Cuba�s Top 12 Experiences http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Cuba offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler’s list. Here are Fodor’s top picks for a memorable trip.

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Fodor's Week in Travel: Top Overseas Adventures http://ift.tt/1Jrg4mv

Looking to travel the world? Whether you want to immerse yourself in Roman art, Brazilian beats, or Chilean nature, our weekly roundup has all of the best experiences for your next trip covered.

Brazil's Top 12 Experiences

With Carnival, live samba shows, caipirinhas, and raucous soccer matches, Brazil knows how to party better than any other country.

25 Ultimate Things to Do in Rome

There is no better place than Rome to admire ancient ruins, ogle Baroque art on full display, and bask in the glory of cinematic greatness.

Chile's Top 12 Experiences

From viewing the breathtaking scenery of geyser fields to spotting Patagonian wildlife to hiking snow-capped volcanoes, Chile is a nature lover's dream.

10 Things You Need to Do Before Any International Trip

Before you take off on your next international trip, follow these ten steps to ensure that your getaway is a success.

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10 Things You Need to Do Before Any International Trip http://ift.tt/1Jrg1XH

Memorize the following and make it your mantra: Good travel is the result of good planning. That applies to any trip you take, but it’s especially true when you’re heading to a foreign country. It can be tempting to book a ticket and start fantasizing about your getaway, but there’s work to be done. In addition to the planning any trip requires—lodging, restaurants, activities, and so on—international travel calls for extra steps and research to ensure a stress-free experience. Fortunately, we’ve broken it all down into a ten-point plan that will help make your next international getaway a success.

1. Check your passport and apply for any necessary visas.

While it’s not necessary to memorize your passport’s expiration date, it’s best to take a look at it—and to verify that you know where your passport is stored—before making any international travel plans. Generally speaking, you want your passport to be valid for at least six months after entering a foreign country, though some nations will let you get away with less; refer to the State Department’s website for full details, organized by country. If its expiration date is approaching, you’ll need to renew your passport before your next overseas trip.

Though not a universal requirement, tourist visas are needed to visit many nations around the world, and the application process varies greatly from country to country. If you have an American passport, the State Department’s website is the best resource for determining if you need to apply for a tourist visa based on the countries you’re visiting and how much time you plan to spend in each one. It’s important to note that applying for a visa can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s best to get it out of the way as soon as possible. Some countries, like China, offer multiyear visas that allow for multiple entries and exits; if there’s a chance you’ll return to a country sooner rather than later, multiyear visas can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

2. Get vaccinated and stock up on medicine.

Depending on where you’re going, you may need to get special vaccines or medications as a precaution against various diseases. For the most comprehensive and up-to-date medical recommendations, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, which also lists health advisories by country. In addition, if you routinely take any prescription medication, make sure you have enough to cover the duration of your travels so that you don’t run out while you’re overseas. Finally—and especially if you’re going to any remote regions—it’s wise to pack non-prescription medicines (aspirin, Imodium, etc.) that may not be easy to find.

3. Check for travel warnings/advisories and register your trip.

Before you travel abroad, refer to the State Department’s Consular Information Program for Travel Alerts (“short-term events we think you should know about when planning travel to a country”) and Travel Warnings (“We issue a Travel Warning when we want you to consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all.”). It’s worth checking for these notices both before you book a trip and just before you depart. You should also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which makes it easier for the State Department to assist you in the event of an emergency. Similarly, write down the addresses and phone numbers of any American embassies or consulates in the destinations you’ll be visiting, in case you need to contact them.

4. Prepare your finances.

Before you travel overseas, call your bank and credit card providers to let them know where you’ll be; if the companies see foreign charges with no notice that you’re abroad, they might freeze your cards, which can be quite annoying if you’re in a shop or trying to pay for dinner. Before you travel internationally, be aware of the exchange rate and know how much things generally cost wherever you’re going so that you get some sense of how much you’re going to spend. If you want to get traveler’s checks, feel free to do so, but know that they are not widely accepted and are exchanged at a less favorable rate than the one you’ll find at an ATM, no matter where you are in the world.

5. Make copies of travel documents.

Most importantly, have at least one color copy of your passport’s ID page stored somewhere safe and separate from your passport. You should also make copies of any visas that pertain to your current travels. Hotel reservations, train ticket confirmations, and all other travel documents should be copied as well. In this digital age, it is very convenient (and eco-friendly) to only have digital copies of these documents handy. That’s fine, but be sure that these items are saved to your device locally so that you can access them without an Internet connection. Also, if you’re going to store sensitive information (like a scan of your passport) on your phone or in your email inbox, make sure your passwords are strong enough to keep potential intruders out.

