An insider's guide to San Francisco's seven best locals-only gems
From rambling up the Saturn Steps to dipping into El Rio for a drink to eating your way through the Mission, local expert Laura Kiniry shares her only-in-SF picks.
Sure, the Golden Gate Bridge is iconic and climbing the hills in a cable car is practically a rite of passage, but San Francisco, California, has plenty of more obscure attractions that are typically overlooked. This is a city loaded with fascinating history, from its days as a booming Gold Rush centre to its role as an epicentre of gay rights. Its "anything-goes" attitude has long attracted dreamers, creatives and travellers.
It's also a city of neighbourhoods, where you might find yourself dining on bursting-at-the-seams burritos in the company of a mariachi band in the Mission District one hour, and across town trying your hand at origami in Japantown the next. Experiences like these embody the heart of San Francisco and offer real insight into the diversity, culture and people that make the city so special. They're not things easily found at tourist-heavy spots like Fisherman's Wharf or a walk around Union Square, but once you know where to look, you can start peeling back the layers that make San Francisco so utterly and undeniably one-of-a-kind.
From strolling through urban jungles in the midst of wild parrots to dancing away an afternoon on the back patio of an LGBTQ+ institution, here are seven only-in-SF must-do experiences.
1. Best for history: Presidio National Park
2. Best for a tipple: El Rio
3. Best for outdoor exercise: San Francisco staircases
4. Best for a vintage trip: San Francisco street cars
5. Best for sensory overload: Calle 24 Latino Cultural District
6. Best for culture: Japantown
7. Best for an outdoor adventure: JFK Promenade
An Italian spa expert's nine insider recommendations for thermal spa experiences on the idyllic island of Ischia
Italian spa expert Raffaella Dallarda shares her favourite thermal spas in Ischia, from family-friendly Sorriso Thermae to the dolce vita time capsule Albergo della Regina Isabella.
Many may have first heard of Ischia through Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels, but Italians have long adored this verdant volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples for its spectacular sea views and the healing powers of its thermal springs.
Ischia's mineral-charged thermal waters β terme β were discovered 3,000 years ago by the Ancient Greeks. The bubbling fonts quickly became famous for their restorative properties, said to heal infertility, rheumatism and all manners of skin conditions. A thriving island spa culture emerged, thanks in no small part to Ischia's year-round mild climate and lush hiking trails.
1. Best of the best: San Montano Resort & Spa
2. Best for living out your dolce vita dreams: Albergo Della Regina Isabella
3. Best for a romantic getaway: Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa
4. Best sustainable experience: Botania Relais & Spa
5. Best for vintage Neapolitan glamour: Excelsior Belvedere Hotel & Spa
6. Best medical spa: Hotel Continental Ischia
7. Best for quality water treatments: Giardini Poseidon Terme
8. Best for families: Sorriso Thermae Resort & Spa
9. Best for those on a budget: Hotel Terme Tritone Resort & Spa
Five cities where your travel cash goes further
From Toronto to Tokyo, these five cities remain surprisingly affordable compared to their more costly neighbours.
1.Lisbon, Portugal
"Lisbon was one of the top cities on my bucket list, and this summer, I was finally able to see this vibrant destination for myself," said Mercedes Zach of Asaptickets. "It is not only beautiful, welcoming and fun, but also full of budget-friendly things to do."
2.Buenos Aires, Argentina
With the worst inflation rates in the world and plummeting currency valuations, Buenos Aires made the bottom 10 cities of the index β ranking 163 out of 173. The currency destabilisation has brought more strength than ever to the US dollar, which is sought after by residents as a way to preserve their savings. Known as the dΓ³lar blue or "blue dollar rate", this exchange rate is often taken advantage of by travellers on the ground via Western Union.
3.Toronto, Canada
While North American inflation has slowed, big US cities like New York and Los Angeles still rank within the top-10 most-expensive places in the world. Meanwhile, Canadian cities to the north continue to remain lower in the cost-of-living rankings. Of all the Canadian cities ranked, Toronto ranks the most affordable, coming in at number 27.
4. Tokyo, Japan
Moving three down the index this year and ranking 60 overall, Tokyo continues to be Japan's most expensive city yet is now more affordable than fellow Asian cities like Singapore and Hong Kong. While other countries battle inflation, Japan has been in a multi-year battle with deflation, trying to maintain the monetary strength of the yen. This combined with Japan only recently completely reopening to tourism post-Covid makes it an especially affordable time for travellers to visit.
5. Perth, Australia
Ranking as much more affordable than its eastern neighbours Sydney and Melbourne, Perth offers residents a laid-back lifestyle that's made even easier with its temperate climate, beautiful beaches and abundant nature. Since Perth has a high number of employees in the mining sector, salaries also tend to be higher here, which gives locals more spending power.