Vancouver is the polar opposite of the image most people have of Canada. There are no fur-lined hats with earflaps and no flannel shirts here. There isn’t even that much snow. Vancouver is a coastal metropolis that has become an international city. The diverse population is reflected in its cuisine. You’d be hard-pressed to find another city where so many different cooking styles have made their way out of the immigrant neighborhoods where they started and into the mainstream.

Because the city has proved open to new tastes, some of the world’s best chefs have decided to call Vancouver home. If you want to find out what new restaurant will be opening in Las Vegas a couple years down the road, visit Vancouver’s most popular eateries. It is in these establishments that “the next best thing” is honed.

Vancouver boasts a large Asian population. This means some of the best Dim Sum spreads in the Western Hemisphere. Its proximity to the Pacific also means you’ll find some mighty fresh sushi (Vancouver might as well be called Sushi City because of the sheer amount of venues dedicated to the art of raw fish. And…can’t forget the sweet and spicy Thai curry and hearty (and also quite spicy) Indian curry.

European cuisine is also present, though not as noticeable amidst the glut of sushi bars. Vancouver has some great Mediterranean restaurants. Greek and Italian joints range from family run, sixteen table bistros to massive commercial places. So, when a craving for ravioli or hummus hits, you won’t need to panic.

Of course, every style of cooking can boast some of the freshest seafood you’re likely to find. Fried, steamed, floating in a bowl of broth and noodles, raw, it’s all here. If you don’t mind braving the choppy Pacific, you can even head out on a chartered boat to catch your own. Even if you’re unlucky, you’ll know that you can head back to shore to drown your sorrows in a plate of sushi and a cup of sake.

As far as border towns go, El Paso is one of the largest. There’s no mistaking the fact that Mexico is a few feet away. Spanish is heard as often as English, and, while Spanish skills are not necessary for those visiting, knowing some of the absics will prove quite helpful.

The Chihuahua Desert, Franklin Mountains, and the Rio Grande make El Paso a place of diverse natural landscapes. Guides can take you through the mountains on foot, horseback, or in air-conditioned vehicles. A trip on the Rio Grande will put the starboard side of the boat in Mexico and the port side in the US. The beautiful and rugged valley surrounding the river is a sight to behold.

The fusion of Mexican and Texan culture is unique in El Paso. Of course, for an authentic Mexican experience, you can easily head over to Juarez. It is even possible to cross the border on foot and do some shopping in Mexico before returning to downtown El Paso.

The food is great in El Paso, but it is not a place for vegetarians. Steakhouses rub elbows with taco joints, and small trucks selling tacos and burritos cruise the way ice cream trucks do in other parts of the country.

Lest you forget, Texas is cowboy country. Locals will constantly be reminding you of this fact in one-way or another. Rodeos are a popular event in El Paso. Bull riding usually takes center stage at these meetings. Of course, another bovine related event occurs across the border in Juarez: Bullfighting. The bullfighting arena is located in downtown Juarez.

The mix of cultures and the landscape makes El Paso a unique place to visit. Where else in the US can you walk to Mexico for a shot of tequila and then return stateside for a piece of lime.

Auckland is, unfortunately, known as the largest city in “That Country Where Lord of the Rings Was Filmed.” Yes, Auckland is a small city, quaint by most standards. But it boasts a rather cosmopolitan nightlife. This is especially the case when it comes to the music and performance scene. There are no twangy country songs about sheering sheep here. The local music industry rivals that of Seattle.

Hip-hop is still young in New Zealand, but venues like Club 4:20 offer a glimpse of what’s to come. The talent is quite raw, but it could be exciting for hip-hop aficionados to see the early stages of the scene.

Auckland rivals any city when it comes to jazz and jazz-fusion. Temple Bar is one of the places to find some great performances. Many clubs alternate between more traditional jazz bands and fusion bands or pure R&B acts. Many of the local acts have a sound that has a distinctly kiwi flavor.

Gambling is available in New Zealand. SkyCity casino offers a place to roll the dice and (most likely) be relieved of some of that extra travel budget cash that’s been burning a hole in your pocket. The casinos are open 24 hours a day. Despite the bright lights and noise that you’d find in any casino from Vegas to Macau, Auckland’s gambling dens have a rather laid back atmosphere. Yes, people are intent on what they are doing, but there is a stereotypical nonchalance that seeps into everything in Auckland. It might not be the most exciting city in the Southern Hemisphere, but it surely is one of the most welcoming.

Baltimore enjoys a rich history but has been plagued by modern day troubles. These days the city is known as the setting for HBO’s critically acclaimed crime drama The Wire. Yes, parts of Baltimore are ravaged by crime, but the city has gotten an especially bad rap recently.

