Search results for

Philadelphia is full of history but has also a foot in the modern world with seriously good restaurants, indie shops, and a great music scene. Hotels, too, have come to the forefront with modern design, top-notch amenities, and world-class service.

So you love the outdoors, and you really enjoy a good day of hiking. But at the end of that day, you’d rather treat yourself to a little post-hike pampering at a luxe hotel than camp or simply return home. If this is your style, there are plenty of destinations in the U.S. that offer superb hiking trails alongside posh lodgings. After all, you just climbed a mountain, you earned that spa treatment and Michelin-starred dinner.

Gothenburg has a good selection of local designers, so why not bring home something you can wear? As well as in individual boutiques, you’ll find work by designers like Maria Westerlind (lovely dresses) and Maska (soft knitwear) in larger department stores. Gothenburg is also a great destination for browsing vinyl, and you can visit a clogs manufacturer that has been making the traditional shoes for nearly a century.

Iceland’s shops sell plenty of goods worth packing into your suitcase for your trip home. Best bets include traditional wool handknits and plenty of Icelandic wool, high-end Scandinavian design, local records and books, art, and more. From shopping streets to flea markets and art galleries, you can browse for days and days.

The menus might not be in English, but the staff can likely help you. Münchners are picky eaters, so if they’re suggesting a place, you know it’s gotta be good!

Belgium has only 43 miles of coastline but, as with everything here, good things come in small packages. From vibrant coastal cities like Oostende to quieter villages like Blankenberge, the highlight is watching the traditional horse fishermen haul in their catches of gray shrimp. The best way to explore the area is on the world’s longest tramline, which stretches the length of the Belgian coast.

The best markets and bazaars in Istanbul are scattered all over the city. Either open every day or held once a week, these markets are the places to haggle with vendors to buy a range of Istanbul’s best goods on the cheap, including farm-fresh produce, organic products, affordable souvenirs, leather handbags, clothes, and more. The neighborhood weekly bazaars are the places to go to shop, pay local prices, and nab the best bargains in Istanbul.

The best hotels in Chile provide guests with a unique sense of place. Palacio Astoreca blends in with the colorful mansions of Valparaíso, while Tierra Atacama is as otherworldly as its surroundings. For a local feel, book a room at La Rêve.

Marriott property, The Jay Hotel, was the most anticipated addition to the city’s hotel scene in 2023, transforming the brutalist building that formerly housed Le Méridien into a cozy and quiet retreat. Each of the 360 rooms and suites have warm, textured, and minimalist decor that evokes calm and serenity. Adding to the oasis vibes, are some seriously comfortable beds, blackout curtains, and mini bars stocked with local goodies, such as St. George in. If you can, book a room with a balcony (a rarity among the city’s hotels), and enjoy the impressive views of the Bay Bridge and nearby Transamerica Tower.

Founder’s Note: Learning AFAR

Australians didn’t invent drinking but they may have perfected it. The national love of a good drink meets the sunny climate and lively culture of Sydney and is elevated beyond a tin of Foster’s into something magical. We’re talking sunny warehouse spaces devoted to beer worship and harborside terraces serving experimental wines and sophisticated cocktail lounges full of enthusiastic patrons. Cheers, mate!

From Aristides to Chacras de Coria, here are some of the best places to browse and buy designer clothes, swimwear, and luxurious leather goods.

From hidden gems to full-scale department stores, Sweden’s cities and small towns offer a range of shopping experiences. Whether you’re looking for that perfect piece of modern design by a Swedish designer for your home or want to do some vintage shopping in Stockholm, the country’s best goods are straight ahead.

Florence may be full of fancy restaurants, but it’s also easy to eat well and eat cheaply in this Renaissance gem. Look out for good value lunchtime menus at restaurants where dinner may challenge the wallet; delis offering cheap lunchtime snacks; wine bars serving up gourmet eats to pair with the best vintages; rosticcerias with a mouth-watering selection of food to go and mom-and-pop joints with the kind of authentic, homely cuisine rarely found in more up-market restaurants.

There’s a really good selection of vegetarian options on most menus at Nairobi restaurants due to the large population of Indian vegetarians living in Kenya. While the only completely vegetarian restaurant is Chowpaty—which serves utterly delicious Indian food—each of the other restaurants on this list offers some of the best veggie fare in town. Expect freshly filled wraps, inventive salads, and tasty pizzas, often served in a fun and funky rooftop location.