not in kansas anymore: battling culture shock

Culture shock. It’s a phrase that gets thrown around all the time, yet few realize how serious the condition can be. While vacationers can enter culture shock, the process most affects “sojourners,” people who live abroad for an extended period of time, such as international exchange students and expats.

It is inevitable that all sojourners will have symptoms of culture shock at some point during their stay, though the severity varies from person to person; at its worst, the syndrome can manifest itself in the form of physical ailments and emotional disorders.

Robert Kohls, an intercultural communication expert, lists several symptoms associated with culture shock:

• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Frustration
• Inability to focus
• Loss of confidence
• Eating too much or too little
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Unexplainable fits of weeping
• Hostility or stereotyping of locals
• Having tension or conflict with family and friends
• Withdrawal (excessive amounts of alone time, avoiding locals)
• Constant exhilaration (overly stimulation by new surroundings)

Now a look at common causes:

• Loneliness
• Language barriers
• Loss of support systems
• Always being noticeably different
• Difficulty in adapting to host culture
• Not knowing how to act in a series of situations

That said, culture shock does not have to be a straightforward process that sets in immediately. The most popular model, the Gullahorn model (developed in the 1980s), uses a “U” curve to represent going through the condition; put simply, sojourners transition from the excitement of moving to a difficult period of adjustment to, hopefully, acceptance. From introduction of the culture to adaptation (or even integration), completion of the cycle is supposed to take 6 months; ironically, that is around the same length of time as a semester abroad. A more recent model suggests that the process looks more like a “W” when taking “re-entry shock” into consideration.

Successful survivors of culture shock are said to gain a more flexible sense of themselves as a person, making them adaptable in a variety of situations; it is for this reason that studying abroad looks good on a resume.

You might be wondering how to prevent culture shock; surely, with modern technology it can be cured, right? Wrong. Like I mentioned above, psychologists have deemed culture shock to be inescapable, though there are measures one can take to reduce the impact:

• Learn about culture shock and recognizing the normality of it
• Learn more about your host culture and its history
• Remain in contact with friends and family at home
• Seek out others from your culture in the host country
• Develop an investigative and experimental attitude towards the new environment

On a personal note, I have experienced many of these symptoms while living abroad. When I moved to England, I was surprised to find that I was overcome by culture shock; given my independent nature and the fact that I had previously spent time away from home, it was not something that I had considered. However, as my family and friends can attest, within a month I had lost weight, started skipping classes, and increasingly picked fights over the internet. In retrospect, it is painfully clear how homesick and frustrated I was, even if I was unaware at the time. Thankfully, by the time summer rolled around, I had begun to like England again – just as the cycle suggests. This is not to say that I didn’t get culture shock during my time in Spain; I simply knew how to deal with it a little better. My fast fixes include going through my travel pictures, making traditional American food (not always easy to find PB&J fixings in other countries!), and watching my favorite movies.

Sources:

Trompenaars, F., and Hampden-Turner, C. (1998): Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Cultural Diversity in Business, London, McGraw-Hill.

lights, camera…travel?

As we walk around with our “Rachel” haircuts and “Twilight” soundtracks, it is easy to see that television shows and films influence several aspects of our lives. But what about travel?

In order to determine how much film shapes our tourist tastes and trends, we must first speculate about the popularity of film and to what degree it affects human behavior. In most Western civilizations, the popularity of television and cinema is quite obvious; a 2005 study from Cal State University revealed that over 99% of American households own at least one TV, while the Hollywood Entertainment Museum reported that Americans spent over $16.9 billion per year on movies in the 1990s. Film is beloved by modern society and one’s choice of programs is often seen as an extension of their personality.

The effects of film on society, however, are not as easy to prove; a good example of this would be the decades-old violence-in-the-media debate. Often, the best we can do is measure it in consumer trends, such as the countless fashion accessories that have sold out due to exposure on shows like “Sex and the City.”

Destination Images

In terms of cities and cultures, film frequently helps people build their perceptions of the outside world (for better or worse); therefore, it is inevitable that tourism will be heavily affected by film.

