[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e all have a “dream vacation” thought out for the year. Yet, plans do fall through and life sometimes doesn’t allow us a getaway. But don’t fret: The City Paper presents four destinations to explore this Leap Year.
San Francisco
You’ve seen it in the movies and many have crossed it: The Golden Gate. San Francisco’s most emblematic structure offers mind-boggling views of the natural bay and parklands. Once a bastion of hippie counter-culture, visit the classic side of this city, starting with a hot mug of coffee at the corner of Haight and Ashbury.
The once “tune in, drop out” spots of the 1960s have slowly been supplanted by hipster coffee roasters, yoga studios and funky restaurants for urbanites. Ride the cable car past the picture-perfect and pastel-coloured Victorian homes near Alamo Square Park.
Enjoy a lazy lunch over Pinot Noir near Pier 39 on the waterfront, and spend the afternoon window shopping for home furnishings near Union Square. If there on a Friday, loop over to Embarcadero, one of San Francisco’s most inviting spots with great views of the Bay Bridge and enjoy fresh oysters at the Waterbar. Home to a little of everything, San Francisco charms.
Barcelona
Put on your walking shoes to explore a city of gothic cathedrals and one unfinished: the Sagrada Familia. Graceful tree-lined avenues, seaside promenades and glass-enclosed markets are part of this port city’s allure. At the epicenter of Catalán culture and history, Barcelona is a 24-hour city, which can get tough on the feet yet never dull the soul.
First stop is Plaça Catalunya with its Art Deco fountains and gateway to both the historic quarter and L’Eixample neighborhood, which graces the Passeig de Gràcia and showcases Antoni Gaudí’s iconic Casa Milà. Gaudí is quintessentially Barcelona, and an obligatory excursion is the Parc Güell with the architect’s twirly fairtytale houses and ceramic encrusted terraces.
With no Schengen visa requirements, “Barça” is a welcoming city facing the Mediterranean and with a rich history. Give yourself time to explore every nook and cranny, and don´t miss out on the mouth-watering tapas at El Nacional. Recommendations: Visit the Santa Maria del Mar church in the Ribera district, go boutique shopping in El Born, and snack on fried boquerones at the very Catalán tavern La Plata.
Mendoza
In wine there’s truth, and truth be told, Mendoza is a “must visit” destination in South America. With new hotels sprouting up around this small city of canals, as well as estancias where you can try homemade vintages, Mendoza is mostly about malbec, the flagship grape of Argentina.
When a devastating earthquake struck in 1861, Mendoza vowed to keep safe and constructed five plazas, which are the meeting place for locals, especially on weekends. The most famous of which is the Plaza Independencia.
Make Mendoza your base for a wine route, which includes tastings and horseback riding through vineyards with spectacular views of the snow-capped Andes. At night, explore this city’s many gastronomic offerings: from Italian and Spanish to Greek and the country’s traditional wood-fired meats.
Having weathered financial ups and downs, Argentina is good value for your peso. This also ensures fabulous value on wines, fine dining and internal travel. Best time to visit Mendoza? The fall months in the southern hemisphere, March to May.
Old Havana
If there’s one more international destination one should try to visit this year it’s Havana, Cuba. With so much publicity surrounding the easing of travel restrictions and a new chapter in U.S. relations, we think Havana’s ship has come in.
You had best enjoy the many sights before they get too crowded! There are few places as romantic as the main boardwalk, the Malecón, at sunset. Old Havana (Habana Vieja) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and the Central Park is linked to the Caribbean by the Paseo Martí, named in honor of the country’s great poet and revolutionary philosopher.
Stroll inside the grand Hotel Nacional to appreciate its breezy corridors and courtyard. From here venture to the oldest square, Plaza de Armas, and enjoy lunch at La Bodeguita del Medio. Don’t forget to sign your name on the wall! If you’re a literary buff and didn’t make it to Hay then refresh with a daiquiri at Hemingway’s favourite diner, El Floridita.
You may be 90 miles from Key West, but a taxi ride in one of the many vintage U.S.- made cars, makes distance a question of one’s imagination. “Que Viva” new and Old Havana!
