Barcelona’s iconic La Sagrada Familia (pictured above is its glorious interior stained glass) is now the world’s tallest church after reaching an important milestone. The 144-year-old construction project, which has been stalled by disasters, civil war, and political jousting, is now about 80 percent complete.

The Tower of Jesus Christ is the last piece of its central tower. The 56-foot-high steel and glass cross was installed in February 2026, extending La Sagrada Familia’s height to 172.5 meters, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster (162 meters). That was a key moment in the long, turbulent history of this marvel, designed by Barcelona’s iconic architect Antoni Gaudi.

And its next key milestone? On June 10, 2026, a date that marks the 100^th anniversary of Gaudi’s death, Pope Leo XVI is visiting La Sagrada Familia to celebrate the completion of The Tower of Jesus Christ. Pope Leo XVI will officiate a special mass inside the church on that day and also lead the blessing and inauguration of its recently installed cross.

Moving forward

Meanwhile, construction will continue on this church for another decade, focusing on the stonework of the Glory Façade, its towering main entrance. This church is so colossal and unique that it became the top attraction in one of the world’s most visited cities despite being a mere work in progress, often blighted by scaffolding. Only seven years ago, La Sagrada Familia was stuck at 60 percent complete, having barely advanced for decades.

But in 2019 Barcelona authorities belatedly approved the building permit that had long slowed this project. Progress has since accelerated to the point that this masterpiece is scheduled to be fully completed in about 2036. That will effectively celebrate the legacy of Gaudi, one of few architects in history to have a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated entirely to their works.

Barcelona’s tourist trail revolves around the seven whimsical Gaudi structures included in that UNESCO listing. From the green expanse of Parque Güell to quirky mansion Palacio Güell, and from the curvy wonder of Casa Mila to the polychromatic marvel Casa Vicens, no trip to Barcelona is complete without taking a Gaudi pilgrimage. And don’t miss other designs in Gaudi’s UNESCO listing, such as fierce-looking Casa Batlló and the eerie Crypt of Colonia Güell.

There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Gaudi in Barcelona

What isn’t apparent to many of that latter landmark’s five million annual visitors is the array of controversies which have hindered it. The first of these arose in 1882. That is when La Sagrada Familia was first envisioned by its original architect, Francisco de Paula del Villar.

His proposal was a mundane, neo-Gothic design, similar to countless other churches in Europe at that time. Yet it was not this uninspired concept which derailed Francisco de Paula del Villar. Instead, he was fired in 1883 due to arguments with Barcelona’s Catholic leaders about material costs.

Within months, this veteran Spanish architect had been replaced by a fast-rising rookie. Gaudi was only 31 years old and had been an architect for just five years when he took charge of La Sagrada Familia. He abandoned Villar’s boring blueprints and unleashed his own inventive mind.

Gaudi’s concept was invigorating: a bold blend of Noucentisme (a Catalan cultural movement that was the opposite of Avant Garde), Art Nouveau, Catalan Modernism, and Spanish Late Gothic architectural elements. In an era when churches were austere and angular, he sketched a playful building with remarkably few straight lines and no right angles.

Gaudi wanted its exterior to be crested by 18 lofty towers, up to 172 meters tall that would, from a distance, resemble a dense forest. Up close, the church is equally distinctive. I have been awestruck by the intricate stonework of its façade, with epic biblical scenes complemented by depictions of fruit, landscapes and geometric motifs. Once inside, Gaudi’s nature theme continues, with 36 giant columns rising to the roof like mighty trees, each bathed in rainbow-hued light from complex stained glass windows.

Bringing all these layers of design to reality was an obsession for Gaudi. But when he died in 1926, the basilica was still less than half finished. Although construction continued thereafter, this project began its long period of delays in 1936, with the eruption of the Spanish Civil War. Not only did work on the church have to slow down because of this three-year conflict but anarchists also damaged La Sagrada Familia and destroyed many of Gaudi’s plans and scale models, further limiting its progress.

From the 1940s to the 1980s, it moved ahead at a glacial pace due to funding shortages and a revolving door of architects commanding the project. Since then it has hit further obstacles in the form of an underground train tunnel being bored alongside the church, ongoing disputes with Barcelona City officials about building permits, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nowadays, controversy still hangs low over this tall structure. The addition of a giant outdoor case is likely to take another eight years and is expected to require the eviction of up to 3,000 disgruntled residents from neighboring streets.

