10 Difficult Place Names (hard to spell but fun to visit!)

I like big words and I cannot lie.

A favourite pastime of mine involves sitting wistfully at my desk scribing all the exotic places I’d one day like to visit, hoping that I’ve successfully spelled them correctly without the help of Google (I think this both has to do with fulfilling the notion that I’m a well-versed traveller and a literary genius…both are yet to be proven).

Nevertheless, you can be sure at least a handful of these places are spelled so incorrectly, I wonder how I even came up with the original offering to begin with.

I don’t know what it is about these mysteriously titled destinations, but their appeal is so great. Maybe it has something to do with nailing the pronunciation to your friends, as if you’re an expert at world travel (and haven’t been studying Wikipedia at all). Or maybe it’s because we hold on to the hope that the places themselves are as delightful to visit as they are to say. Either way, if you can successfully spell these puzzling place names without peeking at the atlas…you win, my friend.

1. Oaxaca, Mexico (pronounced: Wa-hah-kah)

Culturally rich and visually beautiful, this colourful state in southwestern Mexico is a fascinating creative hub which is famous for its food, friendly faces and historical landmarks.

2. Reykjavík, Iceland (pronounced: Rake-yah-vik)

Surging ahead as one of the most sought after tourist hot spots in recent times, the world’s most northerly capital in Iceland boasts an awe-inspiring backdrop of snow-capped mountains, luxurious geothermal springs and an enthusiastic nightlife.

3. Gloucestershire, England (pronounced: Gloster-shear)

The English county that was one of the famed settings for the Harry Potter franchise is rife with classic charm. Expect historical castles, magnificent rolling scenery and incredibly warm locals.

4. Versailles, France (pronounced: Ver-sigh)

Renowned worldwide for the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Château de Versailles and the gardens of Versailles, this regal city close to the centre of Paris boasts plenty of historic significance.

5. Milngavie, Scotland (pronounced: Mill-guy)

A popular retirement location close to Glasgow city centre, the quaint little town of Milngavie is convenient to the Clyde Coast and Loch Lomond, and is the starting point for Scotland’s first long distance walking route, the West Highland Way.

6. Guadalajara, Spain (pronounced: Gwada-la-hara)

Unless you’re able to roll your tongue like a true Spaniard, this one may take a while to conquer. A half-day trip from Madrid, this historical town is worth a visit for its famed palace, one of Spain’s most striking buildings with its elaborate exterior and local art museum.

7. Maroochydore, QLD, Australia (pronounced: Ma-roo-chee-dore)

Right in our very own backyard, the beachside holiday mecca on the Sunshine Coast was named from the indigenous Yuggera language word Muru-kutchi, meaning red-bill – the name of the black swan, commonly seen in the area.

8. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA (pronounced: Al-ba-ker-kee)

Familiar with a little television series titled, Breaking Bad? Yeah, I thought so. The worldwide hit show (which became as addictive as the infamous blue substance on which the story was based) was actually set in this sunny, high-altitude city and has since boosted the area’s tourism significantly.

9. Xi’an, China (pronounced: Shee-ahn)

Considered one of the birthplaces of ancient Chinese civilisation, Xian is a history and culture lover’s paradise. Take in the beautiful architecture, learn about the city’s rich history and pay a visit to the famed Terracotta Army.

10. Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (pronounced: with great difficulty)

Roughly translated to mean, “the place where Tamatea, the man known as the land-eater with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, played his flute to his loved one”, this picturesque summit in New Zealand is the second longest place name in the world. If you can pronounce it correctly, you win everything.

(Feature image: Carlos Adampol Galindo; Search flights to Mexico by Marcus Holland-Moritz)