When people say that travel is a feast for the senses, they usually mean for the eyes, ears and taste buds.
Whether destinations are fun for the nose is often overlooked.
But an online forum discussion is putting the finishing touches on the topic, with participants sharing their suggestions for the world’s best-smelling destinations, from the ski resort “that smells like Christmas” to the Scottish spot that fills the nose with a scent that’s “a euphoric cross between honey and coconut.”
Reddit user ‘coffeewalnut05’ started the scentsational discussion when he asked, “What are some smelly places you’ve been to during your travels?”
Read on for the answers…
An online forum discussion highlighted the importance of scent, with participants sharing their suggestions for the best smelling destinations in the world. One person said the Scottish Highlands smelled of “honey and coconut” because of the broom flowers pictured here
The Highlands, Scotland
It is no wonder that flower hotspots are common in the wire. ‘Girhinomofe’ says: ‘Drive up a road lined with gorse in the West Highlands of Scotland and you will see a euphoric cross between honey and coconut.’ Gorse usually flowers in early spring in Scotland.
Provence, France
The smell of flowers in the French countryside is a ‘pleasure’ according to one Reddit user. Pictured here are the lavender fields of Provence
The French countryside is another fragrant botanical place. ‘Pwlife’ says: ‘Among all the fruit and lavender fields and gardens full of flowers, it is a delight’. Provence is especially famous for its lavender farms.
Grasse, France
The air is heavily perfumed in Grasse, a city on the French Riviera known as the perfume capital of the world. Perfumers, known in France as “noses,” train there to distinguish between scents.
A tourist says: ‘They make wonderful perfumes there, but all those flowers smell so good.’ Tuberose, jasmine and iris are just some of the wonderfully scented flowers in Grasse.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
‘Buttrnut_Squash’ says: ‘Walking through the streets above Dubrovnik’s Old Town, I kept being struck by this lovely scent – a cross between orange blossom and jasmine.
“Just heavenly. I found out it’s a shrub called cheesewood. The flowers only bloom for a short time, so I was lucky to be there at the right time.”
Banff, Canada
Banff, Canada, pictured here, ‘smells like Christmas’ according to one tourist. It’s all thanks to the resort town’s many pine trees
If summer scents aren’t your thing, one tourist recommends Banff in Canada.
According to ‘Gie_lokimum’ the ski resort smells like Christmas thanks to the scent of the pine trees.
Seville, Spain
About Seville (above), Spain, a tourist says: ‘The orange trees everywhere kept the scent in the air and it was lovely’
Things get fruity in Seville, where the air is filled with oranges, says ‘MaxGoldfinch25’. They say: ‘The orange trees everywhere made the smell linger in the air and it was delicious. Seville is definitely my favourite Spanish city.’
Iowa, USA
The Quaker Oats Plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, pictured here, makes the city “smell like fruity cereal,” according to one Reddit user
‘GlobeTr3kker’ says: ‘Cedar Rapids, Iowa, smells of fruity cereal from nearby cereal factories.’ This Midwestern city is home to the largest cereal factory in the world, making Cap’n Crunch and Quaker Oats.
Zurich, Switzerland
A tourist says: ‘The first night in Zurich we took a dinner cruise on the lake. Halfway through the cruise we start to smell a faint aroma of chocolate.
‘We look around and see a large Lindt factory with a wonderful scent wafting over the lake.’ That is the Lindt factory in Kilchberg, on the western side of Lake Zurich.
Avery Island, Louisiana, USA
Avery Island in Louisiana is home to the Tabasco factory. One tourist says, “As soon as you get out of your car on Avery Island, you’re basically inhaling Tabasco. It’s good.”
New Mexico, USA
In New Mexico, the smells are “fragrant and pleasant,” according to one tourist, especially when citizens dry the region’s chilies, as seen above
On the smell of the Moroccan markets, pictured here, ‘SadPea7’ says: ‘Peppermint stalls, followed by fish stalls, then orange blossom, then meat… and then almond cookies’
There’s also a spicy smell in the air in New Mexico, says ‘Slkreger’. They say it’s ‘so fragrant and cozy everywhere’ when they’re ‘smoking/drying the chiles’.
Salzuflen, Germany
‘Eipottatsch’ says: ‘It’s a designated health resort. Basically a place where stressed-out workers had to go to recover. They have these giant salt walls that they run salt water through. It gives off a strong, clean, salty smell throughout the city, which is just amazing.’
Morocco
If you’re looking for a full-on assault on the snout, go to Morocco. ‘SadPea7’ says: ‘Markets in Morocco. Peppermint stalls, followed by fish stalls, then orange blossom, then meat… then almond cookies.’