Even if you’ve already visited La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, it’s worth a return to see the Tower of Jesus Christ

For now, of course, the focus is on the recently installed Tower of Jesus Christ. This lavish, 17-meter-tall cross is crucial for a variety of reasons. First, it crowns this lofty building. Secondly, this tower’s design, decorated by trencadis (a unique style of mosaic that uses shards of glass or ceramics; it’s a familiar signature across the city of Gaudi’s style).

As well, the design of the Tower of Jesus Christ offers a new visual spectacle visible from many parts of Barcelona, by day or night. In the sunlight its mosaics glimmer, sending rainbow-hued beams across Barcelona. After dark, its mighty spotlights let the cross glow like a star.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly from a visitor’s perspective, the tower will eventually be accessible to visitors. Via the new outdoor staircase, you’ll be able to ascend to the highest viewing platform in all of Barcelona, gaining panoramic vistas of its historic cityscape, pretty beaches, and nearby peaks.

What else is new about La Sagrada Familia?

The four stone spires that surround the Tower of Jesus Christ were completed across 2022 and 2023. Measuring 135m apiece, they are variously dedicated to the Four Evangelists from Christian tradition: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Biblical characters and themes also decorate the church’s three facades, below the spires. Each of these intricate displays of stonework represent a different phase in Jesus’ life. The son of god’s birth is portrayed on the Nativity Façade, his crucifixion and resurrection are depicted by the Passion Façade, and his enduring impact on the world is represented by the Glory Façade.

Each is a lasting, and mesmerising marker of Gaudi’s genius. So unusual and evocative was his concept for this basilica that, 143 years later, it still appears fresh and inspired and stands out amid Europe’s vast array of grand churches. Even a century marred by war, pandemic, budget crises, and bureaucratic roadblocks could not prevent La Sagrada Familia from reaching its dazzling, tallest form.

And in June, its bold creator will be remembered, celebrated, and honoured, 100 years to the day after his death. Of course, we’ll continue to celebrate this bold accomplishment well after the June visit of Pope Leo XVI.

Inspired to travel? Our hints and tips.

• Barcelona is one of Windstar’s hub home ports, and its ships embark and/or disembark in the city all four months of the year. The good news? Travelers who arrive a few days early to explore the city (or extend their trip at the end of the cruise) can visit not just La Sagrada Familia but also Gaudi’s numerous other feats of architecture. However, one note: Very few itineraries include Barcelona as a regular port of call so you’ll want to plan your own explorations.
• There’s a huge range of Mediterranean itineraries that Windstar visits via Barcelona, including: Quick Getaways: Balearic Islands and Port Vendres; Moroccan Markets and Iberian Icons; Windstar’s 2026 Mystery Cruise, with its focus on Spain; Yachtsman’s Harbors of the Rivieras; Star Collector: Riches of the Rivieras, Romans and Greeks and Europe, a Winter Riviera. Even more options exist; click here. 
• Fascinated by all-things-Sagrada Familia? This blog, produced by the Basilica Sagrada Familia, is one of our favorite reads for everything from history to actual construction. 
• And one last insight: Antoni Gaudi grew up in Reus, about 18 minutes outside of Tarragona, a Roman city quite close to Barcelona. If you want to understand more about what, in his young life, inspired him about architecture, read this. And Windstar does offer an itinerary that starts in Tarragona (about an 1:15 hour drive from Barcelona), a newly emerging home port in Spain.

The post Is Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia Finished? Almost, Maybe appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Italy — or considering a repeat visit — here are 15 of our favorite dishes to try, ranging from north to south and in between. Did we miss your own special dishes? Drop us a note in the comments. 

First, here’s a guide to reading Italian menus 

Italians eat meals differently than Americans might be used to — restaurants offer several courses with much smaller servings. You can choose something from each course or select what looks best to you. Regardless of your method, an Italian menu will likely look like this: 

