“The thing about West Coast Canadians is that they’re just so outdoorsy. Within minutes of arriving in Vancouver, I found myself up Grouse Mountain, which I’ve got to say is quite stunning. This is the place to visit if adrenaline is your thing; you can ski, snowboard, and zipline to your heart’s content. All great options. I, of course, did none of them.”

“I loved being in Oaxaca for Day of the Dead. The big parade started in the historic Plaza de la Constitución. This place has been the city’s central square for over 500 years and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There’s plenty to see even if you haven’t timed it for Day of the Dead, with a regular market, performances at the bandstand, and locals watching the world go by.”

“Take an evening stroll in Hongdae, the beating heart of the city’s influential pop-culture scene, and you’ll feel like you’re 22 again. Here you’ll find a lively mix of food and fashion stalls, photobooths, karaoke bars—even street performers trying to make it big. I loved the youthful energy of this place, even if I did need a lie-down in a dark room afterwards.”

“You’ll work up an appetite walking around Seoul, so I’d recommend adding Gwangjang Market to your itinerary. This place is one of the oldest and largest markets in South Korea, and a one-stop shop for some of the most exciting, and unexpected, food stalls in the city. Spend a bit of time here and you’re sure to find something that will reach out and grab you—and in the case of the live octopus, I really mean it.”

“If you’re coming to the old country to reconnect with your Irish roots, I suggest putting on a flatcap—I can’t emphasize enough that it’s a great look—and looking out over the water at the Cliffs of Moher. Standing here, with the waves crashing against the rocks beneath you, you’ll find wild, rugged, beautiful Ireland at its best. It’s also extremely windy, so make sure you don’t lose your hat over the edge.”

“Are you after something that’s a little bit more relaxing? I can highly recommend Bacchus Lounge bar, located inside the Wedgewood Hotel. One minute I was having a cocktail, the next I was singing a duet with Vancouver’s homegrown superstar Michael Bublé. I can’t guarantee Michael will be there when you are, but I can say with confidence that you’ll have a great time nonetheless.”

“I’ve been a sports fan all my life, but cricket was not really on my radar until now. If you’re in Jaipur at the right time, try and get yourself to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium for a Rajasthan Royals match. I was lucky enough to meet the team and hit a few balls with them out on the pitch. I’m still waiting for the call-up though.”

“If you’re in the market for some mezcal, I suggest you make an appointment at Rosario’s place in the beautiful Oaxacan countryside. Rosario makes her mezcal the old-fashioned way. She’s blazing a trail in a largely male-dominated industry—and I’m all for that. A sip of this will make any mezcal fan very happy and put some hair on their chest in the process.”

“I’ve got a lot of fond memories from my RV road trip, but I’ve got to say that my time at the Cajun Heritage RV Park was right up there. Obviously, four wheels or more are a must, but if you’re looking for a place to park for the night, this place gets the Levy seal of approval for Southern hospitality—and food. You know it has to be good if it got me sucking the head of a crawfish.”

“I hadn’t been to New Orleans in years, but coming back here reminded me that there aren’t many cities that can top it for history, heritage, and a whole lot of fun. Take the Steamboat NATCHEZ for example: Not only does it look like something out of a Mark Twain novel, but where else do you get to sail down Old Man River while sipping on a cocktail and listening to some live jazz?”

“If, like me, you’re a classical music fan, then you need to get yourself to Vienna. This city was home to some of the greats like Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven, and I’d wager that the Musikverein would have been one of their favorite places to play. The Musikverein opened in 1870 and is home to the Vienna Philharmonic; take a tour around this place and you’ll see that it puts the ‘class’ in ‘classical music.'"

“My trip to Ireland was full of surprises, not least of which was that I could actually enjoy a grilled oyster. Linnane’s Lobster Bar sits right on the water in Flaggy Shore, a picturesque stretch of coastline in County Clare that’s less than an hour from the city of Galway. I can honestly say that if seafood is your thing, this place will take some beating.”

“If you’re in the UK with a royal itch to scratch, I’d recommend taking a tour of Windsor Castle. I’d never been here before, and boy, with over 1,000 rooms and being nearly 1,000 years old, it’s quite the family home. Make sure you book ahead because this place gets busy, and keep a close eye out for anyone riding an electric scooter.”

“It may surprise you to learn that this was my first visit to India, but I’m glad I made my debut in Jodhpur, a.k.a. the Blue City. If you want to find out how the city got its nickname, it’s a short, if somewhat bumpy, auto-rickshaw ride from the city center. Make it there with your vertebrae intact and your reward is the chance to while away some time exploring the narrow alleyways of a historic neighborhood painted vivid blue.”