Courtesy Arigato Japan Food Tours

Ah, Tokyo, Japan. What does one do in the world’s largest, most fascinating city that has the most Michelin stars? Go on a food tour, of course! More and more travel companies are offering guided food tours, but you can also go on a food tour at your own pace, throwing in more sightseeing.

Here’s a recommended DIY Tokyo food tour:

Courtesy JNTO

Start your day at Tsukiji Market, one of the largest fish markets in the world. Of course, it’s home to the freshest sushi you’ll ever savor, but with so many stalls in Tsukiji, you’ll also never run out of alternatives. For example, locals go for the teishoku setto (set meal) of grilled seafood and tamagoyaki, a Japanese rolled omelet, plus miso soup.

From Tsukiji, walk to Ginza, where you can grab a cup of some of the most precisely made coffee in the world or head to the fifth floor of the Kabukiza Theater to try various kinds of Japanese green teas – Sencha, Gyokuro, Hojicha and of course, Matcha.

For a pre-lunch snack, Ginza is also home to numerous world-renowned department store basement food halls called Depachika, where you can sample a wide variety of treats.

Courtesy Mary Bohrer

Next, proceed to the Asakusa district, home to Senso-ji Buddhist temple. Here, along the Nakamise – shopping arcade approach to the temple — you’ll find stalls selling crackling hot, freshly made sweet and savory sembei rice crackers; dango – skewered sticky rice balls slathered in sweet syrup, and manju and mochi sweets with anko (sugary red bean) inside.

Steps away are specialty restaurants serving up delicately fried and battered shrimp tempura; multi-course traditional tea-ceremony related kaiseki cuisine; and tonkatsu (fried breaded pork cutlets).

Moving north, work your way into time-preserved Yanaka, known for its historic cemetery. You’ll find an old tofu shop, where freshly made soy milk tofu is drizzled with shoyu (soy sauce) in a small dish with a tiny spoon. Follow this with a cone of soft-serve green tea, vanilla, or black sesame ice cream at a shop that also sells taiyaki – fish-shaped pancakes filled with anko.

If you still have some stomach space, continue further north to Ryogoku, the sumo wrestling enclave, where you must try chanko-nabe, a hot-pot of meat, fish balls, tofu, vegetables and udon (wide wheat noodles), popularly eaten by sumo wrestlers.

Dinner time is time to splurge. Consider one of Tokyo’s sophisticated Japanese-French fusion or opulent wagyu beef specialty restaurants.

But, if you’d still rather save some yen for an eat-all-nighter, why not slurp for supper? Make your way to one of Tokyo’s designated “Ramen Zones” (www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/restaurant/ramen.html) in Shinjuku, Takadanobaba, Ikebukuro, or Tokyo Station area.

Courtesy Arigato Japan Food Tours

Afterwards, the night is still young, and there’s plenty of time to check-out Tokyo’s award-winning whisky bars, where you can find limited edition Japanese whisky, not available overseas.  

Finally, open 24-hours, are Tokyo’s ubiquitous convenience stores and vending machines (over 5.5 million across Japan), where you can always get a hot or cold drink, some green tea chocolates, onigiri (rice balls), and so much more.

Courtesy JNTO

Truly, the Japanese are samurais of culinary culture.

If you’re attending the New York Travel Fest 2017, then you’re in luck! There will be curry, beer, Japanese green tea chocolates and, yes, sake! All are courtesy of Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau, one of the festival’s awesome sponsors. Visit them at www.gotokyo.org, like them at https://www.facebook.com/TokyoFanClub/, and watch their “foodtastic” video at https://youtu.be/kHrw-6FsI0o.

To learn more about the New York Travel Festival, go to http://www.nytravfest.com. To order tickets, visit Eventbrite – bitly.com/NYTF2017Tickets. NY Trav Fest is an event for travel professionals and professional travelers. Our panels, speakers, and workshops provide professional development opportunities for those in the travel industry, or wanting to join it, as well as inspirational talks to offer ideas about an array of destinations and types of travel.

The New York Travel Festival is also partnering with New York State’s Division of Tourism in 2017 to discuss the present and future of diversity in travel in New York State, in terms of both individual travelers and professionals in travel/tourism. Expert speakers from across the travel industry, including Ross Levi from New York State’s Division of Tourism, will delve into successful initiatives that have encouraged New Yorkers to experience more of their own state and discuss what projects could help further that goal.

