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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots
hidden hotspots introThe perfect ‘insider tip’ is the holy grail of travellers everywhere. Yes, you know all the tourist hotspots, but where to go for that truly authentic local experience? We sought out the world’s most original and innovative trend scouts and bloggers to ask them for their tips. These are the results, but keep it to yourself…
Photo © Laetitia Lazerges
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 2Buenos Aires: “My favourite non-touristy Buenos Aires activity is the Feria de Mataderos, the Sunday gaucho artisan fair made by locals and for locals. It makes me fall back in love with Argentine street food every time I visit: humita, torta frita, locro, tamales, choripán, and probably the best part: the empanadas.” – Allie Lazar of Pick Up The Fork [Photo by Gonzalo Rivero, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 3Buenos Aires: “Warm weather in Buenos Aires means one thing = HELADO. It’s crazy how much dulce de leche ice cream is consumed during summer months. It’s the porteño drug of choice and easy to get hooked on.” – Allie Lazar of Pick Up The Fork
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 4Buenos Aires: “One of my best-kept secret finds in Buenos Aires would be the Museum of Reproductions and Comparative Sculpture, located near Puerto Madero. This is one of the least visited museums in Buenos Aires, but one of the most important in terms of the value of its collections, which lies in the notable quality of the reproductions exhibited.” – Sandra Gutrejde Suarez of My Buenos Aires Travel Guide [Photo by Aleposta, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 5Buenos Aires: “One of the best, out-of-the-tourist-track tango experiences is La Glorieta de Belgrano, the only open air milonga in Buenos Aires. […] Before the milonga, I love taking the opportunity to explore the neighbourhood of Belgrano, and specially the Spanish Art Museum Enrique Larreta, with its secret Andalusian Garden. – Sandra Gutrejde Suarez of My Buenos Aires Travel Guide [Photo by Roberto Fiadone Español, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Buenos AiresBuenos Aires: “The arrival of spring means the start of polo season in Argentina, and what’s better than enjoying the nice weather attending a polo match at the Cathedral of Polo in Palermo? Of course, the most relevant event of the season is the Argentine Open, the most important polo tournament worldwide.” – Sandra Gutrejde Suarez of My Buenos Aires Travel Guide [Photo © Sandra Gutrejde]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Buenos Aires 2Buenos Aires: Best-kept secret find: “Cafe Vinilo – a cafe/restaurant by day and concert venue by night. During the day it’s the perfect place to bring your computer and work; the WiFi is strong, they have a healthy, tasty menu and you have to ring the doorbell to enter, so it feels more like a home. They have an antique vinyl player playing old jazz records all day. At night the back concert stage opens up and they put on orchestra-style concerts.” – Tim Fitzgerald of Gringo in Buenos Aires [Photo © Tim of Gringo in Buenos Aires]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 8Buenos Aires: For an iconic local experience “go to a random neighbourhood parrilla (steakhouse), that isn’t well known in the guidebooks, around midnight. It will be filled with family and friends enjoying all kinds of meat and drinking wine mixed with sparkling water. A good one off the tourist trail is Lo De Charly.” – Tim Fitzgerald of Gringo in Buenos Aires [Photo © Lo De Charly]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 9Hong Kong: “The quintessential cha chaan teng [tea restaurant] experience is incomplete without first trying Hong Kong’s famous pineapple buns (sans pineapple). Tucked away on a busy street in Mong Kok, Kam Wah Café serves its golden-yellow crusted buns with a gluttonous slab of butter in the middle – perfecting the balance between sweet and savoury.” – Nick Chan of Cut & Copy [Photo by Dennis Wong, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 10Hong Kong: “The quaint neighbourhood of PoHo: overflowing with creative energy, you’ll be entranced by the slower pace of life with artsy cafés, galleries and creative boutiques. The area is also known to feature many traditional tong laus, buildings from the late 19th century, unique to the cityscape of Hong Kong. Also nearby is an antique market (Cat Street Market) filled with traditional Chinese wares, from the decidedly kitsch to the occasional rare treasure.”– Nick Chan of Cut & Copy [Photo by By SYPHKU M0105, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 11Hong Kong: “Cooler weather in Hong Kong usually means clear blue skies, a rarity that’s best for viewing the city from a height. For those who want the view without being outdoors, one can get a clear panorama from the viewing deck on the 43rd floor of the Bank of China.” – Nick Chan of Cut & Copy [Photo by Mk2010, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 12Hong Kong: “It’s not exactly a secret but I do think the Hong Kong Museum Of Coastal Defence is a bit of an under-appreciated little gem. … The best part about this museum is that so much of it is outside! Located on the site of a former coastal defence fort overlooking Lei Yue Mun, you get knockout views of the harbour while strolling around fascinating relics like the torpedo station and underground magazines.” – Rachel Read of Through The Looking Glass
