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Hawaii is a paradise in so many ways. For me, as a devotee of tropical fruit, there was no better place to sample strange tropical delights than on the beach in Maui. Fruit stands are abundant here. Lychee? Hairy but delightful. Dragon fruit? Hot pink, perfectly yummy, and my first time eating any type of cactus. Star fruit? Sweet and sour. Who doesn’t have a travel memory that involves discovering new foods? Don’t miss these exotic delights! Be brave… go ahead, try it.

Ullevål Hageby is a residential area in Oslo with a historic air. Nouveau Baroque houses are nestled around a pond known as Damplassen, where you’ll find small shops and a lovely bakery, usually full of yummy mummies. The idea of a ‘hageby’ – a garden city – was a way to get working-class people out of unhealthy living arrangements in the city centre and out into the open air. Modeled on an English idea, the buildings look very St. Mary Mead, though there hasn’t been a murder there – yet.

Our favorite spot for fresh, ice cold, plump Apalachicola (Gulf) Oysters is the Crab Shack. The Crab Shack isn’t fancy. Located on Gandy Boulevard on the northern fringe of St Pete, it’s a come in your shorts, gator-heads-hanging-over-the-bar, kind of place. There’s a full bar, but the atmosphere is definitely family friendly. They also have yummy peel-n-eat shrimp, in-season grouper, a spicy gumbo, and deliciously sautéed blue crab claws. For fresh fish in a casual, Florida atmosphere do not miss the Crab Shack.

Dona Tomas, located in Oakland’s trendy Temescal district, is the place to go when you’re craving delicious Mexican food and a killer margarita. A wide menu of Cocteles Especiales (special cocktails), cervezas and tequilas. On a warm evening I like sitting on the back patio with friends munching on warm chips with guacamole sipping a Margarita de Reyna. Patio seating is first-come, first-served. Inside tables are by reservation & walk-in but if weekend walk-in expect a wait. Hang out in the bar while waiting. Yummy food made with seasonal, fresh ingredients. Open for dinner (Tues.- Sat.) and weekend brunch (Sat. & Sun.).

The food at Atelier Crenn—with its two Michelin stars—might not even look like food. This is tweezer food, every morsel painstakingly styled on the plate. (Well, “plate” is not quite right: Food is served on unconventional surfaces like slate tiles and river rocks.) A restaurant like this, hushed and rarified, could rest on its preciousness. But chef Dominique Crenn knows better: Happily, the food is as delicious as it is beautiful. The menu won’t help decipher what you’re eating: It includes bewildering lines like “A gentle smell, oceanic, of yummy feeling.” You’ll have the choice of a grand tasting menu, which is about 18–20 small courses ($195), or a smaller menu, about nine courses ($120). Wine pairings, at an additional cost, are superb. Tseng/Flickr.

One of the best places to visit in Houston, Texas was the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - the first traditional Hindu Mandir of its kind in North America. We got there at 11.30am thinking it’s the time of the opening so we can go inside. Little did we know it was worship time so we took part in it. We took our shoes off and sat down. It’s very short, 15 min or so and extremely interesting. I caught myself staring a bunch of times. I had to sit in the back with the women while my husband sat in front with the men. At the end we took turns going inside the Mandir, first the men, then the women. We had to wash our hands before entering and then grab a little silver cup of warm water and poured it over a little gold statue of Murti. The whole experience was pretty amazing, I love discovering new cultures. Photography was not allowed inside but it’s INCREDIBLE. It’s all Italian marble, sculpted in the finest of details in India and shipped back to the US. The outside is limestone from Turkey. The whole Mandir is incredible. Outside the Mandir there is a little exhibit showing India’s contribution in the world and also a little shop where you can eat traditional food. Sooo yummy!! Go if you have the chance!!!

First thing when we got out from the underground parking was to be hit by the smell and sight of street food, in the harbor area. They only take cash so I could not wait to find an ATM to get some of the delicious looking food. I have never had sea snails so they were the obvious choice for me and boy was I right to make that choice. They are delicious. Large and a bit chewy cooked like a soup with lots of vegetables. A bit salty and spicy, nothing crazy, just enough to give it a good kick, really yummy. I love trying new things and it looked like everybody was going for them too. There are two options of cooked snails, natur - in a clear soup - and in a tomato soup. The ingredients look the same and the spice is in both options. The only thing is, make sure the seagulls keep a safe distance, they are extremely bold and will come close enough to take it from your bowl, yes, from your bowl.

