These are the ten cities most likely to host visitors in their homes, cost-free for travel.
A TravelBird study reveals which cities are most likely to host a visitor in their home free from charge:
Paris, France takes the top spot, followed closely by New York, USA and Istanbul, Turkey. London, UK, Berlin, Germany and Madrid, Spain also rank in the top 10 for travel.
Online travel specialists TravelBird have released a ranking of the cities most likely to host traveling guests cost-free. The data is presented as part of a larger Most Welcoming Cities ranking, which calculates data from seven factors, including willingness to host guests free of charge, to determine the most welcoming cities on the planet. Paris, France, the third most popular travel destination in 2016, topped the list of cities most likely to host guests for free, followed by New York, USA and Istanbul, Turkey. TravelBird undertook the study as a whole to take notice of those cities that are making impressive efforts to welcome tourists responsibly.
The ten cities most likely to host visitors in their homes free of charge are as follows:
Rank
City
Country
Openness to Host Tourists at Home Score
Total Score in Full Study
Final Rank in Full Study
1
Paris
France
10.00
5.62
65
2
New York
USA
9.91
7.38
18
3
Istanbul
Turkey
9.83
4.49
88
4
London
UK
9.74
7.06
29
5
Moscow
Russia
9.65
4.12
97
6
Buenos Aires
Argentina
9.48
5.29
73
7
Los Angeles
USA
9.39
6.30
49
8
Berlin
Germany
9.36
7.37
19
9
Madrid
Spain
9.30
6.52
42
10
St. Petersburg
Russia
9.21
6.03
57
Further findings from this study include…
Copenhagen, Denmark is the most welcoming city according to travel experts.
Singapore scores the best for port of entry.
Abu Dhabi, UAE is the safest city in the index.
Oslo, Norway is the happiest city.
Dublin, Ireland scores highest for English proficiency.
Doha, Qatar, Manama, Bahrain and Lima, Peru have the lowest levels of over-tourism.
The Netherlands is home to cities that feature in both the top 10 and bottom 10 for over-tourism. Amsterdam ranks as the 3rd worst city for over-tourism, while Rotterdam ranks as the 4th best city for low levels of over-tourism.
For the first time ever, LaLiga — the top-flight Spanish soccer league — will host a New York City rooftop viewing party of El Clásico, a clash between two of the world’s biggest clubs: Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona.
Taking place on Sunday, Apr. 23, the free day-long event and immersive experience will feature exhibitions from FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF, an interactive soccer tech zone, hospitality areas highlighting Spanish food and drink, music and live entertainment, a rooftop mini soccer pitch, as well as large screen TVs throughout the 24,000 square foot venue to watch the match. All of it set to the backdrop of a breathtaking panoramic New York skyline!
Making a special appearance will be one of the greatest Spanish players of all-time, Raúl González Blanco, in addition to other top soccer players and personalities.
Portrait Eyewear was founded by a half-Venezuelan/half-Spanish brother/sister duo, Gabriel and Valentina Hernandez. Portrait features shapes that combine curves and sharped geometrical elements. All features are unique to the brand. A strong identity and design distinction, as inspired by renowned illustrator Nikolai Lutohin and a profound personal admiration of superstar David Bowie.
This new collection brings to life innovative models composed by various shapes in sunglasses and eyeglasses. They experiment with round lenses, cat-eyed and rectangular determined shapes with inlays entirely handcrafted and with original color combinations. They are a must-have staple to complete your chic wardrobe.
In a city with seemingly-endless great dining options, sometimes it can be challenging to pick a restaurant. On top of that, if you are going out with other people with dietary restrictions and/or preferences, it may be hard work to find a place to accommodate everyone involved. Fortunately, a place like Gotham West Market exists, providing an excellent mix of top-notch food and drinks, cafeteria-style seating and a relaxed overall atmosphere.
Called “heaven on earth” by New York Magazine and one of the “50 Coolest Places In NYC” by Complex Magazine, Gotham is popular among foodies and tourists alike. It recently played host to a launch event for Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman’s Stubborn Soda. Its list of vendors includes the sushi fushion of Uma Temakeria, the healthy options of Indie Fresh, the top-rated ice cream of Ample Hills Creamery, the acclaimed Blue Bottle Coffee, the meat and cocktails-oriented The Cannibal, the tapas of El Colmado, the American roadside-influenced GENUINE Roadside, the authentic ramen of Ivan Ramen Slurp Shop, and the Mexican fare of Choza Taqueria. It may be easy to label Gotham West Market as “an upscale food court,” yet that description shortcharges the quality of what is on-site.
