On my second visit to Havana, I took note of the increased number of Paladars (privately owned restaurants run out of family homes). This may be due to recent regulatory changes allowing these Paladars to have more tables, hire workers other than family members, and pay less taxes. While strolling through Havana Vieja, I was coaxed into Paladar Don Pucho. I was greeted by a friendly waiter, ordered the Ropa Veija and hoped for the best. Indeed, Cuba is not known for its culinary expertise. While awaiting my meal I sipped a beer and was entertained by two talented and cheerful guitar players. When my meal arrived I dug-in and was pleasantly surprised. The Ropa Vieja was delicious! Tender, aromatic shredded beef over a large portion of white rice. After finishing my meal, I ordered another beer and joined the musicians trading songs on the guitar.

Proof Canteen, in the Scottsdale Four Seasons Resort, lets you sample the whole country at once. Drinks are sourced from all 50 states and the menu features regional specialties such as fried green tomatoes and Maine lobster rolls. Photo courtesy of the Scottsdale Four Seasons Resort. This appeared in the March/April 2013 issue.

Thailand isn’t necessarily known for its coffee, but Akha Ama is the exception. This is a very small coffee shop in Santhitham. It exclusively distributes coffee produced by the Akha people who live in the village of Mae Jan Tai in northern Thailand. They do all of the fancy café drinks like shakeratos, lattes, and mochas. They also make baked goods, such as muffins, in-house every day. —Andy Ricker 9/1 Mata Apartment Hassadhisawee Rd., Soi 3, 66(0)86-915-8600. This appeared in the May 2013 issue

Annapolis may be famous for its crab cakes and fresh seafood, but if you're feeling a bit more worldly, you'll find the best sushi in town at Joss. The Joss sushi menu is large enough to suit a wide range of tastes, but small enough that you're not overwhelmed with choices. Sitting up at the bar is dinner and a show - you can watch the chefs prepare sushi rolls right in front of you. If you're not a sushi fan, the kitchen churns out plenty of delicious cooked options as well; the tempura shrimp and fried bananas desert are personal favorites. Further, the service is attentive without being overbearing, and even on the busiest night, requests are taken care of promptly.

This little lakeside bar in Bled has an organic look and feel which might imply the "dreams" could be a product of something you might find in Amsterdam. Wrong bar. The cozy interior opens out onto a wonderful patio with views of the castle and water. The "cocktails" might be the headliner, but the food is pretty good, too. We ate lunch here on a sunny afternoon out on the deck and was indeed, dreamy. C&D is one of the few places in Bled that's open after 9 p.m. when the sidewalks rollup. Bled has a tourist town nightlife targeted at an international crowd of dream seekers. Lots of languages flying around the bar, all chatting up the beauty and history the area exudes. Young and old. Imbibing and interacting, a very friendly vibe. While we didn't come close to closing the place down, we were adequately primed for the short hike up the hill and the sanctuary of our rooms. Dream on.

This lovely coffee shop in the mostly-residential area of Balham in South London is really more than just a coffee shop. From poached eggs on top of corn bread with marscapone, to fresh soups of the day and fruit-flavored waters that are free of charge, this corner spot with floor-to-ceiling windows is a neighborhood gem. Come for a quickie pick-me-up or stay all day with your laptop and hook into their free WiFi. Oh and try to resist having a piece of their carrot cake with coconut cream cheese frosting. I dare you.

The brand new Pasticceria at Cossetta's is gorgeous! Italian marble, long case full of beautiful sweets and some savories, espresso bar, cordials, grappa and liquors and a feeling you have been transported across the ocean. Don't miss it next time you are in the neighborhood!

Why would an afternoon tea not offer... tea? Or cucumber sandwiches? Because this is London, the city where the only rule is originality. The OXO Brasserie, on the top floor of the iconic South Bank building, offers a one-of-a-kind afternoon tea experience that has little to do with what we know of this classic English event. Think exotic foods, specialty mixed drinks and bites that are more quality than quantity. There are four different options to choose from, all more non-traditional than the other. I opted for the Hot n’ Sticky (yes, you read that right), which was basically a plate of pure, god-sent sugary goodness with hints of rum, bananas, coconut and caramel, for the enjoyment of your taste buds. Not to mention the unobstructed view over the North Bank of London, which is pretty rad - especially with St Paul's so closeby! So if you are looking for a high-end, peculiar experience in London, look no further than Not Afternoon Tea at OXO Tower. You can thank me later.

Located within a 40-minute bus ride to the Nimes train station, this quaint French country town is beaming with a lively town center, including a florist, café, bakery, paper shoppe, and a biweekly farmer’s market. The town's mild weather and nearby hikes also make it a photo-friendly destination.

Renting a boat in Giethoorn is a great experience, they go pretty slow so you can enjoy the place, take photos and just take it all in. The owners must be used to the tourists staring at the beauty of their homes so they act like there is nobody around. Stare all you want, they do not care. I am happy I got to stare too :))

Michael White of NYC's acclaimed restaurant Marea was one of 46 chefs who gathered on April 22, 2013 in London for Relais & Chateaux's third Dîner des Grand Chefs at Old Billingsgate. The black tie gala brought together chefs from 13 different nationalities including Taiwan, South Africa, Singapore, Italy and Japan. The chefs were grouped together in teams so that each table would have a unique menu. Chef White was partnered with César Troisgros of Maison Troisgros in Roanne, France and Norbert Niederkofler of Restaurant St. Hubertus in Badia, Italy. White was assigned first-course duties and prepared lobster burrata. Proving that seafood and cheese actually can work well together, White paired lobster with creamy burrata, pickled white eggplant, tomatoes, and a hit of basil seeds. Anyone who wasn't in London can order the dish at Marea, it's one of the restaurant's signatures.