As Rudyard Kipling said, “The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.” Let your nose be your guide through these seven particularly aromatic destinations around the world.
Tsujiki Fish Market, Tokyo
Despite its location in the middle of landlocked Tokyo, Tsujiki Fish Market smells as if you’re standing on a seaport overlooking the ocean. Don’t mistake a seawater smell for the pungent odor of fish, though: the tuna and other sea dwellers that are hauled into Tsujiki are fresh as can be, so the scent here is truly more ocean than fish.
Tyler Rose Garden, Texas
Take a stroll through this Texas garden and you won’t have a hard time stopping to smell the roses – America’s largest rose garden is perpetually perfumed with the aroma of these lovely flowers.
Buffalo, New York
Who wouldn’t want to wake up in a city that eternally smells like a bowl of Cheerios? Buffalo’s signature scent is eau de breakfast cereal, thanks to a Cheerios manufacturing plant that leaves the air smelling of sweet oats.
Ijen Volcano, Indonesia
Indonesia’s Ijen Volcano is quite the sight to behold, thanks to a turquoise lake that sits in the volcano’s crater. This stunning lake is actually the world’s largest pool of acid, though, and its scent is decidedly sulfuric. The air is so sulfuric, in fact, that visitors will need a gas mask before gazing out at the lake.
Spice Bazaar, Istanbul
Countless spices, dried fruits and roasted nuts fight for your nostrils’ attention at Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, where market stalls burst with colorful heaps of freshly ground seasonings, sheets of dried fruit leather and freshly baked baklava. Spicy peppers, sweet figs and earthy sage are just a few of the scents you’ll experience at this powerfully aromatic marketplace.
Redwood National Forest, California
Redwood National Forest often tops travel lists for its gargantuan trees, but don’t overlook the tranquility of the forest’s scent. Here, the air is distinctively crisp, damp and fresh, filled with the wooded scent of these towering trees.
Provence, France
The fields are alive with the sweet scent of lavender in Provence, France, where the land overflows with these fragrant purple flowers. (Main image: decar66)
