Publications
Partners
Cape Town - The New York Times has released its annual list of 52 Places to go in 2015 and despite topping the list last year, Cape Town is nowhere to be seen.
Durban on the other hand, coming in at number 7, and as the third city to find its place in the spotlight on the list, is on the up and up. And we could not agree more. The city which usually takes a backseat to the likes of Cape Town and even Joburg was also named one of the New7Wonders Cities towards the end of 2014.
According to the NY Times list inclusion, detailed by Sarah Khan, the time to scoff at Durban for being a touch gauche has come to an end.
Khan says "Durban's creative set is staking its claim on a hefty share of the country’s cool quotient.
"The reinvention of Rivertown kicked things off: The city enclave is now home to a popular market, beer hall and, coming soon, a raft of boutiques showcasing proudly local brands (Dirty Indigo T-shirts; Spine men’s wear). The beloved but dated Durban beachfront is also getting a serious upgrade, courtesy of new dining spots like Afro’s Chicken, California Dreaming and Surf Rider’s Cafe."
Also see: Top 10 Durban cool - besides eating a bunny chow
Another surprise inclusion is Zimbabwe at number 14.
Once-avoided, now must-visit, Zim's "beauty and bounty have been overshadowed by political unrest and economic collapse over the last few decades, but today, the government is finally stable, the overinflated Zimbabwean dollar is gone, and the prices are low"
Working in its favour is the new international terminal at Victoria Falls Airport set to open in July as well its spectacular wildlife, the adrenalin-inducing Victoria Falls, the Zambezi as well as Unesco World Heritage sites like the granite landform Matobo Hills.
At 17 Tanzania is a shining light in troubled times as the list describes Kenya's political instability and security issues as the reason for the country's boosted safari tourism in and around the Serengeti.
Also see: The tropical Wild Coast of KwaZulu-Natal
Here is the top 12, click here to see all 52
1. Milan, Italy
2. Cuba
3. Philadelphia
4. Yellowstone National Park
5. Elqui Valley, Chile
6. Singapore
7. Durban, South Africa
8. Bolivia
9. Faroe Islands
10. Macedonia
11. Medellín, Colombia
12. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