• Antipasto: Antipasto or antipasti are the appetizers. Here you’ll find salads, cheese plates and many local appetizers. 
• Primo: This menu section houses the pasta dishes or first courses. If you are going to Italy for pasta, remember this word, as Italian restaurants organize their dishes by course over category. 
• Secondo: The second-course section contains meats and seafood. These selections will include all types of meat, including regional dishes you can only find there. 
• Contorni: If you want a side, look to this section. You’ll find offerings similar to those in the antipasto section, like cheese platters, salads and more. 
• Dolci: After dinner, your waiter might give you an additional, smaller menu with a list of desserts. Enjoy options like cannoli, gelato and tiramisu. 
• Digestivo: Your dessert menu might also have a digestivo section with drinks that Italians use to help them digest. Here you’ll find espresso and liquors, including limoncello, grappa, amaro, cynar, amaretto and sambuca. They’ll often come in a shot glass, and the preferred drink will vary depending on the region. 
• Vino: Did you know that Italy has 20 different wine regions? Perhaps most famous is Tuscany, which is full of outstanding regional wine and many restaurants across the country will partner with local vineyards to bring you excellent house selections. And visits to other parts of the country, such as Sicily, the Veneto, Campania, Puglia, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia (among others)!

By no means limit yourself, but these 15 dishes and drinks do taste better in Italy than anywhere in the world

With Italy’s rich food culture, Italians eat everything from pasta to seafood to rich meat dishes. Each region has unique dishes for you to try, ensuring you always have something tasty to eat. The country has many famous foods, from prosciutto di parma and olive oil to lasagna and gelato. However, knowing what to look for on the menu can help you find the best Italian cuisine, especially if you are unfamiliar with the language. 

1. Homemade regional pasta 

A trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without trying some fresh, homemade pasta. Many restaurants make their pasta in-house and offer famous regional dishes that you simply have to try there. Trying regional pasta is a great way to connect with that area’s culture while having the best food there is to offer. Some regional pasta includes: 

• Tagliatelle: These long, thick pasta strips originated in the Emilia-Romagna region, host to the city of Bologna. You can find them with truffle or bolognese sauce. This dish is a must if you see it on a western Italian menu. 
• Tortellini: Also hailing from Bologna and Emilia-Romagna, tortellini is another classic you must try. You can find them stuffed with cheese or meat and in various dishes, from bolognese sauces to soups. 
• Orecchiette: Translating to “little ears,” this round pasta hails from the Puglia region in southern Italy. Puglia restaurants typically serve it with broccoli, so look for this on the menu for an authentic pasta dish. 
• Gnocchi: While you can find gnocchi all over Italy, it’s a must if you’re visiting Rome. The Romans make these heavenly soft potato dumplings fresh on Thursdays and serve them in various ways to fit your tastes. 
• Pici: A staple of the Tuscany region and Florence, pici is similar to spaghetti but thicker. You can find it served with meat sauces and dishes, where it can soak up and complement the dish’s rich flavors. 

2. Authentic gelato 

How is gelato different from ice cream? Food and Wine tells us this: “gelato has a lower milk fat content than ice cream, usually 4 to 9 percent, yielding a softer, denser texture and smaller ice crystals. That’s a result of the base, which typically includes less cream and more milk, as well as a slower churning process that introduces less air into the final product. The base generally does not include eggs, but it can. Gelaterias also keep their cases at a warmer temperature than most ice cream shops, which contributes to gelato’s silkier texture. Although there’s no legal standard for gelato in the U.S., the Italian government requires a milk fat content of at least 3 percent.” 

Some signs of a homemade gelateria include: 

• Colors: Authentic gelato places will have natural flavor colors over bright, colorful batches. Pay attention to flavors like mint and pistachio, which are often dyed to appear more appetizing. 
• Containers: Gelaterias that ship gelato in or store it will use big open containers. The gelato will often sit up high for travelers to see through the glass. A homemade batch will sit in a closed metal container to keep it fresh and protected. 

Finding a local gelateria can help you find some of Italy’s best food. If you want to eat like the Italians, try hazelnut or pistachio. Stracciatella is another classic Italian flavor with a vanilla base and small chocolate chips spread throughout. 

3. Cappuccino and espresso 

While many cultures celebrate their premium coffee, nothing beats Italian cappuccinos and espressos. You’ll seem more like a local in Italy by knowing when to order which.

Cappuccino is a morning drink similar to Americans’ morning coffee. Italians brew them at the perfect temperature so that you can drink them immediately. On the other hand, espressos are a digestive drink that Italians have after dinner or in the evening. You’ll find them on many menus alongside desserts or other digestive drinks. 

4. Margherita pizza 

If you find yourself in Naples, you must try traditional Margherita pizza. This Campagnia city considers itself the birthplace of the classic dish that became popular when Queen Margherita visited in 1889. This pizza has a simple tomato sauce topped with fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. Now Naples is famous for its various pizzas, including the Margherita. 

