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Best cities to visit for chocoholics

It’s a great time to be a chocolate lover. Whereas Swiss and Belgian chocolate used to dominate the conversation about quality chocolate, there’s now more chocolate being made around the world than ever before. In today’s chocolate-obsessed world, you can go to massive chocolate museums with flowing chocolate waterfalls, pick your own cocoa in the rainforest, and taste drinking chocolate from the source.

These are the top destinations for chocolate lovers.

1. Hershey, Pennsylvania

Photo: Joseph Skompski/Shutterstock

A name synonymous with chocolate in the United States and around the world, Hershey, Pennsylvania, is also a very real place you can visit. It all started when Milton Hershey opened a chocolate factory in 1905. The milk chocolate the factory produced was a quick success, and Hershey made an entire town for his employees, compete with housing, public transportation, a school, and recreation. A park was one of the first additions in 1907, and today it’s the reason why Hershey (the town) is such a destination for candy lovers.

Here, it’s all things Hershey, all the time. There’s the amusement park, Hersheypark, the Hershey Story Museum where you can taste flights of rare chocolate, Hershey’s Chocolate World where you can make your own chocolate bar, and the interactive Hershey’s Unwrapped: A Chocolate Tasting Journey.

If you haven’t been before, there’s never been a better time to visit Hershey.

2. Brussels, Belgium

Photo: Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate

Belgian means quality when it comes to chocolate, and to see why all you have to do is take a trip to Brussels. The city has been dubbed the “World Capital of Chocolate” due to its history (the praline was invented here) and the density of chocolate makers (about one chocolatier per 2,000 people). Needless to say, there’s no shortage of chocolate shops to visit whether you’re looking for something artisanal and innovative or something classic like Godiva.

When quality and quantity aren’t enough, there’s the Musee du Cacao et du Chocolate, or the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate. The museum is located in a three-story house that has a history section, a demonstration kitchen where you can see makers in action, and the opportunity to taste some freshly made chocolate.

3. Oaxaca, Mexico

Photo: Marcos Castillo/Shutterstock

Central America is the birthplace of chocolate, and the plant’s place in Mexico’s history is on full display in Oaxaca. Beans are sold streetside, as are all types of drinking chocolate. Chocolate is also an important ingredient in one of Oaxaca’s most famous sauces, mole. The center of chocolate in Oaxaca is Mina Street, where you’ll find shop after shop selling their goods. There are plenty of small family shops to browse, and the larger names to keep an eye out for are Mayordomo Chocolate for a traditional hot chocolate drink made with spices and milk or water and La Soledad for the chocolate-honey drink chocomiel.

4. Cologne, Germany

Photo: Christian Mueller/Shutterstock

Germany exports more chocolate around the world than any other country, and the home base for chocolate is Cologne. For a sense of scale and all things German chocolate, head to the chocolate museum Schokoladenmuseum located on a dock reaching out into the Rhine River. The three-floor building covers the history of chocolate through historic materials and recreations, like the tropical rainforest exhibit with live cacao trees and the bean-to-bar manufacturing exhibit. Also, there’s a chocolate-focused restaurant where you can eat more than your fill.

5. Melbourne, Australia

Photo:
Phillip Island Chocolate Factory/Facebook

While Melbourne is famous as one of the best cities for coffee lovers, it also has a notable chocolate scene. There are upscale restaurant-sweet shop combos like Bibelot and chocolatiers like Koko Black. There are even bean-to-bar producers in the city like Monsieur Truffe, which makes its chocolate onsite at the cafe East Elevation.

If whimsy is what you’re after, head to the nearby Phillip Island Chocolate Factory’s chocolate playground, Panny’s Amazing World of Chocolate. Here, you’ll find a waterfall of chocolate that spills nearly 900 pounds of melted chocolate over the edge of an exhibit every three minutes as well as a one-ton block of solid chocolate. A miniature village of chocolate with working trains is also inside, as is a chocolate version of Michelangelo’s David statue. Also, obviously, there’s plenty of chocolate to try and buy.

6. St. Lucia

Photo: Hotel Chocolat/Facebook

This Caribbean nation has a long history with cocoa, and not all that history is in the past. At Jade Mountain resort you’ll find the Emerald Farm and Chocolate Lab, where you can learn about production while surrounded by some 2,000 cacao trees. It’s one of a number of cocoa estates you can visit. Completely immerse yourself in all things chocolate at Hotel Chocolat, a boutique hotel located on an old chocolate estate. You can harvest your own cocoa or relax by the pool with a chocolate drink in hand after a cocoa-infused spa treatment. You can even plant your own tree.


More like this: Where all the chocolate you eat really comes from

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Qatar installing outdoor AC

Conventional wisdom about air-conditioning typically says that you should keep the doors closed. The heat situation is so dire in Qatar, however, that authorities have actually installed AC units outdoors, in streets and marketplaces. Temperatures there have reached 114 degrees, and with the World Cup coming up in November, something has to be done about the extreme heat. In addition to air-conditioning in public spaces, giant coolers have been installed along sidewalks, in outdoor shopping malls, and under stadium seats to keep pedestrians cool.

