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Tornado Tower is neither the newest nor the tallest in Doha, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most iconic buildings in the country. It soars over the West Bay district in a statuesque hour-glass shape, gently slims down toward its mid-section, then opens up again toward its summit. The shape of the building is supposed to evoke the movement of a tornado. The shape is enhanced by a complex lighting system capable of producing over 35,000 patterns, creating a stunning visual effect at night. Tourists can take advantage of the stunning view from the French Restaurant La Varenne, located on the 28th floor.

Pidgin may be known for their deceptively simple East-meets-West Asian-inspired menu with a decidedly French edge, but their cocktails are all kinds of fantastic too, and in a casual but cool spot like this, it’s most fun to combine the two. Try their addictive chicken wings finished with a gochujang-based BBQ sauce with a bourbon-based Van Horne, and the plate-lickingly wonderful smoked taramasalata with an onsen egg with their much-loved carbonated sake and gin-based Mary Ellen Smith. For dessert? Try the beautiful watermelon-infused tequila One Eye Samurai as it comes served with a spoon of silky granita.

Witness the destruction wrought by Mt. Vesuvius nearly 2,000 year ago at the archaeological site of Pompeii. The ancient village was frozen in time beneath a blanket of hot ash during an eruption in 79 C.E. Among the ruins that have been uncovered are buildings that shed light on aspects of ancient life both grand and mundane, from the temples, the coliseum and homes with fine frescoes, to public baths, chariot-rutted streets and grain stores which now hold plaster casts of the people who perished that fateful day.

When Torontonians heard that French pastry chef Bertrand Alépée was set to open a patisserie in Parkdale, tongues wagged. While the emerging ’hood had embraced plenty of hot-to-trot restaurants, the idea of locals coughing up $6 for an saccharine work of art was a bit questionable. Thing is, they were wrong. Since The Tempered Chef swung open its doors, a steady flow of sugar keeners has made its mark on the wooden floors. The inviting room sees a communal table up front along with plenty of smaller seating arrangements in a high-ceilinged space. A glass case displays an ever-changing set of rather handsome pastries like the choco citron (pictured), a lemon tart with a layer of milk chocolate ganache topped with meringue. Croissants, croque monsieur and mini quiches are also present, aimed at those seeking out a more lunch-y fare. Turns out, a patisserie was exactly what Parkdale wanted.

Possibly one of the finest cocktail bars in North America, everything about the Hawksworth Bar experience dazzles: from the Damien Hirst artwork on the walls to the soft cream leather couches, and the exceptional hospitality and wonderful quality of the drinks. No, it’s not an inexpensive experience, but it’s one worth having if you’re a fan of excellent cocktails created with love. I adore their Hotel Georgia, a beautifully frothy kiss of gin, orgeat and orange blossom water.

Jutting out from the northern district of Mosman, just south of Taronga Zoo, Bradleys Head offers one of the best perspectives of the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Fort Denison, among other attractions. Whether you come for a picnic or New Year’s Eve, fishing or hiking—the popular Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay walk links up with the even more epic Manly to Split Bridge track—this is Sydney at its best. If the natural beauty isn’t enough, Bradleys Head is also a historic site where the mast of the HMAS Sydney, a relic from the Royal Australian Navy, is mounted proudly and an old military mess hall now serves as a cafe.

While most tourist guides will tell you to visit the Montmorency Falls while in Quebec City, the hiking and natural splendor at Parc Mont Sainte Anne (just 30 minutes from downtown Quebec City) are significantly more pleasant. Give yourself a full day to enjoy this winter-ski-resort turned summer-outdoor-adventure spot. With miles upon miles of hiking trails, beautiful waterfall, and a gondola to help out when you get tired, it’s a great spot for a day away from sightseeing.

New to Yaletown, I adore this hidden speakeasy of a bar that has no sign and is tucked away down two flights of stairs on Hamilton Street in the corridor next to the barbers. Once you’ve managed to track it down, you’re in for a treat, there’s an open mic night on Tuesday, Rebel Bingo on Wednesday, and the London Calling cabaret perform twice a month on Thursdays. If you’re boozing on a budget there are daily drinks deals from Tuesday till Friday, but if money is no object, maybe try their bottle service or ‘Champagne Parade’. I recommend their Gincident, a herbaceous-citrus cocktail with gin, chartreuse and basil.