Coffeeshops may not be the first type of venue that comes to mind for gifts and souvenir shopping. Pity, since you can find so many culturally significant treasures at establishments like Baba, in the middle of the action on Warmoesstraat. While the weed may be priced for tourists (who can still buy it legally in Amsterdam), the Asian-inspired coffeeshop also sells t-shirts, mugs, grinders and other paraphernalia you’ll be proud to take home to your druggie friends. Pretty bar maids in tank tops, yummy hot chocolate, big screens broadcasting MTV or football games, and a zen vibe add to the appeal. The coffeeshop takes no responsibility for customers who purchase items that violate laws in their own countries, but if you take your goods home clean, you should be OK in most places. The Baba Souvenir Shop further down Warmoesstraat has a much wider selection of bongs, pipes, lighters, grinders, mugs, ash trays, rolling papers and pretty much anything else related to smoking marijuana or hash. If you want to bring home something truly representative of one aspect of the Dutch capital that’s brought it significant acclaim, this is the place.

In the Ironbound district of Newark (known as “Little Portugal” because of the large Portuguese community there) you’ll find the O Campino Restaurant on Jabez Street. The interior of the restaurant reminds me of many charming restaurants in Portugal. I love the furnishings - the wooden chairs and the tables with their stark white table linens and flowers, The walls have tiles telling stories of Portugal. The tile floor adds to the authentic feel. O Campino serves great seafood, meat dishes, and chicken all in the Portuguese style of cooking - that is with plenty of olive oil, cilantro, and garlic. Fresh baked rolls, butter, olive oil, and black olives come to the table first. Start with a delicious appetizer - maybe steamed clams or garlic shrimp.Then try their delicious Caldo Verde (soup), For your main dish, try a steak, pork dish, chicken, or seafood. Don’t forget to sample a good Portuguese red wine or maybe a light, slightly bubbly Vinho Verde. Deserts are yummy and of course go well with an aromatic hot expresso. The wait staff is friendly, professional, and will help you with appetizer and meal suggestions. Enjoy the experience of O Campino and feel as though you are really in Portugal. Info: www.campinomercado.com

When the red-meat craving hits, there’s one place that satisfies the need for a juicy fix: Burger Tap and Shake, otherwise simply known as BTS. BTS offers a great selection of burgers made from locally sourced beef that is freshly ground on premises daily. The meat patties are all gently hand formed so the meat is as loosely held together as possible and the cooked burger is served on housemade buns and with housemade condiments including some mighty fine pickles. I have to admit that my favorite burger is the Southern Comfort. There’s something about the warm fried-green tomato patty against the cool pimento cheese sauce is that is truly addictive! As the name of the restaurant implies, there are beers to be had, both bottled and on tap. For lunch, I usually go with a milkshake; try the flavor of the month for a taste of something unique and different. If you really want to indulge, go for one of the shaketails! BTS is a small joint. There is a small bar for seating, and tables inside. During the warmer months, there’s al fresco seating as well. If you come between noon and 1pm, expect a line. It does move quickly and your patience will pay off with a truly yummy burger. Metro stop: Foggy Bottom

The water in Mexico isn’t only by the beach. This is Misol-Ha. Located deep in the jungles of Chiapas, the waters of Misol-Ha cascade 35 meters down into a 13.7 meter deep pool of water. The entire area is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. From the parking lot, a path leads through the rainforest, to the falls. The path actually takes you behind the waterfall and you can feel the spray of mist from the water splashing into the pool. The rocks are slippery so be careful as you walk. As you continue walking behind the curtain of water, the stone ledge above has crevices that the water showers down through; we took full advantage to dunk our heads under the natural shower to cool off. You can swim in the pool though there are no lifeguards around so do take a plunge, do it with caution. There is a restaurant on the site as well as facilities to change clothes if you are planning to go swimming. Misol-Ha is located about 20 km south of Palenque so if you want a place to take a dip after wandering around the ruins, here’s the place. If you want to spend the night, there are cabins (with private, attached bathroom) that you can rent as well as basic camping facilities. The restaurant serves up regional cuisine….which in Chiapas, is very yummy!

