NEWS

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, Take a Vacation!

Visit the places you’ve only read about, and experience the real world in style.

BY BRIAN WHITE

SUMMER’S THE PERFECT TIME TO LIVE OUT your history lessons and put your teacher’s admonition to “become a citizen of the world” into practice. Here are a few vacation destinations, spanning three continents, that offer the opportunity to be exposed to new cultures while staying focused on your true goal: relaxation and rejuvenation.

VIVA ROMA!
Talk about delving into the distant past! Visiting Rome is like stepping into a time machine. Between the Colosseum (Piazza del Colosseo), the Pantheon (Piazza della Rotonda), and Vatican City, you could spend weeks in the Eternal City getting much closer to ancient history than you could with a book. Many Romans use Vespas for transportation, but walking is the best way to feel the energy of the city. Explore the Trastevere neighborhood, a favorite of young Hollywood, for great cafés and trattorias. Walk from the Piazza San Pantaleo to the Via del Governo Vecchio, the area’s main street, to soak in the sights.

Rome also boasts some of the world’s finest restaurants and most exciting nightlife. Dine at Agata e Romeo (agataeromeo.it), followed by drinks and dancing at Piper Club (Via Tagliamento 9, 39-06-8555-398). If you stay at the Hotel Forum Via Tor de’ Conti (hotelforumrome.com), overlooking the Forum, the staff will treat you like an emperor. Events spotlighting jazz, rock, classical music, film, sport, theater, and children’s fun take place throughout the summer. Don’t miss the Roman Summer Festival (Estate Romana Festival, 39-06- 3600-4399), which runs from late June through early September.

RAINBOW NATION: THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
As a black man, I have to say that South Africa is a place never considered as a tourist destination by my grandparents or even my parents. But political reform, economic growth, and commerce have helped this country to become a hot vacation spot for people of all colors, races, and nationalities.

The Rainbow Nation (a term coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and later adopted by then-President Nelson Mandela, who used it as a metaphor to describe South Africa’s multicultural diversity in the wake of apartheid’s end) is renowned for its wines, gold, and other natural resources. The Thukela Falls in KwaZulu-Natal, one of the few places on earth where waterfalls tumble directly into the ocean, are the second highest in the world. Go on safari, visit picturesque beaches—particularly along the Atlantic seaboard, Cape Town’s Riviera—and enjoy fine dining, world-class shopping, culture, and history.

If you’re looking for luxury, stay at the Cape Grace (West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront; capegrace.com). South Africa will be the host nation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (fifa.com), the first time the tournament will be held in Africa and the perfect opportunity to join other world citizens as they discover this beautiful country.

TANGO IN PARADISE: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires is one of the hottest tourist destinations for people all over the globe, a cosmopolitan city rich in culture with lots of sizzle! There’s something for everyone—art, fine dining, tango shows, ballet, great nightlife, theaters, shopping, museums. And because of the value of the dollar, you get a European-style vacation at affordable prices.

Buenos Aires is best seen while walking, and many diverse neighborhoods and attractions are close to one another. Don’t miss the promenade in beautiful Palermo in the eastern part of the city. For an evening out in a trendy neighborhood with charming cobblestone streets, hip bookstores, hot bars, and boutiques, head to the Palermo Soho and Palermo Hollywood districts. La Cabrera in Palermo Viejo (Cabrera 5099, 54-11 4831-7002) offers authentic Argentinean barbecue, and Elles (Honduras 5916, 54-11 4777-9555) serves top-notch French, Brazilian, and native cuisine. No trip is complete without some top-shelf nightlife; Asia de Cuba, in Puerto Madero (P. Dealissi 750, asiadecuba.com.ar), is one of the city’s best clubs. For hip accommodations, stay at the sleek, modern Hotel de Diseño (Marcelo T. de Alvear 1695, C1060AAE Buenos Aires Argentina; designce.com). Designed by world-class architect Ernesto Garansky, it’s one of the chicest hotels on the South American continent.

So live out your travel fantasies this summer. As Ferris Bueller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.”

copyright © 2007 Boston Common Magazine.

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