Downtown had the opportunity to speak with representatives from almost all of Gotham West’s vendors. So much great content was offered up that the second part of those Q&As will post at a later date. In the meantime, more info on Gotham West Market can be found at www.gothamwestmarket.com; the market is also active on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Within the past few years, New York City has become host to a number of upscale foodcourts. To you, what makes Gotham Market different from the others?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Gotham Market has a genuine sense of community. Not only were we the first to jump into this idea of a communal dining market, we did it with a diverse offering of options. It’s a place where you can be just as comfortable popping in for a quick lunch, an after-work cocktail, a casual dinner or a leisurely brunch.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: I think a lot of people who are building/constructing their own food halls have looked to Gotham Market for inspiration and as the pioneer of New York City food courts. Maybe not the first on the scene, however they are certainly the most influential. I think Chris and the Gotham team have built a uniquely-special place where people can gather as regulars or for events and have it feel equally appropriate. All of the operators here are friends and we look forward to seeing each other at work. Isn’t that the way its supposed to be? It is to me these days. Have fun at work.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: To me it is still the best market available. We have enough seating to accommodate the number of vendors, the variety is varied enough to satisfy almost anyone, without compromising on quality.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Gotham Market is small and highly-curated…I think this creates a sense of community among the restaurants lucky enough to be there, and this feeling carries over to customers. There’s a collective energy at Gotham that feels missing in some of the other larger, more sprawling food courts in the city.
How did your restaurant wind up in Gotham Market?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We had always planned on opening a casual tapas bar and were looking for locations when the developers approached us about being a part of the market. All over Spain there are great markets that have small tapas stalls and the idea of Gotham West Market really resonated with us.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: My good friend Chef Seamus Mullen and my partner Matt Wagman’s friend Christian of Cannibal, both were in the market already, suggested we pursue the vacancy. Gotham was looking for concepts that had chef presence and would serve the Gotham clientele and residents in a meaningful way we felt we would fit in well.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Through networking and contacts with other current vendors.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: The folks at Gotham reached out to us and invited us to be there.
How would you describe your restaurant to someone who hasn’t yet been there?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We are a traditional tapas bar with a small kitchen behind the counter and a great mix of classic Spanish tapas paired with an approachable, affordable and well-curated wine program.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Choza is my take on a fast casual Mexican restaurant. The focus is on big flavors with some creative takes on classics. Like carnitas, but flavored with tamarind and chipotle. Tacos are the core of what we do but we also offer salads, bowls, tortas and burritos.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Uma Temakeria is a sustainably sourced made to order sushi concept.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Ample Hills is an ice cream shop dedicated to making playful, fun flavors that transport people back in time to their childhood, and that joy of discovery we all felt the first time we had a scoop of ice cream. We like to tell stories with ice cream flavors, and each of our shops has a flavor unique to that location. Gotham’s is Hell’s Kitchen Sink, an ode to the neighborhood, and the Irish past. It’s a Guinness dark chocolate ice cream with toffee, brownies and cookie dough. We make everything from scratch, including the mix-ins, in Brooklyn.
Do you have a favorite item on your menu?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We always have fun, different riffs on deviled eggs. I’m a huge egg fan so this is definitely my one of my go-to tapas.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Tortilla soup!
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: The Luke’s Lobster temaki or sushi burrito.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: For me it’s probably our “SNAP, MALLOW, POP!” flavor. It’s basically a deconstructed rice krispie treat. We melt hundreds of pounds of marshmallows into the ice cream base and then we make our own krispie crunch mix-in. It tastes like the first time you had a rice krispie treat as a kid.
Aside from your restaurant, what is your favorite dining spot in New York City?
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: I always choose my restaurants…so after that, Mary’s Fish Camp. I’m a diehard supporter. I have always loved being there. Oysters and a grilled Pompano — when they have it available — are my favorites!