Ross is Vice President, Marketing Initiatives for Empire State Development / NYS Division of Tourism where he helps coordinate the state’s iconic I LOVE NEW YORK tourism program, with a particular emphasis on specialized marketing campaigns and events. After joining ESD in 2012, Ross was instrumental in creating the I LOVE NEW YORK LGBT initiative, which he continues to oversee.

Daniel and Ross will both be speaking at the 3rd Annual Travel Unity Summit, which will be held in the NYU Woolworth Building on Friday, April 21, 2017.

Tickets to Friday’s Travel Unity Summit are available for $20. The Travel Unity Summit is also included in the New York Travel Festival All-Access Pass, which is available for $130.

About the New York Travel Festival:

NY Trav Fest is an event for travel professionals and professional travelers. Our panels, speakers, and workshops provide professional development opportunities for those in the travel industry, or wanting to join it, as well as inspirational talks to offer ideas about an array of destinations and types of travel.

A tentative schedule of events is available at bitly.com/NYTF2017Tentative
To order tickets, visit Eventbrite – bitly.com/NYTF2017Tickets

Media Contact:
Roni Weiss
Tel: (917) 719-1083
Email: roni@nytravfest.com

NY Trav Fest is partnering with NYU Tisch Center to host the Borough Tourism Summit on Thursday, April 20, and the 3rd annual Travel Unity Summit, at NYU Woolworth Building (15 Barclay Street) on Friday, April 21. Saturday and Sunday of NY Trav Fest will take place at Bohemian National Hall (321 East 3rd Street) and Hostelling International NYC (891 Amsterdam Avenue), respectively. Doors are open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Thursday through Saturday, with registration beginning at 9:00 AM; Sunday starts one hour later (at 11:00 AM).

About the New York Travel Festival:

NY Trav Fest is an event for travel professionals and professional travelers. Our panels, speakers, and workshops provide professional development opportunities for those in the travel industry, or wanting to join it, as well as inspirational talks to offer ideas about an array of destinations and types of travel.

Don’t miss a chance to chat with representatives from CzechTourism, other destinations and travel industry brands, and learn more about local and international travel. There will also be expert-led sessions and consultations throughout the event.

Ticket Options:

$130 – All Access Pass

Passes include access to all presentations, panels, workshops, and networking events part of the New York Travel Festival.

$30 – Borough Tourism Summit, April 20
$20 – Travel Unity Summit, April 21

$70 – Weekend Ticket, April 22-23
$30 – Sunday-only Ticket, April 23

A tentative schedule of events is available at bitly.com/NYTF2017Tentative
To order tickets, visit Eventbrite – bitly.com/NYTF2017Tickets.

Media Contact:
Roni Weiss
Tel: (917) 719-1083
Email: roni@nytravfest.com

Let me admit something to you that I’m not proud of: despite it being only 20 minutes from where I’ve spent most of my life, until last week, I’d never been to the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). Luckily, since Miles, my 2 year old son, loves trains, I had a great excuse to finally get there: the Holiday Train Show.  

Easy and direct for a Westchester County resident (and quite accessible via MTA, as well), NYBG encompasses over 250 acres in the North Bronx. Right across the street from Fordham University, NYBG was founded in 1891 (meaning that this year is its 125th anniversary, as you might have seen hinted at in their current NYBG/125 logo).

The Holiday Train Show, celebrating its 25th year, is held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a lush biodome that goes from tropical rainforest to arid desert to tranquil ponds, all within the same space. Upon entering, lovely holiday music greets visitors, while friendly train conductors in full uniform help with navigation.

On our trip, Miles shrieked when he spotted the first exhibit, an exquisite replica of Macy’s Herald Square. My normally talkative toddler was so enmeshed in the experience that I actually had some rare silence that also allowed me to enjoy my time.

Little did we know, this was just the beginning. After a video about the history of the Holiday Train Show, we entered the main world of exquisitely crafted model trains, with lifelike replicas of old Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal above.  

Artists use a variety of natural materials, like tree bark, pine cones, moss, branches, enhancing the various landmarks and giving a lifelike appearance. Both the little guy and I were mesmerized watching the trains chug along the tracks.