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 13Hong Kong: “The Star Ferry is a must-do and runs frequently enough that it’s never full. Despite the convenience of the MTR and buses, it’s still a super-cheap – and much more scenic – way to cross the harbour, and is used by locals and tourists alike. Go on it both day and night to get different views of our amazing skyline; I fall in love with the city all over again every time I ride it.” – Rachel Read of Through The Looking Glass
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Hong KongHong Kong: “Cooler temperatures always bring about certain food cravings! The masala hot chocolate at charming neighbourhood café Teakha is amazing, while the out-of-this-world cheese and cold-cut selections at the Four Seasons Hong Kong’s cosy Caprice Bar are a great way to while away long winter evenings.” – Rachel Read of Through The Looking Glass [Photo of Caprice Bar © Rachel Read]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
IstanbulIstanbul: “[The] Arnavutköy neighbourhood, on the European side, boasts magnificent wooden konak houses and quiet cobblestone back streets that make you feel you’ve stumbled into a magical village. If you’re lucky, the local Greek Orthodox church will be open, with its impressive wooden altar and icons.” – Lisa Morrow of Inside Out In Istanbul and author of Inside Out In Istanbul: Making Sense of the City [Photo © Lisa Morrow]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Istanbul 2Istanbul: “Lunch [in Arnavutköy] has to be at the unassuming Bodrum Mantı Café which specialises in mantı, of course, little meat-filled triangles of pastry served with yogurt and a tasty chilli sauce. Follow it up with a serving of kağit bebek, a crisp wafer drenched in sour cherry sauce on top of irresistible Turkish ice cream.” – Lisa Morrow of Inside Out In Istanbul [Photo © Lisa Morrow]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 17Istanbul: “The best place to experience Turkish delight, or lokum, is at Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir, believed to be the originator of this divine concoction. There are several Hacı Bekir shops in Istanbul, but I go to the one in Kadıköy, my local shopping area. The few tourists who make it through the doors leave immediately after they’ve completed their purchase, but real Istanbullu take their time in placing their order and then take a seat at one of the small tables at the back of the shop to enjoy a Turkish coffee and lokum.” – Lisa Morrow of Inside Out In Istanbul [Photo by rg-fotos, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 18London: “The Bridge café in Shoreditch is under a railway bridge – hence its name – and is a quirky spot decorated in what can perhaps best be described as ‘junk shop chic’. Grab a coffee and a cake, or something a bit stronger (or both), and plump down into one of the seats or a comfy sofa with a pal.” – Kieran Meeke of Secret London
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 19London: “I enjoy walking the Thames Path, which goes from Greenwich out beyond Richmond, so the scenery varies from urban gritty to pretty countryside. Cycling is a way to cover more in a day, but people-watching is half the fun, so it’s good to slow down and take it all in.” – Kieran Meeke of Secret London [Photo by Amandajm, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 20London: “I actually enjoy the glimpse of winter weather by taking one of the Thames clipper boats to Greenwich, passing under the many different bridges and seeing the City from another viewpoint. I’ll enjoy the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and a cosy Thames-side pub, like the Trafalgar Tavern, before returning after dark when the river has a completely different feel.” – Kieran Meeke of Secret London [Photo by Dirk Ingo Franke, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 21London: “Adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral is shopping centre One New Change – ignore the plethora of shops and restaurants, and take the glass-walled lift to the top. A platform there gives unparalleled views of Londoners’ favourite historic building, one of the few places left to view the iconic dome.” – David Styles of Cabbie Blog [Photo via Flickr user Peter Alfred Hess]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 22London: “Dotted around London are 13 remaining [of 61 original] Cabbie Green Shelters offering