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One of the most cost-efficient hotels in Montreal! Hotel ZERO1 is located in the heart of Montreal’s Festival District and minutes from Chinatown, Old Montreal, and the Latin Quarter - in other words, the location is unbeatable. Rooms are modest in size (it is a 3* hotel after all) but the decor is sober, yet stylish and very modern with apparent concrete walls and large windows. Some rooms even have a small kitchenette area. Good to know: the airport shuttle bus stops right across the street.

This cute and friendly shop sells high quality glassware, knitted goods and other local crafts. You can find everything from elf and goblin figurines to home decoration items such as candleholders, clocks and plates—and there’s also a good selection of throws and bedspreads with uniquely Icelandic motifs and styles.

Nextdoor to the WTC Souk, stands a modern mall with department stores, restaurants, boutique shops, bookstores, and amenities. The more traditional souk architecture makes it a visually interesting place to visit. Historically a center for trade in Abu Dhabi, the mall is set on the site of a souk. Now, a busy metropolis, the mall is in the center of Abu Dhabi’s towers and businesses.

Cobá holds what remains of a large pre-Colombian Maya civilization located on the Riviera Maya. Lesser known than Tulum, the name Cobá means turbid (cloudy) waters—probably having to do with the five cenotes (underground rivers) in the region, which played an important role in agriculture during the development of this region. At one time the city is believed to have had 50,000 inhabitants. Much of the area is still unexcavated, although recent excavations unearthed a stele, which is unique to the Maya world, as it is covered in hieroglyphics. A restored ball court confirms that the popular ball game was practiced here. Bloodletting rituals traditionally followed Maya ball games at Cobá and slaves were forced to participate. This differs from what was practiced at the later site of Chichen Itza, where the captain of the winning team was beheaded after the game.

Cyclone Cafe is one of very few Darwin coffee shops that sources its own beans from around the world and roasts them on-site. So you can expect a solid flat white, long black, and cold drip here as well as some fun additions like a triple-strength “hypercino,” the “cafe de coco"—choice of coffee blended with coconut milk—and a virgin espresso martini: a cold drip coffee shaken with with ice and a shot of vanilla that’s topped in foam. The food menu is equally satisfying with a breakfast burrito and “eggs in hell” (polenta poached eggs layered with tomato ragout, spicy chorizo and bocconcini) plus a Thai beef salad and a turkey cranberry for lunch—turkey is surprisingly hard to come by in Australia.

The Mitilíni market is one of the best cultural experiences in Greece. The agora stretches from the south port to the north port and has an impressive variety of goods. Stroll the narrow alleyways and discover antique shops and boutiques. The fish market is the place to go for fresh sardines and octopus. Lesbos is famous for its ouzo production, so be sure to stop by an ouzerie to pick up a bottle. This part of town is usually busy with shoppers, so take your time and enjoy the people-watching.

Those seeking authentic and unique Greek jewelry will love a stop at Garbis Jewelry. This family-owned business has been an established name in Cephalonia ever since it opened in 1965. Contemporary and traditional works incorporate fine stones and precious metals with many designs exclusive to the shop.

Fushimi Inari Taisha on Inariyama mountain is dedicated to the Shinto gods of rice and sake, but Inari is also the god of merchants and that brings a lot of businesspeople to worship here. Everyone else stops by to see the thousands of vermilion torii, or gates (each of which is funded by a Japanese company). They lead to the main shrine, which was built in 1499. Walking underneath the gates is like passing through a fiery tangerine tunnel, and visitors leave behind tiny torii replicas as part of their prayer.

One of my most favorite recent additions to Marfa is the stunning and thoughtfully designed Hotel St. George. The new structure, owned by a longtime Marfa resident, occupies the same location as its historic namesake which shut down in 1929.

Just like the old days you will still find cowboys, travelers and locals mingling at the bar in addition to a more recent international arts crowd. The new St. George has quickly become a community hub for Marfa. Happy hour rocks and the food at the bar and in the dining room LaVenture is delicious. Important for Marfa where food options can be quite sparse, the St. George is open 7 days a week.