Outdoor AC might be a welcome innovation to residents, but it’s not doing the environment any long-term favors. Qatar is the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses per capita in the world, using 60 percent of its electricity for cooling. This new initiative will only swell that number. By 2030, Qatar’s emissions are expected to nearly double.

The situation is a classic catch-22.

Yousef al-Horr, founder of the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development, said, “If you turn off air conditioners, it will be unbearable. You cannot function effectively.”

According to Jos Leliveld, of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany, the situation could become dire. “If it’s hot and humid and the relative humidity is close to 100 percent,” he said, “You can die from the heat you produce yourself.”

These fears are particularly prevalent in advance of the World Cup, where the safety of spectators is a huge concern. The event was even delayed by five months so it wouldn’t take place during the height of summer, and fans and athletes would be less likely to succumb to the heat.


More like this: How to visit Doha, Qatar on a budget

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What to do in Nikko, Japan

Nikko lies in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture, just two hours via express train from Tokyo. The city is shaped like a mushroom with most of the historical sites at the stem. The cap area, north and west of the city center, is mostly forested with the vastness of Nikko National Park to the north and Lake Chuzenji to the west. The quirkier attractions like Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square are located east of the city center. Before you leave for Nikko, you’ll need to decide whether you want to explore the historical center, the outdoor museums to the east, or the natural beauty of the serene west. Here’s a breakdown of each area and its highlights.

Exploring the centrally located attractions

Photo: Brian Cicioni

Once you’re at Nikko or Tobu-Nikko Station, you’ll be just under a mile from the iconic Shinkyo Bridge via Route 119. The stretch between the station and the bridge is lined with souvenir shops, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, and a variety of Japanese confectionery shops. Walking is ideal, but if you prefer to save your energy, take the northbound bus to the Total Kaikanzen stop, which is north of the bridge.

Once you cross the red bridge, you’ll be just a short walk from the Kosugi Hoan Museum of Art, which is named after the Nikko-born painter, Kosugi Hoan. North of the museum is the famous Toshogu complex, which includes the Toshogu Shrine and museums. Toshogu is considered to be one of Nikko’s top attractions as it draws both Japanese and international tourists. Highlights include the famous three wise monkeys (hear no evil, speak no evil, and see no evil), which are carved into the shrine’s horse stable. The first shogun — the leader of the Japanese military in pre-modern times — of the Tokugawa Bakufu (1600-1868) died in 1612 and is enshrined on the grounds as well. Allow at least two hours to visit the entire complex.

The area to the immediate west of the Shinkyo Bridge will allow you to experience some of Nikko’s natural wonders without venturing too far from the center. Route 122 begins north of the Shinkyo Bridge and runs west along the Daiya River, with several restaurants and parks along the route as well as the Kanmangafuchi Abyss, which was formed by nearby Mount Nantai’s last eruption nearly 7,000 years ago.

See more than 100 famous landmarks at Tobu World Square and be lord for a day at Edo Wonderland

Photo: nosonjai/Shutterstock

Outside of most train stations in Nikko, there are bus stops for Edo Wonderland, Tobu World Square, and the city’s other main attractions. If you plan to skip the center altogether, then you’re better off purchasing a ticket to either Kosagoe or Tobu World Square stations. If you plan to fully explore both, you’ll need an entire morning for one and most of the afternoon for the other. Also, attractions are more spread out once you’re outside of the center, so allow time to move between them.

Edo Wonderland recreates life in pre-1868 Tokyo, also known as the Edo period. To get the full experience, you should rent a period costume. You can get a “townsman” outfit for less than 3,000 Japanese yen, about $28, with prices increasing as you go up in status — the lord costume is close to 10,000 yen. It can take up to 10 minutes to don the grand lord costume, but you’ll have the help of the museum staff. They’ll make sure your (real) sword is in its right place as well. While you’re there, be sure to check out one of the amusing water shows or the riveting ninja show, after which you can get your picture taken with the combatants. The theme park has dozens of different wooden, kawara roof buildings. Each has a different theme, and it will take at least a couple of hours to fully experience the outdoor theme park.

Tobu World Square is an outdoor museum with 1:25 scale replicas of more than 100 famous buildings and landmarks from around the world. The detail in the models is awe-inspiring. Some even make sounds and have moving parts. Be sure to check out Buckingham Palace.

Other attractions east of the city center

Photo: PixHound/Shutterstock

Other quirky attractions in the area include the Trick Art Pia Nikko and the Grand Maza Palladium. If you’re looking to experience the famous Japanese onsen baths, check out Akebi Onsen, which is a 10-minute walk from Edo Wonderland. This is quite convenient as most attractions are not within walking distance of one another once you’re outside of the city center. Both Edo Wonderland and Tobu World Square have on-site restaurants, which is great if you’re limited on time.

