In Newcastle, we don't need telling twice that we live in one of the best cities in the UK - if not the world.
And it's always good when someone recognises that from the outside, even better when it's a travel magazine that's read across the globe! The city was featured in April's edition of National Geographic Traveller magazine, with a whistle stop tour around some of the city's top attractions and a round-up of top music venues.
Travel writer Daniel Stables packed a lot into his visit to our city, starting off his trip in the Ouseburn - which was named one of the world's coolest neighbourhoods in a round-up by Time Out last year. It was described as ' Newcastle in a microcosm' and a 'vibrant cultural district' - thanks to bars and music venues such as The Ship Inn, Tyne Bar and the Cluny - the two latter establishments named as L Devine's top five music venues alongside the City Hall, Three Tanners Bank and Riverside in the article.
Read more: Newcastle named one of the best UK city breaks to take in 2022 by Condé Nast Traveller
Then, it was onto the city centre itself - with a nod to the Georgian and Victorian architecture that could 'rival anything in Edinburgh or Bath.' A saunter from Grey's Monument through the spectacular Central Arcade, home to JG Windows music shop, before heading into the Grainger Market - possibly the best place for lunch in the city.
Dumplings at Chinese tea at Nan Bei were mentioned, and we might add that Fed's Fried Chicken and La Casa Spanish Delicatessen are also worth a look. Though you can't really go wrong in there when it comes to eating out, with Indian street food, Greek wraps, bagels and vegan donuts just some of the other dishes that can tantalise your taste buds at a host of independent, local businesses.
There was also time to explore Newcastle's 'secret' library: The Literary and Philosophical Society, and wander through the quiet cobbled streets around Blackfriars Restaurant. All before a stop at Bessie Surtees House and a quick hop over the river via the Millennium Bridge to admire the Sage Gateshead.
If you could recommend one thing to tourists visiting Newcastle, what would it be? Let us know in the comments below!
Adventurous travellers using Newcastle as a base may want to check out some of the other places mentioned nearby - Washington Old Hall, the ancestral home of former US president George Washington, and nearby Washington Wetland Centre - which is the start of a lovely riverside walk along the Wear. However, to make the most of National Geographic's top tip for Newcastle, we'd recommend heading out of the city centre... way, way out!
The top tip read: "If you only eat one thing during your time in Newcastle, make it a Craster kipper. This smoked herring is the jewel in the crown of Northumbrian cuisine, hauled in from the North Sea and cured in the town of Craster on the Northumberland Coast. It makes for a world-class way to take breakfast."
While there's no doubt a Craster kipper is a world-class breakfast (Stables ate at the Hotel du Vin), you've got to head up to the Northumberland Coast AONB for the full experience, as they taste best with the salty, sea air on a bench by the village's picturesque harbour. And there, you have the choice of the Jolly Fisherman Pub, the Piper's Pitch, or the place that started it all off - the smokehouse.
But for visitors who want to stay in Newcastle itself, this glowing review gave a pretty good account of Newcastle. Yes, it might not have included the Hancock Museum or the Baltic, and the secret of the Vampire Rabbit remains safe(ish) for now, but any visitors to the city who follow it certainly won't be disappointed.
And for those of us who already live here? Like I said at the start, we don't need telling twice how great it is!
If you want to read the full article on National Geographic, click here.
