ALICANTE, THE QUEEN OF GASTRONOMY
The Mediterranean city succeeds this year Oviedo as Spanish Gastronomy Capital after displacing Antequera (Malaga), which was a finalist. In this way, the more than 1,700 culinary establishments in Alicante are preparing to offer their most traditional proposals (rice in all its variations cannot be missing), but also the most innovative, based on fresh, local, and quality products.
The city's mayor, Luis Barcala, has stated that the appointment will mean "a before and after" for tourism in the city, as more than 40% of travelers choose a destination based on its gastronomy, so spending in this area has increased by 26% in the last year, according to various sector reports. For all these reasons, Alicante will promote throughout this year all kinds of activities within the capital: tastings, workshops, contests, fairs, talks, conferences, workshops... More information at alicanteturismo.com
TRIBUTE TO OSCAR WILDE in Ireland
Another protagonist of 2025 is Oscar Wilde, as it marks 125 years since his death. His hometown, Dublin, celebrates it from key places such as the library of Trinity College, which will pay tribute to one of its most famous former students. Thus, until January 29, you can enjoy the exhibition From decadence to despair, a journey from the writer's rise to fame to his downfall. It is also necessary to visit the Oscar Wilde House, the house where he lived with his family until he was 10 years old, which will expand guided tours, activities, and schedules during this year. Also, the MoLi (or Museum of Irish Literature) will host from March an exhibition dedicated to his epistle De Profundis that mixes photography, film, and sound evoking scenes narrated in the letter, with voices of LGBTQ+ writers, artists, and activists.
In October, the third edition of the Oscariana festival will take place, with theatrical performances, film cycles, talks, exhibitions, and activities for children. Additionally, it will be possible to follow A walk on the wilde side, a tour of the most relevant places in Wilde's life in Dublin, led by the artistic director of the Oscar Wilde House, Martin Burns. In the town of Enniskillen, in Northern Ireland, from April 16 to 20, the In our dreams festival will take place, a tribute to the author of The Picture of Dorian Gray in the lands of the lakes of Fermanagh County. He studied at Portora Royal School from the age of 10 to 17 and was inspired to write The Happy Prince there. More information at turismodeirlanda.com
In early spring, the Shakespeare Museum will open its doors on the archaeological remains of the legendary Curtain Playhouse in London, the Elizabethan Curtain Theatre where it is believed that Romeo and Juliet and Henry V were premiered. It was the stage for his plays before The Globe was built at the end of the 16th century. There, in the heart of Shoreditch, you can immerse yourself in the playwright's universe by walking on a glass platform that will allow you to see the ruins of the complex and transport you to that time.
It will not be the only novelty in the British capital, as on May 31, the V&A East Storehouse will open, an innovative cultural center resembling a warehouse located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which will exhibit over 250,000 historical objects from the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as offering interactive exhibitions. More information at visitbritain.com
We conclude the list of destinations that will make headlines in Los Angeles, which has several openings planned in the coming months. From the first art museum on artificial intelligence in the world, Dataland, located in the Grand LA shopping and leisure center, to Destination Crenshaw, a 2.5-kilometer outdoor museum dedicated to the black community of the American city. There is more, such as the new Automated People Mover at LAX Airport, a free electric train that will operate 24 hours a day. More information at visittheusa.com
