Travel
At NYC’s Rockaways, an escape and a farewell
To say goodbye to New York, author Chris Dong takes an in a single day trip to the seaside and finds there’s a lot to be taught in part of town he had lengthy solely thought of for day journeys.
Behind a layer of patchy fog, the solar casts a milky glow. It’s simply after daybreak on a brisk, late-spring morning on Rockaway Beach, a Queens neighborhood sitting on a slender stretch of New York City between Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
Two individuals out for a stroll greet me with a cheerful good day. Clearly, I’m not in Midtown Manhattan anymore, the place after seven years waking up in the identical constructing, my neighbors stay anonymous.
New York Metropolis could also be identified for the anonymity of a crowded road and the spectacle of a towering skyscraper, however this nook of town is an antithesis to these scenes.
Outlined throughout the bay, the Manhattan skyline stands simply 16 miles to the northwest but feels a world away. When the summer time warmth inevitably arrives, metropolis dwellers flock right here by subway and ferry, determined for a reprieve.
Dwelling to 130,000 everlasting residents, the Rockaways, encompassing the neighborhoods of Rockaway Seaside, Far Rockaway and 7 others, receives over 5 million beachgoers every year. It’s as if between Memorial Day and Labor Day, New Yorkers like myself lastly bear in mind they’re actually a part of a metropolis on the ocean, dwelling to over 14 miles of public seaside.
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Beating the crowds
I’m right here early within the season, when issues are quieter. As an alternative of dashing to catch the final ferry of the night, I’m spending the evening within the neighborhood. A New Yorker for practically a decade, this in a single day expertise is one in every of my closing farewells earlier than shifting to Los Angeles and breaking a lifelong allegiance to the East Coast. As I make my approach down the boardwalk in direction of 116th Road, a freshly brewed espresso acts as my makeshift hand hotter. Whereas Greenhouse Café, on the bottom flooring of the Rockaway Lodge, is a relative newcomer to the scene, the homeowners will not be.
The Flatow household has deep roots within the Rockaways with their two outposts of Delicacies by Claudette, named after the matriarch of the household, Claudette Flatow. From filling my caffeine repair with a clean Peruvian drip within the morning to biting into the right eggplant sabich within the afternoon, I make the most of the Flatows’ abilities, one thing they’ve shared with the Rockaways neighborhood since 2012.
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As I’d come to expertise throughout my “staycation” on the peninsula, the folks that reside on Rockaway Seaside are happy with the place they name dwelling. At Claudette’s and elsewhere, that is an everyone-knows-each-other seaside neighborhood the place locals greet one another by title.
Even the recently-opened Rockaway Hotel, a 53-room upscale property steps from each the ferry and the seaside, was the creation of third-generation Rockaway Seaside residents, Terence and Dan Tubridy. Every week, the lodge invitations a rotating array of native Rockaways eating places, corresponding to Whit’s Finish and Pizza D’Amore, for his or her “Dinner and a Band” collection.
Waking up in the identical metropolis, however in a brand new place
There’s one thing particular about waking up in a brand new neighborhood so in contrast to your individual, whereas nonetheless inside the metropolis limits. As an alternative of worrying concerning the logistics of journey, I felt extra tuned into my environment: the swish of waves hitting sand, the frenzied power of fishermen getting ready for a morning at sea, and the quiet conversations of aged residents on morning walks.
Earlier than this in a single day escape, I’d come to the realm earlier than, spending most of my time at Riis Park Beach, a queer enclave on the western Rockaway peninsula. From bumping beats to people-watching galore, the daytime vibe there seems like nightlife with sunscreen. It solely took a handful of visits to create a routine: discover a spot on the sand with pals, watch the day disappear, make a fast pit cease for afternoon fish tacos at Tacoway Seaside, catch the ferry again to town.
As I get up on Sunday morning and emerge into the quiet fog, I stroll previous the dunes, watching surfers take their positions alongside the coast, keen to search out that magic carpet trip to shore. A Delta jet, seconds after takeoff from JFK’s Runway 22, soars low over ninetieth Road.
To see this place earlier than the daytrippers arrive feels, even only for these few hours, as if I reside right here.
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Experiencing a spot as an area
Within the Rockaways, the deep roots of neighborhood lengthen past pleasant hellos and early morning surf periods.