sustenance to cab drivers. Built by philanthropic contributors to ensure Victorian cabbies had a warm, dry place to eat, the alternative had been the local boozer. If you can’t visit during London Open House weekend (19-20 September), go there to buy an authentic London breakfast – you never know, the shelter’s proprietor might let you have a look inside.” – David Styles of Cabbie Blog [Photo via Flickr]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 23Montreal: “Tourists love to sample Montreal’s iconic smoked meat and most flock to Schwartz’s for their fix. Avoid the [queues] and head to a lesser-known (but just as good) deli such as Lester’s or Snowdon Deli to have your sandwich shoulder to shoulder with the locals.” – Michelle Little of Roasted [Photo by chensiyuan, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 24Montreal: “Westmount Conservatory is a jewel box housing flowers and tropical plants in a beautiful 1920s greenhouse. Located right in the heart of the historic neighbourhood of Westmount, a trip to the conservatory offers a taste of the tropics during the dark days of winter.” – Michelle Little of Roasted [Photo by Anna Frodesiak, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Slide Nr 25Montreal: “If I had to choose a local favourite restaurant, it would have to be the Satay Brothers in Saint-Henri for authentic Southeast-Asian-style street food, Icehouse in the Plateau for fantastic Tex-Mex eats, or Impasto in Little Italy for some of the best pasta in the city.” – Dustin Gilman of Food Guy Montreal [Photos © Icehouse]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 26Montreal: “In terms of landmarks, I’ve always loved Old Montreal. If you want one of the most amazing views, walk to the clock tower in Old Montreal, right before the beach, and take a look at the water, the boats, the bridges, and so much more.” – Dustin Gilman of Food Guy Montreal [Photo by Michael Vesia, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 27Montreal: “When it’s cold out, I’m looking for comfort food. Moishe’s for steak and the famous Monte Carlo potato, Kazu for delicious Ramen (available at lunch only), and Liverpool House for whatever sounds comforting at that time.” – Dustin Gilman of Food Guy Montreal [Photo © Moishe’s]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
MontrealMontreal: “My favourite restaurant destination is definitely EVOO, in an up-and-coming neighbourhood called St-Henri. Their 3-course menu runs at $35 every Thursday, and honestly, it’s high-end quality offered at a bargain.” – An Tran of MTL Food Snob [Photo © An Tran]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Montreal 2Montreal: “La SAT (Société des Arts et Technologies) reconstructs a Mongolian yurt on its patio every wintertime. It’s an incredible experience, and the mulled wine they serve is probably the best I’ve tasted in town.” – An Tran of MTL Food Snob [Photo © An Tran]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
MunichMunich: “My best-kept secret find in Munich is the breakfast at the Nymphenburg Palace, at the Schlosscafé im Palmenhaus. It’s a relaxing and stunning place, where I get to be in touch with nature and enjoy delicious food with homemade lemonade.” – Allane Milliane of Packing My Suitcase [Photo © Allane Milliane]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Munich 2Munich: “In the warmer months, if there is an iconic way of experiencing Munich like a local, that’s to sit by the Isar river having a beer or making a barbecue at the Flaucher, watching the sun go down. When the cold days arrive, there’s no better way to get warm than reading a book or hanging out with friends at the cozy Aroma Kaffeebar with a Hugo tea in my hands.” – Allane Milliane of Packing My Suitcase [Photo © Allane Milliane]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 32Munich: “When the weather gets chilly, a Glühwein at one of the outdoor Christmas markets is always fun. A healthier alternative is enjoying a swim at the warm outdoor pool at Dantebad and then really warming up in the sauna.” – Eleanor Mayrhofer of Wahlmünchnerin [Photo by Bbb, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 33Munich: “For drinks, we recommend the small Zephyr Bar on Baaderstraße, Nage und Sauge on Mariannenstraße, or Kismet on Löwengrube Street. For going out afterwards, there’s Bob Beaman, Kong or MMA. From the Glockenbachviertel neighbourhood to the city centre, there’s generally a lot on offer.” – Moritz Butschek of Two In A Row [Photos © Kismet]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 34Munich: “Go picnic at Muffatwerk – this is a sort of secluded Biergarten, very close to the river that remains unnoticed by the tourist community. Set the table, open your food containers, order some drinks and voilà!” – Elena of My Adventures in Munich