There are two kinds of perceptions:

1. induced images – visions that have either been cooked up or promoted by various agencies and businesses
2. organic images – impressions that one receives through non-commercial means, whether it be through a literary work, hearsay, or film

Though both kinds of images can be created with film content, the organic image is our focus. As a person receives more and more of these organic images, an overall destination image is created; John Crompton, a distinguished tourism and marketing professor, defines this as “the sum of beliefs, ideas, and impressions that a person has of a destination.” There are millions of examples of famous destination images around the world; when someone mentions Paris, the picture that pops into your head is probably a romantic scene, perhaps a picnic on the bank of the Seine with the Eiffel Tower in the background. While it is true that tourist agencies promote this ideal scenario to increase visits (therefore producing induced images), a large part of Paris’ reputation has been created by books, movies, and general word of mouth; scores of films, such as the recent “Moulin Rouge,” have shown Paris in a dreamy, bohemian light. Unfortunately, not all destination images match their destinations; this leads to a discrepancy between tourist expectations and realities.

Tourism Motivators

Understanding why certain film-created destination images attract people (and ultimately affect tourist tastes and trends) is a complex process; it is beneficial to review what drives tourism in the first place. What makes people want to visit certain places? This question has elicited several theories, though most seem to agree on one point: everyone’s experiences and reasons vary.

My first memory of Big Ben? Why, that would Peter Pan!

Tourism can be as simple as a theme-park vacation devoid of any meaning deeper than novelty, and it can be as complex as a keystone in the spiritual journey of an individual’s life. Most tourists have a mixture of different motives that compel them to visit a particular spot, even if they only comprehend or reveal one of them; for example, the improvement of an individual’s social status probably figures into many vacations, but most would not willingly admit to such an allegation. Many have attempted to broadly categorize all of the possible motivations for tourism, such as Dumazedier with his three all-encompassing prongs, but for someone with the intention of specified analysis, Thomas’ exhaustive list of reasons is easier to draw on.

He loosely groups similar motives together:

• Ethnic celebrations
• Relaxation and pleasure
• Educational and cultural motives
• Other (ranging from better weather to conformity)

Because there is such a variety of subject matter in films, it is possible for viewers to glean any of these motivations from their viewing choices. However, Australian professors Kamal Singh and Gary Best propose that Riley’s application of Iso-Ahola’s “seeking” concept to tourist motivation is exceptionally accurate; essentially, this means that tourists are traveling to locations mainly to seek famous film sites. This explanation covers the “just to know/say that I’ve been there” mentality.

Author Sue Beeton suggests that both fictional and non-fictional films are strong motivators, especially when the film location is prominently featured in the film. In a study of the “Lord of the Rings” film sites by the two aforementioned Australian professors, groups of visitors were questioned about why they chose to travel to the attractions. The three main reasons, in order of popularity, were:

1. To see the movie set.
2. To see the natural scenery shown in the film.
3. To feel a closer connection to the plot and its characters.

Some destinations, such as random movie lots or relatively unknown cities, become famous simply because they are featured in film; many times these sites are emptied after filming is completed, yet tourists still make trips to see them. MacCannell gives the great example of the site where the “Bonnie and Clyde” shootout scene was filmed; though the “tourist attraction” in question is simply a patch of grass in the middle of Texas, people continue to visit (it also doesn’t hurt that a big sign on the highway advertises the site).

Site Longevity

In rare cases, some movie sets are left standing. Before Kevin Costner built a baseball field on the Lansing family farm for his 1989 movie, “Field of Dreams,” the small town of Dyersville, Iowa (population: 4,000) was virtually unheard of; the year the film was released, over 70,000 people visited, and it is now one of Iowa’s top tourist attractions.

Many times, the natural scenery shown in films is a bigger “pull factor” than the film itself; if scenery is prominently featured in a movie, it is essentially free advertising for the region. This is especially beneficial to the tourism agencies of that area, as the film equipment used to capture the scenery is most likely nicer than the equipment they have. Out of all the countries in the world, I most associate beautiful scenery with England; movies like “Pride and Prejudice,” “Miss Potter,” and “Sense and Sensibility” all showcase rolling hills and lush, green gardens. The year that “Sense and Sensibility” was released, Saltram House, where most of the movie was filmed, saw a 39% increase in tourism. Another classic example from the UK would be the amount of publicity the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland got after the release of the movie “Braveheart;” their number of visitors increased by 52%.