Nikko is the ideal green escape from the urban jungle of Tokyo

Photo: Brian Cicioni

While there are some serene green areas near the city center, to really experience Nikko’s natural beauty, you need to head west. At least as far as Lake Chuzenji’s eastern shore. If you’re limited on time, you’re better off starting at the Chuzenji Onsen bus stop. From there, you can take a scenic cruise across the lake or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lake’s southeastern shore, where the former British and Italian embassy villas are open to the public. Embassy staff knew that Nikko was an ideal place to escape the intense humidity of summers in Tokyo. The nearby Belgian and French villas are still in use by their respective ambassadors and staff. The British Embassy Villa has some historical exhibits and serves afternoon tea.

You can also check out the famous Kegon Falls, which has two observation decks. If you’re not afraid of heights, go for a ride on the Akechidaira Ropeway at 282 feet above the surrounding mountain range. The tram ride to the observation deck takes less than three minutes and is well worth it for the view of Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji. From that height, the falls and the lake beyond look relatively tiny. Before heading back to the train station, visit one of the many restaurants and small noodle shops along the shoreline.

Eating in the strawberry capital of Japan

Photo: Brian Cicioni

Whether you choose to explore the center, east, or west of Nikko, you’ll have a chance to explore the area’s unique food culture. For example, Tochigi Prefecture is the strawberry capital of Japan. Whether you’re in a grocery store, cafe, or street stall, you’ll likely see a variety of strawberry-infused confections. Strawberry popcorn, dried strawberries infused with Japanese chocolate, strawberry mochi, waffles, or other toppings are just some of the creative uses of Tochigi’s local fruit that you can sample. It’s not unusual to see people from Tokyo shopping in some of the local grocery stores.

Nikko is also one of the more vegan-friendly cities in Japan. Many restaurants offer shojin ryori, which translates to Buddhist cuisine. If you’re near Toshogu Shrine, check out Gyoushintei, which offers a special vegetarian menu. There are options in the east and west as well. While even non-vegetarians tend to be familiar with tofu as a source of protein, the Japanese are also fond of yuba, which is dried tofu skin. It’s chewy, has a nutty taste, and actually soaks up flavors much better than regular tofu.

Tochigi beef has the same A5 rating as Kobe beef and is every bit as delicious

Photo: Brian Cicioni

Quality beef is a source of pride for many Japanese. Talk food with the locals, and they’re likely to inform you that their local Tochigi Wagyu beef has the same top A5 rating as the world-famous Kobe beef. While it’s not as universally known, it’s certainly worth trying, if for no other reason than to see how it compares to the super-hyped stuff from Kobe. You’ll likely enjoy the same richness and tender texture that makes thinly sliced Kobe beef skewers sell for 1,200 yen on the streets of Tokyo.

Practical tips for visiting Nikko

Non-Japanese passport holders can purchase a Nikko pass at Tokyo’s Asakusa Station Tourist Information Center. For less than the cost of a regular round-trip train ticket, it includes a round-trip rail journey from Tokyo to Nikko as well as unlimited bus travel in Nikko. Pass holders also get discounts at many attractions. There are two versions, with the All Area Pass covering everything in this post. The World Heritage Area Pass is more restrictive and only covers the town center and some attractions to the east. In winter, alternative tickets are also available. Compared to Tokyo, Nikko is extremely car-friendly. Most areas have ample parking, so renting a car and driving yourself is also doable — if your budget allows.


More like this: From sacred deer to mochi, Nara deserves a spot on your cultural tour of Japan

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Addams family mansion for rent

In case the overabundance of Halloween decorations and themed experiences isn’t already enough for your this fall, now you can spend a night in the home of the Addams family. Rentable for four nights at the end of October courtesy of , this Brooklyn townhouse is modeled after the spooky mansion of America’s favorite misunderstood family (no, not the Kardashians).

Photo:

According to Booking.com, the 3,700-square-foot home is “decorated in true Addams family fashion, there are vases of just rose stems, and yes, Lurch’s famous ‘you rang’ bell. The experience comes complete with spooky snacks, a screening of the feature film, branded amenities, and more.” If you thoroughly explore the house, you’ll also find familiar Addams family fixtures like Wednesday’s headless doll and Morticia’s carnivorous plants.

Photo:

The mansion opens for booking on October 28 at noon ET with stays available for one night only — on October 29, 30, 31, and November 1. The house can accommodate groups of up to four people, so choose your friends wisely. The experience only costs $101.10 per night, in honor of the new movie’s release on October 11, 2019.

Note that reservations are first-come, first-served, so you’d better act fast.


More like this: 7 fascinating Halloween traditions around the world

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Tiny IHOP pop-up

Tiny Houses have become increasingly popular because of their economical use of space, but tiny restaurants are unexplored territory. Until now, that is. Partnering with A&E, the network that broadcasts Tiny House Nation, IHOP is creating a tiny restaurant in Los Angeles this December. For a limited run of just four nights, the mini-IHOP will feature a kitchen, pancake griddle, and dining space — which doesn’t exactly sound like a ton of room for extra large pancake stacks.

The 170-square-foot space only accommodates six guests, but that just means your meal will be incredibly intimate. The restaurant will have a four-person booth and a two-person pancake bar.