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 35New York: “It’s not a huge secret, but City Cakes in Chelsea is a cute little bakery that’s down below the street. They sell giant cookies that are cooked perfectly, melt in your mouth and aren’t too sweet. I like the Chocolate Chip and Snickerdoodle, and they make for great gifts. Sweetcorner Bakeshop in the West Village is also great.” – Alex Reichek of Chekmark Eats [Photo © City Cakes]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 36New York: “I think most tourists don’t always venture downtown or to some of these smaller restaurants that all the locals know. I always feel at ease and wowed by the experiences at Carbone, Saxon + Parole, Bohemian, L’Artusi.” – Alex Reichek of Chekmark Eats [Photo © Carbone]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 37New York: “In winter, brunch at a cozy place with a garden so that you forget it’s cold outside. Palma is a great spot in the West Village, and the back room at Hundred Acres is also very pleasant. Having a hot drink in the Bowery Hotel Lobby is also very charming.” – Alex Reichek of Chekmark Eats [Photo © Palma]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
ParisParis: “In le Quartier Latin, go to Le Champo, Le Grand Action or Christine 21 to see a classic movie. But the prettiest movie theatre (in my opinion) is la Pagode, a real Japanese pagoda converted into a 400-seat cinema with a tea room and Japanese garden.” – Laetitia Lazerges of Vert Cerise
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 39Paris: “[For an iconic experience] I’ll go to the 11th arrondissement. From the food and vintage market Marché d’Aligre, to Bastille creative disctrict, Canal Saint Martin and Oberkampf bars and restaurants, here you can experience boho Parisian life.” – Laetitia Lazerges of Vert Cerise [Photo by galerie de fotos de Tonio Vega, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 40Paris: “When it’s cold outside, I love to walk around the Jardin des Tuileries, visit the latest exhibition at the Jeu de Paume museum and then drink a chocolat chaud africain with a brioche at Angelina. It’s a bit cliché, but I haven’t found a better hot chocolate in Paris. Ask for a chantilly (whipped cream) pot in addition.” – Laetitia Lazerges of Vert Cerise [Photo by Poulpy, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Slide Nr 41“Rome is all about the food. For an authentic experience, find a family-run trattoria and order a plate of amatriciana or carbonara or cacio e pepe, with a side of cicoria (a dark leafy green that’s steamed and tossed with garlic and chili pepper). A few of my favourite places include Taverna Romana in Monti, Trattoria Settimio near Campo di Fiori and the slightly more upscale Armando de Pantheon.” – Gillian Longworth McGuire of Gillian’s Lists [Photo by Flickr user Luca Nebuloni]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 42Rome: “When we have visitors, one of the places we always bring them is the to keyhole on the Aventine Hill. The very special view is extraordinary. Make sure to spend some time in the nearby Giardino degli Aranci, with its own terrific view and lots of benches to rest in a pretty orange grove.” – Gillian Longworth McGuire of Gillian’s Lists [Photo by Flickr user Stefano Constantini]
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Slide Nr 43Rome: “I love Rome in autumn and winter. I look forward to seeing puntarelle (a crisp, bitter vegetable that is topped with a lemony anchovy dressing) in the market and tasting the harvest of new olive oil.” – Gillian Longworth McGuire of Gillian’s Lists [Photo by Flickr user Randy OHC]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 44Rome: “When the weather turns cold and rainy, I seek up cosy refuge. One of my favourite places is Il Goccetto, a small and intimate wine bar in the Centro Storico, conveniently just across the street from Supplizio, another favourite serving up Roman supplì, or the ultimate comfort food of fried rice balls stuffed with cheese that are perfect on a cold day!” – Natalie Kennedy of An American In Rome [Photo © Supplizio]
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Slide Nr 45“Rome’s neighborhoods are a series of villages, and I’m biased towards my own in Testaccio. Start with a cappuccino (and a cheeky personal-sized tiramisu) at Barberini on Via Marmorata and continue on to the quiet English Cemetery and the newly restored Pyramid of Cestius. Loop back up past Monte Testaccio, a hill made of ancient pottery, and on to Mercato Testaccio, for a real Roman market experience, and a simple but delicious lunch at Mordi e Vai.” – Natalie Kennedy of An American In Rome [Photo by Blackcat, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Slide Nr 46Rome: “I enjoy exploring Garbatella, a neighbourhood that’s relatively new – at least by Roman standards – but still manages to be packed full of history and brimming with the kind of authentic community feeling that you don’t really find these days in most areas of Rome.” – Sara White of Verbalized [Photo by Croberto68, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Blogger Secrets: Hidden Hotspots.
