Old Towns, anyone?
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Feb 4, 2013 6:37 PM Last Post By: WaterhazardJack
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Old Towns, anyone?
Hey Everyone,So I haven't done a whole lot of traveling in my life, but in what little I've done, probably my favorite aspect of travel (other than the people and the food) is simply being the midst of old neighborhoods and districts, where cobble, weathered, traditional buildings, narrow streets (the narrower the road, the better!), and that old, vintage atmosphere dominate, and I much preference going to such places.
I feel like I may not be alone in feeling this way, but for those of you that have traveled more than I have, which cities/towns have the largest and best old towns?
Any particular recommendations?
1
The largest one in Europe is in my home city...Palermo...though it is not really as you describe.It is a real old town...shabby,falling to pieces,noisy and dirty but full of life.Not a 'Disney' version full of tourists ;-)
2
If you like the 'authentic' version...I'd definitely recommend Naples.Also Lisbon.Barcelona used to be great but has become steadily more like the second type.Venice,away from the main tourist area.Most of the best of these places IMHO are now outside of Western Europe..particularly in Asia,South and Central America.
Of the second type...the tourist friendly,prettified 'traditional'city.....Heidelberg in Germany (actually loads of places like this in Germany;-)...and Bruges in Belgium are a couple of stunning locations.
3
I definitely recommend Toledo in Spain. It has all the characteristics you're looking for.5
lucapal:What places in Asia and the Americas do you have in mind when you say the best are there?
Is it pretty easy to get outside the tourist zone in the "second types" that you mention?
Thank you for the recommendations. Shabby, falling to pieces fit the bill too! I would never have thought of Palermo...
9
Jambro:Spain's actually one of the few places I've been, and from what I saw, I feel like it'd be hard to go wrong there! That place is stunning. Thanks for the Toledo tip too. I'll take all I can get!
Waterhazard:
Man, how music videos have changed. That was awesome!
10
Lucapal:Thanks again. It sounds like your "first type" would be the ones I'd prefer, if you've got some more suggestions there...
To add to your "outside Europe" list, I did a Spain/Morocco trip this past August and spent some time in Fes. I tell all my friends to think Agrabah from "Aladdin" and that's Fes. Amazing place, if ya ever get the chance.
11
Cornwall?