For dinner, my pals and I eat at Whit’s Finish, an Italian restaurant that in only a few years has change into one thing of a Rockaways establishment. It’s the kind of place that might additionally go for a jazz membership, speakeasy, sports activities bar and burlesque venue – multi function.
The handwritten menu options dishes just like the “fucking good burger” and “fast ass ceviche.” Everybody appears to know one another. An inebriated common dances beside the bar whereas the waitress grabs a chair, sits at our desk and reads out the specials.
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A goodbye to a spot that I’ve referred to as dwelling
Earlier than returning to Manhattan, I am going for a closing journey down the boardwalk. This time, it’s by bike. Again in Midtown, I’ve to gingerly weave by traffic-filled streets, dodging drivers who assume they personal the highway.
However right here, on the boardwalk, I bike with a way of abandon. I don’t thoughts that my seaside cruiser’s seat is about practically a foot too low for me. As an alternative of pungent automotive exhaust, there’s an invigorating, stiff sea breeze. And as an alternative of a exact give attention to the trail forward, I repair my gaze above as one more airplane passes.
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Simply once I really feel myself vanishing into the sort of half-dream state caused by seaside cities, I’m reminded that this place continues to be very a lot New York Metropolis. To my left, the A practice – the identical one which stops at Penn Station within the coronary heart of Midtown – rumbles previous on elevated tracks. Piercing by the fixed name and response of seagulls, I hear the acquainted screech of an MTA bus braking.
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After an overcast weekend, the primary full rays of solar peek out from behind the clouds. Heat, gentle and infinite blue sky are a few of the the reason why I had determined to relocate to Los Angeles. I had come right here, partly, to say goodbye. And right here was New York reminding me of simply how magic it’s, when that sunshine cuts by days of grey skies.
Trustees of the British MuseumThe primary go to of Hawaiian royals to London two centuries in the past will characteristic in a brand new exhibit on the British Museum.
Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans is a “dazzling celebration of the wealthy artistry of Hawaiian makers, previous current and future”, based on the museum.
The exhibition, which opens in January, will commemorate greater than 200 years for the reason that go to of Hawaiian King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu to London in 1824 when the royal delegation have been searching for an alliance and safety from the Crown.
This journey to the capital included a go to to the British Museum – the primary file of Native Hawaiian royals on the museum.
Royal Assortment Enterprises LtdThe exhibition will characteristic round 150 objects and artworks together with many by no means seen within the UK.
Among the many highlights is an ahu ʻula, a feathered cloak despatched in 1810 by the primary king of unified Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha I, to King George III.
Lent by King Charles III from the Royal Assortment, the cloak will probably be on show for the primary time in over 100 years, alongside the Hawaiian king’s authentic letter requesting assist and safety from the British Crown.
Trustees of the British MuseumGuests to the museum will probably be greeted on the steps of the Nice Courtroom by a nine-foot (2.7m) picture of the god Kū, the god of warfare and governance, dressed with a recent loincloth and standing atop a pole rediscovered inside a historic plinth.
A finely carved drum accompanied by an historic chant recounting early Polynesian migrations to Hawaii will characteristic alongside a bowl with determine, not too long ago returned from mortgage to Hawaii’s Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, that represents actions of individuals and objects between the Pacific and the UK.
The Anglo-Franco proclamation of 1843, on mortgage from The Nationwide Archives, highlights the UK and France’s formal recognition of Hawaii’s independence and emphasises diplomatic bonds between the nations.
Trustees of the British MuseumThe creation of the exhibition concerned “the meticulous conservation of ancestral treasures and the inclusion of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) all through the area”, the British Museum mentioned.
Dr Alice Christophe, head of Oceania on the museum, mentioned the exhibit is a tribute to Native Hawaiian makers, previous and current.
She added: “It tells the story of the deep and layered relationship between Hawaii and the UK, reflecting on care, sovereignty and the complexity of allyship.
“We hope this present will spark conversations and uplift folks within the archipelago and past.”
The exhibition will run from 15 January to 25 May 2026.
France is a rustic steeped in historical past, and nowhere is that this extra evident than its fantastically preserved medieval cities.
From Alsace’s timber-framed homes to Provence’s dramatic hilltop villages.