Slide Nr 47Rome: “A browse through Mercato Trionfale, a huge covered market just a few minutes away from the Vatican, is a fantastic way to experience an authentic part of Rome. I love throwing myself into the crowds of determined shoppers and winding my way through the market.” – Sara White of Verbalized [Photo by Flickr user David McSpadden]
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Slide Nr 48Santiago: “I love chocolate cake, the spongy type that you usually bake at home. This is not easy to find in Santiago, so the day I discovered the small cake shop Dulceria Frutillar in Vitacura, my life changed forever. They have an amazing chocolate and dulce de leche sponge cake that I order every year on my birthday.” – Adriana Carles of Inside Santiago [Photo credit Dulceria Frutillar]
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Slide Nr 49Santiago: “Barrio Italia is a new up-and-coming area with a SoHo feel. It has many design shops, from furniture to fashion, and even antiques. Take a stroll on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy the shops, or sit down at any of the little cafés and restaurants. Ruca Bar is a great spot for drinks in this area.” – Adriana Carles and Agustina Blinder of Inside Santiago [Photo by Michael Paul Stevens, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Slide Nr 50Santiago: “When the weather is warm, we enjoy escaping to any of the beach areas near Santiago, particularly in Maitencillo or Algarrobo. Most times though, they are so crowded that we prefer to enjoy the calmness of the city. Normally, we hike up Cerro Manquehue or ride our bikes in Cerro San Cristobal. For lunch we enjoy eating Peruvian in front of the lake at Cocoa in Piedra Roja, which is a suburb of Santiago.” – Adriana Carles and Agustina Blinder of Inside Santiago [Photo by Flickr user Gonzalo Baezo]
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Slide Nr 51Sydney: “Located in the Eastern Suburbs, Redleaf Beach is like a secret beach hideaway. The enclosed harbour pool overlooks the water with stunning views of Sydney’s skyline and it’s my favourite place to have a picnic.” – Sarah Shrapnel, aka ‘Swah’ of Love Swah [Photo by Saraka, via Wikimedia Commons]
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Slide Nr 52Sydney: “Surry Hills is one of my favourite spots to explore Sydney, minus the tourists. For a great night out, book a table at Longrain for delicious Thai food, then watch a movie at the refurbished art deco Golden Age Cinema. Finish off with a nightcap at the always raging tequila bar Tio’s!” – Swah of Love Swah [Photo © Golden Age Cinema]
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Slide Nr 53Sydney: “The Spit Bridge to Manly Scenic Walkway is my favourite thing to do when the weather warms up. It’s a heart-raising walk with stunning views and by the end of it I’m starving. Fortunately Manly is full of amazing food stops such as Papi Chulo’s, and I always reward myself with a hearty meal.” – Swah of Love Swah [Photo by Flickr user TheGirlsNY]
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Slide Nr 54Sydney: “[My favourite restaurant] would be this amazing Japanese Izakaya restaurant called Sharak. The food there is absolutely top notch and is very reasonably priced. I go there at least once a month and it never disappoints!” – Myles Kalus of Keishikibi [Photo © Sharak]
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Slide Nr 55Sydney: “Something that is quintessentially Sydney would be the drinking culture here. While I don’t drink that often, my non-touristy go-to place to embrace that would be The Baxter Inn. It has an amazing selection of whisky and a very charming environment to enjoy your drinks while spending time with friends.” – Myles Kalus of Keishikibi
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Slide Nr 56Sydney: “It used to be a secret but I guess now it’s out – a cosy little café called Cre Asion. It’s nestled in a back-alley street, so isn’t particularly easy to find. However, once you do discover this gem, you’ll find the best matcha products anywhere. Matcha lattes, matcha muffins and the best matcha chocolate lava cake you’ll ever eat. Did I mention that the food is just absolutely incredible as well? You’d be surprised at how good the scrambled eggs and sandwiches are.” – Michael Shen of I’m Still Hungry