Staying at the hotel is a treat since you’re pretty much thrown right into the middle of Marfa’s universe. The rooms are spacious, industrial, and minimalist in design and totally comfortable. A great collection of contemporary art by local artists is on display in the guest rooms and public spaces. I just love the vibe of the place.

Not to be forgotten, one of my all-time favorite independent book stores, the Marfa Book Company has made its home at the St. George as well. Located at one end of the spacious lobby, it is always open, just in case you fancy a shopping spree at 3am.

>>>Warmest thanks to the awesome team at El Cosmico for another unforgettable Trans Pecos Festival of Music and Love–an annual gathering of friends, music, art, camping, sandlot baseball and a night sky full of stars in Marfa, Texas. Love you guys.

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.

Before Salsa Shop opened in 2014, searching for a good taco in Amsterdam could be a doomed, Quixote-like quest. Despite ruling the spice trade in the 17th century, Dutchies apparently never developed a taste for fare with a bite, as traditional Dutch dishes are typically bland, with none of the piquant flavors found in Mexican favorites. That may change with Amsterdam’s Salsa Shop off Rembrandtplein, where Mexican street food is served in surroundings no more glamorous than a neighborhood stall in Guadalajara. Borrowing Subway’s build-it-yourself concept, customers select their dish (taco, burrito, burrito bowl, tacos or salad), then choose what meats, veggies and toppings to stuff into it. Carnivores can opt for Barbacoa or Carnitas (spicy shredded beef or pork), or grilled, marinated chicken or steak. Top it off with corn, grated cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, and/or creamy guacamole. Salsas range from mild cucumber and yogurt to fresh peach habanero and zingy salsa verde. For more adventurous palates, the smoky pineapple chipotle salsa has heat, while those with a real tolerance will savor the aptly named fiery yellow habanero. Wash it all down with beer or a slushy margarita. Whatever you order, it’s a good feed for under €9, but don’t expect more than zingy fare made with fresh ingredients and naturally-raised meats, served in a bright, fast food-style joint—great for a late-night snack after catching a flick at the nearby Art Deco Tuschinski Theater.

Welcome to Rajdhani, also known as “that yummy Thali place.” A Thali is a round platter that serves a selection of various dishes. Traditionally, a proper Thali offers six flavors on one plate: spicy, salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and astringent. The platter can be veg or non-veg, but Rajdhani specializes in veg cuisine from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the 22,464 delicacies from 72 rotating menus. With four locations in Delhi, you will never be too far from an endless platter of goodness.

Etihad Towers offers much more than a beautiful and feminine architectural crown to the Abu Dhabi skyline. The five blue-tinted structures are home to Jumeirah Hotel, an office building, and three residential towers. Shoppers will find many of the finer things in life on sale at the Avenue, a high-end mall of refined shops and several cafes in the podium of the Towers. An observation deck can be accessed on the 74th floor with a stunning view of Abu Dhabi Island and the Arabian Gulf. Among others, fine dining options include Tori No Su, Pearls by Michael Caines, Nahaam, and Rosewater.

When in Lisbon, most tourists make a beeline to Antiga Confeitaria to try its world-famous pastel de Belém. The legendary custard tart is indeed delicious, especially when dusted with a healthy dose of cinnamon, but what these travelers don’t know is that is that the ones at Manteigaria are just as good—if not better. Plus, Manteigaria features an open kitchen, where you can watch the creamy treats make their way from dough to delivery. Avoid the crowds in Belém and get your pastel de nata here instead, then ride out your sugar rush nearby on the atmospheric Praça Luís de Camões in Chiado.

Tempt fate at the Monkey Paw’s Book-O-Matic machine, where for the price of a toonie you’ll be delivered an archaic tome in the vein of Elementary Arabic, Vol. 3. I’ll let you know how my studying gets on. The Monkey’s Paw is an eclectic vintage bookstore on Dundas with a collection of unique books, vintage maps, and bugs preserved in Lucite.