Film can also boost tourism or change the destination image of an already known place. The best current example of this is, of course, the correlation between the boost in New Zealand tourism and the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy.

However, there are many historical sites that have seen an increased number of visitors whenever a film is focused on them:

• The beaches of Normandy have been a tourist attraction for many years, yet they saw a 40% increase in visitors the year the film “Saving Private Ryan” was released.

• After fatally shooting American president John F. Kennedy, assassin Lee Harvey Oswald hid out on the 6th floor of a rundown book depository in Dallas, Texas, now a museum; after the movie “JFK” was released, the number of visitors increased by 45%.

• Salzburg has long been known as the center of all things Baroque, and gems like Mozart’s birthplace have been attracting tourists for years; however, after “The Sound of Music” was filmed in Salzburg, even larger waves of travelers came to see the breathtaking sights shown in the movie. According to the Salzburg tourism bureau, the “Sound of Music” tour is the biggest tourist attraction for the city and one of the largest in Austria.

As with any type of tourism, film-induced tourism affects the destinations it surrounds. When Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant starred in the popular movie “Notting Hill,” which was filmed in the London neighborhood of the same name, real estate prices skyrocketed; the borough, which had been seen as a somewhat dodgy area of town, suddenly became a trendy place to live.

Mirabell Gardens - all that's missing is a flock of Von Trapp children!

Whether most film-induced tourist sites will remain attractive to travelers is hard to tell, as film and film-induced tourism are still relatively new. Indeed, it is easier to point out the film-induced tourist attractions and effects that were short-lived. During the late 1990s, the popular television show “Dawson’s Creek” was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina; the town became somewhat of a household name (to teenagers, at least) and a popular place to visit due to accessibility of the cast. However, now that the show has been off the air for a while and the cast no longer films there, I have not heard anything about Wilmington; unless another show is filmed there, I doubt I ever will. This will probably happen to most film-induced tourism sites.

The Devils Tower National Monument in the Black Hills (technically, it is situated in Wyoming) has been a popular tourist attraction for many years. In 1977, the rock played a significant role as a UFO landing station in the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and the number of visitors increased by a whopping 74%; 33 years later, hundreds of “sci-fi” geeks and movie buffs are still attracted to the park. However, Devils Tower existed before the movie was released, and many people visit the national park simply to climb it or witness a great geographical landmark, so truly it is not a good example of long-term film-induced tourism; the existence of Hollywood is perhaps a better case. Overall, more time is needed to discover whether or not attractions created or promoted by films can stand up to existing attractions, such as the Coliseum or the Taj Mahal.

Sources:

• Bennett, M.M. (1996): The Marketing of Tourism Products, International Thomson Business Press.

• Singh, Kamal and Best, Gary (2004): “Film-Induced Tourism: Motivations of Visitors to the Hobbiton Movie Set as Featured in The Lord Of The Rings.” International Tourism and Media Conference Proceedings. 24th-26th November 2004. Melbourne: Tourism Research Unit, Monash University. 98-111.

• Tourism websites for the aforementioned attractions and cities.

lost in the library

You’re tired, hot, and your travel money is rapidly waning. Your refuge?

A library.

Largely neglected in itineraries, libraries are surprisingly helpful when traveling. Where else can you find a free, air-conditioned place to rest, read, and surf the web? Of course, at the libraries listed below, you’ll probably spend more time looking at the walls than the actual book stacks…

Here are my favorite grandiose libraries:

• Amsterdam’s Bibliotheek – One can tell from looking at the sharp, geometric exterior that this is not your typical library. Surrounded by Mac pods, illuminated floors, and a super-mod, all-white interior, you’ll think you’ve landed in the future…or maybe just IKEA.

• Asheville, North Carolina’s Library at the Biltmore Estate – A perfect example of a musty, mysterious private library – complete with secret hallway entrances. From Napoleon’s chess set to a ceiling that once hung in Venice’s Pisani Palace, you will find enough treasures to leave you hunting for a Vanderbilt descendant.
  

