To put it mildly, last year wasn’t kind to progressive liberals.
And 2017 is shaping up to be even worse. The growing popularity of strongmen such as Putin and Duterte as well as the election of Donald Trump to the most powerful job in the world, are a kick in the teeth to tolerance, not to mention a deterrent to anyone with a conscience from travelling to Russia, Philippines and the USA. What with the slim pickings of ethical countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the list of destinations where liberal souls can visit is only getting shorter.
All is not lost, however, there are still places – mostly big cities – that lay out the welcome mat, no matter who you are or where you’re from. Here’s a guide to where in the world a bleeding-heart liberal will still feel welcome.
New York
In a real slap in the face for Donald, his hometown is resolutely anti-Trump. Desperate as he is for the love and respect of New Yorkers, nine out of ten people in Manhattan voted for Hillary Clinton. But that’s not why it’s possibly the greatest city in the world. It’s great because New York is one huge cultural and social melting pot, staggeringly diverse, full of energy and on the go; it’s the United Nations of cities. Oh, wait, it is the home of the UN, and you’ll see just about every race, colour and creed on the streets. Muslims, Jews, African Americans, WASPs, Hispanics, Chinese, Indians, you name it; they’re here, bringing with them an astonishing bounty of creativity, culture, food and fun.
A week is not enough to take in the city’s amazing museums, including the newish Whitney and Met Breuer, as well as old favourites like the Frick, Guggenheim and Cloisters, but try you must. Trump, however, should head to the LES Tenement Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, to remind himself of his roots and the foundation of America’s greatness. The original port of call for many immigrants, Lady Liberty’s torch still shines bright in New York.
London
An island in a sea of Brexit, London voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU while elsewhere in the UK, citizens chose to slam the door shut on immigration and the continent. While Theresa May and her lot fumble around Westminster looking for a coherent solution to the Brexit mess, London remains possibly the world’s most international of cities. Sadiq Khan, its Pakistani-Brit-Muslim mayor, is a clear symbol of this worldliness and multiculturalism, fighting to keep London as a bulwark against xenophobia.
Despite Brexit, London’s status as a fashion, finance, political and cultural capital is mostly assured, for now. As an escape, immerse yourself in the city’s superb and extensive theatre scene, which encompasses everything from musicals to comedy and star-studded plays. Ones to book ahead for include Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead starring Daniel Radcliffe at the Old Vic, and Damian Lewis in Edward Albee’s The Goat Tickets at the Haymarket. Head on over and help them break a leg.
Taipei
A thorn in China’s side with a distinct identity all its own, Taiwan is now a threatening geopolitical pawn. Statehood issues aside, it’s as close to a stable democracy as one gets in Asia, and one which recently elected a female president, Tsai Ing-Wen. Voted as the best place in the world for expats, it is also a hugely underrated destination, with some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. What’s more, Taiwan is on track to become the first jurisdiction in Asia to recognise same-sex marriage, hopefully this year.
Taipei itself isn’t the prettiest, but it is full of charm, and an almost Japanese tranquility. The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, a former tobacco factory turned creative hub filled with bookstores, galleries, design museums and the lovely Eslite Hotel, is a model for heritage conservation in Asia. The city also sports cute cafes, independent retail, bustling night markets, delicious food, happening club scene, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. And oh, did I mention the fab people? Go on, Taipei, march to your own beat, with pride.
Cape Town
Stranded at the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town is a contender for world’s most beautiful city, with stunning mountains that run all the way down to pristine ocean. But, that’s not all. Cape Town is a post-apartheid model for racial harmony and economic development in South Africa, allowing it to flourish as a tourist destination.
It ticks plenty of boxes for adventure travellers (shark diving, anyone?), nature lovers, foodies, oenophiles and art lovers, while the opening of the Zeitz MOCAA in late 2017 is set to be the biggest thing in contemporary art in Africa.
Cape Town’s mayor is a former shop steward who advocates for women’s, HIV/AIDS, poverty, anti-corruption and child abuse issues. Gay and lesbian travellers flock to Africa’s pink capital, and the country was the first in Africa to recognise same-sex marriage, making this a true rainbow nation.
Berlin
Many were surprised to discover that hard-nosed centre-right German leader Angela Merkel is a principled woman with a deep social conscience, whose decision to open Germany’s borders to refugees may, sadly, lead to her downfall. Perhaps it was her years growing up in East Berlin and witnessing the fall of the Berlin Wall that helped her understand the plight of the disadvantaged.
Today’s Berlin is a bit of a free-for-all, with a tourism tagline of “For you, for them, for everybody”. Gays, lesbians, trans and even the much misunderstood intersex community will find plenty of safe spaces. Being nude isn’t necessarily rude. And racism and anti-semitism is not tolerated. That makes going out a blast, and Berlin’s nightlife is legendary, with a stop to shake your booty at Berghain nightclub almost essential. For a more sobering experience visit the Topography of Terror exhibition, in the former Nazi Secret State Police headquarters, or the stunningly moving, Daniel Libeskind-designed Jewish Museum for stark reminders of why we should fear megalomaniac demagogues.
Sydney
While it’s shameful that Australia still doesn’t recognise same-sex marriage, and is unlikely to do so for years to come (no thanks to knock-kneed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull), there is much to recommend its biggest city, Sydney. Clover Moore, its longstanding mayor, is a proud “champion for progressive policies” who has, over the years, fought for LGBTQ rights, sought protection for whistleblowers and rental tenants, and fostered a greener city, recognising that climate change is the most urgent issue of our time. She managed to civilise drinking by securing laws to allow small bars – although the state’s lock-out laws, which make it almost impossible to get a drink after 10pm, are an embarrassment for an aspiring world city.
You, however, will come for the miles and miles of gorgeous beaches populated with hot bods, the beautiful harbour, great outdoors, excellent restaurants and friendly folk. My happy place is Bondi Beach and its surrounds, which has transformed from Sydney’s cesspool, to a hip and happening neighbourhood with great shops and restaurants, like Sean’s Panaroma, A Tavola and Pompei’s, which makes the best gelato in Bondi.
Toronto
Celebrating its 150th birthday this year, Canada is just so darn nice. Better yet, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, bleeding-heart icon and self-described feminist, is liberalism’s telegenic flag bearer (despite a few recent missteps, such as elbowing a woman in the breasts). He’s opened the doors to thousands of Syrian refugees and is also likely to welcome those fleeing Trump’s America.
Many escapees and visitors will head to its commercial and (multi)cultural centre, Toronto, which declares that “diversity is our strength” on its coat of arms. The city has five Chinatowns, a Little Italy, Little Portugal, Korea Town and India Bazaar. About one million people turn up for the annual Caribbean Carnival (Jul-Aug), while the Toronto International Film Festival in September is the world’s biggest public film festival and a good time to visit. Not least, one of the best martinis I had last year was at Bar Alo, the perfect antidote after a 15-hour flight from Hong Kong.
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