Brad Haley, IHOP’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement, “Our friends at A&E’s ‘Tiny House Nation’ outdid themselves on this project, creating the world’s first International Tiny House of Pancakes — blue roof and all — so that we can offer an intimate dining experience to a select group of our super fans. Turning a 4,000-plus square foot restaurant into a 170 square foot space certainly poses its own set of challenges, but the team came up with an ingenious design to retain the integrity of a full-sized IHOP while adding new, fun elements for guests to discover in the Tiny IHOP.”

To dine at this tiny restaurant, reservations are required. Bookings are available for the 5:00 PM, 7:30 PM, and 10:00 PM time slots on December 12 through December 15. To reserve, you’ll have to be part of IHOP’s MyHOP program, and the registration deadline is October 20. Once you sign up, you’ll receive instructions on how to make reservations on Yelp.


More like this: The cutest tiny houses to rent in the Pacific Northwest

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Barbie Dreamhouse on Airbnb

Okay, let’s get this over with. You may not want to admit it, and I may not want to admit it, but Barbie’s Dreamhouse is pretty sweet. It’s probably not where I’d hold my bachelor party, but a mansion is a mansion, and this theme (“dream?”) house is nothing to sneeze at — especially if you grew up with Barbies as a kid. Modeled after the plastic playset of your childhood, the Dreamhouse is now on Airbnb and costs just $60 per night.

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Located in Malibu, California, the Dreamhouse has three floors with views of the ocean, several open spaces for chilling out, a hot pink waterslide, an infinity pool, personal cinema, and a closet filled with Barbie attire. The house also comes with an array of cool experiences, like lessons with fencing champion Ibtihaj Muhammad, a meal prepared by Malibu chef Gina Clarke-Helm, a Columbia Memorial Space Center tour by aerospace engineer Jill Meyers, and makeovers by celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin.

Photo: Airbnb

If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because the Dreamhouse is only available for one weekend — October 27 through October 29. Booking opens at 11:00 AM PT on October 23, so you’d better be quick on the trigger.


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First all-female spacewalk

The first all-female spacewalk is happening today outside the International Space Station. At 7:38 AM ET, astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch exited the airlock, and the walk is scheduled to last for five or six hours. The first spacewalk for Meir and the fourth for Koch, the two astronauts will be replacing the station’s faulty power regulator, which has been in operation since 2000. While it isn’t the first time a woman has participated in a spacewalk, it is the first time a group composed of all women has done so.

“I think it’s important,” Koch said in a news conference, “because of the historical nature of what we’re doing and that in the past, women haven’t always been at the table. It’s wonderful to be contributing to human spaceflight at a time when all contributions are being accepted, when everyone has a role and that can lead, in turn, to increased chance for success.”

Meir added, “What we’re doing now shows all the work that went on for the decades prior, all of the women that worked to get us where we are today.”

Originally, the first all-female spacewalk was supposed to take place back in March, but the plan was scrapped due to spacesuit availability issues. Koch had been scheduled to make that initial walk with fellow astronaut Anne McClain, but she has since returned to Earth.

Meir only arrived on the station at the beginning of this month and already has taken a historic step in both her career and for womankind. Upon her arrival, she tweeted about the bond that exists between her and her fellow astronauts.

This is how it feels when in addition to your childhood dream being fulfilled by arriving to @Space_Station, you’re greeted by your Astro-brothers and sisters on the other side of the hatch. pic.twitter.com/mexDxMdWhd

— Jessica Meir (@Astro_Jessica) September 29, 2019

More like this: These images from NASA will rock your world

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The best nightlife in Athens

Often said to be the birthplace of democracy, Athens has earned a reputation as a must-see destination for the globally minded. Justifiably so, as visitors have the opportunity to both bathe in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea and catch a glimpse of the Parthenon perched upon the Acropolis. However, this vibrant city has another side that remains undiscovered by many visitors: It’s one hell of a party town.

Nightlife makes up a sizable chunk of Greek culture, and as nights out are popular among locals of all ages, they make for a unique experience for foreigners if navigated with some expertise. This is a city where you never know where the night might take you, whether you’ll end up in the central neighborhood of Gazi or on the Athens Riviera, or at what time you’ll retire to bed. Regardless, local nightlife culture has a lot to offer each visitor, so before heading out, make sure you’ve prepared yourself for a night you won’t forget.

Set a base for the booze by indulging in local cuisine.

Photo: lornet/Shutterstock

Food is an absolute essential to start out any night. Souvlaki and gyros, the street foods considered the Greek equivalent of American burgers, are always the way to go if you’re looking to grab a bite. In the pedestrian streets of Monastiraki, it’s easy to say that coming across a souvlatzidiko (souvlaki shop) is as effortless as finding a souvenir shop, with many notable eateries such as Efcharis open until midnight. Wraps are available to-go, so you can devour your meal as you head to your next destination by foot through the heart of the historic district, known as Plaka.

