The Best Food We Ate in 2016

2016 was a momentous year in which we traveled to 18 countries and over 80 cities. Here, we share our favorite travel experiences and by experiences we mean food. Grab your fork and knife or your chopsticks and check out the best food we ate in 2016!

After traveling for eleven months (so far),  it's fair to say that our heads are so full that they could explode. Not that we're complaining. Seriously, we experienced the Grand Canyon, the Cliffs of Moher, Angkor Wat and Halong Bay all in one year. And those were just the most momentous sights! We also saw huge swaths of Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and Scandinavia after our seven week race across the United States.

In addition to checking out amazing sites and spending time with friends new and old, we ate a prodigious amount of food along the way – Carolina Gold Rice in Charleston, Hot Chicken in Nashville, Cuban food in Miami, Barbecue in Austin, Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, Pho in Hanoi, more Pho in Saigon, Sushi and Ramen in Osaka, Pâté en Croûte in Lyon, Jamon in Spain and Donuts – way too many donuts to count. (Our Instagram donut photo project nearly killed us until we gracefully ended the sugary mission once we left the Americas for Europe.)

After visiting over 80 cities in 18 countries and staying in dozens of hotels, motels, apartments and with dear friends (you know who you are!), we're justifiably tired. Mostly, we're excited about the experiences that we shared with each other as well as with our loyal readers. We ate a lot of food that surprised us with new flavors and other food that comforted us with classic familiarity. We photographed food that was as beautiful to look at is it was to eat. We broke bread in luxurious comfort in some the greatest dining rooms of the world, and we also dined while sitting on plastic stools so low to the ground that we could barely bend our knees. From grass-fed Aubrac beef to fish and chips and even meat on a stick – we ate it all.

We ate several versions of Fish and Chips during our travels in Ireland and the UK. Though the version we ate in Dingle might have been the tastiest, this version at the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna was surely the prettiest.

So where do we start to summarize the first phase of the most epic journey of our lives? Well, lets just say these were…

The Best Food We Ate in 2016 Dinner at Maison Bras in Laguiole

This poached fillet of grass-fed Aubrac beef at Maison Bras may look simple, but its minerally, melt in your mouth flavors blew us away. The legendary French restaurant in Laguiole, France proved to be a worthy splurge on our epic journey to taste the world.

We planned one splurge meal before we left on our journey to taste the world – dinner at Maison Bras, the famed three star Michelin retreat high atop the rolling Aubrac hills. We even woke up in the middle of the night to call France to make the reservation at the restaurant founded by chef/innovator Michel Bras and now run by his more than capable son, Sebastian. We don't do bucket lists, but if we did, this restaurant would have been there. Ever since we saw the excellent documentary Entre les Bras, about the groundbreaking restaurant and the father/son team behind it, we've been dying to go. We built a trip to Laguiole just for the meal. Needless to say, our expectations were high.

High expectations can be a dangerous thing, but not this time. The meal was epic from the opening starters overlooking a stunning sunset to the perfect Aubrac steak. (See above photo.) Every course was a revelation and lesson in three star Michelin cookery. Even the continental breakfast the following morning blew us away. A mix of in-house pastries and jams may sound pedestrian – except when they're prepared by world-class pastry chefs. Also, there's nothing like eating leftover cheese and charcuterie from the previous night's extraordinary cheese cart. Watch our video for the full story.

Honorable Mention: We ate spectacular meals at seven other Michelin starred restaurants in Lyon, San Francisco, Strasbourg, Malmö and Banyoles and Belfast. We won't mention the disappointing Michelin starred meal in Galway – oops, we just did. Instead, we prefer to remember the spectacular meals like the one we ate at Takao Takano, 

Hamburger at Le Pied de Mammouth in Strasbourg

We didn't eat this monster burger in the U.S. Nope, we ate this Magistrat double burger with cumin Alsatian Munster cheese, smoked bacon, red onions and creamy herb sauce at Le Pied de Mammouth in Strasbourg, France. On our travels, we discovered that the French have elevated hamburgers to a new level of greatness.

We didn't expect to eat hamburgers in Europe and certainly not in France. After arriving in Lyon, we soon realized the folly of our thinking. We thought we had the best hamburger of the year at Lyon's Les Frangins until we had the Magistrat double burger with cumin Alsatian Munster cheese, smoked bacon, red onions and creamy herb sauce at Le Pied de Mammouth in Strasbourg. Although we could barely fit this monster burger in our mouths, the stretch was well worth the effort.

Generally, the French enjoy their burgers in civilized fashion with forks and knives. Be warned! If you order a double or triple burger at a high-end French burger joint,  you'll receive a sandwich with enormous, full-sized 1/3 to 1/2 lb. patties. Yes, hamburgers in France can be a spectacle (we even heard of someone ordering a quad patty burger at Les Frangins) and we still haven't figured out whether the French prefer their burgers this way or they're just mocking American eating habits.

Honorable Mention: We also ate great burgers in Dublin and Helsinki.

Barbecue All Over the World

We ate this plate of barbecue at The Beast in Paris. To be clear, we mean Paris, France and not Paris, Texas. Barbecue is another example of the growing popularity of American food throughout Europe.

We knew we'd eat good barbecue in Texas, and that's exactly what we did at the big three BBQ houses in Lockhart. The Cheddar Jalapeño sausage at Kreuz's Market with its juicy interior and snapping good skin was one of the best sausages we've ever tasted. We ate more good barbecue in Kansas City, also not a surprise. The surprise barbecue was actually in Paris and Helsinki of all places. Europeans have a knack for slow cookery, so barbecue would only seem like a perfect fit. In Paris, we chowed down on incredible brisket using beef imported from Arkansas at The Beast. (Apparently, the grass-fed cows of France are not fatty enough.) As you can see above, the French were more than capable of producing juicy brisket with a wonderful red smoke ring. At Helsinki's B Smokerie, we inhaled ribs that were slow smoked with a rub of salt, pepper and cinnamon that could only have been dreamed up in Finland. They were crusty, slightly spicy and wonderful.

Khao Soi in Chiang Mai

Khao Soi was our go-to food in Chiang Mai. We ate this version at Khao Soi Khun Yai in a shack adjacent to one of the town's legendary temples located by the city's north gate.

Nothing speaks Northern Thai food more than Khao Soi. In our month in Chiang Mai, we enjoyed the dark, curry coconut stew/soup over more than a dozen times. The deeply rich spicy, brick-red broth served with a spectrum of textures including firm boiled wheat noodles and crunchy fried wheat noodles made a simple bowl of Khao Soi a complete eating experience. And did we mention how cheap it was? One bowl of beef Khao Soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai, in Chiang Mai's old city, will only set you back about 30 to 40 baht – about $1 Dollar American.  Watch our video to learn more about Khao Soi.

