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Mexico City is second only to Paris when it comes to its number of museums, and many museums offer free admission. Check out the world-class exhibits—for fine art, historic artifacts, archaeology, artists’ houses, and more—at some of our favorite CDMX cultural institutions.

Though big-box stores from the U.S. have popped up all over the city, local markets remain strong, and supporting them helps ensure their survival. From crafts and fresh produce to kitchen goods and spices, from furniture to magic spells, here are a few AFAR favorite markets.

Meander the cobblestone alleyways and streets of this beautiful town.

This isn’t your grandmother’s version of tea-time. The interior of each smith&hsu tea shop (there are various locations all over the city) is an ode to minimalist design, with brightly colored tins of tea providing the only pops of color. The Ximending outpost, housed in a cavernous brick-and-cement space, is more “warehouse party” than “afternoon tea”. Equally unique are the 40-plus bottles of tea leaves brought out on a tray for you to preview smith&hsu’s tea selection, which range from traditional black, green, and oolong teas to more contemporary blended and fruit teas. The shop gives a nod to the Western afternoon tea tradition with unbelievably delicious scones, served with Devonshire clotted cream and farm-made jams on the side. Reservations are recommended, particularly at the intimate storefront across from the W Hotel/Taipei City Hall MRT. 886/(0)2-2747-4857

The old, the new, and the scarcely imagined sit side by side in Mexico City, and no one blinks an eye. The more you can be curious about that balance—and the more you can achieve it yourself—the better you’ll understand and enjoy this magical city.

Far from an excessively consumerist city, Montreal likes its goods select, well designed and generally not too showy. Bling has very little place here, where status tends to be demonstrated with understated finds rather than a season’s international It piece. That means that the best stores around carry small, recherché brands, with a focus on things made here or near. From clothes to design objects to homeware, here’s a list of shops that will inspire you to keep room in your luggage.

Outside of the cities and beaches, Puerto Rico’s beautiful waterfalls, underground caves, and rivers are not to be missed. If you’re ready for an adventure, be sure to plan a day trip to hike to one of these beautiful waterfalls, go tubing down a river, or crawl through a cave.

From street food to white-tablecloth restaurants, Mexico City has a meal for every palate and budget. Plus, local, fresh, and heritage aren’t just buzzwords here—they’re a way of life. Come taste for yourself.

“When bands are in town, I send them to the instrument shop ST Music, which is a five-minute walk away from the calligraphy tool shop, Geng Yen Jai. They sell an instrument called the pipa, which is like a Chinese guitar, plus Chinese flutes and very tiny Chinese hand cymbals.” —KK Yeh

This appeared in the November/December 2017 issue.

Dining in Salt Lake City means lots of international cuisines (thank you, Mormon missionaries, for introducing the foods of the world to Utah!), and you’ll also find all the favorites of the skiing and hiking crowds: strong coffee, great pizza and pasta, fresh sushi, and great drinks.

New York City’s distinct neighborhoods offer up all kinds of shopping experiences. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the side streets of SoHo are hubs for designer and indie boutiques. Department stores have their flagships planted on Madison Avenue around 57th Street, and you can score bargains at downtown’s Century 21. Here are some of the most unique places to shop in the Big Apple, including flea markets and museums.

By one estimate, New York City is home to almost 8,000 restaurants—add in cafés and delis, and the count is closer to 24,000. This list is, needless to say, a mere starting point to the many dining rooms worth sampling, from an intimate Italian restaurant in the West Village to inventive small plates from chef-owner Ignacio Mattos on the Upper East Side.

Cities are defined by towering skyscrapers, non-stop energy and densely-packed quarters. Yet many top-visited cities also offer rightly famous urban oases - iconic parks that provide greenery, fresh air, picnic knolls, beautiful foliage and walking paths. When visiting one of these destinations, take time to enjoy the outdoors as the locals do - in a leisurely, carefree way with family and friends.

T. Loafer is hard to miss thanks to its colorful exterior, patched together from more than 20 salvaged window frames. Order a cup of hibiscus lemongrass tea and a pastry made with locally grown fruit. The shelves are stocked with books, regional crafts, and photographs processed in the darkroom downstairs. 886/(0) 9-3781-7612. This appeared in the November/December 2012 issue.

Night markets are a quintessential Taiwan experience. Young couples, families, retirees, and swarms of teenagers descend upon these markets to graze, gossip, flirt, play, and graze some more. Lately, the ones in Taipei have been over-run by camera-toting tourists. For a real local experience, head to the charming town of Tainan. Generally laid-back and filled with colonial relics left behind by the Dutch and Japanese, Tainan also has one of the liveliest--and most local--night markets I’ve been to in recent years. Plunge into the food stall section and try specialties like oyster omelets, hand-made mochi filled with peanut or black sesame, and sausages made with sticky rice. Then head over to the cacophonous games section and watch punters try their luck for an enormous stuffed animal. (The kiddie ping-pong version of pachinko is particularly amusing/perturbing.) Had enough? Push you way back through the crowds and if you’re in luck, you’ll find the vendor selling the most exquisite pink guava mixed with sour plum powder.