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: That’s tough. There are so many great spots in New York. It changes all the time, but maybe Battersby in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: I’m a cyclist so I’m always on my bike, whether racing, traveling or commuting. I’ve also been hard at work finishing my second cookbook, Real Food Heals, which will come out in August of next year.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Spending time with Ela, my daughter is the most fun. After that, I still play a lot of bass guitar still. I just bought an effects board so now I am totally engulfed in weird sounds I can make with my bass.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: Mostly with my family, or cycling.
Brian Smith, Ample Hills Creamery: Playing with my kids. They are 7 and 10 and at the perfect age of still — mostly — wanting to play and hang out. Go to the movies, playgrounds, day trips.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Time Stand Still, the RUSH documentary about their 40 years together…will the be nerdiest group of people in one room possible. I can’t wait!
At one point you had games tables/ping pong at Gotham West. How have you seen the crowd dynamic and/or clientele shift since then?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: We’re less of a clubhouse and more of a proper place to have a meal and hang out.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: The market has always been a family-friendly place. It seems to be a bit more inline with what the operators are serving without the ping pong tables. Although I am an, self-proclaimed, excellent ping pong player.
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: We still have games! Can you say Hungry Hungry Hippos?
Finally, any last words for the kids?
Seamus Mullen, El Colmado: Come and cozy up! The Market is a great place to graze and lazy on an autumn day.
Akhtar Nawab, Choza Taqueria: Eat tacos!
Chris Jaeckle, Uma Temakeria: This is the best market to bring your friends, plenty of room to hang out.
TOUS recently celebrated the debut of its new ORIGINS collection in style. The spring and summer collection rediscovers the brand’s roots and timeless nature in an exciting way (emojis included). It beckons the journey of TOUS using past motifs and classic collections that have been innovated to pure, fresh and authentic assemblages.
The launch of this unique collection was nothing short of a hit. The New York City venue was filled with guests enjoying boho-chic music, cocktails, and of course, the fabulous jewelry on display. The space was infused with TOUS’ signature pink color scheme. Attendees could also be seen sharing their experience on social media networks, using the hashtag for the evening: #happinessbytous.
But of course, the highlight of the evening was the flawless jewelry on display. The collection sports florals and bright, vibrant colors, perfect for the spring and summer seasons. As beautiful as the pieces were, the designs are unique for their simple and almost traditional feel. The collection features a diverse assortment of pink gold, 18 carat gold, and sterling silver adornments.The Paraisocollection garnered notable attention; which includes a necklace, bracelet and ring, made from sterling silver vermeil, gold plated three times, and hydro-thermal gems. The flowery designs flaunt a familiar spring feel, featuring the brand’s most characteristic components.
TOUS is wholly committed to preserving the luxury and splendor quality of its jewelry, and its new collection gracefully embodies those ideals. TOUS is a family-owned brand from Barcelona, delivering affordable luxury.
TOUS has two locations in New York City, one located in SoHo and in Rockefeller Center.
Between the Seas is the first festival in New York to concentrate on contemporary Mediterranean performing artists, founded in 2010 by theatre artist and scholar Aktina Stathaki. The festival runs for a week every summer, and it’s considered one of the most unique platforms for high quality work from artists all around the Mediterranean. New York now has the ability to assist performers from Egypt, Israel, Greece, Lebanon, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Canada, Morocco and the US.
As Between the Seas rapidly grows, it is seeking to expand into different activities such as play productions, residencies to encourage the translation of plays from the Mediterranean, and new partnerships. This summer a list of new, provoking and talented artists are going to perform at The Wild Project from July 21, to July 27.
The calendar and more information on the artists can be found on the Between the Seas official website. If you are up for a stimulating, artistic and original experience get your ticket, and enjoy the Mediterranean performances.
What: Between the Seas
When: July 21st to July 27th
Where: The Wild Project. 195 E 3rd Street. Alphabet City.
A TravelBird study reveals which cities are most likely to host a visitor in their home free from charge:
Online travel specialists TravelBird have released a ranking of the cities most likely to host traveling guests cost-free. The data is presented as part of a larger Most Welcoming Cities ranking, which calculates data from seven factors, including willingness to host guests free of charge, to determine the most welcoming cities on the planet. Paris, France, the third most popular travel destination in 2016, topped the list of cities most likely to host guests for free, followed by New York, USA and Istanbul, Turkey. TravelBird undertook the study as a whole to take notice of those cities that are making impressive efforts to welcome tourists responsibly.
