Matador Network's Blog, page 631
June 21, 2021
9 Lisbon Airbnbs from penthouses with cathedral views to cottages in the historic center
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
In a city as vibrant as Lisbon, it almost doesn’t matter where you stay. Moorish architecture, seductive fado music, and understated tascas advertising chalkboard specials on small plates called petiscos greet travelers around every corner in the historic center. At the same time, trendier areas are chockablock with street art, international and fusion fare, concept boutiques, and wildly eclectic speak-easies. Lisbon is a hard city not to love at first sight, but finding an apartment that matches your vacation vision is guaranteed to make you fall that much harder. From the downtown drag to quaint, quieter pockets of the city, these Lisbon Airbnbs showcase the best of the Portuguese capital, no matter what your dream visit entails.
1. Charming apartment in Chiado
Photo: Airbnb
This cozy open-plan apartment is located between Chiado and Bairro Alto, one-half of Lisbon’s downtown core and its buzziest nightlife neighborhood, respectively. Despite its proximity to a host of lively bars, the apartment is tucked away on a quiet street that’s equally amenable to nights in, preparing locally inspired meals in the well-equipped kitchen. Past guests have raved about the hosts’ hospitality, including private airport transfers and personalized check-in upon request.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $65 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This colorful studio in Lisbon’s trendy Principe Real neighborhood is sure to catch any artist’s eye. The interior is bright and stylish, complete with thoughtful touches like accent rugs and tiled backsplashes. And the top-floor balcony overlooks Lisbon’s terracotta roofscape, sun-drenched Tagus river, and iconic Cristo Rei statue. Comfortably sleeping two, the space is ideal for solo travelers or a couple planning a romantic Portuguese getaway.
Three guests, two beds
Price: $71 per night
Photo: Airbnb
If the wall hangings celebrating Portugal’s literary greats and the traditional azulejo tiles adorning the building’s entrance don’t make guests of this two-bedroom apartment feel like Lisbon locals, their stay in the Graça neighborhood will. Though it’s within walking distance of all the major attractions, Graça sits outside the sardine circuit, as the city’s most heavily touristed areas are collectively known. After touring the neighborhood’s cobblestone streets, hopping from one scenic lookout to the next, guests will enjoy unwinding on the terrace with a bottle of vinho tinto, branco, or verde, Portugal’s red, white, or slightly fizzy green wine.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $80 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Skirting the heart of Lisbon’s old town, Alfama, this one-bedroom cottage will suit all types of travelers. The shared patio alone is a universal selling point, fit for everyone from digital nomads seeking an open-air home office to sociable tourists looking to trade pleasantries with their neighbors. When they’re not taking advantage of the semi-private garden, guests will appreciate the apartment’s proximity to the 28 Tram for easy access to Lisbon’s top sites, not to mention the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora located a few steps away.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $90 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Chiado, where guests of this luxurious loft will call their temporary home, is downtown Lisbon at its finest. The apartment is a short walk from Praça Luís de Camões, a lively square home to the Manteigaria pastry shop, famous for its pastel de nata, Portugal’s trademark egg tarts. A stay here also positions guests by some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions like the Museu de São Roque, National Museum of Contemporary Art, and Bica Funicular, where travelers can snap photos of Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams.
Three guests, one bed
Price: $101 per night
Photo: Airbnb
A piece of advice for guests of this bright one-bedroom: Come hungry. Lisbon’s famous Time Out Market is located just down the street, surrounded by a slew of local eateries and the robust nightlife scene of Cais do Sodré’s aptly named Pink Street. The apartment’s interior is just as vivid, with a modern blue and white accent wall in the bedroom that evokes Portugal’s characteristic azulejo tiles and pops of color scattered throughout the living spaces. When they need a break from the action outside, the terrace is the perfect vantage point for travelers to appreciate the neighborhood’s bustle from a calm, scenic distance.
Four guests, one bedroom
Price: $104 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Though Lisbon is better known for its miradouros (scenic viewpoints), a handful of parks are scattered throughout the city are prime for picnics and afternoon strolls. This gorgeous one-bedroom is not only located between Lisbon’s botanical garden and Praça da Alegria park, offering verdant terrace views but greenery is also featured throughout the interior. Situated between Principe Real and Avenida da Liberdade, one of the city’s main arteries, the apartment is equally close to popular dining, shopping, and sites, promising an experience that can be as quiet or lively as guests choose to make their stay in Lisbon.
Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $103 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Apartments as stylish and fun as this two-bedroom in central Lisbon make it easy to forget that there’s an equally vibrant city to explore beyond its walls. When guests do step outside, they’ll find themselves in the heart of Lisbon, smack in the middle of the downtown districts of Baixa and Chiado and the up-all-night neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Principe Real. The penthouse unit is best suited to visitors who are comfortable walking up five floors of stairs, as there’s no elevator in the building, but the views from the two balconies are more than worth the trek.
Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $149 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Lisbon’s Sé Cathedral is one of its grandest attractions. At this two-bedroom penthouse, guests can enjoy views of the 12th-century site, the oldest church in the city, and the Tagus river from a cozy couch on the vine-covered balcony. The artful interior is just as striking, from the unique furnishings and clean, well-appointed bathrooms to the paintings hanging on the walls and the wallpaper itself. Though it’s the priciest apartment on this list, it’s also one of the roomiest, with enough space to sleep six guests. 
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $191 per night
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Rare orchid thought extinct found on London rooftop garden
A rare wild orchid, thought to be extinct in the UK, has been found in a rooftop garden on top of Japanese investment bank Nomura in London.
The Serapias parviflora, which was first discovered in Cornwall in England in 1989, is typically found in the Mediterranian Basin and on the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain, and Portugal. The plant was considered extinct in the UK in 2009, only 20 years after its discovery, according to the BBC.
Rare orchids found on our London office roof #garden gain interest from the @BBC. This scarce find shows how the garden provides a haven for wildlife & #biodiversity in a city landscape.
Article by BBC: https://t.co/CawQa6pITt
More on the roof garden: https://t.co/ObwbVr8Fnh pic.twitter.com/IlPnvEeetF
— Nomura (@Nomura) June 15, 2021
The colony found on the London rooftop is 15-plants strong. It’s an exciting addition to the 159 species of flowering plants currently living on the roof.
How the seeds arrived at the rooftop garden are unknown, but it is possible that they were carried by the winds. Another explanation is that the orchid seeds were on the plants used to create the rooftop garden over 10 years ago.
“The plants could have originated on the continent and been brought over the Channel on southerly winds which frequently bring Saharan dust deposits to the capital,” said ecologist Mark Patterson, who runs the rooftop garden.
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Japan moves forward with Olympic Games with only 10,000 spectators allowed
A coveted ticket to the Tokyo Olympics Games is in reach for some, but very few people. Olympic organizers said on Monday that all Olympic venues will be set at 50 percent capacity, with a maximum of 10,000 Japanese spectators.
Most medical experts are not on board with the decision and recommended that the Olympic Games be held without spectators, according to Reuters.
Although Japan has not had large breakouts throughout the pandemic, the vaccine rollout has not moved as quickly as some other countries. Hosting the Olympics is a multi-billion dollar operation and having fans in the arena will help subsidize some of those costs.
The Tokyo Olympic Games, postponed from July 2020 to July 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will include a few rules never seen before at the event. International visitors will not be allowed, shouting will be prohibited, and event-goers will have to wear masks. Guests will also be asked to travel only to and from the venues and their homes.
“I am concerned not just about the increase in the number of people coming to watch the Olympics itself but also about the loosening of people’s sense of urgency by hosting the Olympics with spectators,” Haruka Sakamoto, a physician and researcher at Keio University, told Reuters before the decision was made.
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After a 15 travel ban, Europe is finally reopening to Americans
It’s official! On June 18, 2021, the Council of the European Union, which represents all 27 member countries, announced an update on the list of countries for which travel restrictions should be lifted, and the US is on it.
Previously it was thought that the EU would only be open to vaccinated travelers; however, Americans can currently visit these European countries regardless of their vaccination status.
Although the council recommended that the countries come up with a simplified plan that’s the same across the board, US travelers should expect otherwise since each EU country has the final say in the way it handles tourist arrivals. That includes COVID-19 testing procedures, quarantine requirements, and maybe more — your dream country still might not want you inside.
Several European countries have already announced their reopening, including Greece, Spain, and Iceland.
The full list of countries currently on the EU approval list include:
AlbaniaAustraliaIsraelJapanLebanonNew ZealandRepublic of North MacedoniaRwandaSerbiaSingaporeSouth KoreaThailandUnited States of AmericaChina, subject to confirmation of reciprocityHong KongMacao A version of this article was previously published on May 19, 2021, and was updated on June 21, 2021, with more information.
