United States
A slice of Chicago – Kia Ora
“Chicago is a city of big appetites. Its hunger for power, money and growth are woven into the fabric of the metropolis, from the soaring skyline down to its grubby, ground-level political machinations. It stands to reason, then, that Chicago’s native cuisine is filling and hearty, heavy on the cheese, beef and potatoes.”
Five great reasons to visit San Diego – Flight Centre
“More so than Los Angeles, where only a lucky few live within easy driving distance of the beach, San Diego is a city whose history, culture and lifestyle centre around the sea. With more than 112 km of coast within the San Diego city limits, the main challenge for a visitor is narrowing down which beaches to check out”
Feel the beat – Dish
“It wasn’t even cafecito time and already Miami’s Ball & Chain felt like a party, bodies swaying to the music while the bartender banged out percussion with a knife against his ice scoop. The signature cocktail here is a strong and smoky Calle Ocho Old-Fashioned made with Cuban Bacardi rum and tobacco leaves, but that’s a drink best left to the sultry night-time.”
Poetry in a bottle – Metro
“It’s probably the most famous – and over-used – wine-related aphorism of them all. Wine, said Robert Louis Stevenson, is bottled poetry. These days, the quote is indelibly connected to the Napa Valley wine region, but Stevenson wasn’t actually referring to Napa wines.”
The best places to shop in Honolulu – Flight Centre
“Past visitors to Honolulu may be disappointed to learn that the charmingly tacky International Market Place, a Waikiki mainstay since 1957, has been replaced with a new three-level shopping centre featuring mostly high-end brands. Yes, it's another big shopping mall – and Honolulu isn't short of those – but this one has (Astroturf) lawns and lots of seating and outdoor shade, a godsend on a hot day. “
5 great New York City views that aren’t the Empire State Building
“The recently renovated observation deck is considerably more spacious than its rival, and the view stretches further north, including Central Park. Best of all, there's one thing you'll see from the Top of the Rock that you won't from the Empire State Building: the Empire State Building.”
Fairytale of New York – Kia Ora
“Sorry London. Better luck next time, Vienna and Prague. With the exception of wherever in the world your nearest and dearest happen to be, the best city in which to celebrate Christmas has to be New York.”
Do the loco moco – Metro
“It’s my last day in Honolulu and I’ve finally summoned the courage to order the state’s most famous dish. It’s called loco moco and, honestly, it’s ghastly. An anaemic hamburger patty squats on a bed of rice, swimming in gravy and topped with a fried egg. To the side, a scoop of ‘macaroni salad’ — mayonnaise-soaked pasta elbows — congeals morosely.”
For the fun of it (Los Angeles eating) – Dish
“I couldn’t leave without trying the chapulines, tiny grasshoppers stir-fried with salt and pepper. I admit I took some convincing. The perfect bar snack, they told me; a taste of pre-Hispanic Mexico that doubles as the world’s most sustainable protein source, they said. Down the hatch.”
Cafecito time in Miami Beach – Oakland Magazine
“Indian Creek Drive is underwater. It’s Friday night in Miami Beach and tourists are wading through ankle-high seawater, shopping bags in one hand, shoes in the other. Miami’s infamous king tide is in full effect, thanks to a supermoon playing havoc on already high water levels. In one of the country’s lowest-lying municipalities, that’s very bad news.”
Six great places to eat in Los Angeles – Noted
“Taking inspiration both from Japanese donburi dishes and Southern California's spectacular fresh produce, chef Jessica Koslow added the first rice bowl to the menu at her Silver Lake cafe a few years ago, and promptly set off a global health-eating trend.”
LA Express – Next
“Los Angeles isn’t just celebrities, paparazzi and Hollywood. You know it, I know it. The locals definitely know it. But what is ‘real’ LA? There are as many answers as there are cars on Wilshire Boulevard.”