Some imaginative restaurateurs add some twists to their set up to spice things up a bit. Aside from the awesome interiors you will be amused with how the meals are served or how you should be eating them. Weird food plus themed environment equals unique dining experience.

Opaque, Los Angeles, California

Another weird way of dining will be experienced at Opaque which has branches in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Since it is dark inside the restaurant, you should order first your food before getting inside. You will be assisted by visually-impaired waiters. Your sense of touch and sense of taste will definitely lead you as you go through this in the dark dining arrangement.

The Lock Up in Tokyo, Japan

If you want to know how it feels like to be in prison, check out The Lock Up themed restaurant in Tokyo. You will literally be behind bars. How about skulls for lights and handcuffs for decors? Their menu will make the weak of hear think twice before ordering. Human Experimentation and Life Sentence are some of the cocktails they serve. Their green salad with grilled chicken is labeled Human Specimen Salad while their chicken wings with salad and grilled vegetables were branded as Dracula’s dinner plate. If you want to celebrate your birthday here, a monster will give you its heart felt rendition of Happy Birthday.

The Clinic in Singapore

Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs fanatics will most likely appreciate the atmosphere in The Clinic which is set in the heart of Quay in Singapore. Dine in on a surgical table and wheelchairs while waiters in nurse or doctor attire treat you well. Their best-selling cocktail “Sex on the Drip” is place inside a dextrose bag to have that IV-effect. If you are not into IV’s you can try other cocktails like margaritas sprays and even whisky-sour pastilles in pill form. Try their fishcake, dumplings or chicken wings because I am sure that their tastes are far from what is being serve in real hospitals.

Torch Bistro, Punta Gorda, Florida

Have you seen the movie “Sex in the City”, wherein Samantha covered her body with sushi? This act is a real custom practiced in Japan called Nyotaimori. Nyotaimori is done on special occasions. A model covered with seaweed would lay down on your table, using her body as plate for the sushi, maki, and other Japanese goodies. There are rules to remember when dining in Torch. You are not allowed to talk to or touch their model. You can only use your chopsticks in getting your food. Now, you need to be careful with those chopsticks.

Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada

Grab your snowsuits, earmuffs and mittens as you enter this magical winter-wonderland-themed Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada. This hotel is open from January to March and yearly changes their ice carvings. Drink your cocktails in their square-sculptured glasses and eat your meal on their ice plates.

Conflict Kitchen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Conflict Kitchen is a totally unique take-out restaurant in the heart of Pittsburgh. Menu changes every four months and they serve dishes of other countries that has conflict with the US. They started with Kubideh Kitchen serving Iranian food with kebabs, pita breads and lots of onions. Next on their list is Afghanistan, then North Korea followed by Venezuela. Don’t forget to read what their wrappers say.

Ninja in New York, New York

Eat and be entertained in this Ninja-themed restaurant in New York. The Ninja calls their design Ninja castle. A ninja castle in the olden times was set up in a labyrinth manner for the ninjas not to be intruded. You don’t have to be a ninja nor an intruder to get in their ninja world. In fact, these ninjas will serve you sumptuous Japanese dishes as you enjoy re-enactments of ninja fights. Some of their notable dishes are crab and grapefruit salad, soba, tempura and a bonsai plant-like green tea ice cream.

Modern Toilet Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan

Adding a nasty yet creative humor to their interior is what Modern Toilet known for. Eating in a bathroom is not that gross when you try Modern Toilet located in the capital of Taiwan. It may sound disgusting to some but this bathroom-inspired restaurant has already different chains in the said country. Their floors are made out tiles and seats are real toilet bowls. The food containers that they use are soap dishes, tiny plastic urinals, and bed pans. The bowls for food with sauce or soup are in miniature toilet bowls. Their chocolate ice cream in a squat toilet is a major sellout.

Izakaya Kayabuki inTochigi, Japan

Aren’t monkeys one of the smartest animals on earth? You won’t know what they can do unless you see them yourself serve you beers and yummy Japanese food. Here in Izakaya Kayabuki, monkeys are trained as waiters. These monkeys act like real human being. They wear human clothes and will be more than happy to serve you a round of beer. The monkeys will also keep you company while you enjoy your teppanyaki and gyoza.

