Visiting cool neighbourhoods before they were cool

[Travel Newsletter 27 September 2024] Northern Ireland, the Celtic Camino, Expo in Osaka, Moo Deng.

Welcome to The Travel Wire (by Nomadic Notes), where I curate the best travel reads of the week.

Travel reads

• The 38 coolest neighbourhoods in the world

I’ve lost interest in the “Top 50 Places” listicles that come out yearly as they are just random destinations pulled from a spreadsheet. This annual neighbourhood list by Time Out at least requires some research. Some of these places I am familiar with, and they have been known to be “cool” for years. Thao Dien in Ho Chi Minh City is featured on the list, which I wrote about in 2017 (and badly needs a major rewrite).

I’m in Chiang Mai this month and recently wrote about the Nimman neighbourhood. That area was cool years ago though. I’ve been exploring another area this week where I have noticed that a scene is developing. I thought to myself that this area would be featured on a “Coolest Street/Neighbourhood” list in the next 5 years. I will write about it soon.

• How Northern Ireland is reclaiming its story

• Walking the Celtic Camino: new coast path links sacred sites in Ireland and Wales

• Bulgarian Communist monument that attracts 50,000 urban explorers a year eyed as tourism attraction

• Why blaming (and shaming) tourists won’t help combat overtourism

•Travel could be the best defence against ageing

“Forget about retinol night creams, researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) believe travel could be the best way to defy premature ageing.”

• I stayed at this coast guard station in the middle of the ocean. So can you.

• Why has World Expo 2025 so excited host Osaka? It triggers memories of 1970 Expo in Japan (archive)

• 52 hours aboard the California Zephyr, the longest train ride in the US

• I can’t believe I’m in the same country as Moo Deng, who is now an international celebrity.

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James Clark - Nomadic Notes.