And you named us one of the best hair salons in Cleveland!
Every year, National Geographic Traveler compiles a list of what they call “must-see places to visit.” Guess what? This year, their Best of the World list includes Cleveland!
National Geographic Traveler claims to be the most widely read travel magazine, so if you have a spare room listed on Airbnb, get ready for all those guests who are ready to take the magazine’s advice and visit us!
It really is quite a distinction. Only 21 destinations around the world appeared on the list, which has a competitive selection process that begins with nominations from National Geographic Traveler’s worldwide network of editors, writers, and explorers. San Antonio, Texas and the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii were the only other U.S. destinations to make the list.
A quick glance at the list is all that’s needed to see that Cleveland is in some pretty good company. NatGeo also says this is a great time to visit Oaxaca, Mexico and discover the ancient art of natural dyeing. (Did you know that the most-coveted Oaxaca textiles are woven with snail-dyed purple threads?) If you’ve been dreaming of traveling down under, you’ll be glad to know that Sydney, Australia made the list because of a $273-million upgrade to the interior of Sydney’s iconic Opera House, which the magazine reports has one thousand rooms and more than a million roof tiles.
Among other global destinations, NatGeo’s travel experts also recommend a visit to:
- Vienna, Austria
“Gustav Klimt, Koloman Moser, and Otto Wagner—three leading members of Vienna’s upstart Secession art movement—died in 1918. To mark the centennial, the Belvedere, Leopold, MAK, and other museums in Austria’s art-obsessed capital city will host special Secessionist exhibitions.”
- Dublin, Ireland
“While home to almost 1.2 million people, Ireland’s intimate capital exudes a friendly, village vibe. Stroll around to discover Dublin’s historic Georgian squares, cozy pubs, and high-tech treasures, like the new Irish Emigration Museum and revamped National Gallery of Ireland.” And get this – a third of all Irish people are under the age of 25! (If you’re ready to hop on a plane, be sure to visit the Illusion Unlimited hair salon in Strongsville, Parma or Broadview Heights for a great ‘do that will be easy to maintain on the trip!)
- Madagascar
“Madagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, is the undisputed land of the lemurs. Located in the Indian Ocean east of Mozambique, the biodiversity hotspot is home to about 100 species of lemurs—almost all endangered due to deforestation, climate change, and other threats.”
- Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
“Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest park, is home to about one-tenth of the world’s endangered African lions. Sustainable tourism initiatives help visitors see the big cats—some grouped in prides of 30 or more—and support wildlife preservation in and around the park.” (The magazine also says the number of African lions has decreased by 90% over the last century!)
When the list was announced, George Stone, National Geographic Traveler’s editor in chief, said, “The travel story of our time is about American urban renewal. Few cities exemplify this as does Cleveland, an immigrant-established industrial city that pulsates with creative energy. You can feel this in revived neighborhoods boosted by a Millennial-driven restaurant renaissance, from Tremont’s casual-chic to the brews of Ohio City to the upstarts on East Fourth and Gordon Square. But it’s not just a youthful spark or a fleeting fad. Cleveland takes the best of its structural and cultural heritage (Public Square, for example) and makes it relevant and revelatory for travelers today. We love Cleveland, and I’m not biased, either: I’m from Toledo!”
We are all thrilled and grateful to live in a place that other people are excited about just visiting. The next time Mr. Stone comes to town, we would be happy to welcome him to our Parma hair salon.
If you want to see the full Best of the World list, it’s in the December/January 2018 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