  Österreichische Nationalbibliothek...er, the Austrian National Library

• Boston’s Public Library – Stoic, elegant, and dripping with wealth – much like the city itself. If anything, go to see the awe-inspiring Sargent murals upstairs; he himself proclaimed them to be his masterpiece.

• London’s Reading Room at the British Museum – Though I dearly love the British Library, where you can find everything from a Gutenberg bible to Beatles’ lyrics written on a napkin, the dome-topped reading room is simply majestic. Fun fact: the contents of the Reading Room were first opened to the public in 2000.

• Vienna’s Austrian National Library – If you’re looking for a real version of the library Belle pranced around in during Beauty and the Beast, I do believe this is the closest you will come; and while it’s not situated in a castle, it is attached to Hofburg Palace. The only downside: I don’t think they permit swinging on the rolling ladders.

internet killed the guidebook writer?

Frommer’s. Fodor’s. Rick Steves. Lonely Planet.

These are the leaders of the guidebook industry. Each has their own niche; Steves specializes in “back door” itineraries, while Lonely Planet is aimed at younger generations. One thing they all have in common? They are changing to stay relevant. Now that smart phones are rapidly becoming the norm, travelers can search hostels, restaurants, and even travel itineraries, on the spot. Why bother with a paper map when you have a GPS built right into your phone?

While there will always be a sector of people that buy guidebooks in-store, similar to travel agent use, these companies have no choice but to expand their internet presence. A visit to any of the aforementioned sites will show that they are doing just that; in fact, Fodor’s has the subtitle, “Plan your trip online!” planted right on their home page. However, to truly be the front-runner, their content must be meticulously organized and accessible on a smart phone.

Here is the rundown:

Frommer’s – Both Arthur and his daughter, Pauline, write frequently-updated blogs that seem to get good feedback. The site has a small selection of phone apps. The basic travel tools app, which includes a currency and time converter, global tip calculator (very handy), packing list, and flashlight, is free to download; specialized city guides are $4.99.

Fodor’s – Although they have tons of online content, including a blog, there are no smart phone applications to be found.

Lonely Planet's Tokyo App

Rick Steves – With a popular blog, active reader forum, and audio tours in podcast form (this is in addition to his TV show, radio show, travel classes, and frequent stints as a guest writer – whew!), Steves was already ahead of the game. Now, he is introducing a brand new iPhone app (each guide is priced at $2.99) that combines his educational content with a convenient bathroom and restaurant finder.

Lonely Planet – Blogs, check. They have 3 versions of their smart phone app, making their guides ($5.99 – a little pricey, but not too bad when compared to a paper guidebook) and phrasebooks ($2.99) compatible with Apple, Nokia, and Verizon products. Bonus: the graphics are unbelievably attractive.

Winner: Lonely Planet

(This was difficult for me to write, as I am an avid Rick Steves fan)

Though Steves is on the right track, he has a long way to go in terms of converting all of his guidebook content into a simple, convenient app. Due to the compact nature of the printed Lonely Planet guides, viewing their app is almost exactly like looking at a page of the real thing – except you don’t have to carry it! And isn’t that the whole point?

we’ve only just begun: navigating the cultural exchange application process

For many, participating in a cultural exchange is something that is added to a lifelong to-do list and then pushed aside amid coursework and jobs. At one point in time, I was one of those people. Now (very happily, I might add), I am a proud partaker of two exchange programs. How did this happen, you ask? It all started on a dreary day in October; we’ve all had these days, where you suddenly feel that your life lacks direction and your town seemingly holds nothing for you. My “mean reds” (yes, a Truman Capote reference) took me to my university’s international office, where I promptly began the exchange process (which I will outline for you). I realize that every program will have their differences, but all the essentials should be covered.

