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Abdulla has a great selection of Hamam supplies. I stock up on soaps here. Abdulla Alibaba Türbe Sokak 25, Nuruosmaniye Tel. +90 212 526 3684 Tired of shopping? There is a terrific cafe next door to take break.

There is nothing fancy or flashy about this popular garment shop in Connaught Place - and that is just how the locals like it. Its unassuming exterior leads to a space filled with woven and fashion textiles. The outlet, established in 1956, recently expanded its product line to include leather, bamboo, and cane. Many garments are designed by professionals at the National Institute of Design and National Institute of Fashion Technology.

While Kumbh Mela occurs every 3 years in 4 different Indian locations, the Maha Mela is every 12 years near Allahabad, just over 100 kilometers from Varanasi. We hired a driver with the intent of visiting two temples along the way and used the Ganges as our guide. First, we stopped in one of only four goddess temples in India, Viandhyanchal, in the village of Mirzapur. This “sleeping mountain” temple was intense. Wafting incense, bells ringing, drums pounding, people shouting and hitting stone walls amidst lots of pushing and shoving to see the female deity represented on the walls. Transcending the din, we planted ourselves on the ground amidst blackened marigolds, little kids poking our heads looking for money, and crowds knocking into us. Next, we went to the smaller Astabhugi Durga temple not far from Viandhyanchal. It’s worth a visit as well, but the actual space is only 4' tall so you won’t spend much time here. Fine with me, as I was ready to get to Kumbh Mela. We were fortunate enough to book rooms at the Maharishi Sadafaldeo Ashram, the closest accommodations to the Mela. The Ashram offers daily meditation and yoga classes, an evening spiritual session, and an Ayurvedic spa along with gracious grounds overlooking the Ganges. The Ashram erected some upscale tents just down the road, which was a very popular location within walking distance of the Mela. Not only were we closest to the Mela - but a short walk to the most auspicious bathing area, the Sangam.

Make a pit stop at the Automotive Hall of Fame, halfway between the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and downtown Detroit, to fill up on your knowledge of the automobile industry before you hit “Motor City.” It’s a place to marvel at all modes of transportation, whether from the past (such as a replica of the Benz Patent Motorwagen, the first-ever gasoline-powered vehicle) or yet to be built (like a prototype human-powered flight machine, or aeropede).

Hanuman is a Hindu deity and a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana. He is a Vanara (half-monkey, half-human) who has supernatural powers and can morph into alternate shapes. The Hanuman Mandir near Connaught Place is not only a sacred temple to worship, but also a safe space for monkeys. Feisty and well-fed monkeys. Be cautious and protect your belongings as these rascals are known to steal items, only to be returned with an appropriate treat.

Some of the best snorkeling we did on Oahu didn’t cost a cent—including Sans Souci Beach, a walkable distance from the Waikiki hotels and close to the aquarium. But why pay to get into the aquarium when you can wade right into the water and see all kinds of colorful needlefish, triggerfish, butterflyfish, and more? This smallish, family-friendly beach is low-key and fairly quiet, considering its touristy location. Swim over by the rock wall for the greatest variety of fish and tiny black crabs. And don’t forget your underwater camera! (This is not a great picture, but at least you can see the aquatic diversity on display.)

You can swim to your overwater bungalow through a magical turquoise lagoon filled with colorful tropical fish when staying at the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort. The lagoon here is clearer and more turquoise than anywhere else on the island, and free of jet skis and other watercraft, allowing underwater life to flourish untouched.


This is also one of the Islands of Tahiti‘s most affordable overwater bungalow options, made even more accessible by the fact that Moorea is easily reached via high-speed catamaran from Papeete in Tahiti, where international flights land. Moorea’s natural beauty is emphasized at this understated resort where the traditional thatched-roof bungalows have a Polynesia style with modern decor, like extremely comfortable beds and stone tile rain showers in the bathrooms.


Although a decently large resort, with more than 100 bungalows, the best are the overwater digs, which have glass panels for viewing fish and direct access into the lagoon from a ladder into the crystal-clear water off the private terrace (if you’ve seen the Real Housewives of Orange County, this is the resort the women stayed at on their trip to Tahiti and Moorea). The resort has three distinct restaurants and bars that convey the spice of Tahitian life.


Taking center stage is internationally themed “Pure”, which focuses on fresh seasonable produce. Tailor-made for romance, “K” is an intimate gourmet restaurant option, showcasing the freshest local produce in elegant and refined settings. While the “Vue” cocktail bar offers an idyllic venue to relax and enjoy a leisurely drink with a ‘view’ of the lagoon. There’s also a branded Bollinger champagne bar on the pier, and an infinity swimming pool and spa with wonderfully blissful treatment options.

