News / New York Times

New York Times names Bristol one of the best places to visit in the world in 2018

By Bristol24/7  Friday Jan 12, 2018

Never before has GWR been named as a reason to visit Bristol, but in the New York Times’ list of 52 places in the world to go to in 2018, our local train operator gets a surprising shout-out.

“Edgy, creative Bristol is aiming for another label in 2018: cultural powerhouse,” says the US newspaper about Bristol in their list, which names New Orleans in first place followed by Colombia, the southern region of Basilicata in Italy, the Caribbean and Vierwaldstättersee in Switzerland.

The Bristol Old Vic’s historic theatre will be able to be seen from King Street for the first time ever once the redevelopment is complete

This year, Bristol – described as “an oft-overlooked British city (which) ups it cultural ante” – makes the list with reasons why including the Bristol Old Vic opening its new studio theatre, St George’s adding a modern extension and Being Brunel opening next to the SS Great Britain.

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And yes, “roomier new trains rolling out throughout 2018 from the Great Western Railway — plus an increase in service to four trains from two an hour in early 2019 — promise a more convenient jaunt from London”.

GWR’s new high-speed train – photo courtesy of Hitachi Rail Europe

The New York Times’ explanation for how their list was chosen is to do with “a geographic and thematic diversity. And we look for a mix of destinations both well-known and off the beaten path. (That means we often exclude the very obvious spots; even though cities like London, Paris and Tokyo are always exciting, they didn’t make this year’s list.)”

Read more: Delays and water in carriage on first high-speed train from Bristol to London

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