Even though I was worried that his toddler-sized attention would wane, the beautifully decorated trees and festive atmosphere kept him engaged. (He especially loved seeing Thomas the Tank Engine and JFK Airport; I was enamored with the intricate details of the mini-architecture of the homes and buildings.)

While there were many other people around, I still found it quite easy to navigate from display to display, room to room. If you have small children and can swing it, definitely go during the week, to avoid the bigger weekend/holiday crowds.

For those who might have seen the exhibit in prior years, don’t worry, the Show has new items, such as the Coney Island Cyclone and the Elephantine Colossus (an 1890’s hotel that was shaped like an elephant). For some other outer borough love, the Queensborough Bridge is also a new item.

If you don’t have small children, don’t worry, because there’s an adult version of the experience, as well. “Bar Car Nights” is only for those 21+. On select Fridays and Saturdays, for $35 for non-members, $25 for members, you have access to the exhibit, as well as “drink specials and a selection of spiked hot beverages”.

For more information on dates, times, and pricing, please visit nybg.org.

Disclaimer: The author and her son received comp tickets to the exhibit.

By Victoria Cumberbatch

@adventuresOFv

The second country on my Meso American sojourn, in the Winter of 2015, was the monstrously underrated Guatemala. Throughout the two months I spent living in Mexico, all the backpackers I came across suggested staying in Guatemala. I debated for some time, until I found a little blurb about Semuc Champey, Lanquin nestled in a Lonely Planet travel book: Semuc Champey is the Q’equchi Maya translation for “where the river hides under the Earth.”

After my travel partner decided to skip this native, golden nugget and meet up later in Antigua, I endured a seven hour ride on the local bus to Coban. Ahh, sweet relief; paradise so close that I could taste it. Lanquin was within reach. But it wasn’t over – one more two hour ride and I could touch antiquity. Lanquin is a tiny town that caters mainly to backpackers and tourist groups and it was that base where travelers could head up the world’s bumpiest road to the two eco-hotels at the top of the mountain. Individuals have to finagle their way onto pickup trucks, driven by locals to the eco-hotels at the top. The trucks were a wondrous sight, yet they only graced the view at the base of the mountain every hour until sun down. Nothing moves quickly here.

Thirty minutes of rolling around the bed of a pickup with about eight people squeezing to allow room for bags, we passed dense forest littered with tiny shacks and roosters; we’d finally made it to Utopia when we saw the canopy of the forest. It was early evening and the darkness was deeper and more infinite than I had ever imagined. The lack of electricity in the evenings added to the allure; really put the “eco” in perspective.

The place was run by western expats and backpackers, but everything else about Semuc Champey, Lanquin including nearby caves was maintained by the Indigenous population that remained there. Locals view this landscape as sacred and work to keep it as such.

I happened upon breakfast the next morning with a Canadian and two Germans. We decided we liked each other enough to go together on the day’s adventure. We took a short ride from the hotel directly to the nature preserve that is Semuc and K’an Ba cave system. I practiced my Spanish with the driver while riding shotgun. Of course, as is my luck, he barely spoke Spanish and proceeded to teach me some Q’equchi. If this isn’t immersion, I have no idea what is!

Fortunately, it was only the four of us that were at the mouth of the grotto and we were able to snag a Spanish speaking tour guide. After a few rope swings and misses into the way-too-strong-of-a-current Rio de Cahabon, we started the icy descent into the abyss. We each had a single candle in one hand, Leo had a waterproof GoPro in his left, and the rest of us tried to simply pretend the water didn’t feel like the Atlantic in the middle of winter. Our tour guide led us in total Spanish and stopped only once to show us how to lift the candle’s fire to the rocks above in order to melt the minerals on top. We spread our fingertips over the area and added war paint to our faces, just like the Ancient Mayans. This singular moment moved easily into the top three anecdotal reasons as to why immersive travel is the best education one can hope for.

As our legs jerked furiously to keep our top halves afloat, we were enveloped almost entirely in darkness. Only the shrinking light of our candles kept us from blinking into oblivion. After maybe thirty minutes, we came to a small inner pool where there were lots of white faces ahead of us; scaling the ten foot crevasse in order to jump back off into the pool below. As the space was only the width of half a body length, I passed on that form of death. (The only way I can help you visualize this trek is if you see parts of the film, Sanctum.)

