Wellington cool with a capital C
STACEY WOOD
TOP SPOT: Wellington has been named the "coolest little capital" in the world by traveller's bible Lonely Planet. MARCUS WILD/ Stuff
Do you think Wellington really is better than London, Paris and Tokyo?
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New Zealand
Move over London, Rome and Paris – Wellington is the world's coolest capital city.
Lonely Planet has named our capital the fourth best city in which to travel in the world, behind New York, Tangier and Tel Aviv.
It is the first time a New Zealand city has made it into the annual Best in Travel publication – a collection of the world's best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences.
In the sixth edition, released today, the publication refers to Wellington under the banner of "coolest little capital in the world".
Positively Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks said sharing the top five with cities such as New York and Tel Aviv was priceless recognition.
"To have Lonely Planet – a global brand respected for frank opinions and having its finger on the pulse – come out and refer to Wellington as the `coolest little capital in the world' and among the top 10 cities you must visit for 2011 is quite simply incredible."
It is perfect timing for the city as businesses prepare for an action-packed calendar in 2011.
About 85,000 international visitors are expected in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup.
Other highlights include the third Visa Wellington On a Plate in August and an extended season of the Montana World of WearableArt show, which will lead into the World Cup kickoff. In November, the city is hosting hundreds of writers for the Society of American Travel Writers conference.
Prime Minister John Key said Wellington was a great place to live, and even put a positive spin on our notorious wind.
"Actually I thoroughly enjoy going around the harbour when it's blustery and windy. It has a kind of New Zealand feel to it.
"For all the hard time Wellington gets about its weather, I think it adds to the dimension of the place that it has quite a good feel to it in that regard."
However, asked if he preferred it to Auckland, he replied: "That's a big stretch."
Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, who moved to Wellington from Britain in 1983, said she thought Wellington's strength lay in the combination of "wilderness" and city living.
"You don't have to choose arts or sports, or between culture or wilderness, because it's all there."
Lonely Planet, the world's biggest travel guide company, has sold millions of copies of hundreds of titles since it began in 1972.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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OMG that Video clip is appalling LOL
I love love love you Wellington!
Face it, international travellers think Wellington is cool.
@D #206: Wellington is the coolest _little_ capital in the world, is the quote.
To everyone ragging on Wellington's size, well size isn't everything. Clearly the Lonely Planet editors liked the intimacy of the small city. And yes, it's a city, look at a list of city populations sometime, Wellington would be a comfortably mid-sized city in the US (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_population) or Germany (https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Germany_with_more_than_100,000_inhabitants). It might even have an NFL team (Kansas City 143,209; Green Bay 101,412).
@George C #204: Yeah, the video's a bit naff, especially the musak!
As an expat Kiwi whose from Wellington but has lived in Canada and places elsewhere like Buenos Aires and South Africa as well as Canada for the last 18 years and comes back occassionally, don't underestimate Wellington. It's a pretty enjoyable little city that's friendly, scenic, compact and full of entertainment. I appreciate Wgtn a lot more now, when I visit, than when I lived there. I've done my share of large cities and frankly, most of them are overrated, dirty, expensive and not that likeable. There's good things in them but they're few and far between in many cases. For locals, it may seem a bit hard to believe. For those of us coming to Wgtn for a visit, believe me, it's a pretty cool and likeable place, especially in summer!
typical NZ, look out they got some positive media, lets cut them down. Grow up fools its great for everyone if any part of NZ gets a great rap...............
@213 "People who rave about the food must have missed London and Paris (just remind me - how many Michelin Starred restaurants ARE there in Wellington?)"
Michelin doesn't carry out ratings in new zealand (nor Australia from memory, their awards are 'chef hats'), but there are numerous new zealand chefs who have won michelin stars
As for the other comments, when was the last time you were actually in Wellington? because you seem completely out of touch with what the city is like presently.
Fiona #213... There aren't any Michelin Starred restaurants in Wellington because Wellington isn't in Europe. That is a European accreditation ... Zibibos does have a Michelin Starred chef/owener though! I think Leuven, St Johns Bar, Zibibos, Logan Brown, Boulcott St Bistro, The White House, Le Canard and many more are up there with the best I've eaten in London and Paris (and it's cheaper!).
The coffee here is FAB and yes I have been to Italy. I think we could stand next to the Italians and say our coffee is just as good.
I don't think shopping is really a key voting issue for lonely planet voters when it comes to travel. But in saying that, Welly does have all the big name NZ designer stores and some awesome alternative ones around upper cuba st. Singapore is one giant shopping mall - I don't think this is really what Wellington aspires to be.
Food shopping: The City Market and Hill St markets are great places to go and support local producers and find organic options. Commonsense Organics stores and Urban Harvest are another couple of goodies.
We have great local music scene and outdoor living in the mountains and harbour if you like walking / kayaking / diving / surfing / mountain biking and more.
Yep, globally Welly is more of a town than a city but I think it's a pretty great one.
Get rid of the wind and sort out the traffic problems and I wouldn’t have any complaints. Speaking of the traffic its starting to become a joke, try getting anywhere in the central city/motorway after 4pm on a business and expect lengthy delays. Its only getting worse and with a green Mayor on board dont expect any improvements. Ive been to NYC and the subway system over there is excellent, trains come every few mins and u can get to most places in the city thus meaning no need for a car. Other then that its a top city!
You guys do realise that Ghent and Newcastle are also in the top ten?
I find it funny that people think Wellington is "all that" because of coffee. Wow....coffee. Awesome.
Wellington isn't even a city.
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