Unlike in Melbourne and Sydney, which has fed off a rich Mediterranean immigrant heritage, Asian cuisines here are plentiful. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, and to a lesser extent, Thai, flavors are common. And some have worked their way into New Zealand’s contemporary, seasonally driven cuisine.
Regularly rated as one of the world’s most livable cities, Auckland—also called Tamaki Makaurau—has grown into a beauty of a destination. The sparkling harbor is sprinkled with gleaming white sails and ferries commuting to waterside suburbs and outlying islands. The largest Polynesian city in the world, Auckland has also become hugely multicultural, which is reflected in the dynamic dining scene.
You’ll find all of this and more in the Central Business District, or CBD, and the inner-city suburbs. In the CBD, historic High Street and Vulcan Lane have always drawn people in with their small-town charm, but the new kid on the block is recently rejuvenated Britomart, which brims with boutiques, alfresco cafes and restaurants.
Inner-city Ponsonby is a rambling residential neighborhood teeming with beautiful people and Victorian-era houses; it’s Auckland’s answer to New York City’s West Village. Ponsonby Road and nearby Jervois Road in Herne Bay are both lined with bars, cafés, and restaurants. Across the bridge, Takapuna—the moneyed northern suburb about a 15-minute drive from downtown—has long been known for its white-sand beach but is now gaining attention for its retail and culinary scenes.
Stick around for summer when the pohutukawa tree puts the coast into dramatic red relief – perched on cliffs and hanging from hilltops, this tenacious and gnarly New Zealand native has a sensational display of red flowers. It’s a special sight when the stamens fall to the ground and turn the white beaches and sidewalks a pinky-red.
While there is tons of entertainment in the city, there’s much more to this sub-tropical destination, including the harbor, Hauraki Gulf and its outlying islands, beautiful bush walks in the Waitakere Ranges, and the wild west-coast beaches of Piha, Karekare, and Bethells, to explore.
Best Time To Go
For the best weather, travel between November and April.
Transportation
The city and its inner suburbs are easily explored on foot, but you can also take the Inner Link bus ($2.50), which does loops around the city to Parnell, K Road, Ponsonby, and Victoria Park.
Weather
January and February are the hottest months, with an average temperature of 71ºF (21ºC). July and August are the coldest months, with an average temperature of 55ºF (13ºC).
Know Before You Go
Auckland’s public transportation can be a hassle, so book a car in advance if you’d like to see the entire city.
Language: English
Electric: Local voltage is 240AC, or 50 hertz. Power outlets take two-pin and three-pin plugs (Type I).
http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/auckland
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Atlanta Travel Guide - Highlights Culture & Much More
Originally a railroad town that served as a gateway to more remote corners of the Southeast, the vibrant city is now the largest in Georgia and remains a crucial transportation hub. Home to world-renowned chefs, entrepreneurs, and media moguls, Atlanta’s magnetic charisma is grounded in its historic roots, but enhanced by its present-day charm and amenities.The beating heart of the American South, Atlanta is a bustling financial and commercial center that also boasts a thriving cultural community.
Known for having a diverse population, progressive views, and rolling hills, the Peach City also boasts consistently nice weather for much of the year. The best times to travel to Atlanta are in the spring, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, and the fall, when the Appalachian foothill foliage is at its best. Atlanta winters are usually mild, and fewer hotels and restaurants are booked. (During the summer, however, average temperatures often exceed 90 degrees, and rain is frequent.)
The city was a touchpoint during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and visitors can learn about this era at the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which includes access to the house in which the civil rights leader grew up and the church at which he was a pastor. Other popular attractions include the High Museum of Art, Georgia Aquarium (the largest in the hemisphere).