You’ll find people queuing outside the doors in Gastown throughout the week to take advantage of L’Abattoir’s excellent bar-only Happy Hour from 5.30-6.30pm which offers half-priced appetizers from their award-winning menu, daily red and white wines for $6, beer for $5, and cocktail specials for $7. Away from the Happy Hour the bar program at L’Abattoir is one of the best in the city with an exceptional bar team shaking (and stirring) up classics and their own creations. My tip? Start the night with a light, bright Gastown Swizzle and end it with a deliciously boozy Donald Draper.

Far from a traditional driving range, Topgolf is an interactive game experience with great food and an extensive bar. Atlanta has two locations in Alpharetta and the Westside. Grab some friends to share an upstairs bay, where you can use their clubs and order some drinks. The game itself is easy to learn as each player gets a card and an account similar to bowling. The range has colored circles, each with their own point values, that you aim to hit the ball into. In this way, it resembles both darts and traditional golf. The high-tech facility has balls that come out from a sensor-powered system and tracks your score. While waiting for your turn, take advantage of the free WiFi and HDTVs.

There are plenty of things to love about Uva, but one of my favourite things is its daily happy hour which lasts from 2-6pm, offering buck a shuck oysters, delicious bruschetta (my favourites are the ricotta, and the devilled egg), and excellent prices on well-crafted cocktails, beer and wine. Must-trys on the regular cocktail menu include the herbaceous Chartreuse Milkshake, and the superby smoky spirit-forward Peater Rabbit. Live music at the weekends and a buzzing late night scene make this idea for fun in the evenings, but it’s a fantastic place to chill with a book or your laptop during the day when it’s quieter.

Cirque du Soleil’s only resident troupe outside of Las Vegas and Orlando opened in 2014, kicking off yet another stellar attraction for visitors to Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The colorful 70-minute performance - which has been dubbed JOYÀ - offers an immersive theatrical and culinary experience for the whole family. The name JOYÀ, rooted in the Spanish “joya” meaning jewel or pearl, alludes to a person or event of great value. Through this mesmerizing performance, an alchemist’s granddaughter discovers joy and wisdom by sharing an extraordinary experience in an unlikely place.

Although Montreal‘s Mile End neighbourhood is rife with hip and fashionable restaurants and cafés, this one is different. This salon de thé plays in another league, where lines are blurred between tradition and modernity, and where everyone and their (grand) mother feels welcome. Originally a nightclub, the massive open space was converted to a Victorian tea room a couple of years ago; the love story between Cardinal and Montrealers has not faltered since. Understandably, some would say. With their tall windows, elegant furniture, purposefully mismatched dainty china and their friendly waiters, it’s no wonder people flock to this place. Cardinal serves 20 different kinds of tea, as well as a variety of baked goods including but not limited to the mandatory scones. Salted cakes, sausages and salads and sandwiches are also on the menu for the brunch types. Cardinal is the kind of place where a group of local girlfriends will go on a dark November afternoon to drink tea and catch up on their love lives. So don’t be surprised if you see a couple of them on your visit.

Tucked quietly away from the main tourist sites, the small Epicerie de la rue Couillard offers beautiful breads and specialty meats, along with a great selection of regional cheeses --- altogether, a great one-stop-shop to grab everything you need (including a few bottles of Quebec’s cider!) to make a perfect picnic to enjoy on the Plains of Abraham.

The setting at Coyaba, which sits among the palms at the Caribbean Paradise Inn, is hardly shabby, but this restaurant stands out for its excellent food and very creative menu. The creation of Chef Paul Newman (no relation to the actor), the menu changes daily but always includes unique appetizers and entrees that mix locally sourced ingredients with international flavors with delightful taste. Try the lobster thermidor, which comes with a Dijon-mushroom cream sauce, and melts in the mouth. Or the crispy, whole, yellow snapper fried with Thai spices for a less heavy but equally tasty entrée. The appetizers could be turned into a meal as well, as these also show off Newman’s culinary skills and creativity. The coconut-shrimp tempura is excellent on the appetizer menu, as is the guava-and tamarind barbeque ribs. Oh and make sure to leave room for dessert. The homemade chocolate fondant and lemon meringue pie are both standouts.