B.E.D. in Miami, Florida

Amid the hot spots of Miami, Florida, our gastronomic adventure goes to B.E.D which stands for beverage, entertainment, and dining. You will get your own bed covered in classy linen and soft pillows when you opt to check out this place. You can pull the drapes if you want some privacy.  Try their spring rolls, crab cakes, and other finger foods as this will be a lot more suitable for the setup than your favorite steak. Cap your dinner with a mouthwatering tiramisu or Cloud 9 soufflé desserts. If you don’t want to relax, you can party it out all night long.

For example, if you get on the metro that takes you to central Tokyo specifically Chiyoda Ward, you’ll end up smack in the middle of a very modern-looking part of the city. One moment, you’re surrounded by skyscrapers all made of clear glass and shiny steel and the next, you find yourself in front of the Imperial Palace. The massive stone walls seem to whisper the place’s history through the cracks; around you, the glass is neatly trimmed as if to add a gentle touch to the place and entice guests to come in. You won’t find a surly-looking guard barricading the entrance; instead, the gardens are open to the public and guests are free to come and go as they please.

Tokyo is a fairly big place for travelers to move around in. Sometimes, immersing yourself in this modern city may even make you feel like a member of the Jetsons. But aside from being home to a number of attractions that will make for a memorable vacation, what’s great about this place is that it’s also friendly to budget travelers. Tokyo may not seem like a cheap city at first glance, but the trick is to know which sites to visit and find the best places to feast on delicious but affordable sushi.

If you want to visit Tokyo on a budget, here are a couple of things we’d like to share with you.

FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

First things first: if you don’t speak, read or write the local language, there’s a very small chance that you’ll be able to book yourself into a budget hotel just by taking a chance and stepping inside any hotel you find off the street. Generally, small, budget priced hotels are manned by locals who are only fluent in Japanese. English is usually spoken in expensive, five star business hotels or other luxurious accommodations that are sure to burn a hole in your pocket.

If this is your first trip to Japan, a good way to start hunting for an affordable place to live is through Agoda.com. This website specializes in helping travelers going to Asia find a nice but cheap place to stay in; and best of all, it’s in English. If you go to the website and try searching for hotels located in Tokyo, the result will turn up about a few hundred hits. If you look hard enough, you may even spot a couple of hotels that offer accommodations for about US 70 dollars per night; mind you, that’s cheap by the local standards. Don’t bother looking for US 20 dollar accommodations here; if you want to spend the night in Tokyo, you’ve got to have a bit of cash in your pocket.

At the Dormy Inn, one small bedroom will cost you about US 72 dollars per night if you book the room for three nights. Don’t be discouraged by the rates because chances are you won’t be able to find anything cheaper that’s as clean and comfortable. The room may be small, but it’s still a safe and comfortable place to come home to and the end of a long day. US 72 dollars is pretty much a bargain considering the hotel’s standard rate of US 100 dollars per night.

If you really want to stretch your budget and consider yourself as the adventurous type, you have two other options for your accommodation aside from hotels. The first one is to book yourself in any of Japan’s traditional ryokan (which is basically a small bed and breakfast); and the other one is to tuck yourself inside the small (and we do mean small) confines of a capsule hotel. To get a picture of what a capsule hotel looks like, think of the mailboxes at your local apartment, only make each mailbox big enough to fit a grown person; it’s basically a bed with a door attached at the end. As expected in such tight quarters, there’s a lot of chatter, most of which will be in Japanese.

GETTING AROUND TOWN

Fortunately for travelers to the city with no access to a car or friends living in the city who can drive them around, the underground train system in Tokyo is one of the best in the world. The fare is cheap, and you can bet that it’s going to be a safe and speedy ride anywhere you want to go.

The only problem that first time tourists will most likely encounter upon descending into Tokyo’s underground city is that the vast network of criss-crossing train lines and stations can be a bit daunting and not to mention confusing. Fortunately, each station has signs posted in Japanese and also English. Each station also has free maps of the underground system so be sure to grab one and try to study and understand it as best as you can.

If you have a full itinerary and are planning to visit a number of attractions in a single day, a good tip would be to get a metro line pass that can serve as your ticket for the entire day. To buy a metro line pass, just look for a bilingual ticket terminal that can be found in any of the train stations. A pass will cost you around 710 yen which is about US 8.31 dollars. If you’re willing to shell out a bit more cash, you can also avail of passes that grant passengers access to Toei lines, or routes that go around the city, but this isn’t really necessary.

