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50 Reasons to Love the World - 2021

5 January 2021

BBC Travel celebrates 50 Reasons to Love the World in 2021, through the inspiration of well-known voices as well as unsung heroes in local communities around the globe.

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Lake mountain and milky way on the sky before sunrise (Credit: Credit: thaiview/Getty Images)

(Credit: thaiview/Getty Images)

New year, new hope

It goes without saying that the world was turned upside-down last year as we faced a global pandemic, racial reckoning and the continued effects of climate change. However, we at BBC Travel believe the dawn of 2021 brings with it a new sense of hope and possibility – as well as a heightened sense of connection to each other and the world around us.

Even as we were – and still are – unable to travel in the way we did before the pandemic, people from different cultures in every continent have continued to thrive in their personal corners of the planet, bringing joy, passion and inspiration to their communities. They've preserved local traditions, made strides to protect the Earth, and used their creative talents to expand and evolve their cultures.

With BBC Travel's 50 Reasons to Love the World in 2021, we hope to share that joy with you, and through their extraordinary stories, inspire you to fall in love with the world all over again. After all, it's the only one we have.

– The BBC Travel Editors

We asked 50 remarkable people – both known voices and unsung heroes – the question, "Why do you love the world?" Read on to see what they had to say…

Before making pikoodinigan, Nottaway always talks to her maple trees (Credit: Credit: Benoit Daoust/Alamy)

Before making pikoodinigan, Nottaway always talks to her maple trees and asks them how they're doing (Credit: Benoit Daoust/Alamy)

-50-

Because when we had to stay home during Covid-19 and there was neither work nor school, I was finally able to go sugar-bushing [in rural Quebec] with my daughter for the entire season – making pikoodinigan for four or five weeks.” – Marie-Cecile Nottaway, chef

Read Nottaway's story

Summer farms are inextricably linked to the ancient Swedish singing tradition of kulning (Credit: Credit: Justin Calderón)

Summer farms like Skallskog are inextricably linked to the ancient Swedish singing tradition of kulning (Credit: Justin Calderón)

-49-

Because when working and singing alongside the fäbod (Swedish summer farm) women, I felt such a profound connection to them both as a part of our past and present, I just knew that I had to carry on their kulning legacy.” – Jennie Tiderman-Österberg, singer

Read Tiderman-Österberg's story

Clearing fog over mountains and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in San Francisco Bay (Credit: Credit: Aaron Echols/Getty Images)

(Credit: Aaron Echols/Getty Images)

-48-

Because in spite of the pandemic, the wildfires and the smoke in my hometown, the awful political climate in the US and the economic crisis that creates so much despair, I wake up every morning in my small house in California squeezed between my husband and two dogs and realise that love is all that truly matters," – Isabel Allende, author

Read Allende's story

Luis Martinez, Cuba's 'imaginary tourist' (Credit: Credit: Alice Bellincioni & Giulia Paltrinieri)

(Credit: Alice Bellincioni & Giulia Paltrinieri)

-47-

Because Trinidad’s rich dramatic history and culture stems from European and African roots [and] gives me inspiration with minimum detail, and so I never get tired of writing,” – Luis Martinez, porter and poet

Read Martinez's story

Char kway teow is Malaysia’s most famous street food (Credit: Credit: Matt Brandon)

(Credit: Matt Brandon)

-46-

Because I've been making char kway teow for more than 60 years, people come from all over the world to taste it. I'm so proud knowing they've travelled to my hometown of Penang for my food. Even though we don't speak the same language, when I see them finishing their plate, I know they are happy." – Tan Chooi Hong (Uncle Tan), street food cook

Read Tan's story

During their months of isolation, the polar night produced some glorious sights (Credit: Credit: Hearts in the Ice)

During their months of near-total isolation, the polar night produced some glorious sights (Credit: Hearts in the Ice)

-45-

Because being so isolated as we are here in the Arctic at Bamsebu heightens our connection to all things. It elevates our ability to feel, listen and to understand our place in this world. Our energy is channelled into aligning our unique and powerful role in this web of life and answering the question: what can I do to give back?” – Sunniva Sorby, polar explorer

Read Sorby's story

Natalia Nikitina is hoping to bring back Russia's heritage apple varieties such the Arkad (Credit: Credit: Sheila Sim)

Natalia Nikitina is hoping to bring back Russia's heritage apple varieties such as the Arkad, Tolstoy’s favourite (Credit: Sheila Sim)

-44-

Because everything around me – the river, the cathedrals, the beautiful views – breathes history. Kolomna, Russia, has learned to live with its heritage; this gives us our love and our passion for what we do.” – Natalia Nikitina, entrepreneur 

Read Nikitina's story

For famed ecologist Vandana Shiva, what we eat is a matter of life and death (Credit: Credit: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy)

For famed ecologist Vandana Shiva, what we eat is a matter of life and death (Credit: Everett Collection Inc/Alamy)