Piedmont Park, and the College Football Hall of Fame. Atlanta also has a burgeoning restaurant scene, with famous culinary talents bringing new interest to already dynamic neighborhoods, like chef Kevin Gillespie’s creative, genre-defying new Glenwood Park spot, Gunsmoke, or Angus Brown and Nhan Le’s ambitious Asian cooking at Octopus Bar in South Buckhead. A mix of big-name hotels and antique-adorned bed and breakfasts; sports bars and craft cocktail dens; and well-curated boutiques and artisanal shops provide locals and visitors endless options for entertainment. To help narrow down the choices, T+L’s Atlanta travel guide highlights the best places to eat, stay, shop, and visit in Georgia’s state capital and the surrounding area.
Best Time To Visit
In spring, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, or fall, when the crisp and cool climate and orange-hued trees beckon you outdoors for concerts and festivals.
Atlanta Transportation
Despite its legendary traffic, Atlanta is a city best navigated by car, so rent one or have the number of a car service handy. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is a system of buses and trains that offer access to major attractions and destinations in the city, including the airport. Each ride is $2.50 and there are discounts for multiple rides.
Atlanta Weather
July is on average the hottest month, with an average high of 89°F (32°C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of 52°F (11°C).
Know Before Visiting
Atlanta might be an urban metropolis, but it’s only about 90 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains, so pack some hiking gear and comfortable walking shoes so you can explore the surrounding natural attractions. The city itself also boasts several scenic parks and walking trails. The developing BeltLine (a historic 22-mile railroad corridor that is being transformed into a network of green spaces) is one outdoor jaunt every visitor should experience.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/atlanta
Known for having a diverse population, progressive views, and rolling hills, the Peach City also boasts consistently nice weather for much of the year. The best times to travel to Atlanta are in the spring, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, and the fall, when the Appalachian foothill foliage is at its best. Atlanta winters are usually mild, and fewer hotels and restaurants are booked. (During the summer, however, average temperatures often exceed 90 degrees, and rain is frequent.)
The city was a touchpoint during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and visitors can learn about this era at the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, which includes access to the house in which the civil rights leader grew up and the church at which he was a pastor. Other popular attractions include the High Museum of Art, Georgia Aquarium (the largest in the hemisphere).
Piedmont Park, and the College Football Hall of Fame. Atlanta also has a burgeoning restaurant scene, with famous culinary talents bringing new interest to already dynamic neighborhoods, like chef Kevin Gillespie’s creative, genre-defying new Glenwood Park spot, Gunsmoke, or Angus Brown and Nhan Le’s ambitious Asian cooking at Octopus Bar in South Buckhead. A mix of big-name hotels and antique-adorned bed and breakfasts; sports bars and craft cocktail dens; and well-curated boutiques and artisanal shops provide locals and visitors endless options for entertainment. To help narrow down the choices, T+L’s Atlanta travel guide highlights the best places to eat, stay, shop, and visit in Georgia’s state capital and the surrounding area.
Best Time To Visit
In spring, when the azaleas and dogwoods are in full bloom, or fall, when the crisp and cool climate and orange-hued trees beckon you outdoors for concerts and festivals.
Atlanta Transportation
Despite its legendary traffic, Atlanta is a city best navigated by car, so rent one or have the number of a car service handy. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is a system of buses and trains that offer access to major attractions and destinations in the city, including the airport. Each ride is $2.50 and there are discounts for multiple rides.
Atlanta Weather
July is on average the hottest month, with an average high of 89°F (32°C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of 52°F (11°C).
Know Before Visiting
Atlanta might be an urban metropolis, but it’s only about 90 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains, so pack some hiking gear and comfortable walking shoes so you can explore the surrounding natural attractions. The city itself also boasts several scenic parks and walking trails. The developing BeltLine (a historic 22-mile railroad corridor that is being transformed into a network of green spaces) is one outdoor jaunt every visitor should experience.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/atlanta
Amsterdam Travel Guide - Highlights Culture & Much More
Yet it’s no mere museum piece: T+L’s Amsterdam travel guide shows that, alongside the historic monuments and Old Masters, the city is a modern capital with all the trappings a traveler could want, including a wide range of hotels, innovative restaurants, and stylish shopping.With 60 miles of canals and nearly 7,000 buildings dating from the 18th century or earlier, Amsterdam is one of Europe’s best preserved cities—the center has barely changed since Rembrandt’s time.
