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New New Destinations: Style Supplants God in Portuguese Town

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]