Honorable Mention: We ate a lot of other delicious Thai food in Chiang Mai. The food is so good there!

Pho in Hanoi

We slurped more than more than our fair share of Pho in Hanoi like this bowl of Chicken Pho at Pho Lam Nam Ngu. We loved Pho in Hanoi for its pure, simple flavors and construction.

Hanoi is the birthplace of Pho. Sure, many people say that they prefer the more accoutrement laden bowls of Pho served in southern cities like Saigon, but we enjoyed the simpler soup served in Vietnam's capital city. Here, big flavorful bowls of beef (Bo) or chicken (Ga) broth are served with fresh flat rice noodles and simple cooked greens. Add some ultra spicy, sliced, red Vietnamese chili if you please and that's it, you're in for a pho-licious party! No hoisin sauce here or bean sprouts or the massive array of herbs one might see in the South. Eating Hanoi Pho is about as pure a noodle soup experience as you're ever going to enjoy. We liked Hanoi Pho so much we made a video!

Honorable Mention: We also loved Bun Bo Hue in Hue.

Ramen at Ryukishin in Osaka

Ramen in Osaka is easily the best ramen in the world. We especially loved the Potage Chili ramen at Ryukishin Rize in Namba. When you go, press #3 on the ordering machine – you won't be sorry.

Whenever people think of ramen in Japan, they generally think of Tokyo and to us, that's a shame. Osaka is kind of like Tokyo's working class cousin, especially when it comes to food. Osaka's food is heartier and this is especially true in Osaka. On a typical night, locals line up outside Ryukishin's Namba ramen counter to eat some of the best. And by best – we mean Potage Chili Ramen. (Just in case you were curious, it's #3 on the ordering machine) Mindi likened it to Chicken Pot Pie Ramen. This ramen is rich and thick with a chicken potato broth straight out of Julia Child that somehow melds beautifully with the heat of mixed in chili flake. Add the kind of fresh, firm ramen noodles that you can only find in Japan, meaty chashu pork, and you have a party. To any chefs out there who may be reading this: you must try to make this stuff now!  Check it out in our video and you'll see why.

Honorable Mention: We also loved the sushi in Osaka. In fact, we'd like a big plate of it right now.

Coffee at Ristr8to in Chiang Mai

The cappuccino at Ristr8to in Chiang Mai is our favorite coffee of the year. Watching the baristas is a show in itself.

We drink a lot of coffee, especially when we travel. Sometimes we think that there's more caffeine than blood in our veins. Okay, we're not that bad, but we are bonafide coffee snobs who always sniff out the best coffee in town. Can we say that Ristr8to serves the best tasting coffee in the world? Probably not. They offer filtered coffee pour overs, but that's not their forte.  What we can say is that Ristr8to serves the most beautiful lattes we've ever drunk – and they also taste awesome – creamy with rich flavors of locally roasted beans.

The Chiang Mai coffee outlet's incredible award-winning latte art has us eager to try coffee in new-to-us cities like Seoul, Singapore and Melbourne. Generally, latte art in the U.S. essentially consists of hearts and leaves. Those are nice, but at Ristr8to you can  order a Satan Latte, the signature drink, with a gorgeous angel or a fleur-de-lis like wreath. They don't skimp at Ristr8to. They only use the ristretto – the best, super creamy part of the latte pull in every coffee drink they make. If you want to see the Ristr8to baristas in action, then watch our video.

Honorable Mention: We also ate drank great coffee in Portland, Miami, Columbus, Dublin, Belfast, Lyon, Munich, London, Hanoi, Saigon and Helsinki .

\Beer at Pasteur Street Brewing Company in Saigon

If you like chocolate and beer, then you'll love the Cyclo Imperial Chocolate Stout at Pasteur Street Brewing Company in Saigon. The craft brewery uses locally sourced chocolate from Marou to create their signature award-winning beer.

Beer is plentiful in Southeast Asia, though usually of the cheap lager variety. We drank beer to wash down hot, spicy food in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, often adding ice to enhance the cooling effect. The beer at Saigon's Pasteur Street Brewing Company is another story. Brewed with local ingredients like passion fruit and coffee, this is true craft beer as good as any we've drank in the US or Europe. Our favorite was the Cyclo Imperial Chocolate Stout brewed with local artisan chocolate from Marou Chocolate. Oh yeah, we loved the chocolate too.

Check out our video to see us taste some of the best beers that Pasteur Street has to offer!

Honorable Mention: We also loved the breweries we visited in Sweden, Spain and Estonia.

Sashimi Over Carolina Gold Rice at FIG in Charleston

Charleston has built a reputation as one of the premier food cities in the US. FIG's beautiful starter, featuring king mackerel over a buttery short grain rice with benne (sesame seeds), verifies this assessment.

Ah yes. Did we tell you about our epic, totally over ambitious U.S. road trip? OK, this is where we totally lay down our U.S. food street cred. We traversed a good portion of the mainland United States (plus Toronto) in just seven weeks including amazing stops in Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Asheville, Miami, Houston, El Paso, Austin, New Orleans, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver and Portland. We ate in so many cities in such a brief period of time during our kamikaze U.S. tour that our heads were spinning. There was so much great food, both old and new, all over the country.

Charleston was a food centric city that did not disappoint. In our two days there, we ate a slew of appetizers at Husk and loved every one of them, but our truly special Charleston meal experience was at FIG. FIG stands for Food Is Good. We may have to disagree with that assessment about FIG – their food was not merely good but awesome. If we had to pick one special dish from that epic meal, we would have to go with our first course that featured insanely fresh king mackerel over buttery short grain rice with benne (sesame seeds) that rivaled some of the best rice in the world – Japan and Italy included.

Honorable Mention: We're still thinking about the hot chicken we ate in Nashville, another highlight from our road trip from hell.

Ice Cream at the Graeter's Ice Cream Factory in Cincinnati

There's nothing like eating fresh ice cream from Graeter's, especially at their incredible factory in Cincinnati. Here, Daryl enjoys a scoop of fresh Maple Pecan Chocolate Chip enhanced with Bourbon.

We have to admit that we haven't missed many foods from the United States this year. But one thing we've missed is the ice cream from Graeter's. In our opinion, Graeter's makes some of the best ice cream in the world. Graeter's has a unique process that uses specially built French Pot ice cream spinning machines to create products like their black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream. With huge chunks of rich dark chocolate in intensely fruit flavored ice cream, this stuff is the bomb!