Alternatively, there are local-centric shops in the suburbs that bustle with people until the middle of the night, where competition is fierce to win over a customer base that is already well-acquainted with Greek cuisine. When it comes to dining in the true Greek manner, staying outside of the city center offers the advantage of joints catering to Athenians rather than the tourist set. The town of Holargos, a mere 15 minutes away on the metro, is packed with high-quality restaurants that locals swear by, such as Melitini and Cook&Grill, which sell both street food and traditional home-style meals.

Visit an outdoor cinema for a true Athenian experience.

Photo: Cine Panathinaia/Facebook

Another Greek tradition, from May until September or October, is the open-air cinema, which are so popular in Athens that nearly every neighborhood has its own. Make a quick flick the second stop of your night out. Thision, Cine Paris, and Cine Panathinaia are great for catching the latest Hollywood movies, or even popular oldies, while having a snack. These well-established movie theaters attract locals and foreigners alike in the early hours of the night.

Level up your pregame action at a cocktail bar.

Photo: AforAthens/Facebook

Drinking culture in Greece is prominent and follows the conventions of Mediterranean drinking culture. As a result, there are many local specialties that people love to enjoy in social settings. Liquors like tsipouro, tsikoudia, ouzo, and raki are often served as shots but are also used to make cocktails, while Mythos, Alfa, and Fix are the mainstream local beers you can try out. Non-alcoholic mastiha (mastic) water is a refreshing alternative that can be found easily and is best enjoyed with a dessert.

In addition, since Greeks treasure their juices and coffee, feel free to ask for a byssinada (sour cherry juice that can also be carbonated) or an iced frappé instead if you have a coffee addiction to fuel. Most importantly, though, don’t forget to join in on a toast, or even initiate a spontaneous one by raising your glass in the air and calling out στην υγειά μας! (pronounced “stin eeyamas,” which can be translated as “to our health!”).

There are numerous cocktail bars throughout the city that are worthy of being your stop for tipsy-turving fun as the night matures. Many are found in charming gardens with bright fuchsia vukamvilies (Bougainvillea vines) climbing up the walls, on the rooftops of graffitied apartment buildings, or even in formerly abandoned courtyards. Near the Acropolis, Dionysos Zonar’s is an ultra-modern restaurant bar with a spectacular view of the Parthenon and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The spot serves one-of-a-kind cocktails, or you can opt for a glass of Greek wine.

On the other side of the Acropolis is Monastiraki Square, where you’ll find a rooftop bar called 360 with — as the name suggests — full-circled views of the downtown area, and A For Athens Cocktail Bar, which offers more of the same. Also worth checking out is TAF / The Art Foundation, an old-fashioned outdoor bar (covered in the winter, though) hosting DJs with a love of jazz. The venue also hosts a gallery, shop, and rooms that can be rented by artists looking for a space to explore their creativity.

Further from the Acropolis, Hoxton is a cozy bar located in the lively downtown neighborhood of Gazi. It attracts mainly locals, as foreigners don’t know about the area as much as they know about other districts, such as Monastiraki. Ciel, adjacent to the Metropolitan Cathedral, offers amazing views of the historic district. Located away from the noise of downtown Athens in the Alsos Papagou park, Piu Verde is a short walk away from the Ethniki Amyna metro station, which is a mere 10-minute ride from Syntagma.

Hit a bouzoukia club to see how Athens parties unlike anywhere in Europe.

Photo: lornet/Shutterstock

If you love to dance or stand on tables — maybe even both at the same time — the bouzoukia are where you belong. A type of nightclub, bouzouki (a musical instrument used to play Greek music) clubs are home to Greek folk and dance music with live performances all weekend, as well as on certain weekdays. A popular tradition at the bouzoukia is throwing flowers onto the stage where the singer is performing — as opposed to the tradition of breaking plates, a practice that’s becoming increasingly obsolete.

Some renowned clubs worth a visit are:

Fantasia: A large club that hosts some of the biggest names in Greek music and has been establishing itself as an essential weekend destination since 2014.
Estate: A venue that has been on the rise since two-time Eurovision entrant Sakis Rouvas started to make regular appearances in late 2017.
Iera Odos: A club where various genres of Greek music are played rather than only modern Greek dance hits, so you can sit back and just enjoy the music.
Frangelico: The place to be if you want to dance the night away to the beat of Greek music until the small hours of the morning.

As a forewarning, if something exciting is going on, and also if something surprising and unexpected happens, you’re likely to hear the people around you shout opa! Feel free to join in on customs like these and immerse yourself in the local culture throughout the night — Greeks love it when visitors try to follow customs and traditions, so be assured that even if you’re slightly off-key or behind the mark, you’ll only receive advice and words of encouragement.

Watch the sunrise along the Athens Riviera.

Photo: Island Athens Riviera/Facebook

The last destination that should definitely be on your list is coastal Athens, otherwise known as the Athens Riviera. While some bouzouki clubs are on the Riviera, the best way to enjoy your time there is by making a beeline to the local beach bars or clubs. That way you can watch the waves come in as the sun comes up and dip your toes into the cool sand and fully relish in the relaxed ambience of this beachside paradise. A combination of sand and pebbles covers the beach, while seats in different shapes are dotted around it, providing the perfect escape to catch a breath away from the crowd on the dancefloor. And what better way to end your night than to watch the sunrise over the seemingly infinite sea with some background music drifting down from the DJ booth?