If you’re more comfortable paying for your fare as you go along, you’ll have to guess the amount that you’ll have to pay at each station. While this isn’t a strictly impossible feat, it may very well be an exercise in futility for others. Not only will you be wasting time, you’re likely to get a headache, as well. But if you’re dead set, be reminded that passengers can enter each station just by paying the minimum fare of 160 yen, which is about US 1.87 dollars; you can just pay the difference when you arrive at your destination.

There are taxis all over the city, but you can bet that they’re expensive. Fares can add up pretty quickly too, and result in a depletion of funds.

THE OLD SIDE OF THE CITY

If you’re a budget traveler visiting Tokyo for the first time, it’s always a good idea to check out the extensive fish market of Tsukiji. It’s easy to forget about the time as you lose yourself in the market’s numerous corridors, surrounded by ice troughs that are all full of fish as big as your arm, and every now and then, biting into what very well may be the freshest sushi that you will find on the entire planet. A trip to the market is best made in the early hours of the morning. At this time, the vendors still have a lot of fish in stock for those of you who are planning to buy some fresh grub.

Travelers who are interested in getting acquainted with Tokyo’s history and heritage should definitely set aside some time in their schedule to visit the famous Meiji Jingu shrine. This particular shrine is actually a Shinto shrine built around 90 years back, during the reign of the Meiji Emperor. It was the Meiji Emperor who paved the way to open Japan’s doors to the world. Visiting the shrine is like escaping into another world where the word “stress” seems unknown. Inside the shrine, there are beautiful gardens and also lovely lily ponds; it is a quiet place where you can walk around in silence and admire your surroundings. You don’t need to pay an entrance fee when you visit the shrine; but if you want to visit the iris garden (something that we recommend), you do have to pay 500 yen (about US 5.85 dollars).

For those of you who are into shopping, visit the Asakusa temple and mingle with the pedestrians who are doing a bit of shopping on their own. Aside from being an interesting way to get a taste of the local culture, this is also your chance to splurge on a number of inexpensive goods that you don’t have back home.

If you have lots of time on your hands, go ahead and spend one whole day roaming around the grounds. Here, you will come across a number of groups quietly worshipping in private, uttering their solemn prayers; while just a stone’s throw away is a souvenir shop selling all kinds of wares and trinkets to passersby.

Are you curious about what the fates have in store for you? If so, go ahead and drop a couple of coins in a donation jar to get a detailed description of what the future has in store for you in the days to come.

Last but certainly not the least, visit the Imperial Palace to complete your journey into Tokyo’s past. Because the gardens that surround the Imperial Palace are open to visitors, you can enjoy a nice, refreshing walk around the area and imagine what it would have been like to live during Japan’s feudal era.

TOKYO’S MODERN FACE

After studying Japan’s rich history, it’s also important to get to know the modern side of the country. Besides, what other city can you think of that’s more hi-tech than Japan? To start, make your way to the Tokyo Tower and ride the elevator all the way up to the top to get a fantastic view of this incredible city. For about 980 yen (US 11.47 dollars), you can get a ticket for the main observatory, which is a staggering 492 feet in the air. On a day when the weather is clear and the skies are blue, you can even see the snow-capped Mount Fuji off in the distance. Cough up an additional 600 yen (US 7.02 dollars), and you can go inside the special observatory which is 820 feet up in the air.

If you want to get lost in Tokyo’s lights and sound, go straight to Shibuya neighborhood. This part of the city is where you will find numerous stores selling electronic products, neon lights occupying almost every square feet of the area, and an army of pedestrians making their way in different directions all over the district. Make sure you stop for a bit at the Shibuya Crossing, where you’ll find the atmosphere to be quite similar to Times Square.

Now, we anticipated that you would also be interested in the modern Japan’s shopping quarters, and fear not because we have just the answer for you shopaholics out there—the Ginza district. Even if you don’t have enough cash to spend on the glamorous items that you’ll find inside these high class department stores, the Ginza district is a good place to come and people watch. See and observe first-hand how the fashionistas in Tokyo dress themselves from head to toe; and indulge in a bit of good food that’s not as expensive.

FILLING THE TUMMY

Amid the old temples, modern buildings, and Tokyo’s gadgets and gizmos, one other thing this city has in abundance is food. To be clear, Tokyo has an abundance of cheap and delicious food that will sustain you as you explore the city. The usual grub that budget travelers can avail of is sticky rice; hot, steaming noodles; fresh fish; and the never to be forgotten miso soup. These are the usual foods that you can expect to encounter even at the breakfast table.