Baltimore’s harbor area is infused with the history that saw the city become what it is today. The famed USS Constitution sits in the harbor and nearby Fort McHenry was the site that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

Baltimore’s National Aquarium lives up to its name. This is no Seaworld. Large shark tanks and a huge tropical exhibit offer a serious look at the world’s aquatic life without stooping to spectacle. The Aquarium is itself is reason enough to visit this Maryland city.

Baltimore is home to a thriving local theater scene. From Shakespeare to experimental to politically-charged, Baltimore boasts some of the best dramatists on the east coast. Up and coming writers and performance artists get started here, and many established talents decide to stay.

The area near the harbor is packed with eateries and nightspots. After a day of museum visits and perhaps an evening at the theater, the restaurants and bars abutting the harbor are the place to find a nightcap.

Security in all the areas frequented by visitors is heavy. Despite Baltimore’s reputation, there is little danger of becoming a victim of a crime in these areas. Even most other areas are safe during daylight hours. Taking the same precautions one would take in any other large sized American city is enough to ensure a pleasant trip in Baltimore.

South Africa is its continents rising star. Since the end of apartheid, the country has become Africa’s most culturally and economically significant land. This development has not gone unnoticed by the world at large. A shining example of this: FIFA awarded the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, making it the first sub-Saharan nation to host such a major sporting event. There is plenty more to South Africa than soccer, though.

With all that is new in South Africa getting the headlines, one might forget the history of this land. The nation’s history is punctuated by peoples like Zulu, Boer, an British; figures like Nelson Mandela; and a past full of both colorful culture and violent conflict. One thing that often gets left out of the list that might be of interest to visitors, be they gourmets or just curious travelers, is the wine.

South Africa’s relationship with grapes dates back over three hundred years. Today the industry is steeped in history, but also very accessible to visitors. In fact, the tourist industry owes much of its recent success to wine tourism. Some grape growing regions of the world are inaccessible to the average tourist. There is no such exclusivity in South Africa.

Though there are some guided tours that include walking vineyards, visiting cellars, and plenty of tasting, it is easy enough to explore one of the many “wine regions” on your own. Most of the vineyards are located in the Western Cape region of South Africa. Some of the better-known regions, like Stellenbosch, have well trod routes between vineyards. The industry has had a trickle down effect on its surrounding areas. Restaurants and hotels that can cater to even the most demanding gourmand have sprung up along these “wine routes.”

Wine is only part of the attraction to South Africa. It’s many cultures, natural beauty, and abundant wildlife draw visitors as much as its grapes. All this makes for one of the most interesting and colorful wine industries in the world.

What do you think of when someone mentions Seattle? Rain, Starbucks and Seattle’s Best, or Nirvana and the 90’s grunge scene, fishmongers tossing sizable tuna across a busy market, Kelsey Grammer.

Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities in the US, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, and probably one of the urban areas most likely to be stereotyped by people who have never been there.

Downtown Seattle is home to one of the best aquariums in the U.S., The Seattle Aquarium, as well as the Pike Place Market, which is crammed with tourists and local shoppers most of the time. Pike Place is one of those venues that could only be found in Seattle. Other spots include Waterfall Garden, a park that makes use of natural granite to create over 20 waterfalls, and the Underground tunnels which run under much of the downtown area (guided tours available).

Seattle is one of those places with a unique atmosphere. It is not simply the high density of coffee shops/bakeries or the numerous, spacious, green parks or the remnants of maritime culture. All those things add to Seattle’s ambiance. What makes Seattle unique is simply that it embraces those things that make it unique. Perhaps some of these things make it seem a bit eccentric, but it’s hard to argue with the success of some of the things that have come out of Seattle: the coffee culture, the music, the fad of midsized cities becoming as cool as New York or LA.

Add to this uniqueness, the sheer natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s rocky coastline and lush forests. Within the city or outside of it, there is a lot of nature worth taking a break from the world’s greatest coffee for.

Tokyo is a city with a cuisine as strange and wonderful as any in the world. The unfortunate side, especially for budget travelers, is that Tokyo is also one of the most expensive cities on earth. Is it possible to experience this vibrant cuisine on a shoestring?

The answer can be found at the bottom of a bowl of noodles. Literally.

The cheapest, and often some of the best, eats in Japan can be found at any friendly neighborhood noodle shop. For a few dollars (no more than 10 usually), you can experience this Japanese staple without breaking your travel budget.

Are we talking noodles stir-fried with fish eyeballs or something funky like that? Probably not, though if you really want that and are willing to look hard enough…

The good thing about eating in Japan is that many restaurants have menus with pictures or even plastic models of the specialties. So, even with a very limited Japanese, you can have at least a general idea of what you’re ordering. Many shops actually have an automated payment system that takes your Yen much like a vending machine and spits out a ticket. This ticket goes to the counter attendant who passes it on to the cook. No Japanese language skills necessary.