We each tipped our guide and meandered through the many pathways to find the entrance to Semuc, a nature preserve maintained by the department of Alta Verapaz. Here are a few things I picked up along the way:

Guatemalans go to these natural limestone infinity pools to play for the day and thus there were hoards of people at the entrance, drinking, chatting and using the semi-clean bathrooms.

No need to get a guide for the trek, but it’s recommended

Your guide will probably be a teenage boy that causes you a little stress as he flies up and down the mountain as if chimpanzee DNA courses through his veins. He will wait for you at the top, wherever the top is, huffily, regardless of how much you try to show your athleticism. Godspeed

You are however, supporting local, Indigenous culture and although you may be frugal, bordering on cheap, it is worth the extra currency to spend on people that want to show you their ancient world

The rainfall in this area, with its high altitude, is copious. Rarely is the terrain dry and thus, good shoes are necessary. You will slip going down the mountain. Step lightly.

Hang on to guardrails, signs or anything that might secure you from falling to your death as you ascend and descend to your destination

The likelihood of being one of only a few souls at the pools is high — if this doesn’t motivate you in this trying age of tourism, you might as well stay at the beach

You are ensconced in a tropical forest, surrounded by lush foliage, primordial wisdom, and untainted Mother Earth

Take a few moments to soak this in

Also, how worthwhile was the hassle to get here? 100 percent! Amiright?!

A few days spent without WiFi, scant electricity, falling asleep to the humdrum of the rainforest, and swimming in the same pools as the lauded Mayan warriors is something inexplicable. I realized throughout my travels that if I have to keep pinching myself to reiterate how real this moment is, I must have stumbled upon one of the great and mysterious intricacies that Mother Earth sorely wants us to see. How lucky am I?

Czech Republic –

The Czech Republic has participated in the Summer Olympics since 1996, but the people in the country have been Olympians since 1900 when the region was known as Bohemia, then later as Czechoslovakia.

Phew! The Rio Olympics were sure exciting this month! Medals were won right and left, world records were shattered every few minutes, brand new techniques were seen in sports like gymnastics and synchronized swimming, and viewers around the world learned a little more about Brazilian culture. Our sponsor, Czech Tourism, was incredibly proud of their athletes. Here is a little overview of how they did.

The Czech Republic has participated in the Summer Olympics since 1996, but the people in the country have been Olympians since 1900 when the region was known as Bohemia, then later as Czechoslovakia.

Every four years, the country’s top athletes have made a splash in sporting events such as canoeing, tennis, judo, javelin and shooting, and the Rio Olympic weren’t any different. Since 1996 the Czech Republic has won 44 medals, including 14 gold, 15 silver and 15 bronze. This time around, Czech Republic athletes brought home 7 bronze medals, 2 silver and 1 gold.

Miroslava Knapková

Discipline: rower
Hometown: Brno

A champion rower, Miroslava is a formidable athlete. In the 2011 World Rowing Championships, she won the Single Sculls event at Lake Bled. Later at the 2012 Summer Olympics, she won first place in the same discipline. This Rio Olympics, she won first place in the Single Sculls event and ranked 10th and under in similar events.

It makes sense that a champion rower would hail from Brno, the land of rivers and winning personalities. If you are in Czech Republic, spend a few days in Moravia and indulge your five senses with stunning nature, heartwarming culture and delightful cuisine.

David Svoboda

Discipline: Olympic pentathlon
Hometown: Prague

The 2008 olympics ignited a passion for the modern pentathlon for David Svoboda. He finished 28th, but he didn’t see that as a hinderance to his career. He trained like never before and in 2012, he won a gold medal in London. On the 15th day of this Olympics, David ranked 9th overall in his event.

Prague, what better place to feel like a winner? From art sculptures and installations scattered across the city to stunning castles to tantalizing food, and fun festivals, Prague is a fast favorite for many travelers. Don’t forget to book a couple walking tours while you are here!

One of our favorite magazines, ManAboutWorld, shared a snippet of wonderful article from their latest issue with us and we couldn’t wait to share it with you! Get ready to plunge into a refreshing article about Antarctica by Mark Vogler.

Story and photos by Mark Vogler, writing for ManAboutWorld gay travel magazine. To read Mark’s entire article, use this link to download a FREE three-month subscription to ManAboutWorld.