Fortunately for the hungry traveler, most of the food that you will find is pretty affordable. For around 500 up to 1000 yen (US 5.85 – 11.70 dollars), you can get a bowl of noodles set in warm, refreshing soup that will guarantee to rejuvenate even the weariest of travelers. Expect the servings to be generous, too; one bowl is enough to fill your tummy, and keep you going for the rest of the day. Don’t be too quick to dismiss this simple bowl of ramen; the taste will come nowhere near the stuff you used to eat during your college days.

If you’re looking forward to some fresh sushi, don’t be surprised to find out that the really good stuff commands a high price here, similar to the United States. Although this is a very popular local dish, sushi is still considered to be a delicacy in Japan. As a matter of fact, most fish served in Japan is served cooked, not raw.

That being said, don’t let the high prices discourage you so much. There are select places in Tokyo where you can satisfy your craving for fresh sushi without blowing your whole budget on a single meal. As we mentioned earlier, it’s a good idea to visit the Tsukiji market for some fresh fish. Here, you can order one bowl of raw tuna along with some sticky rice and one side of steaming, hot miso soup for 1,100 yen (US 12.87 dollars) in any of the restaurants located in the area. Wash your meal down with some authentic Japanese tea and you’re good to go. If you have a bit of an iron stomach, you can save a bit of money and eat one bowl of fish eggs for half the price.

The Travel Stix USB drive is both a 2GB/4GB USB drive, small enough to fit your wallet and big enough to store your emergency travel documents.  How it works:  You print out the emergency travel documents that come inside.  Some might require the aid of a notary public, but just the same, you sign all of them.  You scan these documents and keep them in the Travel Stix USB and they’re ready to go with you everywhere you go.  Think of it like an iPod that is filled with the world’s best songs but these documents are actually about your identity.

The four kinds of Travel Stix available in the market today contain different documents.  If you will notice, most the travel products today give much emphasis on children—what worried parents should bring with them when they travel such as medical releases, permissions slips, etc.  Not only parents will benefit from these travel products.  They are also popular with coaches and teachers.  While it’s important to have extra copies of such authorizations secured inside a Travel Stix, a safeguarded photocopy would also do the job.

But the Travel Stix that is designed for adults might pose some security risks.  The website did not specify the exact documents you should safeguard in the Travel Stix but some other sites strongly suggest that you should store you birth certificate and photos just in case.  The risks are for you to consider.

So far the best way to secure your documents is by using a program like the TrueCrypt.  The program will help you create a volume of encrypted documents in your laptop or USB.

When evidence pointed over 90% of UK demand was connected to criminality, several wholesalers from the British bank extracted 500 euro notes from sale.  According to UKBA’s assistant director Peter Avery, the agency is working hard to prevent weapons, drugs, and crime proceeds from leaving or entering their borders.  Avery mentioned that when a large amount of unexplained cash turns up, it might be involved in some sort of a criminal action, and therefore, they have the legitimate power to confiscate the loot until the owner can prove to the court that it is legitimate.

The UK Border Agency is one of the law-enforcing agencies in the YK.  The UKBA’s main responsibility is securing the UK border and handling the migration to the United Kingdom through the enforcements of custom regulations.  The UKBA also handles the application and permission to enter the UK borders and stay in the U K for citizenship and refuge.

The Westin Nova Scotian Hotel’s position offers a magnificent view of the harbor. Its proximity to the boardwalk, soon-to-open Farmers Market, and railway station is also a great advantage for guests who want to take in the scene of Halifax.

The rates are also a steal.  At $250 CAD per night, guests can enjoy the luxurious amenities of Westin Nova Scotian Hotel.  The hotel’s restaurants offer the best of what the city has to offer and they have round-the-clock room service.  For the sports and health buffs, the hotel is equipped with a health club, a spa tub, a large fitness facility, an indoor pool, and of course, tennis courts.  For those who yearn for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay, com and enjoy the four star hotel’s spa.

The free Wi-Fi connection, meeting rooms, and audio-visual equipment will be very useful for those who need to attend to some business matters.  So the next time you visit Canada, come and stay at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel.