We saw the process up close while expertly guided by family member Bob Graeter. It was so great to see a company where such care is taken to produce ice cream of amazing quality. Graeter's keeps that quality in the family, making their ice cream one of the greatest mass-produced food products in the United States. Watch our video to learn more about our Graeter's tour.

Honorable Mention:  We loved the ice cream in Western Ireland, especially at Murphy's and Linnalla.

Saucisson Frais from F. Reynon in Lyon

We loved cooking in our own kitchen while in Lyon, France. Pictured: Saucisson Frais (Fresh Sausage) from amazing charcutier F. Reynon.

This past year has taught us that 'slow travel' is a beautiful thing. We can't tell you how many times we've walked through some of the great markets of France gawking at the amazing product for sale – incredibly fresh raw milk cheeses, golden chanterelle mushrooms, charcuterie of all types, fresh fruits and vegetables – but unable to buy them. French restaurants serve amazing meals, but some of the best food in France can be found in public markets. On our trip to Lyon, we lived like locals and rented an Airbnb apartment with a kitchen, which meant that we could buy what we wanted and cook it at home. Score!

Some of our readers may be familiar with F. Reynon from Anthony Bourdain's show Parts Unknown. We watched the show and had to check it out for ourselves. F. Reynon may be one of the finest saucisson producers in the world. We decided to buy one of their plump, fresh saucissons on our first visit to the store. When we bought it, we were told that there was some cooking involved. This made us cautious, but, once we slowly cooked the sausage at 190°F for about 40 minutes, we were rewarded with the juiciest, most flavorful sausage of our lives. This beat eating in any restaurant. We cooked other things in France – duck breast for a fraction of the cost of the same item in the U.S. and intensely flavored white asparagus to name a couple.

Advice for travelers (especially travelers who love to cook): Book an apartment with a full kitchen in countries like France, Italy or Spain and stay for a while. If you do, you can create some of the best food in your own kitchen!

Fika at Fabrique Stenugnsbageri in Stockholm

We fully embraced the Fika concept in Sweden. What could be wrong with taking a break with coffee and pastry? Nothing. Not one thing.

We've learned a lot during our travels this year, and there are a few things that we will take home with us. One of those things is Pan Con Tomate in Costa Brava. The other is Fika in Sweden.

We mentioned that we're coffee connoisseurs, and it's surely no surprise that we like pastries too. In Sweden, people take daily breaks where they enjoy coffee and desserts like cardamom bulles (similar to Danishes in the U.S. but better.) The Swedes take these breaks at home and at work, giving themselves a chance to relax and re-energize with a tasty treat.  Fika is a concept that we love.

Honorable Mention: We also loved our fika break in Kaka på Kapa in Malmö.

Patatas Braves at König in Girona

Patatas Braves are a standard snack in Costa Brava. We especially loved the version at König with its crispy potatoes and secret recipe spicy sauce.

We ate a lot of great food during our 24 days in Costa Brava including a stunning Michelin starred meal and many other wonderful meals. We ate some of the freshest seafood in the world, cheese imported directly from France and wonderful pastries. And don't even get us started on the amazing wine. With all this great food, we're surprised to admit that our absolute favorite was the patatas braves at the local chain König. In this dish, the potatoes were cooked perfectly with an addictive sauce that kept us going back for more. Watch our video to see some of our other König favorites.

Honorable Mention: We also loved the xuixo pastries at Casamoner, another local favorite in Girona.

Dinner at Shelter in Helsinki

We were surprised by much of the food in Helsinki, but none surprised us more than the sophisticated dinner we enjoyed at Shelter. Pictured here is the siika with salted whitefish, whitefish roe, ginger flavored milk and daikon.

As we close out the year, we can't forget the exciting dinner we enjoyed at Shelter in Helsinki. Sure, the dinner was just last week. But we'd remember it vividly even if we ate it six months ago. Chef Hanne Honkanen worked in Copenhagen and South America before returning home with mad skills and an appreciation for global flavors. We were more than happy to eat food like this siika with salted white fish, white fish roe, ginger flavored milk and daikon. In fact, it was our pleasure.

Honorable Mention: Chef Honkanen's baby lamb loin and neck with porridge, slowly roasted celeriac and pear was another winner in a meal filled with winners.

Final Thoughts

We could keep going with this list, but we need to go eat more food in Tallinn while we strategize our travel schedule for 2017. We don't know exactly where we're going, but we know there will be more great food to eat and photograph. How long will we stay on the road? That's a good question for which we don't have a good answer…yet.

Stay tuned and stay hungry!

Traveling soon? Research your travel using Booking.com and support 2foodtrippers at the same time. When you click here and book a hotel, we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Source: The Best Food We Ate in 2016

Food, culture and adventure to dominate family travel in 2017

Planning to explore the world in 2017? Here are five family-travel trends to consider:

Multigenerational travel continues to strengthen

While technology may make it easier for modern and mobile families to stay in touch, there is no substitute for building sandcastles on the beach, snuggling with grandkids on the porch swing or giggling through game night around the table.

That's why an increasing number of extended families are spending long weekends, holidays or milestone moments together in a vacation-style setting. Destinations, resorts, cruise ships and even theme parks continue to add programs and packages that make it easier to plan a grand getaway. Short-term rental properties, complete with kitchens, multiple bedrooms and space for kids to play, are also popular for large family groups.

Contact: airbnb.com; ncl.com; beaches.com.

An emphasis on experience

From backcountry challenges and wild river runs to history-rich walking tours and cultural immersions, the trend toward outings that deliver a meaningful and memorable experience continues. Look for travel brands to offer more personalized, transformative experiences, intended to inspire even the youngest adventurer and his or her parents. Expect more opportunities to learn from, dine and dance with and share stories with locals in your next destination.

Contact: oars.com; intrepid.com; urbanadventures.com.

A group huddles together to take a selfie photo on a cell phone at the Paradise area at Mount Rainier National Park, Wash. Spotty or no cellular service has been the norm at the nation's fifth oldest park south of Seattle. 

AP

Digital detox

You may travel deep into a national park where the signal soon fades or simply close the lid on a technology box provided by the resort. Either way, families are voting to turn off the tech and tune in to each other. While the idea may cause short-term consternation, reports from families who have gone cold turkey on tech are encouraging.

Once liberated from the lure of Snapchats and sports scores, the generations are free to converse about the adventures at hand. Whether you journey to Siberia, a nearby resort or your favorite backcountry escape, connecting with nature and those you hold dear will provide a renewable energy source for use in the year ahead.

Contact: travelvisionjourneys .com/tour/chile; mircorp.com/trip/siberian -winter-escapade; nps.gov.