• Step 1: Roam, if you want to…
  

Do some web research and print out a list of possible exchange locations. It’s always a good idea to pick a few, just in case your first choice doesn’t work out. Case in point: My top choice was the Universidad de Burgos (in Spain), which didn’t offer the classes I needed, so I settled with England. (Coincidentally, our other Spanish partner school offered my classes a year later, a major reason I decided to study abroad twice!) After you have chosen your programs, either find the deadlines online or ask an employee; I personally like to conduct everything in person so there aren’t any misunderstandings – some websites are outdated! Also, figure out the approximate cost of your exchange and make sure that you will be able to find the money; some countries have favorable exchange rates, and others are quite unfavorable (such as the British pound!). Be sure to include room for travel and entertainment money; being a budget traveler is great, but traveling overseas and constantly worrying about money is not. If you find that you are short on funding, research scholarships and grants; you may have to wait a while, as organizations sometimes choose recipients up to a year in advance.

• Step 2: Paper chase. and get out of this place.
  

Once you have narrowed it down to one program, there are several documents that you must obtain from their office (or their website). These documents include but are not limited to: basic applications and requests to participate in the program, insurance forms, applications for any “hosts” involved, and class registration forms (if applicable). A little intimidating, I know, but they are all doable and (if you stay on top of them) relatively painless.

• Step 3: Hand over the money, and no one gets hurt.

While you are waiting for response to your application, there are a few things that you should be checking out. You will need a passport (and perhaps a student visa) to have a prolonged stay in almost every country in the world; obtaining them takes both time and money. Figure out where you’ll be living, what you’ll be eating, how much transportation is going to cost per week, and how expensive your plane tickets will be (getting them early is always a good idea, for your sanity and your wallet). If it is an academic program, talk to the financial aid office at your university to see if scholarships and other aid can be transferred over to your semester abroad (the exceptions are typically the exchanges in Australia and New Zealand).

• Step 4: While you’re waiting…
  

Once everything is signed off, turned in, and paid for, you are almost good to go! A few more bits of information are necessary, such as your new address, phone number, and email (if you have a host school). You must have your passport and, if needed, visa. You must be financially secure and have proof of sufficient funds; in most cases, you won’t receive any financial aid until you have been in your host country for a week or two, so prepare for that, as well. Then there are the seemingly minute details, such as getting from the airport to your destination. Don’t make the culture shock any harder on yourself!

• Step 5: Get out of here!

So, there you have it – an abridged version of the cultural exchange process. I encourage all to travel and immerse themselves in different cultures, regardless of who they may be. Traveling lets you get away, face new adventures, and become more aware of the world around you. As the philosopher Socrates said, “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.”

thanatourism

While I was in England, I had the pleasure of studying at my university’s International Tourism Research Centre, which was headed by a charming older man who insisted that we call him “Tony.” I was a few months into the semester when I realized that “Tony” was actually the Oxford-educated A.V. Seaton, the author of one of my textbooks and a prominent figure in the travel world. Seaton has published research on an intimidating range of topics, but at the time of my course he seemed particularly interested in thanatourism.

Note to self: Avoid Graceland during "Elvis Week"

What is thanatourism, you ask? There is debate about how it should be defined, but in a very general sense it refers to traveling to death-related sites. The phrases dark tourism and grief tourism are also used, though thanatourism is most appropriate when dealing with violent death or suffering.

Seaton has classified five types of thanatourism:

1. Traveling to watch death occur.
2. Going to a site where you know death has occurred.
3. Going to a site where physical/symbolic remains are displayed.
4. Attending re-enactments of people dying.
5. Going to sites where artifacts of the dead are on display.

While it sounds morbid when simplified to that degree, almost everyone will partake in thanatourism at some point in their life (hopefully not of the Type 1 variety!). By these standards, even seemingly innocent attractions, such as the Alamo, Graceland, and Westminster Abbey, are examples of thanatourism. It’s not all that surprising, as there are many other indicators of mankind’s morbid curiosity; have you ever had trouble looking away from a car wreck?

Some argue that maintaining thanatourism sites is tasteless, as it commodifies suffering; personally, I think this depends on the nature of the site, as well as how it’s managed.

Thanatourism sites can be sorted into three types:

• natural – caused by natural forces; e.g., Pompeii.
• manufactured (unintentional) – man-made, but not meant to attract visitors; e.g., a battlefield.
• manufactured (intentional) – man-made, meant to attract visitors; e.g., Jack the Ripper tours.

