TRAVEL + LEISURE / JANUARY 2017 69
Soon, the city will have a
mobility service to give
users the fastest way to
get to a place combining
public transport and
rentals. No buying tickets;
subscribers will only pay
a monthly fee. In its beta
stage now, this app is
built in collaboration
with the city and will
launch next year.
FOR THOSE WITH A TOUCH OF OCD | Helsinki, Finland
It’s not just about a clean house for you; you need order in your life and everything
needs to be spick and span. Even the destinations that you visit. That means no
litter anywhere on the streets (obviously) and no pollutants in the air. And God
save your fellow travellers if you fi nd a historic monument in disarray. While
India is on an overdrive to be cleaner (if the Swachh Bharat tax and the motto
on our new currency are any indication), the neat freaks should turn their eyes
towards Scandinavia (we are assuming you have already scoured Switzerland).
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, made news last year for its witty board for
tourists: “Nobody in their right mind would come to Helsinki in November.
Except you, you badass. Welcome.” Even with a population of 5.4 million, it is
one of the cleanest cities in the world and perhaps among the funniest. One
third area of this harbourside city contains parks and it has over a hundred
kilometre shoreline and 300 islands—you won’t have to go far if you want
to go hiking in the forest or cycling in a botanical garden. And it’s a delight
to look at the architecture here, which is a mix of modern buildings and
neoclassical and art nouveau elements.
Besides, there are no traffi c jams in the city. Even the spotless airport that
off ers free sleeping pods, free Wi-Fi, and pleasant service is also a favourite
among passengers.FOR WELLNESS JUNKIES |
The Farm at San Benito, The PhilippinesA 90-minute drive north of the
Philippine capital, Manila, in the
Batangas hinterland, The Farm is an
award-winning wellness sanctuary on
a 49-hectare coconut plantation with an
A-list-heavy global following. Woody
Harrelson is among devotees who come
to eat raw organic food, detox mind and
body and immerse themselves in
nature. Nature, that is, coaxed into a
flawless, indulgent version of itself that
elevates The Farm to ‘barefoot luxe.’
Each villa comes with a constant
supply of virgin coconut oil, made on
site. The jug is labelled ‘Oil of Life.’TOP: GREG BALFOUR EVANS/ALAMY; MATTHEW WAKEM/ALAMY thefarmatsanbenito.com
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