A resource for independent travelers
More than 100 years old and located in the cigar capital of the world, the Columbia restaurant’s historic Ybor City location is the original restaurant from which the other Florida locations were born. The restaurant has also been awarded the national prize for best Cubano sandwich for a number of years.
My first thought upon walking into Union Station?
My sister Regina and I always spend a day together for our birthdays. Since mine is in July, the options are better for play. Hers is in January, and the best options — those involving sun and warmth — also involve substantial planning and cost. So, this year, she decided she wanted just to go [...]
A trip to Boston, for me, necessarily includes a trip to the North End. It’s a flashback both to my childhood and my college years in Cleveland, Ohio. Listening to the residents interacting, walking through the close streets, smelling the amazing aromas that abound in the North End all bring me back to very happy [...]
I had never heard of this restaurant ’til a recent visit to Phoenix. I had been hearing from a friend about an amazing salmon dish included on their menu. He couldn’t use enough positive words to describe it. So, when I was in Phoenix, we included dinner at Charleston’s, and being a big fan of [...]
It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Phoenix. When it comes to food, first thoughts lean toward Tex-Mex or Mexican. Decisions are not easy. However, having a local help with the picking makes all the difference. My first meal in Phoenix was at Manuel’s on Cave Creek. Manuel’s is a mid-priced restaurant, has 7 locations [...]
Living on the island of Oahu afforded me the time to discover the hidden treasures of the island. I enjoyed three years of exploring the island and made time to discover some favorite places.
What I love is when a recommended restaurant lives up to the recommendation. I’ve been hearing about P.F. Chang’s China Bistro for a while now…in t.v. shows, from friends, from family. The nearest location to home is well over two hours away. So, on a recent trip to Phoenix, I was happy to finally have [...]
As a rule, I don’t tout chain restaurants. There’s too much room for inconsistency from store to store. I believe I’ve found an exception. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Texas Roadhouse in two different states. The quality was consistent. It was fun…unlimited peanuts in the shell and an invite to drop those [...]
Recently, my sister and I went to Florida to celebrate her birthday. We have a 92-year-old uncle who lives there, and any trip to Florida includes a visit to Uncle Frank. Similarly, any visit with Uncle Frank includes a meal out. This time was no different. I did not know there was a robust Amish [...]
I grew up in the northeast corner of Ohio, and Sunday drives were part and parcel of that growing up. Several times a year, we’d end up in Amish country. Our sole purpose was to pick up fudge made with goat’s milk, a remarkable treat if you’ve never had it. Anyway, I’ve never forgotten the [...]
On a recent trip to Ecuador, we took a day trip to the world-famous Otavalo market. When the subject arose as to where to have lunch, a friend told us this place was a must to try. Want to know how we made out? Read on.
Just outside of Quito, Ecuador in the suburb of Cumbaya is a quaint and welcoming restaurant called the Cactus Café. We had a chance to try out the menu on recent trip there. Read on to find out about our experience and reactions.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com Driving from Desenzano in northern Italy on the rural road that leads to Lonato proper you’ll find a precious, memory-making restaurant known as El Convento.
Flickr Photo Credit: Drab Makyo This little coffee shop and Euro deli has been open a little over a month. Cinnamon lattes, mocha mint iced coffee, hot open faced ciabatta sandwiches, magazines and internet surfing are a few of the things you’ll find here.
Flickr Photo Credit: David K. Overlooking beautiful Eagle Lake in northern Maine, this basic down-home diner is open Thursday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.
Flickr Photo Credit: Feasting Made Easy Small, clean and offering a modest sized lunch buffet, this establishment was recommended by a family member as one of the best buffets in Aroostook County, Maine.
Flickr Photo Credit: J.S. Lander Located on Main Street in Fort Kent, just along the Canadian border is a long standing diner that’s more of a local institution than a restaurant.
Last night, we went out with some fellow expats to a very unique and hip restaurant in Amman . . . The Blue Fig.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com No, I did not get the name wrong. Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, this open air loft-style Thai restaurant with the unique name has tons of rustic atmosphere, including an alligator farm pen on the way to the restrooms.
This restaurant and bar in Battambang, Cambodia is established on the open air upper floor of an historic riverside home. It can be a bit tricky to find, as it’s a fair bit away from the center of town.
Done in concrete, glass and steel with a modern Zen decor, this place offers commanding city views and a diverse menu with huge portion sizes.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com This restored historic home turned atmosphere-rich ethnic restaurant in Madaba, Jordan is just what the doctor ordered after a long day of sight-seeing.
In Kuwait for the first time? Looking for a friendly, high quality, affordable restaurant?
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com Fresh off the bus in Dahab? Received just about all the enthusiastic hotel pitches from well meaning drivers you can stand? Check this one out.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com Enjoying all of the ethnic and anthropological treats Cambodia has to offer, but still hankering for a taste of home?
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com Ph: 0-3524-1978 (48/2 Th U. Thong, Ayuthaya) email: bannkunpra@ai-ayuthaya.com Doing the full archeological tour in Ayuthaya and looking for an affordable place to rest your weary head?
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com Located on the main drag between Khoasan Road and Soi Rambutri, this watering hole is truly unique.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com Located on Soi Rambutri, near Khoasan Road in Bangkok is a charming little hole in the wall called Lotash Seed.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com In the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok lies a truly unique, comfortably priced Thai restaurant with tons of atmosphere.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com This charming eatery in the old section of Jerusalem is packed with atmosphere and boasts a comparatively diverse menu.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com With a cute outdoor courtyard for customer seating, menu items with an Italian flair, and an eye for visual presentation, La Fonda de Santiago is a hit with both David and I.
Photo Credit: TrekHound.Com While hanging out in Cuzco on a tour of the Sacred Valley, we had a hankering for ethnic food. Would this place be just what the doctor ordered?
When we heard there was an authentic Mexican bar and restaurant just down the street from Inkawasi in Miraflores, we were stoked. Would it be all we hoped for after several weeks on the road?
This view was photographed from a castle wall near Bolzano, Italy. There are many castles in the area, as well as wineries, farm stays, ecological experiences and cultural performances. The area is also a popular destination for ski holidays in the winter.
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This Andean woman takes a break from selling her wares to socialize with tourists in Peru's Sacred Valley.
The ancient Nabatean city of Petra, Jordan provides a peek into ancient civilization and also into the local Bedouin culture, which values the social experience of drinking tea highly.
This stand of palm trees against a blue sky is located in Florida's Longboat Key, one of the islands of Sarasota. It's a popular getaway with tourists and Florida residents alike, when one wants a taste of forgotten Florida.
Exploring the world-famous archeological site of Machu Picchu takes some time. In order to make the most of your visit, it's best to arrive at Aguas Calientes an afternoon ahead of schedule and head up the mountain first thing the next morning.
This command module is part of the Saturn V rocket display at the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must-see exhibit if you only have one day at the KSC. The entire venue is right down the road from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, another fun family attraction on Florida's space coast.
This abandoned mosque in Israel lies along the shores of Lake Tiberius, otherwise known as the sea of Galilea. The view of the ancient stones and overgrown plants struck me as sort of an Indiana Jones image with a bit of Middle Eastern flair.
This resort cottage photograph was taken at the thermal hot springs resort of Papallacta, located in the mountains of Ecuador. The mist rising off of the thermal pools brings a bit of a mystical quality to the image.
