie, but in reality it is a delicious cake with shortcrust pastry, a cream cheese, a layer of chocolate and whipped cream.
5 destinations that only expats know: Eyre Peninsula, Australia
One of South Australia's best kept secrets is the Eyre Peninsula. It's about a perfect destination for those who want deserted beaches and pristine sea. As well as one of those destinations that only expats know about. It is located north of Adelaide (the distance is 600 km) and offers various travel experiences. From the adventure inoutback (which is the name given by Australians to the most remote, least populated and most authentic areas of the country) to close encounters with wild animals and diving in the crystal clear waters of the bays.
Given the distances involved, it is better to rent a car and leave from the city of of Port Lincoln, which is in the center of the so-called Lower Eyre. This is home to the largest fishing fleet in the entire southern hemisphere, and that means two things. On the one hand you can find excellent fresh fish in local restaurants. On the other hand, you will be able to see several species of fish up close. And swim together: tuna, sea lions and even some specimens of the great white shark. In less than an hour you can then reach the Coffin Bay, where you can eat the famous local oyster straight from the ocean.
If you continue along the coast you will pass by the area of the West Coast. Here the beaches alternate with imposing cliffs. Going further you arrive at the Far West Coast. Here every winter you can see the spectacle of the whales that meet and give birth in the area of Fowlers Bay.