Top Promotions

Final Week! Labor Day Sale: Save up to 40%! – Expires 9/6/10

NEW! California on Sale: Book Today and Save up to 30%! – Expires 9/27/10

NEW! Football SALE! Follow Your Team and Save! – Expires 10/4/10

Final Week! Last Chance! Summer Sale: Save up to 40%. Plus, book 4+ nights and get a free Flip Ultra! – Expires 9/6/10

Final Week! Travel to Hidden Gems. Save up to 30%! – Expires 9/7/10

Last Minute Deals – Expires September 7, 2010

NEW! hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Boston from $172! Travel by September 7, 2010

NEW! hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! Portland from $99! Travel by September 7, 2010

NEW! hotels.com Weekly Last Minute Deal! San Francisco from $185! Travel by September 7, 2010

Weekly Deals – Expires September 14, 2010

NEW! Los Angeles from $82 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010

NEW! San Diego from $56 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010

NEW! Experience Myrtle Beach for Less: Hotels from $63! Book by September 14, 2010

NEW! San Antonio from $79 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010

NEW! Hilton Head from $68 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010

NEW! Outer Banks, NC Discounts from $110 at hotels.com! Book by September 14, 2010

The present recession greatly affected hotel industries in the US.  Based on the information provided by Travlezoo, the lodging business last 2008 went down on a depressing value and was still pulled down by approximately nine percent in 2009. This 2010, despite the US current situation, New York City hotels do not seem to be affected. In fact, more hotel rooms and structures with astounding designs and remarkable services are popping out in the Big Apple. These hotels seem to be everywhere. There’s in Chelsea, Nolita and lower Manhattan. According to Chris Heywood of NYC & Company, the city’s tourism authority, guests can still enjoy and explore the genuine New York City even if some of these new hotels are located in the not so popular enclaves.

There are a variety of new hotels to choose from. And each hotel caters to each guest needs, moods, personality and budget. If you’re an actor, artist, an eco-conscious person or a model you’ll find a perfect space just for you.

The James

For people who loves nature, eco-conscious and organic buff, The James hotel is best for you! This SoHo hotel situated on the corner of Thompson and Grand is designed in ecological manner. As you enter the hotel, a unique art of recycled keyboard keys providing a montage effect is there hanging waiting for you.

The rooms are environmentally inspired. Rugs are made from all natural fibers; pillows are eco-friendly provided by Keetsa and have wooden floors and furnishings. Their shampoos, conditioner and body wash are provided by their partner Intelligent Nutrients, a certified organic, food-based and natural beauty lines. like brining nature in the city.

You can also enjoy their outdoor amenities which include an urban garden, rooftop pool deck with a bar and sky lobby. Enjoy the green grass and botanicals in the hotel’s Urban Garden located on the exterior of the second floor. Relax and have fun in the private pool in the hotel’s rooftop pool deck. The deck also gives you a full view of Manhattan. The sky lobby is a reception area covered by glass walls that gives you scenic views of sculpture garden, Lent space and tree nursery. The lobby is used to transfer hotel guest from the lobby to a private living room for business functions.

The Chatwal

Theater fanatics will surely enjoy The Chatwal’s Broadway-inspired interiors.  A hang out designed by Stanford White, the Lambs club was renovated with a 95 million dollar budget. The Lambs club was turned into an Empire Deco Gem with 88 rooms. It has a 24 hours fitness lounge where you can use their audio-visual materials and have a personal trainer. You can also have a holistic pampering in their Ayurvedic The Chatwal Spa.

Fashion 26

Who says fashion is just for people? Fashion26 Wyndham Hotel with 280 rooms is the trendiest and newest hotel in the city of Fashion. Spot this stylish lodge in West26 Street which is just around Fashion Institute of Technology, The Empire State Building, Herald Square and the famous Macy’s. The lobby showcases the history of the garment industry. If The James hotel used recycled, organic and environment- thoughtful materials, Fashion 26 used textiles, threads and garments for their designs. Models, designers, photographers or just style-conscious human being will definitely love this hotel.  If you are a professor in Fashion Institute of Technology, you can take advantage of their discounts. Make sure that you are in your most stylish outfit when you get in Fashion26. You might be awarded as the best dressed-guest for the day.

Andaz 5^th Avenue

Do you want to have a real New York experience inside your hotel? Be a New Yorker while you have your accommodation in Andaz 5th Avenue. The design was modeled after the Big Apple itself. The New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, and Empire State Building are some of the inspiration to put up this building.