A family of foodies

More families are making food part of the fun on family getaways. They are shopping at farmers markets, picking apples in the orchard, tasting honey at the beekeeper's shop and seeking fresh options for each meal of the day. They are introducing young explorers to distinctive local fare and encouraging the kids to sample new tastes and textures. Expect more cooking classes for every age group.

Young families will increasingly seek out cities like Tucson, recently designated North America's first UNESCO World City of Gastronomy, where hometown resorts take pride in their on-site, organic gardens and serve up fresh and thoughtful fare at every meal.

Contact: haciendadelsol.com; visittucson.com; localharvest.org.

Now is a good time

Family travel is no longer relegated to a few weeks in the summer or the official spring break. Expect more families with preschool-age children, homeschoolers, parents with flexible work options and those who consider a family trip the best kind of education possible to take to the road when the timing best suits them.

Off-peak travel provides the modern and mobile clan the option to find better deals, fewer crowds and that most satisfying, serendipitous experience that often manifests on the road less traveled.

Source: Food, culture and adventure to dominate family travel in 2017

Best Money-Saving Travel Tips: Part 4, Save as You Travel

In the last three days we've covered saving and budgeting for travel, traveling on a tight budget and traveling in luxury affordably.

Today we're going to cover some of the things that come up as you're traveling.

When looking at my spending of the last year I found a number of ways that I blew my budget as I traveled. You can read about them in My Travel Money Mistakes of 2016.

For your convenience here's the list of posts for the week.

Money Issues Before You Travel

How to Travel on a Very Tight Budget

Save on Luxury Travel

Save as You Travel However You Travel.

Protect Yourself and Your Money as you Travel.

And now to the posts about saving money as you travel. You may notice that some of the posts I link to have been used in past posts. Just pass by them if you've seen them before. They are there for people who just look at this money-saving topic.

Travel Apps that Save Money and Make Travel Easier

I like to keep travel simple and the experience rich. Here are my go-to travel apps that save money and make travel easier.

Save Money When You Change Money

7 tips for exchange rates and travel and budgeting. Here's how solo travelers can win in the exchange rate game.

6 Ways to Save at The Airport

Why spend your money on the boring, tedious part of travel – the airport. Here are 6 ways to save at the airport so you have more to spend on real travel!

Use Your Phone Anywhere in the World: Free and Low-cost Options

No need to find SIM cards country-to-country, no going over your data limit… Here are options and apps to easily use your phone anywhere in the world.

Save on Hotels? Yes You Can with These 10 Tips

So you don't want to cheap out on your accommodation but you want a great deal. Here are 10 tips to help you save on hotels.

Travel, Eat Well and Save on Food

This is part 1 of a 3-part series on the big 3 of travel expenses: transportation, accommodation and food. This time how to travel, eat well and save on food.

Tickets to Attractions and Day Tours: How to Get the Best Deal

Where there are tourists there are hucksters. Here's how to avoid being ripped off and how to get the best deal on tickets to attractions and day tours.

Cheap One-Way Car Rentals… Really? Really!

Sometimes you just want to drive… and then fly home. But then what to do with the car? Here are some options for cheap one-way car rentals.

Package, Pass or Pay-As-You-Go Travel: What's Your Best Deal?

Travel companies are constantly packaging deals for us to consider. But are they the right deals? Sometimes pay-as-you-go travel is the better way to go.

25 Travel Money Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

There are many ways to save travel money and there are an equal number of ways to make travel money mistakes. Here are the top 25 and how to avoid them.

6 Things to Do With Leftover Currency

Oh it can mount up. Coins and bills from other countries that you'll never return to. What do you do with leftover currency? Here are 6 ways to manage it.

Last updated: 29th December, 2016

Source: Best Money-Saving Travel Tips: Part 4, Save as You Travel

Here Is Our Most Memorable Food Travel Of 2016

Spam musubi. Mmmm.

The Internet is in the midst of year-end list madness. Allow us to prolong the season one more week as Food Republic editors weigh in on all things food and drink from 2016. Here are the staff's recaps of what was quite the busy year in food-related travel.

Daniel Carnaje, Social Media Manager

My most memorable travel destination of 2016 was Hawaii, where I spent a week lounging on the beach with either a beer, a cocktail, a musubi or some combination of all three in hand at all times. Beyond working on my tan, snapping pictures on my film cameras and quick dips into the serene, cooling waters of the Pacific, the rest of my time was dedicated to consuming the best of what the islands had to offer.

The Kilauea Lighthouse on the island of Kauai in Hawaii

I started my trip on the island of Kauai. I arrived starving from a long flight and exhausted from my wedding (yes, this is the reason why I was in Hawaii in the first place — thanks for wishing me a fruitful future), and my wife and I decided to head to the nearest sit-down spot, Kountry Kitchen Restaurant & Café. I wanted something comforting, bold and filling for my first of many meals. So going with a loco — two beef patties set on a bed of white rice, topped with runny eggs  and smothered in gravy — was definitely the right move.

After a few days on Kauai with a couple dozen more beers, cocktails, musubis or combination of the three, we took the quick plane ride back to Oahu to complete our eating journey. Here, I met up with my best friend's uncle, Uncle Jim, whose family has owned the Rainbow Drive-In for more than 50 years. I spent hours listening to Uncle Jim recount the drive-in culture of the '50s and how the landscape of the restaurant and others like it has changed drastically through the decades, all while eating a lunch plate — two hot dogs smothered in chili, heaped over two scoops of white rice and served with a side of mac salad.

Afterward, I spent a full day checking out various food trucks and small shacks around the island. Cruising in a Jeep Wrangler — the telltale sign that you're not a local — we made pitstops at Giovanni's Shrimp Shack and Hula Dog. We enjoyed malasadas from Leonard's bakery, shaved ice from Matsumotos, açai bowls at Haleiwa Bowls and the offerings at Musubi Cafe Iyasume and topped it off with omakase at Sushi Sasabune. Don't believe me? Check out the Food Republic Instagram. After a gluttonous week, I left with a little more baggage in the hips, a lighter wallet and an appreciation for the island way of life. Regardless, I'm already set on going back…as long as I have a beer, cocktail, musubi or combination of the three in my hand at all times.

George Embiricos, Associate Editor

Where to begin? I set out to make 2016 the year of exploring some of our country's best food cities from coast to coast, promising to keep an open mind despite having come down with a severe case of "East Coast bias" over the past several years. A winter weekend in Philly only strengthened said diagnosis, as the city continues to impress with a continuous flow of quality openings that highlight a diverse number of cuisines.

