13 of the best viewpoints in Paris, France you should not miss

Paris, city of love, is a beautiful and large city. One of the best ways to get an overview of the city is by visiting one of its many lovely viewpoints. From these viewpoints, you will be rewarded with bird’s eye views and panoramic vistas of some of the many world famous monuments and landmarks of Paris from towers, to parks, to buildings. This is a list of some of the best spots to view Paris, some well known, others …

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Empire State South, Hugh Acheson’s midtown Atlanta restaurant

Pimento Cheese with a side of pullman toast, Empire State South, Atlanta, Georgia

As a longtime fan of Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, I knew I had to check out Hugh Acheson’s Empire State South in Atlanta, Georgia’s midtown district. If you aren’t familiar with Top Chef, Hugh Acheson is often a guest judge on the show. Even more exciting was that Anthony Bourdain stopped by here on his short-lived television show “The Layover.” When my Uber driver dropped me off at the address, I was a little confused at first as …

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14 awesome must see things to see and do in Dublin, Ireland

Musicians performing in The Cobblestone Pub in Dublin, Ireland

Cobblestone Pub If you want an authentic Irish pub experience along with traditional music, then the Cobblestone Pub just down the street from the Jameson Distillery is the spot for you. Don’t let the outside of the pub fool. Inside you will find a warm, charming, and friendly pub often crowded with friendly locals, tourists, and musicians. When you walk inside, it almost feels like you are stepping back in time. The pub is where visitors come for the beer …

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Hotel Review: The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

The Orleans Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

I am a huge fan of Hotwire. For only $36 a night (plus resort fees), I ended up getting The Orleans Hotel & Casino just off the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. After Hotwire revealed I would be staying at The Orleans off Tropicana, I was satisfied with the selection, as I have stayed at this hotel before in the past. It may not be the fanciest or hippest place to stay in Vegas, but it does have a casino, …

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Fish and chips with views of downtown Vancouver at Go Fish

Cod fish and chips, Go Fish, Vancouver

I first found out about Go Fish Ocean Emporium when Andrew Zimmern visited Vancouver, Canada on his show Bizarre Foods America. It was a rainy day in Vancouver, but that was not going to keep me from making the journey to the restaurant not far from Granville Island Public market. When I say restaurant, I mean more of a charming seafood shack with outdoor seating and stunning views of the harbor. This is why I came to Go Fish. This …

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La Parrilla de Maria Bonita in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Complementary bean dip with chips, La Parrilla de Maria Bonita

When I read that La Parrilla de Maria Bonita was the number one rated TripAdvisor restaurant in all of La Fortuna, Costa Rica, I seriously had my doubts. Don’t get me wrong, TripAdvisor has great travel information and tips, but I have never been impressed with top-ranked restaurants for international destinations. For example, nothing against PaulyBee’s American Burger, but how on earth is it ranked number 3 out of all the amazing restaurants in Bangkok? Anyways, it was late at …

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How not to be rude in Japan: Japanese manners and etiquette

Izakaya in Tokyo, Japan

What I love about Japan is how friendly the people are to visitors. As a traveler, it is a great idea to know about simple Japanese manners and etiquette. Respecting the local culture and customs is something you should try to practice, no matter what country you may visit. This list may seem intimating to first time visitors to Japan, but the list is not set in stone. While some of these social customs are expected during business situations, many …

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Going to Seoul? 7 Itaewon restaurants that you should not miss

Itaewon packed on a busy Saturday night

Itaewon, a multicultural and diverse neighborhood of Seoul, is home to many must try international restaurants that serve everything from BBQ to burgers. All over Itaewon, you can find the cuisine of many countries including Mexico, United States, Turkey, Thailand, Italy, Germany, Spain, India, and more. Many of the dishes served here are unique to Itaewon and not widely available anywhere else in Korea. For many years, Koreans avoided Itaewon mostly because it was a seedy area filled with overpriced …

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Copper Top BBQ off Highway 395 in Big Pine, California

Smokers out front of Copper Top BBQ

When I read that Copper Top BBQ off Highway 395 in Big Pine, California was first in Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2015, I was surprised. Out of all the places in the world, I would least expect a restaurant in the tiny town of Big Pine to be ranked one of the top in the country. I am quite familiar with Big Pine as I often find myself driving along Highway 395 on the …

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Iron Chef Michael Symon’s Lolita restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio

Roasted Pork Belly Sandwich, Lolita, Cleveland

Being a Food Network nerd, I was excited to learn about Iron Chef Michael Symon’s Lolita restaurant in the Tremont neighborhood near downtown Cleveland. Tremont is the “go to” place for food in Cleveland. The historic area is trendy and hipster with a small town feeling thanks to many open green spaces, large trees, and more churches than I count on both hands. In 1997, Michael Symon opened Lola at this location. The restaurant received rave reviews and was even …

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