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Maison Collard’s claim to fame is a cookie so hard they have to print a warning on it. Legend has it, during the great siege of 1466, the people of Dinant were starving and had only two things at their disposal: flour and honey. They made these into dough and baked it. Later, they began to stamp patterns into the hard dough, with brassware found in their kitchens. In reality, there is little historical evidence to support the existence of the couque before the 18th century. Throughout the period, couques were decorated with depictions of important historic events. Although the tough dough is no longer kneaded by hand, the cookies are still pressed into hand-carved pear wood moulds. Popular shapes include animals, fruits, and scenes of Dinant. Nowadays, sugar and spices are also frequently added to the mix. Couques sold these days must be labeled with a warning advising people not to bite into the hard cookie. Instead, you are advised to dunk it in a beverage, to soften it, or break off a small piece and suck it. In fact, couques are traditionally given to babies to suck on while they are teething. More Information: http://cheeseweb.eu/2013/08/flamiche-couques-de-dinant-foodie-favourites-wallonia-belgium/

Amsterdam’s diverse population is reflected in its dining scene. In addition to traditional Dutch food (and its reinterpreted versions), travelers can sample Indonesian food, delicious shawarma, and ramen.

The birthplace of tequila, mariachi, and Mexican rodeo has something for everyone. A trip to the city is an exercise in contrasts—be sure to visit the historic center, artisan markets, and old neighborhoods to get a feel for Tapatio traditions, while also making time to experience Guadalajara’s burgeoning food, art, and cultural scenes.

Xi’an is the historical heart of China. Walk along the Old City Wall, and imagine yourself in the Tang Dynasty. The city feels especially enchanted when the lanterns light up and street musicians play traditional music on street corners. Xi’an’s food is enough to win over the most reluctant visitor: biang biang noodles, a regional specialty, and street food in the Muslim Quarter, and all the sweet desserts.

Whether you wander by boat, bike, or tuk tuk (or, highly recommended, a combo of all three), Bangkok spills over with places both new and very old to explore. Along the way, modern-day wonders rub shoulders with traditional Thai culture. Hop from the floating market to a day cruise on the Chao Phraya River to a cocktail at one of the city’s innovative bars. Make meals of tastes from street food vendors and mix in some table service at some of the city’s most renowned restaurants. Overwhelmed by all the options? Stop for a Thai massage. Need souvenirs? The weekend market awaits.

Housed in everything from a 17th-century palazzo to an ancient fortress to a 350-year-old farmhouse, Malta’s best hotels blend history with modern luxury. Whether you want a spacious room with views of the Grand Harbour, a great location within walking distance of major sites, or a rooftop pool to relax by after exploring the capital city, you’ll find it all, along with loads of traditional charm, in this fascinating island nation.

The American West may have grown less wild, but its wide expanses are still peppered with ranches that welcome guests out to experience the romance. Many of these retreats provide ample options for sport and luxury, but you’ll also find working ranches that offer visitors a more authentic experience: the chance to help manage stock, feed animals, cook meals, and perform various chores around the property. Use this list to pick the place for you from some of the best vacation ranches in the West!

Celebrity chefs feature in their own reality televisions shows, have taught daytime talk show hosts how to create their famous dishes, and have written books . . . and now, in Las Vegas, they’re cooking your food, too (well, sometimes). Restaurants conceptualized by celebrity chefs are all the rage in Las Vegas, and most high-end casino resorts have at least a couple restaurants that have big names tied to them.

Everyone may be familiar with couscous, and maybe even tagines, but the pastilla (also called b’stilla), the bessara soup, and the spit-roasted lamb brochettes—and, oh dear, the lavish breakfasts—may convince you to take a cooking course so you can bring the flavors of Fes home.

Three days might just be enough time to sample the delights Zurich has to offer. Take the Polybahn up to ETH University’s terrace for its vistas overlooking the city. Explore Lake Zurich, take a swim in a riverside badi, grab a beer at Zurich’s oldest preserved pub, taste its world-famous chocolate, visit an art museum, and calorie-splurge on traditional Swiss cuisine.

Though Berlin’s late nights make sleeping in the next day all too tempting, the city’s shops and farmers markets are very good reason to get up and out. If you need a clothing store for your next out-to-the-clubs outfit, bikini berlin is definitely worth a visit--it’s the go-to department store for fashion-forward and design-minded types. A more traditional but equally stunning shopping center is the century-old Kaufhaus des Westens. But if you really want to mix with locals, the city’s outdoor markets of both the flea and farmers varieties are truly memorable stops. Shopping local culture your thing? The city’s record and book shops provide hours of entertainment.

A weekend in Dubai serves as the perfect starter kit to the city. A place of excess and world-class everything, it’s easy to get overwhelmed in Dubai (but in the best way possible). Start with this three day Dubai itinerary that wanders through both traditional and modern-day attractions. Take in the glittering Dubai Mall; the Gold Souk; get a view of the city from the observation deck on the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa; and much more. After that? Go home. Collect your thoughts and book another trip back.

In the past decade Athenian restaurant culture has upped its game. Along with the wonderful traditional family-owned tavernas serving local fare, Michelin-starred venues have been reinterpreting Greek favorites with creativity and aplomb to increasingly discerning crowds. Even Greek coffee (with grounds on the bottom of the cup) has branched out. Remember, dinner hour here is often 9-ish; and most of the year the action takes place outdoors under balmy skies.

From ancient kingdoms to reminders of the period of French colonial rule and the “American War,” Vietnam is filled with UNESCO World Heritage landmarks and architectural wonders, like royal palaces and fishermen’s stilted houses. Add in traditional markets, ethnic villages, and otherworldly landscapes, and you have a country that promises surprises at every turn.

From traditional Moroccan dishes like pigeon pastilla to a chateaubriand steak accompanied by one of the area’s sturdy-yet-subtle red wines, dining in Marrakech means an intoxicating mélange of North African flavors and European-inspired cuisine. Whether you’re on a day tour of tastes around the Red City or you’re spending a weekend in town, you’ll eat in central courtyards, high-end hotels, on balconies, and, if it’s a burger you’re after, the converted schoolhouse of Cafe Clock. One of the flavor threads through all of it: Morocco’s mint tea.