Many times, the choice will be between thin noodles (soba) or wider, flatter noodles (udon). Additions can include fish, meat, veggies, and tofu. Whatever the ingredients, a bowl at a noodle shop is likely hearty enough to leave you satisfied and still in possession of most of your wealth.

Croatia’s Dalmatian coast boasts more than being the place of origination for those cute spotted dogs that Cruella De Ville wanted to make a coat out of. The coast is home to one of Europe’s most beautiful and least known seaside paradises. Though hundreds of thousands of people visit Dalmatia each year, most are from neighboring countries like Italy, Germany, and Austria. Outside central and southern Europe, the area receives little ink.

A good example of Croatia’s coastal attractions is the town of Split. Split’s history dates back to the era of the Roman Empire. The town was actually founded when Roman emperor Diocletian decided to build his retirement palace there. The palace is still in evidence today, though it is quite literally a shell of its former self. You can still wander around the ruins, though, and feel the pre-medieval ambiance. How many other places in the world offer a chance to do something like that.

The waterfront, known as the Riva, is home to numerous cafes and restaurants. Most of these palces are family run affairs with good food. Given Dalmatia’s proximity to Italy and its long relationship with its neighbor, it is not surprising that the local cuisine has a definite Italian flare.

Sailing is the major sport in the area. The sea is perfect for wind-powered vessels large and small. You can have a day of sightseeing aboard a small fishing vessel traditionally used by the area’s fishermen or you can become part of the crew of a large catamaran.

It’s surprising that Croatia’s Dalmatian coast is not more popular than it is.

Beijing has been preparing around the clock for the Olympics, which are now only half-a-year away. The Games will obviously be a boom for China, bringing visitors from all over the world. Olympic sports will be at the center of attention. However, travelers do not necessarily need to be sports fans to take advantage of the Olympics. Or rather, the post-Olympic backlash that China’s tourist industry will inevitably be hit with.

Here’s why waiting until after the Olympics to visit China is a good idea:

China’s transportation authorities have given Beijing an its environs an upgrade. Things still may get snarled during the 2-week long event, but afterwards, the city will be left with a first rate transit system. Those visiting after the events have ended will have an easy time getting from point A and point B.

The same could be said for the new hotels that are going up specifically in anticipation of Olympic visitors. After August, when the number of visitors is in decline, decent rooms should be available at a discounted rate.

The Olympics will be in August. The following month, September, is actually one of the best times to visit Beijing. The oppressive summer heat will have given way to pleasant fall weather. The frigid Siberian winds are still two months away. Beijing’s September brings “light jacket weather” at worst.

The Mid-Autumn festival gets underway on September 25th. The full autumnal moon is at the center of this family oriented holiday. Children receive dense, sweet cakes known as “moon cakes.”

Also, as Beijingers try to regain their sense of normalcy, visitors will have an easy time seeing the real side of the ancient city, its small lanes (hutongs), delicious family run restaurants, markets, and shops should be returning to business as usual by after the last Olympian has gone.

TriBeCa, the shortening of the neighborhood’s original designations: Triangle Below Canal Street (though it’s shape is not perfectly triangular) is one of the most well known neighborhoods in New York. That’s saying a lot, considering New York is, more or less, a city full of popular neighborhoods. But TriBeCa was not always trendy.

Until the 1960’s, textile mills dominated the neighborhood. It wasn’t until the early 1970’s that people began to seek special zoning permits to renovate the industrial buildings, which had fallen into disuse. Artists and bohemians created loft spaces in the aged buildings. It is a testament to their foresight that today TriBeCa’s real estate is some of the most valuable in the country. Unfortunately for people looking for the past glory of TriBeCa, the bohemian flavor has all but disappeared. Today, boutiques, hip cafes, and stylish restaurants can be found along the neighborhood’s main streets. The TriBeCa film festival, fathered by Robert De Niro, brings filmmakers and fans together in late April and early May. It is a showcase for some of the world’s best independent films.

That’s not all the glamour that the area offers. Harvey Keitel, David Letterman, and Mariah Carey, as well as a host of other celebs, maintain residences in TriBeCa.

Though you, like 99% of the world, might not be able to afford a loft home in the neighborhood, visiting, even to window shop, is still worth the effort. The unique architecture and the kind of café lifestyle make TriBeCa seem accessible to visitors. And not everything is glitz and glamour. Washington Market Park is a family friendly park with a large community garden and even the occasional event.

New York is not known as the world’s most exciting city for nothing. TriBeCa went from vacant ghost town to wickedly popular neighborhood in 30 years; that speed of change makes you want to scour the city for the next “big thing.”