Fried cheese curds at Tory Miller's Graze in Madison, Wisconsin

An early-spring (it may as well have been winter) jaunt to Madison, Wisconsin, introduced me to a surprisingly large bounty of fresh produce in a Midwestern city not named Chicago. It was here that I came to the revelation that visiting all the restaurants of a single acclaimed chef (Tory Miller) is an easy way to get a good read on the scope of a smaller city's food scene.

Fall brought with it my first-ever trip — over 26 years in the making — to California. While I hesitate to take on the daunting task of comparing the restaurant scenes in Los Angeles and San Francisco to the one in New York, I will say that I enjoyed some incredible meals. Animal and Maude stuck out as winners in L.A., while State Bird Provisions took the cake in S.F. A visit to the French Laundry fulfilled my fine-dining dreams for the foreseeable future. One big qualm: In-N-Out = overrated.

My sole stop outside the U.S. was a wonderfully sunny week in Aruba, where I mingled with flamingos while eating the freshest ceviche of my life.

"Breakfast" (fried-chicken biscuit) at John Besh's Willa Jean in New Orleans

And finally, my most gluttonous journey of the year brought me to New Orleans, which I had visited previously only during Mardi Gras (and thus, decidedly did not resemble anything like the rich cultural experience of New Orleans). Following the lead of renowned chef John Besh, I was able to weave together traditional city dining with new-wave cuisine (Shaya!) over the course of three days, making sure to save room for a myriad of beignets and po'boys along the way.

Conclusion: Consider my "East Coast bias" illness officially cured.

Jess Kapadia, Senior Editor

My big trip this year was to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A big highlight was lunch at At.mosphere, near the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 163 floors and on the less-fancy side (but no less delicious). Another came during lunch with 50 other foreigners at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. There, we participated in a spirited Q&A with a local professor of Arab studies and afterward, sat cross-legged on the floor and shared from massive platters of biryani, curried chicken, fresh vegetables and rosewater pastries. From there, we walked around the meat, produce and fish markets, perusing an enormous selection of each — including a whole section dedicated to sheep, cow and goat heads, feet and offal.

Lunch at At.Mosph ere, located near the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

I consumed camel's milk in a few applications: in a frothy coffee drink known affectionately as a "camelccino," in chocolate (resulting in the only milk chocolate I've ever loved) and in gelato. The spice souk proved fertile ground for ingredient exploration and I also learned that NYC, contrary to popular opinion, is not the brunch capital of the world. It's not even close. Dubai is home to all-day, free-flowing, ridiculously decked-out brunches, very much in the Western style but with the kind of unbridled opulence the UAE prides itself on. Think prime-rib carving stations, sushi chefs, raw bars, whole roast animals, wok stations and bottomless anything-you-like. Stop by any upscale hotel on Saturday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and watch the magic happen.

I ended up staying a couple of extra days to explore on my own a bit and eat in the mostly Indian neighborhood of Al Karama. The food I discovered was essentially indistinguishable from the food in India, owing to Dubai's large South Asian population. Even uncommon preparations from less-known regions were common on menus, which was a delight.

A Baharat spice blend at the spice souk in Dubai, UAE

On my Emirates flight home, I was the unwitting victim of one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me: An entire lunch tray was spilled all over me two hours into the flight. (Note: I did not do the spilling.) I got to use the first-class shower with all kinds of fancy hair products, loofahs and moisturizers, blow-dry my hair, change into super-comfy pajamas and slippers and enjoy a truly loaded cheese plate and filled-to-the-brim glass of Dom Perignon 2006 for the "inconvenience." On a plane.

Source: Here Is Our Most Memorable Food Travel Of 2016

Best Money-Saving Travel Tips – Part 2, Budget Travel

This week we're doing a five-day series on the financial side of travel.

This is Part 2 and our focus is on budget travel.

Some of us travel on a tight budget as a matter of choice. Others as a matter of necessity.

Whichever the reason that you're looking for budget travel advice, consider this your Table of Contents to the posts on Solo Traveler that will help you most. Below are links to 17 posts that dig into the details of some of the more creative ways to save on travel.

Before we get onto the budget posts, here are the five travel money themes to watch for this week.

Money Issues Before You Go

How to Travel on a Very Tight Budget

Save on Luxury Travel

Save as You Travel However You Travel

Protect Yourself and Your Money as you Travel

The Basics of Budget Travel Travel, Eat Well and Save on Food

This is the first of a 3-part series on the big 3 of travel expenses: flights, accommodation and food. This time how to travel, eat well and save on food.

Get the Best Deals on Flights: Here's How

When, where, how and with which company you book your flights all contribute to the price you pay. Here's how to get the best deal on flights.

Save on Hotels? Yes You Can with These 10 Tips

So you don't want to cheap out on your accommodation but you want a great deal. Here are 10 tips to help you save on hotels.

How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Fees

Tips to avoid hotel fees and help you save money. Here's how to plan your trip so that you return home without breaking your travel budget.

Best Tips for Travel on a Super-Tight Budget No Money to Travel? Here's What You Do

The desire is great but you have no money to travel. What to Do? Here's how to think it through and links to 16 posts for greater detail.

When Travel Is the Goal, Not a Destination

When travel is the goal, and money is the obstacle, destination may not be the most important factor. Here are some tips for deciding where to go.

Solo Travel on a Tight Budget: Easy as ABC

Where to go. When to go. How to go. All of this is wrapped up in these three steps to solo travel on a tight budget.

Solo Travel with Fabulous Travel Freebies

Finding great travel freebies helps your travel budget and you travel farther, longer and more often.

Free Accommodation: House-Sitting Tips for Sitters and Home Owner

Planning to travel? Want to save on accommodation? Want to have someone care for your house while you're gone? Here's how to make house sitting work for you.

12 Ways to Make Money as You Travel: long and short-term

Not enough money to go traveling? Cut your costs by earning money as you go. Here are 12 ways to make money as you travel.

Save Money / Make Money: The Homestay Option

Meeting locals is wonderful but travel is expensive. Homestay helps you in both regards. You can save money and you can make money with Homestay.

The Sharing Economy for Travel Saves You Money!

The sharing economy for travel is alive and well and helping travelers save money. Here's an introduction to what it is and the major players.

Travel Without a Credit Card & Within Your Budget: Top Tips

No credit cards? No problem. Here's how to travel without a credit card and, bonus, it will help you stay within your budget.

Take Your Membership Benefits on the Road: 11 Ways to Save

Take your membership benefits on the road – the ones you have purchased to use at home might have great value when you're traveling as well.