More like thisRoad TripsThis epic road trip will take you through the best of the Croatian coastThe post After a 15 travel ban, Europe is finally reopening to Americans appeared first on Matador Network.
Dubai’s wind towers are the city’s traditional and beautiful way to beat the heat
The skyline of Dubai’s oldest neighborhood, Al Bastakiya, better known as the Al Fahidi Cultural and Historical District, is dotted with chimney-like, four-sided structures with openings that rise up from the rooftops of local homes. And while these may look like architectural flourish, they’re much more: These are the ancestors of A/C units.
These vertical structures are wind catchers, or wind towers, that are thought to originally come from ancient Egypt and Persia. Paintings depicting similar structures atop Pharaoh Nebamun’s residence that were found near Luxor, Egypt, seem to date from 1300 BCE, the BBC reported. However, some Iranian architects believe that wind catchers originated in Iran after archaeologists found wind tower-like structures in the ruins of a temple from 4000 BCE.
Dubai heritage
Photo: Laborant/Shutterstock
It was only in the late 19th century that these cooling systems began to appear in Dubai, where they’re known as barjeel. The flourishing pearl trade saw traders and craftsmen from neighboring countries come to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Some of these artisans brought with them construction knowledge of how to beat desert heat. The wealthy traders then adopted the elements for their own homes. Studies have found that wind towers can lower the interior temperature of homes by about 10 degrees Celsius (about 50 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to the scorching heat outside. Gradually, these towers became a permanent feature of almost all homes in the old district.
The earliest wind towers in Dubai were made of palm fronds. The material is susceptible to fire, however, which prompted locals to look for more resistant materials like sea stone and coral that were abundantly available.
How wind towers harness the wind to ventilate homesBesides being an attractive architectural element, wind towers function as excellent sustainable, energy efficient ventilation systems — especially when compared to A/C units, which can leak hydrofluorocarbons and increase energy use.
Operating on the concept of air pressure difference, traditional towers have partitioned openings on all four sides, a roof, and a wind shaft to allow the hot air of the interiors to escape from the vents while capturing the cooler air and directing it through the channel in the interiors. Wet cloth partitions are hoisted on bamboo poles around the openings to cool the incoming air.
Most of the houses with wind towers are found in older parts of Dubai. You can also see an example in Dalma, Abu Dhabi, at Bayt al-Muraykhi, which was once the house of a wealthy pearl merchant and is the oldest standing house in the city. Converted to a museum now, it has a two-story wind tower.
Modern structures, traditional cooling system
Photo: Jumeirah/Facebook
The modern contemporary architects of Dubai have tried to incorporate traditional features of architecture-like wind towers in present-day buildings with an aim to reduce dependency on air-conditioning. With the concept of natural cooling, the modern wind towers utilize traditional knowledge with modern techniques and materials.
Madinat Jumeirah, the iconic Dubai resort, is designed as a traditional ancient Arab town inspired from Al Bastakiya. It combines the concept of shaded courtyards and ventilation through wind towers for cooling.
Photo: archello
A wind tower installation aptly called the Barjeel, in Dubai’s design district, was created by MAS Architecture Studio for Dubai Design Week in 2019. It reimagined a traditional wind tower made with 480 layers of recycled cardboard. With an aim to honor regional traditions, this installation with a circular base and a 18-foot-tall square body has seating space inside for visitors to relax. It works exactly on the same principles of heritage wind towers.
Wherever you look in Dubai, there’s a good chance that you can spot these gorgeous and historical cooling systems. And the fact that they’re a more sustainable option than A/C units makes them all the more admirable.
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A controversial list of the ‘most fun’ states in the US was just released
Imagine waking up one morning to learn that your state has been definitively proven to be the “least fun” in the US. That’s a reality for West Virginians discovering a new WalletHub report about the country’s “most fun” states — though the findings aren’t exactly scientific.
The report compared all 50 states using 26 indicators of fun, including how many movie theaters there are per capita, accessibility to national parks, casinos per capita, and more. Yes, everyone’s concept of fun is vastly different. Yes, trying to settle on a common definition of fun is harder than agreeing on Monopoly rules, but why pass up an opportunity to dunk on West Virginia, Mississippi, and Delaware?
