Everybody loves traveling. But nobody really enjoys being on a long flight or having a stopover before reaching their destination. For most holidaymakers, a stopover is the equivalent of inviting your in-laws to dinner: It’s something you have to do so that things can run smoothly. Yet, just because your trip is planned with a stopover, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the time at the airport before heading to your holiday spot. After all, a stopover is only a waste of time if you do nothing with it. With some clever planning and a little bit of exploration, you can transform a night or a day delay into an experience to remember. So, here’s for you are some of the best stopover airports for face-paced tourism before your connection.
#1. Kochi, India, where globalization finds its meaning
Kochi, in India, is a common stopover for travelers flying to China or back to Europe. With its ideal position along the shore of the Arabian Sea, it’s not only a geographical stopover, but the town also offers a breakthrough in time. Book at the Courtyard Kochi Airport hotel before heading to the harbor where you can spot the Chinese Fishing Nets, which have been in use since the 14th Century. Not far from the harbor, you can find the Dutch Palace which combines Portuguese architectural style and Indian patterns. And finally, finish with the Anglican St. Francis Church where you can still find the tombstone of Vasco de Gama.
#2. Kuala Lumpur, for a culinary experience out of this world
If you’re stopping in Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, make sure to get to town and enjoy some of the best street food in the country. The Malaysian cuisine has strong influences from Indian and Chinese specialties on the menu, so you know you’re in for a yummy treat. If you’re early, try out a breakfast of egg and oyster congee, a sort of savory rice pudding that will keep you full all morning.
#3. Munich, for a condensed tour of Germany
Germany may not seem like an attractive destination at first, but Munich offers a condensed version of the best of the country. You don’t even need to leave the airport to enjoy the best of German engineering at the MyAudi sphere where you can discover digital innovation from the famous manufacturers. Who knows? You might fall in love with a current model! And if it weren’t enough, the airport is only a few minutes away from the town center, where some of the oldest beer gardens can be found.
#4. Amsterdam airport… where you can get married!
No airport is as surprising as the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It’s a huge, modern and highly efficient airport that offers its visitors a permanent art exhibition just behind the passport control. If you’re traveling with your darling, you can even get married in one of the airport’s venues – one of these includes a 1930s Dakota airplane. There’s only one step from this airport to cloud nine!
Time to change your mind about stopovers and to seize the opportunity to discover a new country… at high speed!
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Written by Jacqueline Chambers
Jacqueline Chambers is the founder of TGIFguide. She uses her innate skills as a natural “connector” to serve businesses, brands and individuals in the LA area and beyond.