These cities permit guests to step again in time, wander cobblestone streets, marvel at historical structure, and expertise the appeal of bygone eras.
On this listing, we’ve gathered 20 of the best-preserved medieval cities in France that you simply completely should see.
20 Greatest Medieval Cities in France To Go to
Scroll down to find the 20 finest medieval cities in France that needs to be on each historical past buff and tradition fanatic’s bucket listing!
1. Riquewihr, Alsace
Riquewihr is a picturesque village in Alsace typically described as some of the lovely in France.
Its well-preserved Sixteenth-century structure, with colourful half-timbered homes lining slender cobblestone streets, makes it really feel like stepping right into a fairy story.
Guests ought to come right here to expertise the distinctive Alsatian tradition, discover the encircling vineyards, and style the area’s well-known wines.
Don’t miss the Dolder Tower, a Thirteenth-century defensive gate, or wine cellars providing tastings. The Alsace villages are among the most picturesque places in France.
2. Eguisheim, Alsace
Eguisheim, a cute fairytale town in France, is thought for its concentric round format and vibrant floral shows.
The city’s magnificence lies in its colourful medieval homes, charming central sq., and surrounding vineyards.
Guests will take pleasure in strolling by the slender streets, visiting the Chapel of St. Leo IX, and mountain climbing the close by Three Castles path.
The city can also be well-known for its storks, which nest on rooftops throughout summer time.
3. Rocamadour, Occitanie
One in all France’s most unique towns is Rocamadour, a vertical village dramatically constructed into the face of a cliff. Its beautiful location and spiritual significance make it a must-visit place that needs to be in your France bucket list.
The city is dwelling to a number of vital spiritual websites, together with the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Guests can climb the Grand Escalier (Nice Staircase) to the château on the prime, which gives breathtaking views of the Alzou Canyon.
4. Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne
Sarlat is without doubt one of the best-preserved medieval cities in France, well-known for its golden stone buildings and gastronomic delights.
Guests ought to come right here to wander the labyrinthine streets, discover the bustling market, and take pleasure in native specialties like foie gras and truffles.
Don’t miss the panoramic view from the highest of the Sainte-Marie church tower or a go to to the Manoir de Gisson.
5. Dinan, Brittany
Dinan is a walled city recognized for its spectacular ramparts, half-timbered homes, and picturesque port.
Guests will love strolling alongside the previous metropolis partitions, exploring the quaint Rue du Jerzual, and having fun with a meal at one of many cafes alongside the previous port.
The city’s magnificence is enhanced by its location overlooking the Rance River. Go to the Château de Dinan and climb the Tour de l’Horloge for panoramic views.
6. Honfleur, Normandy
Honfleur, with its picturesque previous harbor and slate-covered home facades, has lengthy been a favourite topic for artists.
Guests come for the charming ambiance, maritime historical past, and glorious seafood eating places.
Key points of interest embody the wood Church of Saint Catherine, the Eugene Boudin Museum, and the gorgeous Jardin des Personnalités.
7. Perouges, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Perouges is a superbly preserved medieval walled city that appears frozen in time. Its cobbled streets and stone homes make it a preferred movie location.
Guests ought to expertise life in a Fifteenth-century city, style the native specialty “galette de Pérouges,” and benefit from the peaceable ambiance. Don’t miss the central Place du Tilleul or the Eglise-Forteresse.
8. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Occitanie
Perched excessive above the Lot River, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is a shocking medieval village that has impressed many artists. Its magnificence lies in its dramatic setting, Gothic facades, and slender alleyways.
Guests can discover quite a few artisan outlets, hike within the surrounding space, or take a ship journey on the Lot River. The village is especially magical within the night when the day-trippers have left.
9. Gordes, Provence
Gordes is a placing hilltop village within the Luberon area, well-known for its stone buildings cascading down the hillside.
Guests come for the breathtaking views, particularly at sundown, and to discover the encircling lavender fields and olive groves.
Key points of interest embody the Sixteenth-century château, the close by Sénanque Abbey, and the standard Tuesday market.
10. Locronan, Brittany
Locronan is a small city that has maintained its Renaissance appeal, with granite homes and an exquisite central sq..
Guests will admire the dearth of seen trendy infrastructure, making it really feel actually timeless. The city is thought for its spiritual heritage, conventional Breton festivals, and as a filming location.