One of the most iconic spots in the area is Island, a restaurant and club situated on a rock where you’re so close to the water you can actually hear the lapping of the waves. The Peñarrubia Lounge is a busy lounge bar offering a bit of a different experience, as it’s located right in front of the beach with a roomy garden and hammocks scattered across the grass. The 2019 opening of Lohan Seaside has added quite a few events to the itineraries of Athenians from all over the city as well, with its huge parties and the picturesque scenery surrounding it.


More like this: 7 must-try street foods in Athens, Greece

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Best chicken strips in Miami

Buffalo may have the wing, but in Miami, we’ve got the strip.

Not strip clubs. Not “the strip” along Ocean Drive. Chicken strips, the deep-fried, often-breaded bar-food favorite that you can eat in Miami unlike anywhere else in the world. No, we didn’t invent the chicken strip, nor did we perfect it. But you can have more fun eating them here than you can anywhere, and that is why Miami is king of the chicken strip.

Before we get started, yes, I’m well aware there’s a difference between chicken strips, tenders, fingers, and boneless wings. There’s also a difference between Miami and South Beach, but much like LeBron and everyone else doesn’t seem to care about that, nor do I care about poultry nomenclature. For today’s purposes, any oblong piece of white meat deep fried and served with a dipping sauce is a chicken strip. If this works you up, you probably need to get out more.

And what better way to get out than spending a day eating chicken strips all over Miami? Laugh — or cluck — all you like, but let me run you through a chicken-strip-eating itinerary me and some friends did as part of our annual chicken strip tour.

“Chicken strip tour?” you ask? “Not wings?” No, not wings. Wings have bone and gristle and all kinds of stuff I personally don’t care for, which is why me and my friends began a tradition of going to as many restaurants as we could in a day in different cities and eating chicken strips. We’ve been doing it for 16 years, and have hit Vegas, Seattle, Vancouver — lots of places. And nowhere came close to Miami.

Now, can you find any one of these experiences in another city? Sure you can. I’m sure you can find some good chicken strips to take to the beach in San Diego. And Vegas allows you to say you’re going on a strip tour of the Strip. But is there another city in the world where you can lounge in a lazy river, float on a pink flamingo, lay on the beach, take in the sunset from a rooftop bar, cheer with passionate and attractive football fans, then finish the night at one of the most famous clubs in the world, all with a chicken strip in your hand? No, friends, no there is not. Unless you make your way to Miami, which quite simply does chicken strips like no place else on the planet. Dale!

Follow along and you’ll see why you’ll never find another city better to eat your body weight in dippable fried chicken.

Stop 1: The water park and the lazy river

Photo: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa/Facebook

In Miami, you can start your day ordering strips into the lazy river at Tidal Cove, a place best described as a dayclub with waterslides. This park is at the JW Marriott Turnberry and offers private bungalows with beach chairs and friendly waiters who deliver your strips with fruity mixed cocktails (or whatever else your stomach desires).

You can devour your deep-fried goodness in the comfort of said cabana, but you’re best served to take it with you on a float through the lazy river, enjoying every bite like your inner eight-year-old would want you to. And when you’re floating with your strip through Tidal Cove’s chlorinated Amazon, passing under palm fronds and past massive waterslides, you’ll wonder why during your childhood you wasted so much time at snack bars.

Stop 2: The celebrity chef

Photo: Chicken Guy/Facebook

Miami is nothing if not a magnet for celebrity chefs. Just a short drive from Tidal Cove, Guy Fieri has an outpost of his Chicken Guy strip emporium at the Aventura Mall. Here, you can try strips made by arguably the most famous chef in America at the moment and even take a picture in front of a life-size cutout. Of Guy, not the chicken.

Stop 3: The Pool Party

Photo: Matthew Meltzer

No trip to Miami is complete without an oversized floatie selfie from a fancy hotel pool. And you know what tastes especially good on top of said floaties? That’s right, chicken strips. At the Confidante Hotel in Miami Beach, you can refresh your oily palate with a fruity gourmet popsicle paired with a craft cocktail, then call the pool’s Floatie Concierge to blow up a giant floating flamingo for you to ride through the pool. While riding, call a waiter and have them bring you chicken strips as you tour your plastic stallion through the kingdom you now own.

Stop 4: The Pub Sub on the beach

If two things signify Florida more than bad drivers and Medicare fraud, it’s beaches and Pub Subs. Pub Subs, for those who’ve never had the pleasure of listening to a Floridian talk about them for an uninterrupted hour, are sandwiches from the deli at Publix, a Florida-based grocery chain. They come in many varieties, but the signature sandwich is made with chicken tenders, which you can have tossed in any sauce you want.

