Does your holiday often start with a morning wandering the streets of your destination in order to search out a decent coffee?
You’re not alone. Beyond just finding the local cafe to enjoy before you start your day, many travellers are now booking their destination with the perfect brew in mind.
Booking.com says from its research, four in five travellers want to try indigenous foods and flavors in 2024. This includes caffeine enthusiasts keen to sip a unique and reviving brew.
With this in mind, the accommodation platform has revealed five destinations known for their signature blends, from Santa Barbara’s speciality coffee chains to Java’s wet-processed beans which ensure an elite tasting cup. Not a big coffee drinker? Perhaps you’ll enjoy visiting Darjeeling, India instead.
Santa Barbara, California
At the heart of California lies Santa Barbara; a picturesque city known for its great beaches, brilliant architecture, and classic sea-food dishes. It is also home to a long-standing coffee culture, boasting numerous fair trade plantations and consequently elite cafes offering a unique blend of flavours.
Travellers looking to experience Santa Barbara’s coffee culture will be pleased to know that its cafes are known to cater to local tastes which include a nutty, chocolatey and fruit-forward flavor. Whether it’s the famed Santa Barbara Roasting Company serving over 70 varieties of organic and shade grown fair trade coffee, or Lighthouse Coffee Shop, known for its warm brews and delicious pastries, the choices are wide.
Where to stay: Palihouse Santa Barbara
Java, Indonesia
Straddled between Sumatra and Bali lies the island of Java, known as the geographical and economic center of Indonesia. Its location near the Equator and mountainous surroundings create microclimates that are perfect for coffee growing.
When not basking in its idyllic settings which encompasses beautiful greenery, large national parks, jaw-dropping mountains and impressive temples, travellers have the chance to learn more about Java’s coffee industry which dates back to the 18th century.
Today, caffeine fans can enjoy its signature Javanese coffee which goes through a unique ‘washed coffee’ process to provide a cleaner and sweeter taste.
Where to stay: Plataran Bromo
Coatepec, Mexico
Located in the central region of Veracruz, Coatepec is home to quaint towns, elegant parks and a variety of cultural museums, including the popular Coffee Museum, as well as food markets for visitors to discover local delicacies such as tamales and chilaquiles. But, this is also Mexico’s coffee capital, thanks to it being one of the largest growers of coffee beans in the region.
Along with being characterised by its brightly-coloured buildings, it’s also known for its abundance of excellent cafes where visitors can enjoy freshly roasted coffee, with Coatepec’s “high grown” beans known for its medium acidity and subtle nutty flavor.
Curious travellers seeking to know more and taste its local blend should visit the local Museo del Café or take a guided Coffee Tour from bean to cup. Along with holding the title of coffee capital of Mexico, Coatepec is also known as Mexico’s orchid capital, and visitors can see the destination’s commitment to the species by visiting its Museum of Orchids garden.
Where to stay: Hotel Casa Real Del Café
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Characterised by rivers and canals, Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s most populous city with a bustling ambience, best reflected in its vibrant architecture, captivating temples, buzzing street markets and exciting nightlife.
Additionally, it has a rich and varied coffee culture, with many areas coining their own delicacies including ‘cà phê trúng’, or egg coffee.
Expect to see the city’s avenues dotted with upscale coffee shops and traditional spots where locals and tourists alike sit on stools that line the streets enjoying ‘Cà phê sữa đá’, a ground dark roast Vietnamese-grown coffee often served over ice with condensed milk. To experience Vietnam’s coffee culture like a local, visitors can join a Vietnamese Coffee Tour to understand the history of Vietnamese coffee and learn how to make it and enjoy a tasting.
Where to stay: Chez Mimosa – Boutique Hotel
Nicosia, Cyprus
The capital and largest city of Cyprus, Nicosia is filled with narrow streets sprinkled with traditional houses, architectural tapestry, and ancient museums.
Along with its archaeological appeal, the city attracts coffee fanatics as an inherent ritual of Cypriot culture is to not only start the day with coffee, but to have regular coffee breaks throughout the day and night, thus earning the spot of the country’s favorite beverage.
Boasting vibrant cafes, skilled baristas, and a diverse selection of coffees, travellers can enjoy a popular brew here using a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans from Brazil, India and Ethiopia, resulting in a tobacco, chocolate and earthy flavor.
Where to stay: Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel
Darjeeling, India
Travellers who prefer tea time over coffee should head to India’s ‘Tea Capital’, Darjeeling. Its relationship with the brew dates back to 1856 when the first commercial tea gardens were established.
Today, its cool, damp, climate and topography makes it perfect for tea cultivation. Learn more with An Excursion into the World of the famous Darjeeling Tea, where visitors will be given a tour of the Sourenee Tea Estate, partake in a tour of the factory and enjoy a tasting session.
Where to stay: Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa Darjeeling