When ordering pizza in Italy, be sure to translate any Italian ingredients beforehand. Pepperoni translates to peppers in Italian — expect to receive a pizza topped with green or red vegetables when ordering a pepperoni pizza. 

5. Florentine steak 

Florence is the home of many rich dishes and drinks, and Tuscany is a popular destination for visiting vineyards and tasting traditional dishes. Florentine steak is a thick t-bone cut fresh from cows raised in Tuscany. The Florentines favor a high cut with lots of muscle, giving the steak an excellent flavor. Pair it with a house red wine for an authentic Tuscan meal. 

When ordering this steak, know that it’s only available very rare. Many restaurants prepare it by cooking it for a few minutes so the outside sears, leaving a soft, rare middle that melts in the mouth. While restaurants also often charge by the steak’s weight, its thickness makes it perfect for two people to share. 

6. Ossobuco 

For another meat option, consider ossobuco. This dish comes from Milan and the Lombardy region in the north of Italy. Ossobuco is a bone-in veal shank slow-cooked in a meat broth with vegetables and white wine, resulting in a rich, tender, juicy meal. Many restaurants serve it with polenta or risotto. 

Because of how long it takes to cook ossobuco, you might only rarely find it on menus. Be sure to treat yourself to the experience if you come across it, especially in Lombardy.  

7. Pesto Alla Genovese

Pesto, best known in the region of Liguria (home to Genoa and Portofino) is one of my favorite pasta sauces, using crushed fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. If you’re a purist, you use a mortar and pestle to carefully grind the ingredients so as not to bruise them.

Beyond pasta, pesto makes a great sandwich spread and a cocktail dip.

8. Carbonara Spaghetti

When in Rome, eat as the Romans do. The capital city is home to many famous Italian dishes, including carbonara. Typically served with spaghetti, carbonara is a sauce made from eggs, pecorino cheese, cured ham and black pepper. Many Roman restaurants serve it with fresh pasta as their house special. 

If you want to find the best carbonara in Rome, ask the locals or go off the beaten path. Trastevere is a neighborhood in Rome famous for its restaurants and Italian cuisine, making it a great place to start if looking for a good carbonara. The brightly colored buildings and draping vines add ambiance to your meal when eating outside. 

9. Ragù di Cinghiale 

If you like meat sauces and lasagna but want to try something new, ragù di cinghiale is the way to go. This traditional Tuscan dish is easy to find in Florence and features a wild boar sauce. The animal is common in the region, ensuring a rich, fresh meal you can’t find anywhere else in Italy. 

Because of its thickness, many restaurants in Florence pair the cinghiale sauce with pici or thicker flat pasta like pappardelle. The pasta and sauce can be heavenly when you find a place that offers house-made pasta. Order a house red wine to complete the experience. 

10. Ribollita 

While many travelers go to Italy for pasta, the country has a wide variety of foods for you to enjoy while visiting. Ribollita is a Tuscan vegetable soup. It was historically a peasant meal, rich in local, in-season vegetables that the lower class could easily access. Today you can still find it full of recent harvests, making it common in the fall when Italian farmers are picking their crops. 

Instead of meat, ribollita uses bread to thicken and flavor the soup. It’s savory and hearty, and many Italians choose it on chillier days to help them warm up. 

When traveling in Tuscany and Florence, it’s common for restaurants to list ribollita as a first-course dish along with pasta courses. 

11. Polenta 

Polenta is another historical peasant dish many restaurants continue to serve in Italy. While you can find it all over the country, it originated in northern parts of the country, including Milan, Turin and Venice. Polenta is a starch dish commonly made from finely ground corn that takes many forms, from mush to fried slices. 

This Italian food is exclusively a side dish. You’ll commonly see it paired with rich meats with plenty of sauces. You’ll often find it during the colder months because of its popularity alongside warmer comfort food.

12. Bottarga

Bottarga is a traditional Sicilian dish made from the roe of gray mullets, which Sicilians will salt, press and air dry for months to create a savory, smokey flavor. 

Restaurants buy and serve their fish fresh for the best tastes you can find. You will often see bottarga shredded or sliced over pasta. Restaurants will often pair it with lemon juice or olive oil because of how the flavors mix. 

13. Truffles 

Truffles, a type of mushroom that grows in Tuscany, Umbria and Piedmont, are some of the best foods to eat in Italy. These regions often train dogs and pigs to sniff out truffles to use in traditional dishes. 