Eventi, a Kimpton Hotel

There will be three words that will come to your mind when you stay in Eventi — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This environment-friendly hotel does not use disposable materials to reduce the production of waste materials. As much as possible, they avoid printing on paper to lessen paper trashes. They utilize washable tableware, utensils and table napkins which can be reuse again. There are recycling containers in every meeting room and they used recycled paper for printing important documents. All of their cleaning products are safe for the environment. Plus, they have this terrace filled with attractive flowers on the fifth floor. Go Eventi for a green city!

Gansevoort Park Avenue

Settled in 29^th street, Gansevoort Park Ave.  hotel has 249 deluxe rooms. Get wet on their heated, rooftop indoor-outdoor pool all year round. After taking a plunge, enjoy the night life at the Rooftop+ Lounge. Grab a bubbly, feel the music as you take a full view of Manhattan.

Nolitan Hotel

Feel at home in this boutique hotel situated in downtown, Manhattan, New York City. Aside from the cozy yet eclectic design of the building, Nolitan’s personal touch and warm service will make you utter, “Honey, I’m home!”

The best part of it all is that they are offering a reasonable introductory rate. Isn’t this the best time to be in Manahattan?

W New York – Downtown

The W New York which opened last August 9, 2010, is your genie in the city. They have a “Whatever/Whenever® Service” which entitles you to wish whatever legal thing that you want, whenever you like it.  If it is time for you to check out, a farewell kiosk is waiting for you for printing of your boarding pass. The kiosk gets rid of the hassle of waiting and falling in line the station, giving you a relax and smooth departure.

Intercontinental Times Square

The location of InterContinental Times Square is just perfect. Everything is just around the corner. Shopping malls, banks and other commercial buildings are very accessible. Broadway theaters are just steps away. Airports are just nearby. And subway stations like Penn and Grand Central are within reach.

La Vucciria, Palermo, Italy

Make sure that you know how to get out of the maze as you enter this smelly and rough market. Their products include pomegranates and Pantelleria capers.

Try this:

If this is your first time, you should try Pane c’a meusa,a yummy spleen sandwhich which can be bought in every stall. Trying this out is part of their ritual.

Shanghai Trattoria is popular for their eggplant caponata and pasta con le sarde.

Borough Market, London

The Best time to visit this place is on an early Thursday or Friday so that you would not experience a squeezed crowd every Saturday. It is London’s nibble center, packed with stores, bars, stalls and small restaurants.
Try this:

Brindisa is an outdoor grill that offers smoky chorizo-and-arugula sandwiches on crusty ciabatta roll. (Sandwiches for two $10.50)

Shellseekers offers scallops for two at $14. The owner itself dives for scallop and serves it baked with  a bacony bean-sprout stir-fry

Rabot Estate serves a St. Lucian chocolate filled desert for two at $8.

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

This market located in a 1916 Beaux-Arts building which was left abandoned for several years was renovated last 2009. Today, the 33 shopping and dining booths and coffee spaces brought it all again to life.
Try this:

El Yantar del Ayer offers drinks and snacks for two at $7. They serve Sherries placed straight from barrels are partnered by Andalusian olives and nuts roasted in a wood-burning oven.

Pinkleton & Wine serves some two dozen wines by the glass worth $8 for two persons.

Caviar Purveyor Daniel Sorlut serves fines de claire oysters. The price starts at $1.20 per oyster.

Sherries drawn straight from barrels are accompanied by Andalusian olives and roasted nuts.

Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market, San Francisco

Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market is located in a waterfront where your eyes will pop out of seeing carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables. It is Kingdom Plantae out there. It is best to visit this place on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays since most cultivated products are available. It is still good to visit them on ordinary days since they still serve jam-packed of goodies to choose from. They have salty Tomales Bay oysters fresh from Hog Island and lavender-flavored chocolates from Recchiuti Confections.

Try this:

Chef Daniel Patterson’s Il Cane Rosso. The meal includes great fried-egg breakfast sandwiches and note-perfect salads, a lunch for two at $25.

You can have an exotic micro-roast coffee paired with their heavenly Belgian waffles for only $6 (good for two persons) at Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

Local Chefs line up at Primavera Tamales every Saturdays for organic-masa mole tamales douse with roasted-tomato salsa. It is a snack worth $18 and good for two persons.

Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris

Looking for the best and tasty hams, sausages, and pâtés? Try Marché des Enfants Rouges in Paris. The marché in the Marais has a variety of yummy and meaty products. Different ethnic and enticing foods are served in a very reasonable price.