-43-

Because of Covid, I was [locked down] in my childhood home in Dehradun where I was born. Coming home made me once again fall in love with the Earth, the Himalayas, my beautiful Doon Valley." – Dr Vandana Shiva, environmental activist and food advocate

Read Shiva's story

Wong and this vast outdoor shrine remain relatively unknown to most Hongkongers (Credit: Credit: Matthew Keegan)

Wong and this vast outdoor shrine remain relatively unknown to most Hongkongers (Credit: Matthew Keegan)

-42-

Because I feel honoured to still be fit and healthy enough to look after the many gods here in Hong Kong’s Waterfall Bay Park and receive their blessings, day in, day out. There is no place more magical for me and I feel privileged to worship here.” – Wong Wing-pong, statue caretaker

Read Wong's story

Formentera boasts some of the most spectacular beaches of the world (Credit: Credit: Rafael Estefania)

Formentera boasts some of the most spectacular beaches of the world (Credit: Rafael Estefania)

-41-

Because when I am diving among the Posidonia meadows, I feel the power of life through a plant that has the capacity to transform the [Mediterranean's] seawater and the seashore" – Manu San Félix, marine biologist and underwater explorer

Read San Félix's story






A series on how indigenous groups incorporate Buen Vivir recently launched on YouTube (Credit: Credit: Michael Marquand/Alamy)

A documentary series highlighting how Colombian indigenous communities incorporate Buen Vivir recently launched on YouTube (Credit: Michael Marquand/Alamy)

-40-

Because there is a lovely moment Nariño when the potato or the arracacha is ready to be harvested and you go past in the morning or at night, and you have the smell of the flowers, and they are special because when they don't have pesticides this aroma leaves you wanting to stay there.” – Anibal Jose Criollo, chef and environmentalist

Read San Criollo's story

Ana Roš cooks with herbs and spices harvested from Hiša Franko’s own garden (Credit: Credit: Suzan Gabrijan)

Ana Roš cooks with herbs and spices harvested from Hiša Franko’s own garden (Credit: Suzan Gabrijan)

-39-

Because I got to visit the tiny stone villages of Slovenia’s magical Kras region, which I wouldn’t have considered going to if I hadn’t needed to stay in my country. I’m grateful that I had a chance to see the region’s beautiful colours – oranges, violets and greens – and unique landscape, which feels kind of Mediterranean but looks out to the Alps.” – Ana Roš, chef

Read Roš's story

Residents worry that as people "discover" Polebridge, the environment will suffer (Credit: Credit: Janet Sheppardson/Alamy)

Some residents worry that as people "discover" Polebridge, the surrounding environment will suffer (Credit: Janet Sheppardson/Alamy)

-38-

Because I saw grizzly bears in the wild as a child, it made me realise that we have to share this landscape not just with each other, but with all of the animals, too.” – Will Hammerquist, Mercantile owner

Read Hammerquist's story

Rome's Trevi Fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi (Credit: Credit: MPstudio/Getty Images)

Rome's Trevi Fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi (Credit: MPstudio/Getty Images)

-37-

Because I had the unexpected joy of two days in Rome in December. Instead of jammed sidewalks, careening cars and buses erupting with tourists, the city was shining, quiet, utterly clean. I had many streets and piazzas to myself. I could smell the sea air. I simply walked all over, taking in the essential city. Imagine – I stood alone at the Trevi fountain, listening to the water splash. Among many travel highs in my life, I’ve never felt as astonished and lucky.” – Frances Mayes, author

Read Mayes's story

The Scottish Highlands are holiday hotspot for adventures led by ghillies (Credit: Credit: danm/Getty Images)

In the 19th Century, the Scottish Highlands became a holiday hotspot for horse riding, hunting and other adventures led by ghillies (Credit: danm/Getty Images)

-36-

Because the outdoors gave me a renewed sense of purpose after my wife passed away from terminal cancer. I’ve used the landscape and my job to rebuild myself, and stepping outside to reexplore the Isle of Skye has restored my spirit, giving me the strength to find positivity in the world again.” – Mitchell Partridge, ghillie

Read Partridge's story

For the past 500 years, shrimp fishing has been passed down from fathers to sons (Credit: Credit: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

For the past 500 years, shrimp fishing has been passed down from fathers to sons in a tradition that remains unchanged (Credit: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images)

-35-

“Because while I’m out shrimp fishing, Belgium’s North Sea allows me and my horse to feel calm, peaceful and at one with nature. I’m also happy to preserve and share this very important cultural tradition.” – Nele Bekaert, horse fisherwoman

Read Bekaert's story

DSC01147 1920x1080

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“Because the more we protect the environment [around Piplantri, India], the more it will reciprocate. Those who work with nature don't worry too much. Nature gives me strength; our daughters and this work gives us strength.” – Shyam Sunder Paliwal, eco-feminist

Read Paliwal's story

A twisty road at sunset in Derbyshire, in England's Peak District (Credit: Credit: John Finney Photography/Getty Images)

(Credit: John Finney Photography/Getty Images)

We will be publishing new Reasons to Love the World in the coming months, so check back weekly for the latest updates.

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