Start and Grow a Travel Blog: My Top Tips

Looking for ways to fund your travel passion? Blogging is an option. Here are my top tips to help you start and grow a travel blog.

Students and Youth Save on Travel: Top Ten Tips

Students and youth have many ways to save on travel. Don't let money slip through your hands. Grab all those discounts and travel more.

Travel Essentials: Cheap, Free and Cheaper than Free

These travel essentials make travel easier and safer. In my opinion they are not optional but necessary. Fortunately, they are also cheap, free or better than free!

Last updated: 27th December, 2016

Source: Best Money-Saving Travel Tips – Part 2, Budget Travel

The Resort at Paws Up Hosts Best Food and Wine Festival in 2017

Everyone needs something special to look forward to in the middle of winter, and the second annual WinterFest at The Resort at Paws Up wont disappoint. This gourmet weekend is taking place January 19-22, 2017 featuring outstanding guest chefs, wine pairings, a featured brewery, distillery, hand-on cooking classes and plenty of wilderness adventures.

Paws Up Executive Chef Ben Jones will be joined by Chef Colby Garrelts and Chef Megan Garrelts from the Kansas City restaurants Bluestem and Rye as well as Top Chef Season 10 first runner-up and Paws Up favorite, Chef Brooke Williamson, co-owner/co-chef of Playa Provisions, The Triple and Hudson House. Kelly Liken, of Iron Chef America and Top Chef fame and a three-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef Southwest, will round out the talented cast of featured chefs. Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya will select hearty, blood-warming wines for the winter-themed meal. Saturday night festivities include a performance from Austin-based singer-songwriter Brian Pounds—of The Voice—with his soulful blend of Americana, country and rock.

We got a preview of the schedule, but there is much more. How incredible does this sound?

•Enjoy the evening under the famous big skies of Montana. Specialty cocktails served from our custom Ice Bar, Ice Skating at rink or cozy up next to the fire.

•Cooking Demo with Chef Kelly Liken Winter Warm Up: Seasonal Soups from the Rocky Mountains

•Joint Cooking Demo with Chef Colby Garrelts & Chef Megan Garrelts  Featuring two recipes: Spicy Tomato & Sausage Hash and Lemon Meringue Pie

•Cooking Demo with Chef Brooke Williamson – Signature Tuna Poke recipe

•Indulge and Experience Paws Up Activities & Spa

•Guided Cross-Country Skiing, Horseback Trail Ride, Guided Snowshoeing Tour, Sporting Clays, Team Penning, Winter Triathlon, Guided Snowmobile Ride and Spa.

•Join Paws Up's Curling Club on the Paws Up Ice Rink for some hands on Curling instruction so you are set and ready to compete tonight. Test your skills and watch some local masters demonstrate this insanely fun Olympic sport.

•WinterFest four-course collaborative finale dinner featuring all Winterfest Guest Chefs & Chef Ben Jones with wine pairings by Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya. Live Entertainment with Brian Pounds as seen on the Voice.

•Cocktail hour at Paws Up Ice Bar. Enjoy special Winterfest inspired cocktails, featured wine and local micro brews.

•WinterFest four-course collaborative finale dinner featuring all Winterfest Guest Chefs & Chef Ben Jones with wine pairings by Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya. Live Entertainment with Brian Pounds as seen on the Voice.

Call now for reservations at 866-929-3108 or go to Paws Up. Mention Healthy Travel when you book for a big surprise!

Liked this post? Follow this blog to get more. 

Source: The Resort at Paws Up Hosts Best Food and Wine Festival in 2017

Blizzard conditions in parts of US make travel 'very dangerous if not impossible'

Forecasters warned blizzard conditions are likely to affect holiday travel. Photograph: Alamy

It'll be a white but slick and messy Christmas for the northern plains and some western states.

Most of the Dakotas and south-west Minnesota were turning into an "icy, slippery mess" due to freezing rain Sunday morning that was expected change into snow later in the day when temperatures fell, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Gust in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

His advice to holiday travelers: "Stay put."

"Between the ice and snow, and winds howling like crazy, there will be nothing moving" until late afternoon Monday, he said. "Then it's dig-out time."

A blizzard warning was in effect for most of North Dakota, western South Dakota and a small section of eastern Montana through Monday, with expected snow totals of 8in to 15in and winds up to 55 mph.

Up to a ½ inch of ice could accumulate in central Minnesota, and the weather service has said anyone who "must travel" should have an extra flashlight, food and water.

Rain was due to move through parts of Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska on Sunday.

Source: Blizzard conditions in parts of US make travel 'very dangerous if not impossible'

What Your Travel Profile Picture Says About You

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a Facebook profile picture is worth even more. Yeah, they're basically Internet currency – they show people how you see yourself and how you'd like to be seen by others. So, of course you're going to comb through selfies to find the one shot that perfectly highlights your face/body/personality/good hair day. And it goes without saying this winning photo will evidence just how worldly, cultured and well-traveled you are. But as you attempt to curate your online presence, remember that what you're putting out into the world might not be what other people are picking up on. Here's what your travel profile picture says about you.

If you're posing with a massive group

You may think your 15-person, Ibiza rooftop candid makes you look both FUN and SOCIAL. But in reality, your group shot looks OVERWHELMING and sets you up to look LESS HOT THAN ALL YOUR FRIENDS. Save your pool party pictures for yourself and instead, choose a nice solo picture of you in front of a waterfall (seriously, who doesn't love a classic waterfall pic?)  

If you're posing with your back to the camera

We're not sure what exactly your back to the camera means, but we're assuming you're either shy, or more likely, are trying real hard to become a travel blogger. But travel profile pictures should be about more than just impressive scenery – we also want to see your lovely face. If you have a great photo of you looking dreamily over the Cliffs of Moher, put it on Insta or use it as a cover photo. For your profile pic, turn around, strike a pose and let your own beauty upstage Mother Nature.

If your whole profile pic is just a selfie

This COULD imply you're a loner but, don't worry, we're not that harsh. Even though getting a good picture can be a struggle when gallivanting solo, resist the urge to selfie. Unless you're blessed with impressively long arms, you won't be able to fit both your face and the beautiful scenery within frame (and if you were about to suggest using a selfie stick, perish the thought.) Instead, ask a nearby traveler to snap a quick pic – you'll get a better photo and you might even make a new friend.

If you're at the top of a mountain

Travel rule number one: if you take the time to climb a mountain, you deserve to take a picture on top of it. No one who has ever scaled a peak will begrudge you this moment. Mountaintop pictures say, "I'm athletic, adventurous and not afraid of heights. Also, I invested in a good pair of hiking shoes." So rock that profile picture atop the Swiss Alps – just make sure not to pose so close to the ledge that your life is endangered.