One of the great Miami traditions is getting a Pub Sub, throwing it in a cooler with a dozen of your favorite beverages, and taking it to the beach for the day. The combination of the hot, peppery breading and the cool, soft sandwich roll is both refreshing and satisfying on a hot beach day. It tastes especially glorious when devoured on the sand after a quick trip into 88-degree ocean water.

Stop 5: Strips on a boat

Photo: Matthew Meltzer

T.I. made boating in Miami famous when he teamed up with Lonely Island to record “I’m on a Boat,” the song that launched a million basic Instagram captions. In Miami, you can pull your boat right up to dozens of bars that, among other things, serve hot baskets of golden chicken strips. Chief among them is Monty’s Raw Bar, which is set right on a marina in Coconut Grove. During the week it’s a happy hour hotspot, and on the weekends you can arrive on a boat, order some strips, and either take them with you back on the water or mingle with the crowd.

Stop 6: The bar full of beautiful people

It feels like Brickell, Miami’s financial district, has the highest concentration of single people of any neighborhood in America. It’s also home to throngs of alumni from both the University of Florida and Florida State, all of whom treat regular season football games like their own personal Super Bowl. This meeting of young, single people and off-site tailgating comes to a head at Batch Gastropub, where weekend football games feel like a trip back to campus, and the boneless wings fuel parties that last well after the game is over. Can you find hot college bars full of passionate fans in a lot of cities? Probably. But few will have a crowd that looks as good as it does in Miami.

Stop 7: Strips and sunset at the swanky rooftop bar

The best sunset in Miami can be found at Sugar, an Asian-inspired garden set atop the 40th floor of the East Hotel in Brickell. From here, you can see all the way from the Everglades to South Beach, and if you get there just before dusk you’ll witness the city transform from a turquoise paradise to a neon wonderland. Though Sugar’s cocktails make a case for best in the city, the real star of the menu is the Korean boneless wings, served atop beds of lettuce with a tangy yogurt sauce. Enjoy them while the purple sky envelops the city, and the still water of Biscayne Bay reflects the lights flashing on at sunset.

Stop 8: Strips that taste like your grill-obsessed buddy made them

Photo: Sports Grill/Facebook

Ask any Miamian, and they’ll tell you the best wings — or in this case strips — in town come from Sports Grill, a very un-glamorous sports bar where a full order costs you $5.99, and you’ll probably have a kid’s birthday party at the next table. None of its suburban locations offer the glamor of a South Beach pool party, but Sports Grill makes a strip the likes of which you’ve probably never tried: fried then grilled, and covered in a spicy sauce called “Dale.” This is pronounced like Mr. Gribble on King of the Hill, and not “Dah-lay” like you hear Pitbull scream 14 times a song. In Miami, you have to differentiate.

Stop 9: The megaclub

Photo: World Red Eye

Where better to finish a day of eating chicken in Miami than in a big, thumping nightclub? There is, quite simply, no club in the world quite like E11even, where topless dancing girls on elevated stages greet you when walking through the door, and A-list rappers are both loyal customers and frequent performers. The crowd and music feel like any megaclub in Miami, or Vegas, or Ibiza. The only difference is the place never closes, and you can get private dances with the dancers if you’ve got enough cash. Oh, and you can also order chicken strips anywhere.

E11even’s rooftop restaurant isn’t a bad option for your late-night chicken strip consumption. But for the full experience, get an order of these panko-breaded beauties delivered to your VIP table. Or enjoy them on the rail as you make it rain with greasy dollar bills. You can even enjoy them in a private dance booth, as one local female food writer did and recounted to me, “When I was sitting down getting a lap dance with a chicken strip in one hand and a glass of Champagne in the other, I knew I’d made it.”


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The post In Miami, chicken strips should be on every culinary bucket list appeared first on Matador Network.

What is Portugal’s Festa do Avante!

Cruising past the Ponte 25 de Abril, which, when I squinted, could have been the Golden Gate Bridge I’d left back home, I wondered if my passport might burst into flames. I was going to a communist festival in Amora, Portugal, hardly the sort of festival I’d envisioned myself attending during my summer in Lisbon.

Though the view from the ferry took me back to American soil, where the word “communism” still lands with a thud, for the people of Portugal, Lisbon’s bright red bridge commemorates the Carnation Revolution that toppled the fascist Estado Novo regime, under which members of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) were persecuted. On April 25, 1974, a group of left-leaning officers in the Portuguese army started a coup in the nation’s capital that would become a mighty, nonviolent civil resistance. As the regime fell, ending with it Portuguese colonialism, civilians gave soldiers red carnations, many of which wound up in the barrels of their guns.

Two years later, an emboldened PCP threw the first Festa do Avante! in Lisbon, naming it after the party’s official newspaper, Avante!, or Forward! The festival has since grown, and moved, today drawing hundreds of thousands to the suburbs of Lisbon every first weekend in September.

A communist festival that’s much more

Photo: Festa do Avante/Facebook

“Think of it like Glastonbury,” a friend who’d studied abroad in England told me, pitching the festival for the following Saturday. I’d never been to Glastonbury, but I couldn’t picture hammer-and-sickle flags flying during a Mumford and Sons set.

