How do you know a destination is about to explode onto the international travel scene? When locals stop going to church and start opening spots that attract the Wallpaper* set. At least, so says the latest report from Aveiro, Portugal. New York Times writer Sarah Wildman spoke with a local specialty food shop owner who has the scoop:

Ten years ago if you walked around Aveiro on a Sunday, you wouldn't see a single person -- everyone was in church! Now that's no longer true.

So what does everyone do in Aveiro, if they're not praying rosaries? Hanging out in coffeeshops and design shops at Mercado Negro, it sounds like:

An entire neighborhood in and of itself, filled with smart boutiques, a bar, a coffee shop and several great rooms just for chilling out.

Mercado Negro may be pushing out the Church, but God love 'em for having a blog!

[Photo: Susanna Raab]

Related Stories:
· A New Culture Takes Hold in an Old Fishing Town [NYT]
· Hotels in Aveiro [HotelChatter]]]> pbb 2007-06-25T11:10:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/2/7/95638/87900

Just this side of the International Date line you will find the little known and lesser visited American Samoa.

What To Do?: American Samoa has been much maligned, due to 1960s colonialism.  This little island can appear littered, dirty, and Americanised one minute, and feel as beautiful and secluded as the Lost the next. To experience the latter, head to the National Park of American Samoa to take in natural beauty, or Ofu Beach to do some private snorkeling.  

Getting There: Los Angeles :: Apia Samoa :: Pago Pago via Air New Zealand (or via Honolulu). Flight time 11hr 45min.

Where To Stay: Club Santana Don't go looking for five star luxury in Samoa, instead, kick back with a cold Vailima and take in the surf at the Salani Surf Resort.

Bonus Tip: In Samoa, there is a "socially acceptable" group of men who dress and act like women, so much so, that it cam be difficult to identify the true sex of these folks.  These people are called fafafine.

Related Stories:
·   American Samoa Information [TripAdvisor]
]]> markj 2006-02-07T09:56:38-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/1/16/115732/382

The island of São Tomé is so tiny it doesn't even show up on a lot of globes. However, once you reach this forgotten island off the west coast of Africa you will have plenty of fine sand beaches to yourself.

What To Do?: Discover a far flung pristine beach and bake within inches of the equator, eat fresh caught barracuda for lunch, take part in extreme game fishing, or grab a machete and go all Dr. Livingston on a rain forest hike.

Getting There: New York :: Lisbon, Portugal :: São Tomé via a variety of airlines. Flight time 28hr 25min.

Where To Stay: Club Santana offers 30 private bungalows set in a garden overlooking private beaches or the Bom Bom Island Resort (on Principe) for those who want a little more luxury.

Official Site: www.saotome.st

Bonus Tip: The recently renovated Marlin Hotel is for sale, if you have $4.5 MM.

photo credit jose borregana

Related Stories:
·   Do you know the way to São Tomé? [Times Online]
·   Sao Tome Information [TripAdvisor]
]]> markj 2006-01-16T11:57:32-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/