If you're wearing ethnic clothing

You're in dangerous territory, my friend. There's a fine line between being respectful of a location's culture and cultural appropriation. And to ride that line successfully, you're going to need to educate yourself. It's fine to take a picture wearing a sari or a kimono; it's less fine to take a picture of yourself wearing those pieces while binge-drinking. There's really no other way to say it than this: be respectful, and if you're white, don't come home from Jamaica with beaded cornrows in your hair.

If you're posing with an animal

We get it; you're an animal lover. And if, over the course of your travels, you happen to find a puppy that loves to pose, feel free to snap a couple of pictures. But you know, who doesn't love selfies? Wild animals – especially ones that are being held against their will and repeatedly used as photo props for unsuspecting tourists. Animal cruelty isn't cute, so don't pay money to pose with a monkey in a hat or a sad, drugged tiger in Thailand. Do everyone – especially the animals – a favor and let sleeping dogs (and cats and whales and camels) lie. The same logic applies to your Tinder pics.

If you're posing with food

Now we're talking. Food shots are a great way to show that you're interested in engaging with the culture of the place you're visiting. They're also an easy way to prove your daring – nothing says "badass" quite like a picture of you downing fried grasshoppers. And the best part is, when it comes to food pictures, the options are limitless. Lick an ice cream cone in front of the Louvre. Chow down on some chowder on the beach. The world is your oyster! (Bonus points if you make your travel profile picture a shot of you eating oysters.)

If you're posing somewhere ridiculously beautiful

Understood, your life is great – you get to prance around in a bikini in Bali while the rest of us are stuck freezing at home. Feel free to change your profile picture to one of you smiling cheerily atop Machu Picchu or something like that (#goals), just know that we all hate you and we're very jealous.

If you're flashing a peace sign

Of all the travel picture tropes, the two-fingered V is by far the most common. The popular hand signal has a rich and storied history, but is most frequently associated with Asian tourists and pissing off British citizens. Whether you're throwing up your deuces earnestly or ironically, we have only one suggestion for you: stop it. Your peace sign bit is completely overdone and suggests only that you're not confident enough to stand in front of a beautiful landmark and smile like a normal person. Cut it out.

Source: What Your Travel Profile Picture Says About You

Holiday Italian Wine and Food Recommendations

The holiday season is upon us and for any last minute Christmas shoppers it's time to hurry up and make those last minute purchases and get those elfs to wrap those presents quickly! Amidst all the madness, it's also time to sit back and relax. I have some holiday wine and/or food recommendations from our Italian Food, Wine & Travel group (#ItalianFWT) that are the perfect way to get you started. Enjoy! Jill from L'Occasion I've read about Il Paese del Natale(Christmas Market) in the delightful town of Sant'Agata Feltria, in Le Marche. I'm fascinated by the wonder of the village as it turns into a holiday fantasy. Traditional Advent food such as chicken stuffed with chestnuts are served in restaurants and stalls. I'd love to sample the foods with a bottle of Vigneto Contrada Vallone – Rosso Piceno D.O.C. from Rio Maggio, born in Le Marche vineyards. Made of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, this wine brings Italian spirit to Christmas celebrations! Buon Natalefrom Jill at L'occasion. Jeff from FoodWineClick Sparkling wine always brightens up the holidays, and you don't see sparkling Nebbiolo every day. We pair it with Acciughe al Verde (Anchovies in Green Sauce), a traditional Piemontese apertivo or primo course. The sparkling wine freshens your palate after a bite of all that garlicy, anchovy flavor.  Susannah of Avvinare Struffoli is a favorite of mine - sweet and delicious. Here's a photo and a link to a friend's struffoli recipe. Michele is a wonderful chef and the wife of wine writer Charles Scicolone. Jen of Vino Travels One of my favorite regions in Italy is Piedmont, aka Piemonte, located in northwestern Italy. The barbera grape is widely planted in this region and I loved one I tried recently, 2013 Castello di Neive Santo Stefano Barbera d'Alba. Nice structure, acidity and fruit. Salute! Merry Christmas and Buon Natale! Don't miss an Italian wine blog ~ Subscribe
Source: Holiday Italian Wine and Food Recommendations

Enjoy Your Holiday Travel and Protect Yourself from Food-Borne Illness with Travelan

FARMINGTON, Conn., Dec. 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Immuron Limited: The latest travel forecast released this week by AAA, projects that 103 million Americans will travel during the December 23, 2016 – January 2, 2017 Holiday Season. Many of those travelers will become ill, or experience intestinal discomfort, from the food they eat along the way.

While food-borne, E. coli-based illnesses are certainly of concern during international travel, last year's largest E. coli outbreak was actually in the United States – at several Chipotle's restaurants.  So it's important to be prepared to minimize the risk of food/water-borne illness wherever you are traveling, both domestically and abroad.

Travelan is a supplement that was developed by Australian bio-pharmaceutical company, Immuron Ltd., to help protect your intestinal track against the 13 most commonly occurring strains of E. coli*.  Popular in its native Australia for the past 10 years, and in Canada for the past three years, Travelan is now available in the United States on CVS.com and in select CVS/pharmacy stores, on Amazon.com, at Passport Health clinics and other travel medical providers.

About Travelan:

Travelan is a non-prescription supplement uniquely formulated to be high in antibodies that can help support and maintain gastrointestinal and digestive function and health.

Travelan's active ingredient is Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum Powder, which has been specifically engineered to be a rich source of antibodies that bind to Enterotoxigenic E. coli in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing them from attaching to the intestinal wall and thereby neutralizing their ability to cause diarrhea and its associated symptoms.

Hyperimmune Colostrum is developed under Immuron's Proprietary Technology to create high titers of antibodies to a range of E. coli bacteria that is present in normal colostrum in only very small amounts.

About Immuron Limited:Immuron Limited™ is a publicly listed Australian bio-pharmaceutical company (ASX:IMC) focused on oral immunotherapy using polyclonal antibody products. Immuron is a uniquely positioned company developing therapeutic products in NASH (fatty-liver disease), ASH (alcoholic fatty-liver disease) and other diseases mediated through gut dysbiosis.