“Really, it’s just a big party,” another added, sensing my skepticism. Minutes later, they’d all break out into a spirited chorus of PCP anthem “Avante, Camarada.”

Though a joke, the exchange captured Avante! perfectly.

Photo: Festa do Avante/Facebook

From a distance, it looks like any other festival, only larger. Ten stages shuffle through musical acts, theater and film screenings, debates, and more. There are book tents, art and science exhibits, and play areas with kid-friendly activities like puppet workshops and concerts for babies. There’s enough food and drink to represent all the flavors of Portugal, as well as those from across the globe. And there’s sports both for spectators, like martial arts matches and roller hockey games, and participants, like running and bike races and ballet, boxing, and zumba classes.

Dedicated festivalgoers come for all three days, bringing caravans or pitching tents at the on-site campground, much like they do at Glastonbury and Coachella.

Up close, however, Avante! announces its politics loudly. Rather than typical concert merch, booths here sell “Free Lula” pins, in defense of polarizing Brazilian political prisoner Luiz Inácio “Lula” de Silva, and T-shirts emblazoned with Marxist icons. Festivalgoers of all ages walk around with Che Guevara on their chests like kids in Nirvana tees at their first rock concerts.

Photo: Festa do Avante/Facebook

In heavily trafficked areas, such as the food pavilion seducing passersby with goodies like Porto-style bifana sandwiches and Alentejo wine, you’ll see literature pushing the party’s agenda and overhear panelists addressing topics ranging from child and parenting rights to social security and capitalism’s detriment to the environment.

This year, among other tributes, discussions also reflected on Portugal’s political past in honor of the 45th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution. Speakers remembered events like the 1969 students’ rights protest in Coimbra and youth opposition to the Estado Novo regime in its dying days. Some who lived through it shared their stories.

Celebrating Portugal’s past, present, and future

Photo: Festa do Avante/Facebook

Debate has always been central to Avante! But in light of the revolutionary anniversary and Portugal’s then-upcoming October 6 general election, which saw Prime Minister António Costa secure a second term, this year’s discourse was particularly weighty.

Though the prime minister belongs to the center-left Socialist Party, his administration is significant for the PCP. During the last election in 2015, Costa brokered an unprecedented, informal alliance with the PCP and Left Bloc after winning fewer votes than the center-right Social Democrats, clenching a parliamentary majority and claiming the premiership.

Few expected the minority administration to succeed. It was labeled a geringonça, or “contraption,” comparing the coalition to an unstable machine.

Since 2015, however, Portugal has seen impressive economic growth in the wake of the eurozone crisis, nearly eliminated its budget deficit, increased the minimum wage, lowered unemployment rates, and reversed austerity measures, such as restoring four public holidays. Tourism and start-ups have also flourished.

Failing to win a majority in parliament earlier this month, Prime Minister Costa has expressed interest in renewing the alliance with the PCP and Left Bloc, as have both parties and Portuguese voters. In return for its parliamentary support, the PCP advocates for social welfare programs and workers’ rights, as well as issues like free textbooks in public schools and cheaper public transport — the same issues that fuel Avante!’s annual debates.

As the day goes on, the music takes over

Photo: Festa do Avante/Facebook

Daytime at Avante! is a choose-your-own-adventure extravaganza of art, activism, education, and culture. Music plays throughout the day, whether an afternoon set by an indie rock band, a traditional fado performance, or a round of “Carvalhesa,” the communist anthem that always seems to be playing somewhere.

At night, though, the festival fulfilled my friend’s prophecy.

The crowd that had earlier rallied around General Secretary of the PCP Jerónimo de Sousa, who opened the festival to loud cheering and a sea of red flags, morphed into a more familiar mosh of dancing festivalgoers.

This year’s lineup featured Portuguese artists like the all-female pop-punk band Anarchicks and heavy metal group Moonspell, as well as international acts like politically vocal American rock band The Last Internationale and Spanish songstress Sílvia Pérez Cruz, whose debut solo album was nominated for album of the year in both Spain and France.

In previous years, Richie Havens and The Band, both of whom performed at Woodstock in 1969, also played the festival, as did Dexy’s Midnight Runners of ‘80s-classic “Come on Eileen” fame.

Photo: Festa do Avante/Facebook

Avante! is not Woodstock. It’s not Glastonbury, and it’s certainly not Coachella, though it is fair to call it a music festival. It’s also political, cultural, and contradictory, at once engaged and carefree, wholesome and a little bit rowdy. In truth, it’s a fitting tribute to a country-defining revolution that’s often recounted as jubilant, festive even, and to an unlikely administration that’s finding leftist success when much of Europe is moving toward right-wing populism.

In an era in which the news cycle churns out more dramatic twists than soaps, Avante! is the rare political festival that manages to be politics-optional. It may be hard to pin down, but one thing’s for sure: It’s a hell of a party no matter how you vote — or, as it turns out, what country you’re registered to vote in.


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