Despite the overwhelming subjectivity of this study’s premise, let’s break down why, exactly, states like West Virginia are considered no fun. Two key categories were considered in determining the rankings of the most fun states: Entertainment & Recreation and Nightlife. Then, metrics like “most casinos per capita” were graded on a 100-point scale for each state, and weighted averages were determined for each state to arrive at a total score.
The results were good news for California (as if it really needed the hype), which scored higher than any other state. Following closely behind are Florida, Nevada, and New York, with Colorado, Washington, Texas, Minnesota, Illinois, and Pennsylvania also cracking the top 10. California’s abundance of restaurants, movie theaters, performing arts venues, and fitness centers really put it over the top.
West Virginians, however, are probably curious why their state got snubbed. Well, it’s seemingly because they don’t have enough performing arts centers (though West Virginia’s Historic Theater Trail should not be looked over), fitness centers, and lack of variety in their arts, entertainment, and recreation establishments. Nevermind the fact that many consider fitness the opposite of fun and would rather go hiking to see incredible waterfalls like the ones found throughout West Virginia. The state is also tied for the lowest personal expenditures spent on recreation services. Because, you know, more expensive recreation is always more fun recreation.
But don’t cancel your trip to West Virginia just yet. Or Mississippi, Delaware, Arkansas, or Rhode Island either, for that matter. Ranking states by “fun” is as arbitrary as ranking states by the most popular music in a state. The volume of golf courses in a state does not correlate with “fun” unless you’re an avid golfer. It does, however, correlate with the number of preppy 20-somethings in your city crushing beers in broad daylight. To many, that alone might be reason enough not to live there.
Trying to squeeze a decidedly subjective topic into a set of objective criteria can be an interesting exercise, but it’s by no means an accurate reflection of reality. Not only are there thousands of potentially fun activities — certainly more than 26 — there’s also likely massive disagreement over whether most of those activities are fun at all.
So don’t feel too bad, West Virginia. And California, don’t let it go to your head. If fun were a measurable data point, it wouldn’t be very fun at all, now would it?
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3 international day trips you can take from Dubrovnik to explore the Balkans
Along Croatia’s Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik is a 13th-century city reborn thanks to extensive renovation after earthquakes and wars took their toll. Caught in the fame of Game of Thrones, the town drew well over one million tourists in 2019. The city’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for the historic preservation of its winding limestone streets, elegant baroque architecture, and terracotta rooftop houses. The most famous of Croatia’s cities is also home to top-notch seafood restaurants and boat tours to nearby islands. But the most overlooked aspect of the city is its easy access to the cross-border multiculturalism that the Balkans are known for.
To experience a cross-section of the Balkans’ history, cuisine, and breathtaking architecture, hit the road along Croatia’s sun-drenched coast to the neighboring countries on a day trip from Dubrovnik.
Kotor Bay, Montenegro
Photo: canadastock/Shutterstock
Distance from Dubrovnik: 56 milesIt takes 3.5 hours to reach Montenegro by road, though border crossings during the summer season can stretch to five hours. Push along the scenic highway E65, with its narrow hairpin bends and the craggy mountains of Montenegro on one side. The name “Montenegro” is said to come from 15th-Century Venetian lords, who saw the surrounding dense pine forests as giant black mountains.
The ride to Kotor Bay cuts through these narrow mountains, but you’ll get glimpses of the medieval villages located on the water during the drive. The medieval walled town of Kotor is a maze of cobbled alleyways, piazzas, cafes, jazz clubs, and tiny boutiques squeezed into lanes. The most impressive landmark is the Catholic church, a mastery of baroque-romanesque architecture, and you can also spot remains of Byzantine-style frescoes on the arches.
Park your car near the Marina Bonići, and hop on a boat ride across the Bay of Kotor to take in the views from offshore, a fresh perspective on the landscape you drove through. Afterward, head to villages including Perast Tivat, and if you’re up for a 90-minute drive, continue further to Ulcinj and Sveti Stefan. Each is a historic walled town with impressive churches, former grand palazzi, and piazzas studded with cafes and souvenir stores. Stay for an al fresco meal to experience how the architecture and culinary cultures sway towards Italian taste. Don’t leave Montenegro without hitting the beachside town of Budva. This is your chance to lounge on a beach sunbed, backed by fortress walls and citadel views, savoring Montenegrin Vranac wines and jazz.