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Slide Nr 57Taipei: “Check out the Former American Consulate, near Zhongshan MRT. The building has been restored and now is the SPOT Taipei Film House, hosting a small movie theatre that projects independent films, hard to find in the traditional circuits. There’s also a cafeteria with a big terrace, a restaurant on the upper floor, an exhibition room and a shop with everything from books to jewellery, all created by Taiwanese designers.” – Gemma Vidal of Taipei Street Style [Photo by Flickr user ctsnow]
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TaipeiTaipei: “I love the area surrounding Dihua Street. There you can see many traditional buildings and stores, some of which have been renewed and host really cool cafeterias, restaurants or design shops. I find especially interesting the Yongle Fabric Market, where you can find fabrics and tailors to create your dream dress.” – Gemma Vidal of Taipei Street Style [Photo © Gemma Vidal]
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Slide Nr 59Taipei: “Due to the humidity, I think Taipei’s winter is colder than one may think. I love to escape from the cold and rain in a cosy café, working on my laptop while enjoying a cup of hot coffee or fruit tea with a sweet brownie or waffle.” – Gemma Vidal of Taipei Street Style
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Slide Nr 60Taipei: “I hardly ever spill my secrets, but Good Design Institute is too good not to share. It operates as a café and a display space for a roster of creatives from around the globe to set up pop-up shops to promote their work, with artists being switched out every month or so. The coffees and milk teas are served in vintage chemistry sets, so you can get your caffeine fix from a beaker.” – Stephanie Hsu of The Thousandth Girl
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Slide Nr 61“Taipei life is really about relaxing and taking it easy – we’re Hawaii, with a hint of Tokyo. Living in Taipei is about chill vibes, long bike rides, lots of iced treats and hanging around in the city, rather than hustling through it.” – Stephanie Hsu of The Thousandth Girl
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Slide Nr 62Taipei: “There ain’t no false advertising at Ding Wang Spicy Hot Pot, which is open until 3:00am. Everything you order to be cooked in a roiling, herb-filled red broth,– from phoenix talons (chicken feet), to beef slices, to mushrooms, to stinky tofu – will take on a fiery coating that grabs your tongue and refuses to let it go for days afterwards. Another favourite: Black Samurai Hot Pot. Eating spicy hot pot is the most delicious type of torture in existence, and it’s so cosy to huddle up with friends and eat for hours.” – Stephanie Hsu of The Thousandth Girl [Photo by Flickr user ayustety]
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Vancouver 2Vancouver: “Fall is my favourite season. I love going for walks, taking in the fresh air, walking on crunchy leaves, staring at the beautiful colours. When we get into the winter months, I spend a lot of time indoors curled up with a good book or my favourite show, my husband, or my cat…or better yet, all three!” – Sabrina Fenster of StreetScout.me [Photo © Sabrina Fenster]
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Slide Nr 64Vancouver: “Falafully Good! I’ve been visiting this hidden gem since it was in my South Granville hood back in 2008. My roommate and I would visit weekly for our fix, and now still, I visit there regularly with my husband. Although I don’t go there for the atmosphere, the food always makes it worth a visit.” – Sabrina Fenster of StreetScout.me [Photo by Flickr user treehouse1977]
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VancouverVancouver: Secret spot: “Leg-In-Boot Square, an Italian-style cobblestone and brick plaza located in between Olympic Village and Granville Island. I love to go there and walk along the False Creek seawall. Although it’s bustling, there’s an unspoken yet calm energy in the area. Mention “Leg-In-Boot Square” to most locals and they won’t be familiar with it, yet it’s entirely Vancouver-esque with its stunning seaside views.” – Sabrina Fenster of StreetScout.me [Photo © Sabrina Fenster]
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