Travel writing tends to concentrate on a small set of major destinations whose reputations exceed even what they offer. The category of mid-sized cities whose offerings exceed their reputations is more interesting; five such cities deserve attention from travellers who can adjust their expectations.

The list

The list this season includes Trieste in northeast Italy, whose particular history and food culture rewards the patient visitor; Wrocław in southwest Poland, whose old town is one of the most carefully restored in Central Europe; Salta in northern Argentina, whose colonial centre and high-altitude wine region together justify a multi-day visit; Galway on Ireland's west coast, whose music culture is genuinely the cultural infrastructure rather than the marketed version of it; and Kanazawa on Japan's Sea coast, whose specific traditional crafts and food culture are accessible without the crowds of Kyoto or Tokyo.

What they share

What the cities share is sufficient hospitality infrastructure to support visitors comfortably without the volume of visitors that would alter the place's character. The combination is rare and valuable; the cities that maintain it deserve consideration.

The practical advice

The practical advice is to commit to four nights minimum at any of them. Shorter visits do not produce the kind of acquaintance that justifies the trip; the cities reveal themselves to visitors who let the place set the pace.