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Photo: Cristi Popescu/Shutterstock
Distance from Dubrovnik: 140 milesMostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is approximately a four hours’ drive north from Dubrovnik. On crossing over to the Bosnian countryside, riding on Highway M6 fringed on both sides with rugged mountains, you’ll spot Bosnian-style stone houses rimmed in wooden lattice works. Pull off the highway en route to the UNESCO-listed town of Počitelj with its medieval fortress, unique townhouses, and Ottoman-style mosque. You’ll notice scars from when the Bosnian-Croat forces attacked the village in 1993, but still, Počitelj is among the most beautiful examples of a 14th-century town in the region.
Bosnia’s image in the 1990s was that of a war-torn country, though today once you enter the town of Mostar, the horrors of war are barely visible. This small riverside city of just over 100,000 people hosts many cafes, restaurants, and an open bazaar selling Turkish lamps, carpets, traditional kilim rugs, handmade laces, Persian ceramics, and copper wares. As you move throughout the bazaar you can’t help but notice the skyline dominated by minarets, yet the tallest structure is the new Catholic church and the enormous cross seen on the hilltop. The town’s key attraction remains the Stari Most – a 15th-century Ottoman-era bridge separating both sides of the town. In the 1993 Bosnian war, the Croatian army shelled the bridge and mass destruction came upon in the name of ethnic cleansing. Today, Bosnian Muslims and Catholics live together in relative harmony; the rebuilt Stari Most is the chosen venue for the Red Bull cliff diving sporting event, held every year in the summer. Young locals can be seen jumping off the bridge into the river below, a long-standing tradition.
After an afternoon at the bazaar, it’s time to eat. Bosnian food is a marriage of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare. Common dishes include ćevapi (sausage-shaped kebabs tucked inside pita bread, served with onions and sour cream), börek (flaky meat pastry), dolma (stuffed vegetable with meat), and flavored meat stews and broths. And then there’s Bosnian baklava, a sweet, flaky pastry dessert you must try no matter what you order as a main. The nooks and crannies of the old town have cozy cafes where hookah lovers are anchored throughout the day. Coffee enthusiasts should try the strong Bosnian coffee, which locals say tastes far different than its Turkish cousin but is similarly thick and bitter.
Stick around into the evening, because Mostar glows when the sun goes down with illuminated arches, brightly lit evening bazaars, and buzzing open-air cafes.
Shkodër, Albania
Photo: Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock
Distance from Dubrovnik: 110 milesThe northern Albanian town of Shkodër is a 4.5-hour drive from Dubrovnik. The crowds of tourists have recently started venturing to this long-neglected part of Europe. Now at peace and among the safest countries in Europe, the attractive city center of Shkodër is striking with its uber-cool art installations built from the very war artillery that impaired the country during the Yugoslav Wars between 1991 and 2001.
The pastel-hued buildings of the old town are reminiscent of the Venetians’ stronghold of early days. The St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, where many practice Eastern Orthodoxy and the mosque a few meters away put Shkodër at a crossroads of world cultures. The Marubi Museum opens a window into old Albania with street scenes showing the country grappling with the woes of the past: communism, conflict, and modernization. Lovers of art should visit the Venice Art Mask Factory, run by Edmond Angoni, an Albanian artisan who emigrated to Italy in the 1990s to master the Venetian art of mask-making. The Shkodër Historical Museum, in a former Venetian merchant’s house, also showcases Albanian history and culture.
The most visited destination in town is the Rozafa Fortress, located on a hillock. Scattered in Roman relics, the fortress was rebuilt by the Venetians and then the Turks. Because it is located at a higher altitude, the fortress has stunning views of the surrounding landscape including Lake Shkodra, the distant Albanian alps, and the city center.
Modern Albania’s positive vibe echoes along Shkodër’s pedestrian-friendly streets, in particular in its restaurants and cafes. Italian fare is served in most eateries in the city center, but don’t miss out on Albanian classics like byrek (a kind of sandwich in phyllo pastry stuffed with meat, spinach, and feta), baked cheese with tomatoes, lamb bake, or slow-cooked, rice-stuffed bell peppers.
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Spend one week touring Portugal, airfare from the US included, for just $999
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
This Travelzoo deal in Portugal gets you from the US to Portugal and includes a full week of lodging and activities at a discount of more than 50 percent. If you’re looking for a package deal that eliminates your need to do much planning (other than preparing yourself for an epic week in one of Europe’s coolest destinations), you won’t find a better deal. All airfare and seven nights of lodging are included, as is breakfast each day and private transportation in a comfy motor coach.