Try this:

La Rôtisserie Enfants Rouges (lunch for two $24) serves up crisp-skinned rotisserie Bresse chicken with potatoes and a glass of vin rouge.

Le Traiteur Marocain (lunch for two $25) is a must for its bracing spiced lamb-and-prune tagine and fluffy couscous royale.

Mercado de la Merced, Mexico City

With 3,00 vendors around Mexico, Mercado de la Merced have it all. Starting from preserved and dehydrated chiles, moles pastes, smelly Oaxacan cheese, piles of nopals and mixture smelled from guavas and epazote makes this market full of life.

Try this:

Abraham trades in delicious huaraches (griddled masa cakes) with toppings such as chorizo and carne asada, a snack good for two worth $4.

Migas Arnulfo) is  well-known for its sopa de migas, a soothing bread soup, also a snackgood for two worth $4.

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne

Queen Victoria Market provides a two hour tour worth $30 in order to see and experience “ Queen Vic” more than 1,000 stalls. The tour includes food tasting and vendor chatting. It started from 1878 and has provided Southeast Asian greens, Italian cheeses, kangaroo salami, and Tasmanian scallops.

Try this:

Coffea has espressos good for two at $6.

Bratwurst Shop offers sandwiches starting from $6. You can choose from a spicy or mild bratwurst sandwich topped with five different kinds of mustard.

Mezze Table has snacks for two at $6. Try their flaky multilayered börek filled with everything from spiced lamb to leeks.

Market Juice has the healthiest thirst quencher. At $3 for two persons, enjoy freshly-squeezed passion fruits.

Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore

If you get tired and hungry shopping in this 1950’s building, you can take a break and try the different food stalls that offers delectable treats.

Try This:

Roasted Pig Specialist has Char siu a must try snack worth $3 for two persons.

Jian Bo Shui Kueh will provide you with soft springy steamed rice cakes topped with fried preserved radish.

Fried Kway Teow will stuff you with rice noodles filled with Chinese sausage, eggs, and fish-cake nuggets. Their snack is at $4 and good for two persons.

Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çar?i), Istanbul

Enclosed in 65 streets and has approximately 4,000 stores, this grand bazaar in Istanbul doesn’t only sell kilims and bangles. Getting hungry is not a problem for these retailers since they have a variety of food stalls to choose from.

Try this:

Subasi has goldsmiths, rug lords and copperware kings. They serve white beans in tomato sauce and chicken stuffed with rice with an affordable price of $30 (good for2).

Dönerci ?ahin Usta provides the best meat wrap, a luscious döner which is good for 2 persons at $12.

Try the the city’s flavorsome kebabs in Kara Mehmet Kebap Salonu. Kebabs for two persons are worth $12.

Mercado Municipal Paulistano, São Paulo, Brazil

You will not only enjoy eating here but also appreciate the cathedral-worth stained glass scenic place. This 1930’2 market sells olives, linguica sausages, and salt cod.

Try This:

As part of their custom, you try first a mortadella sandwich. Follow it up with flaky pastel de bacalhau (salt-cod pastries) at Hocca Bar.

Ki Piexe serves oyster for two at $14.

Banna Juice has chocolaty açai-berry shake as their bestseller.

San Diego

There are different ways to catch and see whales up close in San Diego. You can go to Seaworld and see Shamu. If you enjoy the sea, you can also go there and catch Gargantuan Gray whales. They are freely around in their blue-shaded environment. Best time to see them is during winter where they travel from Baja’s Southern spot going to San Diego. Another option is to ride a boat and be closer to them. You can also visit Cabrillo National Monument set in the city. You can go whale watching in Cabrillo by land. It is more than 400 feet above sea level. It has an observatory made out of glass to better appreciate the sea world.

Cape Cod

The waters surrounding Cape Cod was acknowledged as one of the top ten whale-watching destinations by the World Wildlife Fund. The minke, finback, and humpback whales are their pride. You will definitely enjoy the way they dance into the water. Take peek as they glide, spout and breach in the Atlantic. The companies holding this whale watching event shared that they are always 99 percent successful during whale-watching months of April to October.

Quebec

There are two common species of whales that can be seen here in Quebec, Canada. The first which is approaching extinction is the North Atlantic right whale. If you see one of these whales, you are very lucky since there are approximately 350 whales remaining. The second kind is the Beluga whales. These whales are very much prominent in the St. Lawrence River. These white mammals are well-liked because of the expression of their faces. They are like water gymnasts that dances on the water with their heads up showing their proud faces.

