RUTHFULLY YOURS

Six cities that beat the Big Apple?

Whether or not you believe that New York City is losing its edge, these capital cities are worthy alternatives for a break

By Stefanie Marsh
The Times
November 23, 2009

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/breaks/article6927382.ece

A thrillingly colourful and chaotic city, “eternal as air and water”, said to its most famous son, Borges. Next year is “BA’s” bicentennial, so expect it to be even more frenetic and grandiose than normal, thanks to its world-class art galleries, fine restaurants and thriving fashion industry. The peso crisis has brought in tourists and, now that the economy is recovering, spurred on new bars, small business and cafes. Tango, despite fears of its demise, has experienced a revival.

London

It’s hard to say when London got its groove back, but being one of Europe’s most tolerant cities has contributed to its melting-pot status. Far too expensive, with shamefully early closing times and an unreliable transport system – it’s the stratospherically charismatic friend who you will forgive time and again for her more unappealing traits.

Tel Aviv

Miami, Barcelona and New York rolled into one, with a population that has a reputation for breathtaking rudeness and impatience. “The bubble” as its known by Israelis, is proud to operate to different rules from the rest of Israel. Certainly its focus is less religious than some areas – hedonistic partying goes on here until the early hours. Meanwhile, the Neve Tzedek district has been gentrified; Shenkin Street has gone all Haight-Ashbury bohemian. And there’s still some Arab life left in Old Jaffa, proving that tradition and the ultra-modern can co-exist here.

Berlin

Still oddly innocent and slow-paced despite its reputation as the epicentre of cool urban life. But because there’s rent control, the feeling is that here anything is possible for its collection of artists, architects, fashion designers, techno-heads and ne’er do wells, many of whom are perennially out of work. “Poor but sexy”, is how Klaus Wowereit , the Mayor of Berlin, rightly describes it.

Mumbai

India’s largest and most cosmopolitan city is where The Bonfire of the Vanities might be set if it were written today. Financially it is the country’s hub, courtesy of the Bombay stock exchange and its incredibly lucrative film industry, yet the streets remain conjested with cattle, cars and the homeless. Mumbai is evolving at warp speed and it’s a dynamic place to see.

Madrid

Tries less hard than Barcelona, works less hard than London or Paris and thus does 24-hour living better than most European capitals. New investment and an economic boom has energised the city. Aesthetically, the journey begins at Barajas Airport with Richard Rogers’ award-winning new terminal. Then there’s the Prado and the usual sights. A sobering thought for those who might have voted for Amsterdam instead: Madrid has more restaurants and bars than the whole of the Netherlands.