Don’t miss the Church of Saint Ronan or the native artisan workshops.
11. Cordes-sur-Ciel, Occitanie
Cordes-sur-Ciel, or “Cordes within the Sky,” is aptly named for its hilltop location, typically shrouded in morning mist. This bastide city is thought for its well-preserved Gothic structure and thriving arts scene.
Guests ought to come to discover the medieval homes, go to artisan workshops, and revel in panoramic views of the countryside. The city hosts a well-known medieval competition every July.
12. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Mont Saint-Michel is without doubt one of the most iconic landmarks in France, a medieval marvel that rises dramatically from the ocean.
This UNESCO World Heritage website is a small rocky island topped by a shocking abbey and surrounded by a picturesque village.
Guests are drawn by its distinctive structure, wealthy historical past, and the fascinating phenomenon of maximum tides that isolate and join it to the mainland.
Discover the winding streets, go to the magnificent abbey, and be taught concerning the website’s significance as a pilgrimage heart.
13. Minerve, Occitanie
Minerve is a small village with a dramatic historical past, perched on a rocky peninsula between two deep gorges. Guests come for its Cathar historical past, beautiful pure setting, and glorious native wines.
Discover the village’s slender streets, go to the Twelfth-century church, and be taught concerning the Cathar siege on the small museum.
14. Monpazier, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Monpazier is without doubt one of the best-preserved bastide cities in France, recognized for its excellent grid format and exquisite central sq..
Guests will admire the well-preserved medieval and Seventeenth-century structure, the lined market corridor, and the peaceable ambiance.
15. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is nestled between two rocky cliffs, with a star suspended on a series between them.
The city is known for its advantageous porcelain and proximity to the Verdon Gorge – one of many best places in the French Riviera area.
Guests ought to discover the slender streets, go to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel perched above the city, and store for native ceramics.
16. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Occitanie
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a serene medieval village tucked right into a dramatic gorge on the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela.
Its UNESCO-listed Gellone Abbey, with its exceptional Romanesque structure, rises above a maze of slender streets and stone homes.
Don’t miss the abbey’s lovely cloister, the Place de la Liberté with its historical elm tree, or the satan’s bridge spanning the gorge.
17. Conques, Occitanie
Conques is a jewel of Romanesque artwork nestled in a wooded gorge in Occitanie.
Its magnificent Abbey Church of Saint Foy, with its intricate tympanum and golden reliquary, has drawn pilgrims for hundreds of years alongside the Santiago de Compostela route.
Don’t miss the treasury’s medieval goldsmith assortment, the carved capitals within the cloister, or the sundown view from the Bancarel viewpoint.
18. Najac, Occitanie
Najac is a shocking medieval fortress city perched dramatically alongside a single ridge excessive above the Aveyron River.
Its majestic Thirteenth-century royal fortress stands on the highest level, whereas the village’s stone and half-timbered homes stretch alongside the ridge in a novel linear format.
Don’t miss the Gothic church of Saint-Jean with its uncommon fortified options, the panoramic views from the fortress hold, or the traditional lined market corridor the place native farmers promote their produce.
19. Vézelay, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Vézelay is a hilltop village in Burgundy topped by its magnificent Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene.
This UNESCO World Heritage website rises majestically above the Remedy Valley, its golden stone glowing within the sundown whereas its medieval streets are lined with historic homes and ramparts.
Don’t miss the spectacular views over the Burgundian countryside, or the home the place Jules Roy lived, now a literature museum.
20. Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a remarkably preserved medieval city perched on a hilltop close to Good, remodeled into an inventive haven within the twentieth century.
Its large medieval ramparts encircle slender cobblestone streets lined with elegant stone homes, whereas up to date artwork galleries and boutiques occupy historical buildings.
Remaining Ideas on The Greatest French Medieval Cities
Exploring France’s medieval cities is like stepping right into a residing historical past e-book.
Every village gives a novel glimpse into the nation’s wealthy previous, well-preserved structure, and timeless appeal.
From the long-lasting Mont Saint-Michel to the lesser-known gems like Perouges, these cities present unforgettable experiences for historical past lovers, tradition lovers, and informal vacationers alike.
Able to plan your trip in France? Use our complete France Travel Guide to make sure you don’t miss any of the unbelievable locations.
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