SEATTLE, USA
WHY NOW? The liveliest city in the northwestern
United States is set to be more accessible this year,
with Virgin Atlantic launching direct flights from
London Heathrow. As fate would have it, now’s a
great time to land in Seattle, with an abundance of
new openings and high profile events coming up.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? Seattle combines a sublime
location on Elliott Bay, with snowcapped Mount
Rainier rising in the background, and a social and
cultural scene that rarely stays still for long.
WHAT SHOULDN’T I MISS? Once you’ve had the
chance to stretch your limbs after the nine-hour
flight, head to the Museum of Flight where a newly
opened hangar houses a line-up of historic aircraft
- from a former Air Force One, to the first-ever
jumbo jet, manufactured of course, in Seattle (£18;
museumofflight.org). Another trusted export is the
city’s music – heritage celebrated at the inaugural
Upstream festival this month, set to return in May next
year (tickets from £30; upstreammusicfest.com). This
sees bands from across Washington State performing
amidst the 19th-century red-brick architecture of
Pioneer Square. Overlooking the neighbourhood is the
Smith Tower, the city’s oldest skyscraper, where you
can skip bands you’re not so keen on by holing up in the
Prohibition-inspired speakeasy bar (cocktails from
£10; smithtower.com). From these giddy heights, you
might just spot Pike Place Market to the north. This is
the city’s century-old produce market, set to reopen this
summer following extensive renovation, with new
stalls, art installations and a smart new viewing deck
where you can eat your lunch looking across
the waters of Puget Sound (pikeplacemarket.org).
HOW DO I GET THERE? From Singapore, Emirates flies
to Seattle via Dubai (from £781; emirates.com). From
Kuala Lumpur, fly ANA via Narita, Japan (from £723;
ana.co.jp).