Never has a yummy treat been mired in such controversy as the Whoopie Pie. First, how did this burger-shaped cake with the sugary cream filling get its name? Does the name come from the exclamation that schoolchildren shouted upon opening their lunch bags to discover these delights? Or does it come from the Amish farmers, who were rewarded with these portable “pies” in their lunch boxes? My vote (and Pennsylvania Dutch lore) favors the school kids. But wait—there’s more controversy! While I am one hundred percent certain that these little cakes called pies originated in my lovely state of Pennsylvania, it seems that the state of Maine has also laid claim to their origin, even going so far as to name the Whoopie Pie as its “official state treat.” Other research points to somewhere in New York state as their birthplace. We may never know… There was a time not long ago when Whoopie Pies felt much like a prized local secret because no one outside of Pennsylvania had ever heard of them (excepting, I guess, some of those Mainers). These days, though, you can even find Whoopie Pies in the bakery sections at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. But the most authentic and delicious version can only be found at the Amish bakery Beiler’s in the Reading Terminal Market. My personal favorite is the pumpkin flavor, but the chocolate is also delicious. Or maybe try the oatmeal, or the red velvet. Better yet, try one of each—they’re portable!

If you go to the Valero gas station at the corner of 14th and U St. NW, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise when you enter the adjacent store. There is food and drink for sale, but not your typical U.S. gas station fare—no chips or Slim Jims or Gatorade. Instead, you’ll see a counter with a blackboard menu hanging above and a few tables and chairs. It doesn’t look like much, but give it a try because this is a sandwich joint taken to Latin gourmet heights. Created by two brothers of Uruguayan descent, Fast Gourmet sells burgers, sandwiches, and wraps for dine in or to go. Their best seller and my favorite is the Chivito, a classic Uruguayan sandwich. Between two halves of a soft roll, lightly shmeared with mayo, sit warmed slices of beef tenderloin, Black Forest ham, and bacon. Add to that, green olives, hard-boiled egg, mozzarella cheese, all nestled below lettuce, tomato, and onion. The sandwich is then grilled so the outside is crunchy and the cheese all melted and gooey. It’s served simply with a side of shoe string fries. One bite and they had me at “chivito”! My other favorite is the Cubano. For sides, there are yucca, plantains, and beer-battered eggplant, among other veggie offerings all cooked with a Latin touch. You are in a gas station store, so don’t go looking for ambience or artwork. Just enjoy the yummy food. If you need to get gas, the pumps do work.

I arrived in Sorrento on a hot Summer day. The sun was shining and the Bay of Naples sparkled under the clear blue sky. In the distance, I could see and Mt. Vesuvius on my right and to my left I could make out the Isle of Capri. After I checked into my hotel which stood high atop a cliff, I decided to check out this charming little medieval town, the sites, and the marina. Sorrento used to be a little resort that was a favorite of princes and aristocrats. Since the mid- 20th century, the town has grown and now visitors enjoy its charm and beauty. Sorrento is best known for its yummy limoncello -there are lemon trees all over. Almost every home in town has even a small lemon tree, and the lemon theme is on pottery and tablecloths. Walnuts, olive oil, and ricotta cheese in traditional handmade baskets are very popular items. Sorrento specializes in wood inlay and marquetry items. Then there is the lacework of Sorrento - intricate and very beautiful. The Piazza Tasso is the main square of the town. Make sure to stop and visit the Duomo. While in Sorrento, a trip to the Isle of Capri by ferry or hydrofoil is recommended. Don’t forget the Amalfi Coast. The drive down the coast is awesome. The beauty is stunning -the view around each bend is more gorgeous than the last! Sorrento is so Italy of 50 years ago. Very different from say, Rome or Venice. I’m glad that I didn’t skip this town. Hopefully, I will return. A good guide to Italy will give you info and web sites.

One of the city’s top restaurants, Cicciolina offers Italian-style dishes with a Peruvian flair, such as quinoa-encrusted prawns and osso buco with pumpkin ravioli topped by local cheese and a touch of Andean mint. There’s plenty to choose from, including seafood, duck, beef, alpaca, chicken, and even a few vegetarian dishes, as well as perfectly done handmade pasta. You can pick from either the tapas or the full-restaurant menu in the bar area, but not the other way around, so you may want to go twice, as the tapas are fabulous, too. A great wine list and yummy desserts finish out options in a small, lovely venue. Reservations are a must.