Travel between September 2021 and March 2022 and fly out of Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC. Other major cities across the country can take advantage of the same deal, starting at just $100 more for airfare. If you want to go all out, you can upgrade to four-star hotels covering the entire trip for an additional $300.
The deal is fully refundable if your plans change.
Here’s an itinerary rundown:
Four nights in Lisbon, including visits to the Belem Tower and plenty of time to walk the historic boulevards and lounge in the city’s cafes. You’ll also visit the beach town of Cascais and the palaces of Sintra, adding a bit of sun time and historical ambience to your time in Portugal’s capital city.One night in Fatima, where you’ll tour historic religious sites including cathedrals and worship centers, as well as visit the world-famous surf breaks at Nazare and see big wave surfers in action.Two nights in Porto. After touring the old Portuguese capital of Coimbra you’ll settle into Porto for two nights to tour the Church of St. Francis, Bolsa Palace, and sip Port wine on one of the many cafes’ terraces.Alternatively, seclude yourself in a luxurious Portuguese palace for three nights for $243 per person
Photo: Hotel Vidago Palace/Facebook
When to travel: June 2021; October 2021-June 2022; or July-September 2021 for a small upcharge
Fully refundable: Yes
Ask the average traveler what they want to see in Europe, and the top answer you’ll get is “castles and palaces.” We’re going to let you in on a little piece of insider knowledge — seeing a palace is cool, but sleeping in one is a a lot better. This Travelzoo deal in Portugal is your best chance to do just that. You can spend three nights in the landmark Vidago Palace Hotel in north-central Portugal, complete with sophisticated vibes and easy access to the nearby Douro Valley, a UNESCO Heritage site. And, the hotel will comp either a massage treatment or a round of golf at the adjacent course. Whether you’re already planning to go to Portugal or need an excuse to go there, this long weekend in the throes of royalty is the perfect opportunity.
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June 17, 2021
This island nation has the cleanest water in Europe
Your Mediterranean vacation is going to get even better. Not only is it hot and beautiful, but its waters are top-notch.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) recently published a report that analyzed European bathing water quality in 2020. After testing between May 1 and October 31, 2020, Cyprus received a 100 percent rating — a perfect score at all 112 swimming spots around the island.
The island nation beat out plenty of popular tourist spots, including Austria with 97.7 percent, Greece with 97.1 percent, Malta with 96.6 percent, and Croatia with 96.1 percent. Note that Greece, Malta, and Croatia are also open to US travelers who are keen to bathe in their sumptuous waters.
This news will undoubtedly boost the Cyprus tourist sector, which makes up 13 percent of its gross domestic product but suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic after tourist arrivals took an 84 percent plunge from a record-setting year in 2019, according to the Associated Press.
The EEA report credits the improvement of European waters over the last 40 years to reduced pollution thanks to environmental laws and the EU’s Bathing Water Directive. Only 296 of the 22,276 bathing sites tested in the 27 European countries (plus Albania, Switzerland, and the UK), ranked “poor.”
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You can now purchase a countryside home in Croatia for just 16 cents
Buying a home is pricey, unless you plan on moving to the small town of Legrad in Croatia, in which case, it’s unbelievably cheap.
Legrad once had the second-biggest population in Croatia, but when the Austro-Hungarian empire collapsed, new borders were formed. And the town — which is on the border with Croatia and Hungary — started declining.
“We turned into a border town with few transport connections to other places. Since then, the population has been gradually falling,” Mayor Ivan Sabolic told Reuters.
Legrad has a population of 2,500 people, half of what it was 70 years ago.
But town officials are on a mission to grow the population of the town by listing abandoned houses and construction sites for just one kuna (16 cents). Seventeen of the 19 properties listed have been sold. The town has also offered to put up 25,000 kunas ($3,983) toward repairs. And if you’d prefer to purchase a private home, it will cover 20 percent of the house, up to 35,000 kunas ($5,570).
There are a few caveats. New residents must stay in the homes for at least 15 years, so the houses are only being sold to people under 40. The listings are currently only open to Croatian residents, but with Croatia being open to vaccinated US travelers, you never know what a trip to Croatia may lead to.
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