Places to Visit: Fascinating Umbrella Streets
By Sarah V. Hines, on March 23, 2020
Bucharest, Romania
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Absolutely overflowing with things to do, Bucharest is a must-see for anybody interested in European history or architecture. The street to find is the café lined Pasajul Victoriei. You’ll find the street to be small, but the sunlight through the various colored stripes of the umbrellas overhead will make you feel as though you’re walking through a kaleidoscope. While in Bucharest, be sure to also check out the Museum of the Senses, an interactive museum that plays with your perception of sight, sounds and smells as you explore.
Out of all the possible places to visit in Europe, Croatia is near the top of my list. The country holds incomparable beauty and vibrant culture no matter what area you explore. If you are looking for a small community, however, Novigrad is a great choice. As a traditional fishing community, it proudly hosts its Gnam Gnam Festival multiple times a year at its town harbor, showcasing local dishes, oils, and wines. Visitors will also become acquainted with traditional Croatian music and dance as well. To see the umbrellas, make your way over to Veliki Trg.
Malang, Indonesia
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The village of Kampung Jodipan was known as a struggling slum of Indonesia. When a group of students from the nearby Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang visited with the task of brightening up the streets of the village, they took the job very seriously. Today, the village is referred to as Kampung Warna-Warni Jodipan (or, “Village of Color Jodipan”). Every street, building, and wall is painted in vibrant patterns of colors and shapes. On one street through the village, bright umbrellas complete the view of rainbows and gradients. The impact that this work had was fantastic; Kampung Jodipan quickly became a popular tourist location in Indonesia, with residents selling snacks and drinks to tourists.
It’s no secret that every city has its hidden gems. It’s often found on its old streets and walkways. Finding these umbrella streets often brings you to the old charm of a city waiting to be discovered by tourists and locals alike.
If you are interested in visiting one of these cities and need a passport in a hurry, be sure to visit APVI.com to get started on your expedited passport process.