Visit www.Immuron.com to learn more about the company or www.TravelanUSA.com to learn more about Travelan.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

CONTACT: Media Contact: Kathy Kaschuluk kkaschuluk@yahoo.com Latest posts by Nasdaq NewsFeed (see all)
Source: Enjoy Your Holiday Travel and Protect Yourself from Food-Borne Illness with Travelan

Top Travel Influencers Share Where to Travel in 2017 (and Their Favorite Spots in 2016)

If you're plotting your 2017 travels, our top influencers are here to share the picks for the new year. (Photo: Alamy)

As 2016 winds to a close and 2017 glimmers on the horizon, you're faced with a whole new year full of vacation days and paid time off. How and where you use those glorious weeks of travel is up to you. To help you sift through the globe and seek destinations that satisfy your inner explorer we've tapped some of Marriott TRAVELER'S top travel influencers to discover where they loved traveling in 2016 and where they recommend you travel in the coming year.

Megan and Mike Jerrard: Singapore (Photo: Megan and Mike Jerrard)

Megan and Mike Jerrard were solo travelers that met and fell in love. Now, they blog about their romantic adventures together at MappingMegan.com. In 2016, Megan and Mike embarked on a romance themed itinerary with Star Alliance and Marriott TRAVELER, traveling to 9 cities over 35 days, including Venice, Singapore, and Panama City.

Top Travel Pick for 2016: Singapore. Singapore is a spectacular city, and we loved it for its sharp and constant contrasts of old and new. Temples and mosques sit in the shadows of skyscrapers, luxury condos back onto the jungle, and wild monkeys roam nature parks and reserves.

Singapore is a melting pot of Asian culture and history, with plenty of modern attractions on offer for urban explorers, as well. It's clean, it's green (it's a city built into a sub tropical jungle after all!), and the weather is fabulous all year round (albeit quite humid). Between city exploration and nature and wildlife experiences, there's no end to the adventure, and there's literally something for every-one to do.

Where to Travel in 2017: Antarctica! One of the last untouched destinations on earth, the continent is absolutely pristine. Cruises leave Ushuaia in Argentina, and you will experience spectacular glacial lagoons, dramatic icebergs, and incredible wildlife like breaching whales, penguin colonies, and deep-diving seals.

Make sure you book a cruise which includes land based excursions. International regulations limit the number of people allowed on land at any one time, so large cruise ships with 500 passengers generally offer a "look but do not touch" experience. Booking with a cruise company who limits their passengers to around the 110 mark (we're going with Chimu Adventures in February 2017) means the opportunity to step out off the boat for hikes through ice fields, kayaking adventures, and camping overnight on the most remote continent in the world!

Taryn Southern: Cuba (Photo: Alamy)

Taryn Southern is the hilariously inquisitive host of the web talk show "Do Not Disturb," filmed in a Moxy hotel room. The trending YouTuber and self-proclaimed "Internetainer" who interviews fellow social media stars slumber party-style, says her line of questioning comes from doing her research and seeing what she can get away with. In 2016, Marriott TRAVELER had the chance to interview Southern about her web show, travel buddies, and what she loves in a hotel.

Top Travel Pick for 2016: My favorite travel destination in 2016 had to be Lapland, Finland. Even if you're not a winter person, the adventures to be had are endless. I skied behind Reindeer, visited Santa at the North Pole, checked out the Northern Lights at an ice hotel, and did sleigh racing behind huskies —and there was still plenty more to do and see before I left. I can't wait to go back.

Where to Travel in 2017: I think Cuba makes an interesting destination in 2017, as travel regulations have recently loosened and I always find it particularly interesting to travel to places before they've become commercialized. If Cuba isn't an option, I recommend Tokyo. There's so much to see and do — from the cat cafes in Shinjuku and tiny bars of Golden Gai to the Tsukiji fish market and arcade wonderlands of Akihabara. Tokyo is a wacky adventure with something for everyone.

Mark Wiens: Indonesia (Photo: Alamy)

Mark Wiens is a full-time travel eater based in Bangkok, Thailand. Curious what the job entails? Check out his latest food blogs on Migrationology and watch his food videos on YouTube. Wiens was selected to experience the globe's best offerings on an around the world trip with Star Alliance and Marriott TRAVELER, visiting nine cities in 39 days, and sharing his top foodie picks for cities like Barcelona, Istanbul and Hong Kong.

Top Travel Pick for 2016: My favorite destination I visited in 2016 was Istanbul, Turkey. What I love so much about Istanbul is that it's an energetic city abounding in natural beauty, history, culture, delicious food and genuine people. The mix of food and how eating is such a huge part of Turkish culture is what I most enjoyed most about being in Istanbul.

Where to Travel in 2017: Indonesia is a country I would recommend to visit in 2017. From beaches and islands to volcanoes and jungles, plus an abundance of incredibly flavorful food and friendly people, Indonesia is an exciting country to visit with so many options.

Sonia Gil: Menorca (Photo: Alamy)

Sonia Gil is an entrepreneur and travel vlogger who cofounded the digital language learning program, Fluenz, where she leads the creation of all learning content. She also co-created the video series, Sonia's Travels. Sonia's work for Marriott TRAVELER led her to create videos across the United States, from Chicago and New Orleans to Orlando.

Top Travel Pick for 2016: To my surprise, Zurich, Switzerland. Am I allowed to say I loved everything about it?! I guess I wasn't expecting to love it as much. I went in the summer and I truly enjoyed myself. The city was easy to navigate, the food was delicious, people were incredibly friendly, it is gorgeous, I biked everywhere, I hiked, I bathed in a lake, I sunbathed in a park, I walked and walked and walked. I did the classic museums and cathedrals, I got lost, I found my way. I was a tourist and I loved it.

Where to Travel in 2017: For a mix of urban, grit, beauty, mysticism, and just a happening place to go: Mexico City. You won't come back rested; you will come back with a whirlwind of emotions, colors, tastes, art, drinks, you name it. To have a chill, summer, Euro vibe, I recommend Menorca. You'll find incredible bike paths, hikes, and hidden coves with the most transparent water to bathe in. It's Euro, no frills panache, no doubt. It is stunning but don't go in August!

Sawyer Hartman: Bali (Photo: Alamy)

Sawyer Hartman gained notoriety — and an adoring audience of 1.7 million YouTube subscribers — when he challenged himself himself to find and tell a new story each day as part of a quest to post a daily video until his 27th birthday. In 2016, Marriott TRAVELER chatted with Hartman after Marriott Rewards helped send him Portland to explore the picturesque Oregon city.

Top Travel Pick for 2016: Out of everywhere I've been in 2016, Indonesia was by far the most memorable. The beautiful landscapes and diverse culture are only the tip of the iceberg. It's the people of Indonesia that made it so extraordinary.

Where to Travel in 2017: I'm just going back to Bali <3

One Comedian's Hilarious Travel Tips
Source: Top Travel Influencers Share Where to Travel in 2017 (and Their Favorite Spots in 2016)