Hidden Gem Travel Destinations — Three Cities Rich in Heritage and Tradition

Hidden Gem Travel Destination — A List of Places Rich in Heritage and Tradition

Pitch by Letter, our newsletter published twice a month, introduces hidden travel destinations. Here are three cities from past issues that shine with splendid heritage and tradition.

Words Pyo Youngso
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Italy’s Berlin, Gorizia

I discovered this city in September 2024 while attending an event hosted by the Italian National Tourist Board. Gorizia lies in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in northeastern Italy. It was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for a long time, from the 16th century, and was split in two after World War II. Like Berlin, once divided between east and west, it sits on either side of a border: Gorizia, which belongs to Italy today, and Nova Gorica, which belongs to Slovenia, lie right up against each other. Unlike the modernized Nova Gorica, Italy’s Gorizia remains a historic city that preserves its medieval heritage. Its best-known sights include Gorizia Castle (Castello di Gorizia), a fortress built in the 11th century, and the 14th-century Gorizia Cathedral (Cattedrale di Gorizia). Visitors can enjoy a distinctive cuisine shaped by Italian, Austrian, and Slovenian influences, and the white wines made in the nearby vineyards are famous too. In 2025, Gorizia and Nova Gorica were jointly named European Capital of Culture, so the region’s unique culture and history are likely to draw even more attention. Hurry before the crowds arrive!

If Kaohsiung Is in Southern Taiwan, Keelung Is in the North

In the summer of 2024, I sat in on a press conference promoting the appeal of four cities in northern Taiwan. Tourism bureaus from Taipei, Taoyuan, New Taipei, and Keelung, the four cities known collectively as “Ta-Ta-Xin-Ji,” gathered to introduce each area’s hidden sights and attractions and to actively promote tourism. Among them, the least familiar to Korean travelers is probably Keelung (基隆), on Taiwan’s northern coast. It is the second-largest port city in Taiwan after Kaohsiung. Keelung was subject to frequent foreign invasions from early on, and it became a hub of foreign trade during Japanese colonial rule. Facing the sea and surrounded by hills on three sides, it is 95 percent slopes, which gives it picturesque coastal scenery. Zhengbin Fishing Port (正濱漁港), lined with brightly colored houses, is especially popular as a photo spot. Other attractions include Heping Island Geopark (和平島公園), where long erosion and weathering have shaped strange rock formations and sea cliffs, and the Miaokou (廟口) night market, and you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes as well. It is also easily accessible, about an hour from Taipei by public transportation. If you’ve already visited just about every spot near Taipei (Jiufen, Yehliu, Shifen, Beitou, and so on), consider planning a trip to Keelung.

Denmark in India, Tharangambadi

A Danish colony in India? Surprising, but true. Tharangambadi, a small town in Tamil Nadu at the eastern edge of the Indian subcontinent, was ruled by Denmark from the 17th century until the mid-19th century. The small fishing village facing the Coromandel Coast was then called Tranquebar, a name said to have come about because the Danes couldn’t properly pronounce the local place name, which means “land of singing waves.” Fort Dansborg, standing against the Bay of Bengal, is the most representative relic of the colonial era. Construction began as soon as Denmark took Tharangambadi in 1620, and the building fully reflects Danish architectural style, with its large hall and high ceilings. Today it serves as a museum where visitors can see the fort’s history and materials from the Danish colonial period. A nearby seaside mansion that once housed a courthouse was renovated and opened in 2006 as a luxury hotel with just eight rooms. Other sights include the New Jerusalem Church, built by a Danish missionary in the early 18th century, and the Tranquebar Museum, which displays various artifacts from the 17th and 18th centuries. The nearest international airport is in Tiruchirappalli, about 172 kilometers away, and the train from Chennai to Tharangambadi takes about five hours.