Of course, it is quite easy for unintentional to be converted to intentional, and many are; it is here that most of the “commodification” occurs. Some sites’ benefits outweigh (or at least match) any criticisms due their educational and historical content; surely we shouldn’t stop touring the pyramids because they were once burial grounds! Everyone’s tastes are different, as are their reasons for visiting; who knows, maybe some of the Jim Morrison junkies flocking to Père Lachaise every year consider their visit to be a modern-day pilgrimage.

backpack europe ii: the destinations

For those who haven’t been, Disney’s Epcot (in Orlando, Florida) boasts the World Showcase, a pavilion filled with replicas of 11 international cities. Families can devour pain au chocolat in Paris, play steel drums in Jamaica, and wander through Moroccan bazaars – all in a few hours. If one city doesn’t cut it, no worries; walk on over to the next one. Fall in love with a particular spot? Hit it up again on the way out. If only backpacking was that simple.

http://www.wikihow.com/Backpack-Through-Europe

money-saving rules to travel by

Eat like a local

To me, trying new dishes is undoubtedly one of the best parts of traveling. In fact, I often have more interest in snacking than, say, taking in a museum; for evidence, see my memorable eats list. Therefore, it is extremely important for me to impose this rule on myself: two meals “in” and one meal “out” per travel day. Of course, “in” doesn’t necessarily refer to eating in your accommodations (though you could!); it simply means “not at a restaurant,” especially not one with service. Alternatives include stopping by stands and bakeries (hello, French pastry) to grab small snacks, or scouring supermarkets to make a quick spread; you’ll be amazed at what you can find in British “grab & go” sections.

Get creative with your souvenirs

Picking up those tacky key chains, t-shirts, and figurines with a city’s name emblazoned all over it is expensive, not to mention impersonal. Save your money (and your loved ones’ desk space) by shopping at local stores and markets for authentic wares. For example, a touristy shirt can cost around 20 euros, while you can haggle a handmade pashmina from El Rastro (a market in Madrid) down to 4 euros – which one would you rather wear? If you’re extra broke, don’t underestimate the amount of pleasure an internationally-stamped postcard can give someone at home.

Use your legs

Burn calories and unnecessary expenses by staying away from conveniently-placed modes of transportation. I am notoriously vigilant about this, and it has forced me to have some wonderfully healthy experiences, from hiking up to the Neuschwanstein castle grounds to hauling it to the top of a 999-step fort in Greece. This option is especially prevalent in France, where you can skim euros off your entry price by skipping the elevator at the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and more.

Do your research

The Met. The Louvre. The Prado. With a little planning, you can get into all of these world-famous art museums for free. How? Find out when the weekly (or sometimes monthly) open hours are by looking at their respective websites, and plan you itinerary around them; this applies to most museums, not just art galleries. While you’re looking up these times, it would also be prudent to note which days they are closed and any possible discounts you could get – I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, only to remember that they give discounts to AAA members at the gate!

Cozy up to your neighbors

The cheapest (and best, in my opinion) way to travel is to stay with locals. I’ve found that when it comes to travel, most of the awkward boundaries that exist in real life tend to dissipate; in other words, don’t be proud! If you have friends in a particular city, ask if you can stay with them! Just make sure you’re courteous and willing, if needed, to return the favor in the future. If your social circle is made up of homebodies, make some new friends – read my post about CouchSurfing!

memorable eats

If you ever happen to be in one of the following cities, I highly suggest noshing at one of the places on my ‘memorable eats’ list. Alphabetized by city.

Barcelona	New Orleans
Berlin	New York City
Boston	Paris
D.C.	Rome
Lauterbrunnen	Salzburg
London	Vienna
Napoli	Warsaw

Barcelona (Spain)

• Maoz – technically, you can find this vegetarian chain in a handful of other cities (mostly European), but I first tasted it in BCN, so here it will stay. Consider this perfect tourist chow: cheap, fast, and designed to be portable. You can’t go wrong with their signature falafel – just don’t forget the aioli-laced potato wedges.

• El Nou Celler – if you don’t visit at least one of the quaint mountain towns hidden in northern Spain, you’ll be missing out. But fear not, O time-strapped one, this restaurant will get you close. Housed in a drafty and dimly-lit building (hence its moniker; ‘celler’ is Catalan for ‘cellar’), the Nou serves hearty, traditional Catalonian fare at unbeatable prices.