Truffles have a unique smell that gives dishes a distinctive taste and draws avid food-lovers to them. You will often find them over pasta or in sauces, especially in the fall, when they are more common. 

14. Arancini and supplì

While the thought of Italian food might conjure images of sipping wine at elegant outdoor restaurants each night, street food is popular and tasty in Italy. Arancini and supplì are two types of fried rice balls from different Italian regions. You can find these great to-go appetizers at market stalls, restaurants and bars. 

Sicilian arancini have a distinct triangular shape, making them easy to hold and carry around. Most places will fill them with ragù sauce and cheese, though you might have the option to add vegetables like peas, mushrooms or eggplant. 

Supplì are from Rome. They have an oblong pill shape and contain tomato sauce and mozzarella instead of ragù. The cheese usually melts, pulling apart when you split the supplì in the middle. Supplì are standard antipasto options in Roman pizzerias. 

15. Risotto

Traditionally thought of as a rice dish produced in northern Italy, the combination of superb recipes and top-notch crops of rice are being explored by chefs from Palermo to Turin. 

Read more about Italy

Whether it’s your first visit or you’re an expert, check out our recent blogs on crafting a magical Italian experience in the Mediterranean: 

• One traveler discovers why winter in Venice offers surprising perks. 
• In the village of Portofino, on the Italian Riviera, we share our favorite food and drink. 
• Emiko Davies is one of our favorite Italian culinary experts (she’s also considered top notch when it comes to Japanese cuisine); we love her blog on all things cuisine-related.
• What is it like to cruise a classic Mediterranean voyage in winter? We loved it. Here’s our story. 
• Puglia’s wine history is lesser known than regions like Tuscany. We dive in. 

The post 15 Must-Try Regional Food and Drink Specialties in Italy appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.

During 10 years of living on and off in Asia, and traveling constantly around this continent, I developed a passionate relationship with its markets. They fed me, entertained me, surprised me and educated me. In many Asian cities, markets are the best places to get your bearings.

Jess Peterson, Windstar’s director, destination experience & itinerary planning, agrees, telling me that Asia’s markets are important places to discover. “While travelers can learn so much from visiting the region’s museums, temples and palaces,” he says, “for a direct connection to humanity, and an unvarnished peek at local culture, none of those places are as revealing as a market. They offer a clear sense of local trends, tastes and traditions.”

Often, I’ve visited markets with no intention of buying, seeking just to absorb the sensory barrage, chat with jovial vendors and spot new foods, inhale exotic scents, and admire local craftsmanship. From Japan to Thailand, here’s six of this continent’s finest markets, each with their own distinct character.

Bangkok’s Tha Prachan amulet market

I was holding three tiny Buddhist ornaments, and each possessed different powers, a polite vendor told me. One would grant me physical protection, another would bring financial prosperity, and the other could repel evil spirits. Each day, hundreds of these good luck charms are sold here, at Bangkok’s historic Tha Prachan amulet market.

Thailand’s capital brims with markets, but none is this unique. For more than a century, locals and tourists have scoured Tha Prachan’s dozens of stalls to buy Buddhist statues, necklaces, bracelets or rings, which are blessed by monks and so believed to have mystical powers which benefit their owner.

Even tourists who don’t wish to buy a charm, which range from $5 to $30, can appreciate Tha Prachan. By watching its flurried trading, visitors can gain an understanding of the deeply superstitious nature of Thai society. Many Thai people believe simple actions or objects can earn them good or bad luck. Which is why, in addition to owning amulets, they may pick very specific dates to get married, buy a home, have a child or even get a haircut.

Tha Prachan also offers visitors a peek at old-school Bangkok. While swathes of this city are now modernized and Westernized, this market on the banks of the Chao Phraya River remains a weathered maze which has barely changed in generations. Tha Prachan’s location is also very convenient. It sits between two of Bangkok’s greatest attractions: the Grand Palace to its south and the National Museum to its north.

Tokyo’s Yanaka Ginza  

Tokyo is a cutting-edge city of skyscrapers, bullet trains, robot-staffed restaurants and neon-drenched streets. But not all of Japan’s capital has surged into the future. Some neighborhoods remain proudly rooted to their past, including Yanesen, home to charming Yanaka Ginza street market.