Colorful, quirky and charming, the old-world city is lined with 17th century building, canals, and the constant sight of bicycles whizzing by. But it also bears the hallmarks of a thriving and downright lenient metropolis. While many young people visit Amsterdam for the marijuana scene—and perhaps to peek at the legal prostitutes in the Red Light District—the city is teeming with high culture, from the world-class art in the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseumn to P.C. Hooftstraat, the shopping street where you can find plenty of the contemporary, cutting-edge design that has become a source of pride in Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
There’s no bad time to go to this Dutch capital, but in general, May through October is the main travel season, when temperatures are warmest. Crowds peak in July and August. The other top time for a trip to Amsterdam is tulip season: The city bursts into bloom as early as March, and the plumage can extend into May. Rain is possible year-round, and winter can bring occasional snow and slush, so pack layers. Overall, it’s generally mild, but often wet, so bring an umbrella and suitable clothing at any time of year.
Best Time To Visit
July and August are popular—and busy. If you want to see the tulips, come mid-April to early May. You’ll find better deals and quieter crowds October to March, with the exception of New Year’s Eve. This is a unique and riotous celebration in Amsterdam, and well worth experiencing.
Amsterdam Transportation
Amsterdam is compact, so walking or renting bikes to make use of the great bike lanes is easy. Yet public transport (trams, metros, and buses) also is excellent. Buy a chip card at a ticket vending machine or counter, or ask the driver for a tourist pass (there are one- to seven-day cards starting at $8).
Amsterdam Weather
August is the hottest month, with an average high of 63°F (17°C), and the coldest is January, with an average high of 37°F (17°C).
Know Before Visiting
Some attractions (especially the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House) get very busy, especially in summer, so booking a ticket and time to visit in advance. The city is generally safe, but pickpockets operate widely; be careful on the tram and at the market.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/amsterdam
Colorful, quirky and charming, the old-world city is lined with 17th century building, canals, and the constant sight of bicycles whizzing by. But it also bears the hallmarks of a thriving and downright lenient metropolis. While many young people visit Amsterdam for the marijuana scene—and perhaps to peek at the legal prostitutes in the Red Light District—the city is teeming with high culture, from the world-class art in the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseumn to P.C. Hooftstraat, the shopping street where you can find plenty of the contemporary, cutting-edge design that has become a source of pride in Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
There’s no bad time to go to this Dutch capital, but in general, May through October is the main travel season, when temperatures are warmest. Crowds peak in July and August. The other top time for a trip to Amsterdam is tulip season: The city bursts into bloom as early as March, and the plumage can extend into May. Rain is possible year-round, and winter can bring occasional snow and slush, so pack layers. Overall, it’s generally mild, but often wet, so bring an umbrella and suitable clothing at any time of year.
Best Time To Visit
July and August are popular—and busy. If you want to see the tulips, come mid-April to early May. You’ll find better deals and quieter crowds October to March, with the exception of New Year’s Eve. This is a unique and riotous celebration in Amsterdam, and well worth experiencing.
Amsterdam Transportation
Amsterdam is compact, so walking or renting bikes to make use of the great bike lanes is easy. Yet public transport (trams, metros, and buses) also is excellent. Buy a chip card at a ticket vending machine or counter, or ask the driver for a tourist pass (there are one- to seven-day cards starting at $8).
Amsterdam Weather
August is the hottest month, with an average high of 63°F (17°C), and the coldest is January, with an average high of 37°F (17°C).
Know Before Visiting
Some attractions (especially the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House) get very busy, especially in summer, so booking a ticket and time to visit in advance. The city is generally safe, but pickpockets operate widely; be careful on the tram and at the market.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/amsterdam
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