When leading polar adventure company One Ocean Expeditions called offered me an open berth on their 11 night/12 day Ultimate Antarctica Itinerary, with the promise of pristine perfect, crystal white landscapes, cruising skyscraper blue bergs in zodiacs like the butchest, bad-ass Jacque Costeau ever I couldn’t possibly say no.

To read Mark’s entire article, use this link to download a FREE three-month subscription to ManAboutWorld.

As a sponsor and avid supporter of the New York Travel Festival, Czech Tourism USA & Canada Director, Jiří Dužár inspired NYTF visitors to travel to the Czech republic during the April festival. His team’s booth was full of stories, brochures and stunning images of a country that only a fraction of our travel community has experienced. Now, Jiří shares a few secrets about the best places to travel in the Czech Republic as well as a few gems he has found living in Brooklyn.

How long have you lived in Brooklyn?

It’s been more than 10 months, but it feels like I have lived here for much longer. I think I don’t have to mention how difficult the housing situation in New York is, especially for newcomers, but my family was quite lucky to find a place in Bed-Stuy – the up-and-coming neighborhood in northern Brooklyn. Our apartment is only two blocks away from the house where Jay-Z grew up. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason why we shook hands with our landlord; we love the bike friendly paths, we have a favorite coffee shop as well as brunch and happy hour spots, and we simply enjoy being a part of the community.

Coney Island, Brooklyn

What part of the Czech Republic are you from? Tell us about your home town.

I come from a small town in northern Bohemia. It’s situated right on the Czech-Germany border, not too far away from Poland. Sometimes when I’m talking about it, I call it the Tri-state Area of Central Europe. The thing I most appreciate and miss about my hometown is its landscapes. The town is surrounded by mountain ranges, natural preserves and the national park of Bohemian Switzerland with the largest natural sand rock arch in the whole Europe. When I talk about it, I always realize how much I miss hiking and biking there.

Šumava Mountains, South Bohemia

If you could plan a perfect vacation to the Czech Republic, what would you do?

I’d recommend everyone to start their trip in Prague, ideally for three or four days. During the first day, I’d do all the must-see things (Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square) and the remaining two or three days, I’d spend my time in the less visited areas adjoining the historical city center. I’d definitely go to the beer garden in Letna and then visit all the hip coffee shops, art boutiques and galleries in Holesovice and Karlin. I’d stroll and have a picnic in Riegrovy Sady in Vinohrady. I’d go to one of Prague’s art cinemas where I could watch movies and drink cocktails. I definitely wouldn’t miss all the culinary gems such as the farmer’s markets, but also all the newly opened and trendy restaurants serving traditional Czech dishes with farm-to-table ingredients.

Prague

From Prague, I’d go to places like Pilsen (for the best beer in the world), Karlovy Vary (picturesque spa town), Bohemian Switzerland and Bohemian Paradise (for hiking and biking), Brno (architectural and culinary Mecca in Moravia), and Mikulov, Znojmo and Kromeriz (amazing wines and beautiful landscape). For this, I would need approximately two weeks to get a sampling of the 12 UNESCO sites, 200 + castles and chateaux, four national parks, and 20 + natural preserves. The only thing lacking is the time to explore everything.

Lednice-Valtice Complex, South Moravia

If someone wanted to have a truly authentic Czech Republic experience, what kind of itinerary would you recommend?

I’d recommend to rent a car, which provides more flexibility to visit more distant places. If you follow my tips on Prague above, you’ll have a very authentic experience there. Outside of Prague, almost everything is authentic, but some places such as Kutna Hora, Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary are definitely not off-the-beaten path places anymore. They’re all stunning, no doubt about that; however, for more authentic experiences, let me put it this way: during your stay, you should visit a brewery, do a wine tasting, enjoy the wide variety of Czech cuisine, attend a concert and/or theatre performance, visit a castle or two and work up a sweat with adventures like biking or rafting.

Pálava, South Moravia

Do you have favorite Czech Republic restaurants or shops in NYC, places where locals can go to experience a slice of Czech culture? If so, tell us about them.

My first discovery was this place in West Village called Doma na rohu (Home at the Corner). This Czech-German fusion offers amazing Czech Pilsner Urquell on tap and also has tasty Central European dishes (roasted duck, sausages, beef goulash and chicken schnitzel). When the weather is nice, we sometimes bike to Astoria in Queens to the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (they usually have four to five Czech beers on tap). Recently, I fell in love with the newly open restaurant in the Upper East Side called Bohemian Spirit, which cooks traditional Czech dishes just like my grandma used to.