In Festival City, Al Fanar is the go to dining destination for expats with out of town guests hoping to sample Emirati food. With the mannequins in traditional garb and fiberglass camels, the décor smacks of a museum diorama but the grub is hearty mix of surf & turf - grilled squid, lamb stewed with dates and lentil soup (just to name a few.) Along Jumeirah Beach Road Mama Tani serves up khameer breads stuffed with sweets/meats and hot drinks made with camel milk in a modern and inviting ambiance packed with Emiratis. If camel milk is not enough, how about a camel burger? At the Local House Restaurant in Al Bastakia, camel meat is served (burger or curried) in Arabic style dining rooms. Locals are few and far between.

Situated on 32 acres of land on the outskirts of Jaipur—but still a quick drive from the city’s historic forts and palaces—this massive hotel mixes traditional Rajasthani style with modern amenities. Although there are a number of lovely garden rooms with four-poster beds and deep soaking tubs, many travelers opt for the property’s tent-style accommodations, with campaign-style furnishings and block-printed fabrics, or splurge on one of the villas, which come with private pools. Restaurants are just as romantic, serving Indian specialties against a backdrop of gold-leaf details, cane-backed pieces, and intricately carved architecture. While The Oberoi Rajvilas makes a great base for exploring Jaipur, it also offers plenty to do right on the property, including a luxury spa, gigantic swimming pool, cooking classes, and meditation sessions with the resident Hindu priest.

Inakaya East is a high-end Japanese restaurant specializing in robatayaki (“fireside cooking”), which is a form of traditional Japanese barbeque that originated in Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan hundreds of years ago. At Inakaya (which also has sister establishments in another location in Roppongi (Inakaya West) and Manhattan (Robataya New York)), two chefs are sat upon a raised platform surrounded by a veritable cornucopia of the freshest seasonal vegetables, meat and seafood and the customer simply points to what they want. The chefs then pick up the desired ingredient or ingredients using a giant wooden paddle, grill it on a charcoal grill in full view of everyone, and then slide the prepared dish off of the paddle directly in front of the ordering diner. The end result is a very festive and boisterous atmosphere (the staff and chefs constantly welcome customers with a customary “Irasshaimase!” and shout orders to each other) with absolutely stunning food—the simplicity of the presentation belies the unparalleled quality and flavor of the ingredients. Such delicacies do not come cheap, however—expect to pay from 15 to 20,000 yen per head for dinner and drinks (they have lots of excellent sake as well).

Unleash your inner diva at this downtown Annapolis boutique whose styling clients have included Hillary Duff, Kathy Lee Gifford, and Nicole Ritchie. The boutique certainly follows the latest fashion trends and it stocks a ton of “hard to find” in the US pieces from designers such as Wish Australia, Ted Baker London, Lavender Brown, Babakul, Yoana Baraschi, and Erin Featherston. It also has an online store where you can shop.

Built in the style of a desert fortress near an endurance horseracing center 45 minutes from the city of Dubai, the family-friendly Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa wraps around an oasis and looks out over gently rolling sand dunes that guests explore by 4x4, horse, camel, and mountain bike. Rooms with private balconies or garden patios cluster in double-story buildings that surround courtyards, shaded corridors, and infinity pools. Stone bathtubs, wood furniture, chests, kelims, colorful textiles, and a reproduction spice souk create a Disney-meets-Bedouin lifestyle setting. For peace and quiet, stay during the week, since the main restaurant fills on weekends with locals and bus tours.

One of Mumbai’s most famous seafood restaurants, Trishna specializes in South Indian coastal cuisine, serving up dishes like prawn koliwada (batter-fried prawns) and rawas Hyderabadi (barbecued Indian salmon with freshly ground pepper). There’s also a great range of Indian classics and vegetarian options. The décor is low-key and the place is tiny, but the authentic dishes speak volumes.

The always-packed third outpost of the much-heralded Uchi (after Austin and Houston) continues the tradition of serving authentic, beautifully presented Japanese dishes in a simple, refined setting. The menu changes four times a year, based on the season, but always includes sushi and sashimi options, makimono hand-rolls, grilled yakimono dishes, tempura, and a six-course omokase tasting. It’s all crafted with products that are sustainably and responsibly harvested, from the fresh produce from local farms to the seafood that’s flown in daily from the Tsukiji and Fukuoka fish markets in Japan. A full vegetarian menu is also available (including for the omokase), as are Sake Social happy hours. Snag a seat at the counter for a front-row view of all the kitchen action.

For all its ultramodernity, Dubai still offers some traditional experiences—or at least, something that replicates a traditional experience. Outside town where the desert begins, Al Hadheerah is more dinner theater than fine dining. Guests sit under the stars in an open-air space enclosed by low walls that resemble a desert fort, with Oriental carpets laid on the sand. Flames leap from fire pits. A huge variety of Arabic cuisine is served buffet-style, while singers and dancers perform on a stage. The evening’s entertainment also includes a camel caravan, horse show and falconry demonstration.