Berlin (Germany)

• unsicht-Bar – give your eyes a rest from sightseeing; dine in the dark! Once you ascend into the darkness with your assigned waiter (all of whom are blind), everything will become a puzzle, from feeling out your utensils to decoding the menu (the food descriptions are in riddles). Better than a night at the cabaret, in my opinion.

Boston (USA)

• Sweet – move over, Magnolia. After being tipped off by a true Bostonian cupcake connoisseur, I paid a visit to this charming bakery…and returned for more. All in the same trip. The flavors are constantly changing to suit the season (candy cane in the winter, pink lemonade in the summer), which provides you with endless excuses to make a stop.

• Cuchi Cuchi – looking for rich, creamy food with a side of theatrics? This swanky eatery, which boasts an international menu, to-die-for cocktails, and sassy waitresses dressed as pin-up girls, is sure to liven up your evening.

• Regina Pizzeria – the touted winner of the “best pizza” rivalry going on in the North End. The competitive prices make the visit even better.

District of Columbia (USA)

• Ben’s Chili Bowl

• Good Stuff Eatery

• Marrakesh – visit Morocco without a passport. When I arrived at the restaurant’s Chinatown address and found a nondescript entrance marked only with a line of Arabic characters, I begin to question my safety. All of these doubts were removed, however, the second I crawled through the door and into a bevy of floor pillows, belly dancers, and delicious food. Expensive, but worth every penny; best for groups.

Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland)

• Schuetzen – located in an inn (it’s a small village), this friendly establishment doles out what the Swiss are known for: fondue and rösti (fancy hashbrowns).

London (England)

• Belgo Centraal – an edgy trappist monk pub that serves the vastly underrated cuisine of Belgium; don’t leave without trying cherry beer.

• Gregg’s – if these delicious, hot pasties could travel overseas, they are exactly what I would ask for as a souvenir. Try their Roast Chicken Bake.

• Walkers of Whitehall – as I’ve written before, this is my favorite pub in London. Why? I’m not exactly sure. Maybe it’s the mysterious location (tucked into a very narrow alley), the reasonable prices, or the simplicity of the food. Whatever the reason, it’s just downright comforting to me.

• Yo! Sushi – love sushi but hate committing to just one roll? This is the place for you. Taking a cue from Tomorrowland, Yo! has conveyor belts woven through each restaurant, carting sample sizes of fresh Japanese food right to your table; all you have to do is scan and choose. Add unlimited miso soup for a pound, and you’ll never want to leave.

Napoli (Italy)

• Da Michele – Naples is supposedly where pizza originated; the result is a staggering number of pizzerias, all claiming to be the oldest and best. I don’t want to join the war, so all I’ll say is that I tried a few places, and this one is pretty darn good. And by that, I mean the best pizza I’ve ever had.

New Orleans (USA)

• Mother’s – if you only have a few days in this amazing city, I wouldn’t recommend standing in the super-long lines that this place tends to accumulate (very few foods are that good). But, if you have some time to kill, their “Debris” po-boy, made with roast beef drippings, is legendary.

• Muriel’s – elegant, moderately-priced Cajun restaurant located right in the middle of the French Quarter. Their tourist menus are of surprisingly good value.

• Ignatius Eatery – a bistro that somehow manages to be hip, indie, and down-home at the same time; my sister once met musician Andrew Bird there.

• The Boot (The Dough Bowl) – located right off Tulane property, you won’t find a greasier, cheaper spoon than this bar and attached pizza place.

• The Creole Creamery – not your average ice cream parlor; serves flavors like chamomile, cucumber-dill, and mojito.

New York City (USA)

• Magnolia Bakery – visiting this tiny shop is almost as exciting as eating the baked goods themselves. You never know, you might see a celebrity waiting in line with you!

• H&H Bagels – ah, the famous NYC bagel. I wasn’t sure if I was going to survive the fast-paced ordering process, but my onion bagel was well-worth the hassle.