Located in Tokyo’s northern suburbs, Yanesen is low-rise, tranquil and traditional. It is dotted by more than 50 temples and shrines due to a government decision, in the 1600s, to change it from a working-class area into a spiritual hub. Beyond those splendid sites of worship, Yanaka Ginza street market has an array of family-operated bookstores, Izakaya pubs, bath houses, art galleries, and handicraft stores.

It is perhaps the best place in all of Tokyo to get authentic keepsakes. Before deciding what to purchase, tourists can meet the artisans who use traditional methods to create shodo calligraphy, takeami bamboo mats, and Kanazawa gold leaf ceramics. Some of these locals offer tourist workshops. So I joined a class in ikebana flower arranging, before getting a present for my mum: a box of hand-rolled wagashi sweets, perfect for drinking with green tea.

Ho Chi Minh City’s Binh Tay market

Co-ordinated chaos: That sums up both Binh Tay market and Ho Chi Minh City, a megalopolis of more than 10 million people. Compared to Vietnam’s sleepier destinations like Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City swamps your senses.

Its ceaseless, invigorating energy is embodied by the riotous Binh Tay Market. If people-watching pleases you, then satisfaction is guaranteed here, in the historic Cholon district. Merely gaining entrance to this two-story covered market requires visitors to first weave through a moving tangle of motorbikes, pushcarts, pedestrians, and workers hauling giant parcels over their heads.

Inside, things get no more peaceful. Each of Binh Tay’s warren of alleys bulges with customers bargaining, sellers yelling and seemingly as many products as Amazon stocks. Electronics, hardware, dried snacks, fresh seafood, toys, uniforms: This century-old market is largely aimed at locals.

Tourists mostly come for the entertainment factor, although many take home a flavorsome south Vietnamese snack, like crispy banh cay cakes, which pair perfectly with coffee. Navigating Binh Tay’s bedlam is a defining experience of Cholon, which began as a Chinese village in the 1700s, before Ho Chi Minh City’s sprawl eventually subsumed Cholon. It’s now the country’s largest Chinatown.

Phnom Penh’s Central Market

Quite literally, you cannot miss Phnom Penh’s Central Market. Not only is it in the heart of this city, and one of its key attractions, but it occupies arguably the most distinctive building in the Cambodian capital. When first I visited Phnom Penh I was dazzled by this market’s 1930s yellow-and-white art deco design, both from street level, and later while standing in its central foyer beneath a huge, domed ceiling.

Its French architect connected that foyer to four wings, each now packed with dozens of small shops. They sell knockoff brand-name goods, phone accessories, household items, fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables, woodwork, ceramics, footwear, leather goods and luggage.

Central Market is best known, however, for locally crafted silver and gold necklaces, rings and bracelets. Tourists capable of bargaining can buy this jewelry for much cheaper than back home.  It’s best to use a local guide if buying the expensive Khmer-style pieces, which are heavy with gold, embedded with precious stones, and inspired by the royal jewelry of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer Empire. Another authentic Cambodian keepsake available here is krama, a Khmer scarf woven from cotton or silk. Good quality versions cost as little as $10 each.

More great Asian markets

Insatiably curious to learn about more Asian markets? Windstar’s Peterson, who’s spent a lot of time, especially recently, in Asia as the cruise line ramps up itineraries there, shares some additional favorite markets. “In Tokyo, I love the Tsujiki Fish Market,” he says. “While the ‘real’ market is limited to vendors and buyers, you can visit the outer market, which is enough to give you an idea of how wonderful and broad the selection is here. When I’m jet-lagged after arriving in Tokyo, I love going first thing in the morning for a chirashi bowl of fresh fish and rice. Amazing.”

In Bangkok, Peterson tells us, the Bangkok Floating Market (about one to two hours outside the city) is “centered around a canal system. Some of the vendors literally sell from boats, but the most fun part was the vendors set up along the sides of the canals. I love small food stalls, and there was plenty of that.”

Another favorite in Bangkok is the Mae Kong Railway Market. “This market is literally set up along a railway line (don’t worry, the trains move extremely slowly). Vendors set up on the train tracks and you walk down the tracks, looking at their wares. When a train comes through, everybody clears the tracks and lets it pass before putting their merchandise back out.”

Editor’s Note: If you prefer to visit markets on a Windstar shore excursion, experiences are offered in Ho Chi Minh City (Binh Tay market), and the central markets in both Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh.

The post In Asia, Markets Embrace Local Culture. Here Are Our Favorites. appeared first on Windstar Cruises Travel Blog.