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Travel of the Week: Why hotels struggle to respond to noise complaints, fake tourist attractions that lure tourists and why South Korea’s capital cements its ultra-cool status.
Although it had some glowing five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, a series of carved columns and a photogenic lake, this historic Greek amphitheater lacked one small detail: authenticity.
In northern Italy, Franco Marosso built a 54,000 square foot “ancient” ruin and charged unsuspecting tourists $46 to visit it. But after more than a decade as a tour guide at the Styrofoam-reinforced structure, he was arrested and charged with forgery and other crimes.
One of the A-listers said to have spent time at the amphitheater was Juliet Capulet, the heroine of Shakespeare’s fictional play Romeo and Juliet.
She was once again a fictional character, but that didn’t stop the nearby city of Verona from using its famous unreal resident to install a balcony inspired by the character in the play. Despite its clearly fictional origins, Juliet’s House is one of the most popular places in Verona.
However, not all travelers are interested in visiting exclusive tourist attractions. In China, some “fanggu” (fake historical villages) have become hotspots in their own right, as some visitors prefer the buildings in the background of social media photos. It’s also conveniently located next to a major city, making it easy for travelers with limited time to visit.
Human fabricators are not the only ones who sometimes lure tourists to inauthentic places. Last year, tourists began flocking to the natural hot springs of Tasmania, Australia. However, there was one small wrinkle. It was said that hot springs did not exist. It was an AI “hallucination” that infiltrated a travel website.
Hotel luxury means more than rainforest showers and comfortable beds.
Many travelers are willing to pay a premium for peace and quiet in an increasingly busy world. They’re heading to places like Indonesia’s Bawa Reserve, a private island in the middle of the South China Sea. There, the closest neighbors are more likely to be sea turtles than others.
However, in large cities the problem is not so simple. Noise is one of the biggest complaints from hotel guests, but it can be very difficult to eliminate. Hotels may have to deal with noise from nearby traffic or construction, but they may also have to deal with some guests making more noise than others. Still, with “sleep tourism” becoming more popular than ever, some lodging establishments are getting creative.
Hotel guests may interact with staff such as concierges and bellboys, but they likely won’t meet the people behind the scenes. One documentary aims to change that by highlighting a special community that helped shape American hospitality.
Thousands of Indian immigrants from Gujarat with the Patel surname made a living opening motels across the country, and they and their descendants now control 60 percent of the industry. “The Story of the Patel Motel” tells the story of how one group of immigrants found the American Dream.
Where would you like to stay on your next trip? Whether it’s a hotel, an Airbnb, or a friend’s couch, many travelers carefully consider the area they want to base themselves in.
This year, Time Out Publishing Group named Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga the coolest neighborhood in the world, highlighting its cute shops, cafes, and Instagram-worthy scenery. CNN dispatched Seoul-based correspondent Gage Golding to investigate directly.
Inside the “World’s Coolest Neighborhood”
Jongno 3-ga in Seoul has been designated as important. CNN’s Gage Golding weighs in.
Besides Seoul, Time Out also screamed out other cool areas of the city such as Bogota, Glasgow, Mumbai, and Los Angeles. Check out the complete list.
Anthony Bourdain also visited South Korea for his CNN original series “Parts Unknown.” CNN subscribers can stream the episode here.
You’ve probably heard about the desert landscapes of Mongolia.
But have you ever heard of the throat singing culture?
Scene from the award ceremony. Moves by the Fed. The superstar goes on tour.
What do you remember about that week?
Europe’s ski season is grappling with climate change.
The slope is becoming muddy. (Subscribers only)
A section of the couple’s lungs? Lion head meatballs?
Learn why some Chinese food names are “untranslatable”.