Orcas Island

This collection of places for whale-watching will be incomplete without the Orcas Island. The name speaks for itself; it is where orcas whales and gray whales are to be found. These whales gather around the coast mostly during spring and summer. There are also an ample amount of killer whales in this destination. Do not be scared of these killer whales because there are other tame and lovely sea creatures living in its water surroundings.  Its marine environment includes uncommon sea species like harbor whales and porpoises.

Dominica

The Dominica is recently recognized as the “Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean”. This island between Martinique and Guadeloupe is not only a whale-watching destination but also a scuba diving site because of its amazing sea world. It has radiant coral reefs and sparkling hot springs. You will surely forget about time once you go on a boat tour and see whales as they make friends, mate and play with you. Dominica assures you of a 90 percent possibility in catching and getting up close with these whales. Whales commonly seen in this place are sperm, killer and pigmy. Even most of these whales are seen late November and June; people still enjoy hanging out here any time of the year.

Hawaii

Aside from the tropical weather, the humpback whale is also one of the reasons why guests travel to Hawaii every winter. The water in this Aloha spot is lucid enough to see things until under100 feet. The best time for sightseeing is from late- November to mid-April. Whales tend to go around the different islands but most of them stay in Maui.

Kaikoura

An internationally renowned center for eco-tourism, Kaikoura is set on the East Coast south Island of New Zealand. There is also a humungous chance of seeing a sperm whale because a swarm of these gathers together in the seashore any time of the year. Kaikoura is wealthy not only with whales but with other marine species. Some of these are dolphins, fur seals and seabirds. Orca whales are most likely to be seen from December to March. Take a glimpse on Humpbacks from June to July while pilot whales can be occasionally spotted. Try a boat tour to witness a sperm whale wag its tail or better yet, ride a plane and enjoy a 30-minute air travel for an exclusive view of whale-watching.

Hermanus

You definitely do not need to ride a boat just to see whales in Hermanus. Just bring your binoculars and find a bench or perch in the shorelines. The coastline is perfectly designed for a relaxed shore-based whale sight-seeing. July is when most southern right whales are visible because they enjoy the warm water in the sea area. Other paraphernalia are provided around the place for a better whale-watching experience. It is worthwhile to visit Hermanus in the months of May to December. Every year they hold a Hermanus Whale Festival. This yearly affair is celebrated every September.

The Azores

The Azores is located in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. It is composed of isolated islands chained together. People in The Azores are in touch with the sea. They strongly believe that seashore will attract lovely whales. There are nine volcanic islands that make up this chain. The seas along Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge are the best places to spot whales. April to September is the best time to go here. Aside from whales, you will also varieties of fish and other sea mammals which include sperm and short-finned pilot whales. A boat available for touring the scenery and exploring the place is available in the island. Just a tip, Pico has the most attractive panorama, so better start your boat ride there.

Los Cabos

There are a lot of reasons to visit Los Cabos, Mexico. It simply got it all, the best beaches, fancy resorts, colorful views and wonderful weather any time of the year. Whale-watching is an additional perk in going to Los Cabos especially during months of January to April. An assortment of whales like humpbacks, grays, blues, and sperm are just around the waters playing, paring off, and taking good care of their offspring. Many boat tour guides are waiting excitedly to assist you and show you around.

Sama Airlines catered to six Boeing 737-300 that flew to ten destinations until things went downhill.  Bruce Ashby, Sama Airlines’ CEO, said in a statement that the cease of their operations is the only option they had after the handful of months they spent in trying to find financial help for liquidation for the heavy losses they suffered from October last year to March 2010, a large amount that they failed to recover from.

Ashby also mentioned that he had been waiting for the government’s, an “aviation relief package” that would cover fuel funding and support for the losses they had incurred in the past as well as aid in the business’s growth.  Unfortunately, Sama Airlines was not successful.  Ashby also stated that they have found investors who were willing to give financial support but they were not able to seal the deals in time.

Sama Airlines used to fly to different destinations in Saudi Arabia and in several neighboring countries like Syria, Sudan, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan.  Their CEO is still hoping that a financial aid will be found to allow them to resume operations as soon as possible.  However, at present, their aircrafts stay waiting until the company finds a solution to make them zoom into the air once more.