• Vanessa’s Dumpling House

• Veselka

Paris (France)

• Le Refuge des Fondues – if you think Paris is stand-offish, drop by this place to see the warmer side of the city! Eat fondue while seated at communal tables, draw on the walls, and drink your wine from a baby bottle!

Rome (Italy)

• McDonald’s – Say what you will about McD’s, but you can’t ignore its global business prowess. If you were to stumble into the ‘fanciest McD’s in the world’ (right beside the Spanish steps), it may take you a second to realize where you are. Gone are the ball pen and plastic booths; in their place is marble tile, a fountain, and (gasp!) a salad bar.

Salzburg (Austria)

• Andreas Hofer Stube – want to see how Austrians kick back? My host took me here my first night in Salzburg, and I’ve never forgotten the schnitzel.

Vienna (Austria)

• Cafe Griensteidl – visiting a traditional Viennese cafe is a must when in Vienna. Gaining popularity at the turn of the 20th century, these establishments became a place for intellectuals to work and socialize with their peers; cafe owners anticipated their long stays with plush interiors, white-gloved servers, and, of course, scrumptious cakes and tarts. Excellent spot to break from touring.

Warsaw (Poland)

• Milk Bar (by the zoo) – a dying breed of restaurants, milk bars are remnants of the Cold War era; as you may have guessed, the interior is as drab as can be, but the traditional Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian food served is quite the opposite. You’ll probably do a double take at the bill – my entire meal was less than $2.

garden party: finding greenery in europe’s capitals

My mother is a gardener-extraordinaire, and she kind of passed down her love of greenery to me. Now, whenever I’m traveling and hear of a park or garden nearby, I have to check it out! Here’s some gorgeous scenery to keep in mind for your next European vacation – just in time for spring!

Let’s start with England, the mother of lush, green landscapes. Honestly, it would be difficult not to find a garden or a park here, even if you have no clue where you are. London has numerous city parks that are surprisingly beautiful; my favorites are St. James and Green Park. St. James definitely has more of that fairy-tale feel, complete with a little cottage and plenty of geese (and of course, a view of Buckingham Palace), while Green Park is more suited for social gatherings. It’s actually a little reminiscent of a college quad, which obviously appeals to me.

The Palm House at Kew Gardens

However, the best greenery around London can be found at the royal botanical gardens in Kew. Set aside at least two to three hours, because this place is huge! There is a staggering variety of plants at Kew. Pretend you’re in a Jane Austen novel while walking among the stiff, geometric shrubberies surrounding the exquisite central building. Resist the urge to grab a vine and play Tarzan in the tropical climate exhibit. Get a taste of Monet’s Giverny for free by stopping at the Water Lily House. You can even find a Japanese pagoda and a cactus collection hidden on the property. If you’ve always wanted a “Secret Garden” of your own, Kew is definitely the place for you!

In Paris, the Luxembourg and Tuileries Gardens are worth visiting, mostly because they exemplify that romanticized Parisian atmosphere; indeed, I was thrilled to discover that little French boys still use wooden poles to push their old-fashioned sail boats instead of turning to modernized, battery-powered models. You could also opt for the grandiose exhibits at Versailles. In terms of true green beauty, though, I found the public gardens hidden throughout the city much more interesting. There was one in particular that I fell in love with, but I have no name for it…only pictures and memories.

Ancient beauty in Rome

Austria’s natural greenery is beautiful all by itself, but visiting Mirabell Gardens is a must when in Salzburg. Do they seem familiar? They should! These are the gardens that Maria and the von Trapp children frolicked in during the “Do Re Mi” number from the Sound of Music. Bonus: Getting in is completely free (not always the case), and there is a quaint playground right next to it.

Also, coming in as an honorable mention is Rome. What? Crazy, right? I actually did manage to find some nice gardens tucked away in the middle of the city, one situated in the Roman Forum. Of course, this is simply a blurb, just the tip of the iceberg for garden destinations…all of them are in Europe, for Pete’s sake! We have some pretty great blooms in the States, and I’m dying to visit the gardens in Japan. But, if you happen to be headed to Europe, I’d stick with England – greenest place I’ve ever been to.

So, bienvenido to spring! Happy garden-hunting!