For Czech culture, both modern and contemporary, I highly recommend attending programs at the Czech Center in the Bohemian National Hall, NYC.

Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn

As a new Brooklyn resident, what would you recommend visitors do and see to have a great Brooklyn experience?

First and foremost, food and drink are probably the main thing that define my world here. During the past year, I learned that the best doughnuts in the whole universe can be found at Dough on Lafayette Ave. The juiciest fried chicken is at Peaches Hot House on Tompkins Ave. The most comforting BBQ is cooked at the Beast of Bourbon on Marcy Ave. But I could go on like this for an hour and the list would never be complete. On the weekends, we enjoy biking in Prospect Park, or sometimes we race all the way down to Coney Island, and on our way we never miss the Fort Green Flea with tons of vendors that cater to vintage-lovers, hipsters and foodies. For a scenic stroll, we usually head to the waterfront in DUMBO or Williamsburg, and for street art photo shoots, the Bushwick Collective offers the most exciting setting with amazing murals. Again, this is only a small fragment of what Brooklyn has to offer. I can’t wait to explore more!

While cities are great places to experience local culture, experiencing nature is just as important when exploring new destinations. Are there any national parks or natural landscapes you would suggest travelers visit in Czech Republic as well as NYC?

I totally agree because everyone needs to escape even the great cities such as New York or Prague once in awhile. For me this applies even more because I was surrounded by natural landscapes while growing up. In the Czech Republic, I always found a perfect refuge from the city bustle and hustle in any of our bordering mountain ranges such as Sumava, Beskydy or Jeseniky. They offer a world of untouched nature, steep cliffs, rock formations, mountain gorges and lakes all connected with hundreds of miles of hiking or biking trails. I unfortunately haven’t had much time to experience nature outside of New York; although Peekamoose Mountain has been on my radar for quite some time.

Macocha, South Moravia

Tell us about your New York Travel Festival experience.

It was a great long weekend full of socializing and networking with professionals from different fields of the travel industry. Although my primary interest is outbound tourism from the US, I really enjoyed the second day of the festival at the Brooklyn Borough Hall, where I listened to talented speakers who inspired me to explore and experience the five boroughs more extensively.

The busy weekend program attracted a lot of great people that I wanted to connect with, such as content creators, bloggers, travel tech start ups and more. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to attend all the amazing panels and presentations. There were simply too many great options to choose from.

On the exhibition floor, my team and I showcased the best that Czech Republic has to offer. Together with the Czech Center in New York, we also promoted the cultural programs they offer locally: movie screenings, dance and music performances, contemporary art exhibitions and other things the vibrant Czech culture has to offer.

Bohemian National Hall, Upper East Side

How did you learn about NYTF?

Before I moved to New York City last summer to assume my position, I read an article about the TOP 5 travel industry events in NYC and, believe it or not, NYTF was listed as one of them! Shortly after, I learned that the first two years of the festival took place at the Bohemian National Hall, the Czech Center’s cultural venue in the Upper East Side. Of course I wanted to see what it was like. My hope for next year’s festival is to bring it back to the place where it began.

Photos courtesy of Czech Tourism and Jiří Dužár

Ah, snacks. Our fuel, our friend, our favorite activity. Although few meals beat the rewarding feast that culminates a day spent cooking and learning in a League of Kitchens workshop, our welcome snacks come pretty close. For those of you lucky enough to be visiting any of our instructors’ beautiful home countries this summer, SEEK THESE SNACKS OUT. #lksnacks

DOLLY

Trini instructor Dolly’s favorite snack is Pholourie (fried, spiced dough balls that are served with chutney, typically tamarind or mango or a yogurt dip). The dough is made up of flour, ground chickpeas, and, depending on the recipe, garlic, chili, turmeric, saffron, onions and/or cumin. Travelers to Trinidad can easily seek out pholourie since it’s widely available from food carts and takeaway shops. These tasty treats were originally brought to Trinidad by Indians who became cheap laborers after slavery was abolished in the 19th century, and were then modified to accommodate available ingredients. Dolly also loves currants roll (currants, cinnamon and brown sugar rolled up in a flaky crust), and kurma (fried strips of spiced dough in a sugary glaze, commonly served during Diwali, the hindu festival of lights), both of which are also common street-food snacks.

YAMINI

Indian instructor Yamini couldn’t choose just one favorite snack to share with us because she loves a good snack spread and encourages travelers to India to make meals of various street food snacks. Pictured here are the bites that make up Yamini’s ideal spread: dahi vada (fried flour balls soaked in thick yogurt), poha (flattened flakes of rice, rehydrated and cooked with nuts, fruits, and spices), corn tikki (corn patties), samosas (fried, savory potato-filled pastries), dhoklas (steamed, fermented batter made from rice and split chickpeas), all served with shredded coconut and three chutneys (cilantro, tamarind, and red garlic).

MIRTA

Hailing from Argentina, Mirta’s favorite snack is mate con facturas (yerba mate tea with various sweetened breads) because “in Argentina, it is always a good time to stop for mate.” Make sure when traveling to this stunning country to make some Argentine friends who will undoubtedly be happy to include you in their mate ceremony. This ceremonious snack also typically includes other traditional noshes like jamon crudo, salami and cheese with crackers or toast and jams like Dulce de Membrillo (quince paste) or Dulce de Batata (sweet potato paste), as pictured here. Mirta also loves to snack on empanadas and sandwiches de miga (finger sandwiches) for a savory bite, or if her sweet tooth is acting up, she loves anything with quince, especially a pastafrola (jam-filled tart).

AFSARI

Chaat describes a whole category of savory snacks that are served roadside from stalls or carts in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. All chaats involve fried dough, tangy-salty spices, and other ingredients mixed together and served with a yogurt dipping sauce. Bengali instructor Afsari’s favorite chaat is filled with lentils and dressed with a tamarind sauce. Afsari’s second favorite snack, the most popular of all Bengali snacks, are vegetable samosas (fried, savory potato-filled pastries), pictured here with a tamarind dipping sauce.

JEANETTE

Lebanese instructor Jeanette’s number one snack is ka’ak bi haleeb (soft, milky buns). Ka’ak, the Arabic word for “cake” that stands in for many baked goods produced throughout the Arab world, refers in Lebanon to a common street-food bread that comes in many forms and costs pennies. Ka’ak bi haleeb (literally “milk cookies”) are generally sold by peddlers on motorbikes in the afternoon to enjoy with a pick-me-up Arabic coffee or tea. Another snack Jeanette can never refuse is fatayer bi sabanekh (spinach turnovers), typically served as part of a mezze.

DESPINA

Greek mezé are small snacks, typically served before entrees during a large meal, which can be hot or cold, spicy or savory. Travelers to Greece should definitely make some meals out of mezé because smaller plates mean more food! Some of Greek instructor Despina’s favorite mezé include: taramasalata (cod roe spread), melitzanosalata (eggplant dip), saganaki (fried special cheese), htapothi sti skhara (grilled octopus), and fried peppers, eggplant and zucchini. Pictured here are dolma (stuffed grape leaves), patatosalata (potato salad) and crusty bread topped with chopped tomatoes, avocado and feta cheese sprinkled with olive oil and oregano.

DAMIRA

Bread, a national staple and symbol of hospitality, and pastries are popular snacks in Uzbekistan. Many breads and pastries have special designs on them that signal which baker made them. Uzbek instructor Damira’s favorite snacks are cinnamon cake and other pastries, including halva (sweet, dense, tahini-based sweets), chak-chak (deep-fried dough balls stuck together with honey), khachapuri (cheese and egg-filled bread) and meat pie.

AIKO

In Japan, alcohol is always accompanied by sakana or otsumami, small plates of typically salty food (both words now mean “snack,” but “sakana” traditionally refers to food served with sake). While in Japan, be sure to visit an Izakaya, a pub where you can find all the best Japanese snacks. Japanese instructor Aiko’s favorite snacks are senbei (rice crackers), an inexpensive and healthy snack that can be found in any Japanese supermarket or convenience store. For a more substantial snack, Aiko loves to nosh on onigiri (rice balls), hijiki nimono (hijiki salad with edamame), tsukemono (literally “pickled things,” in this case: cucumber and nappa cabbage), and sunomono (wakame, cucumber and imitation crab-meat in vinegar sauce), all pictured here.