6. Obtain an International Driving Permit.

The international road trip of your dreams isn’t going to happen unless you plan correctly. That’s because it’s illegal to drive without a valid driver’s license and insurance in most countries, and many do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses. Car rental companies usually offer insurance, but for the license you’ll need to obtain an International Driving Permit, either from AAA or the National Auto Club. It’s also smart to familiarize yourself with local driving laws wherever you plan to drive. Contact foreign embassies for official rules and regulations regarding driving.

7. Get all the necessary gear for your electronics.

Electrical outlets are different all over the world, so you’ll need to have adapters that allow your devices to plug into foreign sockets. Your best bet is to buy an adapter with different settings that adjust to most outlets, so you only have to worry about one adapter instead of one per country. You also need to check the strength of the electrical current wherever you’re going and make sure your devices are compatible—cell phones and computers often are. If you have a device that’s not compatible with a higher or lower current, then you’ll need to buy a transformer or leave that gadget at home. Finally, if you don’t own them already, it’s worth investing in portable phone chargers and/or spare batteries that can be charged and swapped into phones, cameras, and other electronics so that you can stay fully charged while you’re on the go.

8. Learn key phrases in the local language.

Of course it’s best practice to learn basics like “Hello,” “Thank you,” and “Where is the bathroom?”, but the more you can say in the local tongue, the better. Then there are times when being able to effectively communicate is a matter of health and safety. If you have any food allergies or severe medical conditions, it’s important to learn how to inform others about those issues in a foreign language. If you don’t feel comfortable with your language abilities, then cheat and print out a document with relevant phrases or make flashcards that you can carry with you.

9. Research entrance and exit fees.

Regardless of whether a country requires you to obtain a tourist visa, it may levy an entrance and/or exit fee against you. For example, Argentina allows U.S. citizens to visit for up to ninety days without a visa, but a $160 “reciprocity fee” must be paid before entering the country—you won’t be allowed in without a copy of the receipt. Once again, the Consular Information Program is the most reliable resource for determining whether a country charges these fees; on any country page, look under the Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements tab for complete information.

10. Buy health and travel insurance.

Before you travel, check your health insurance policy to see if it includes international coverage. If not, consider buying a short-term policy that will cover you while you’re abroad, in case something should happen. Similarly, a smart way to protect your trip and your money is to purchase travel insurance. Policies and coverage vary from provider to provider, but the basic idea is that you can have your money refunded if your trip has to be cancelled, postponed, or cut short for any number of reasons.

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25 Ultimate Things to Do in Rome http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

It may be a cliché, but there’s no better advice for visitors to the Eternal City than the old adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” This is where la dolce vita originated, after all. Of course, after more than 2,000 years in existence, there’s enough to explore to keep you busy for years, with decadent pasta and gelato to indulge in, places to shop for everything from handicrafts to haute couture, archeological sites, Baroque churches, villas-turned-museums, and enough art to overload your senses. Whether you’ve never visited Rome or return often, here are twenty-five things you absolutely must do.

By Laura Itzkowitz

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Chile's Top 12 Experiences http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Chile offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler's list. Here are Fodor's top picks for a memorable trip.

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5 Chicago Restaurants That Will Transport You Around the World http://ift.tt/1eijXwJ

With dirt-cheap taco joints and trailblazing temples of haute cuisine—and everything in between—Chicago has one of the richest, most diverse, most satisfying food scenes in the United States. Of course, the city has hometown staples like deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and Chicago-style hot dogs, all of which are worthy of indulgence, but this is also a town where you where you can taste the flavors of the world. What’s more, certain restaurants and bars are paying increasing attention to décor, effectively conjuring other locales with their attention to design and furnishing in addition to menus. Whether you want to pretend you’re near the beach in Santa Monica, in a bustling bistro in Paris, or at a hip Tokyo eatery, these five spots will make you feel like you’ve temporarily departed the Windy City—but happily you won’t have.

Summer House Santa Monica

The beaches on Lake Michigan are nice, but they’re a far cry from the sands of California. Still, if you’re looking for a taste of the SoCal experience, head to Summer House Santa Monica in Lincoln Park for a beach-house setting and sunny vibes no matter what time of year. White-lacquered wood, string lights, hanging plants, and a retractable glass ceiling set the scene for this casual spot, which takes advantage of the warmer months but manages to feel like an escape even in the depth of Chicago’s miserable winters thanks to the sunshine and the wood-burning oven. (The restaurant’s main dining area is called the “Vitamin D Room.”)

The menu itself may not hew exactly to what you would find in Santa Monica, but the emphasis on light, fresh, and seasonal is authentic. Salads are lightly dressed, the excellent burrata is handmade daily, and the pastas are surprisingly the standouts of the menu. The lunch menu is limited, but at night you’ll find a greater emphasis on seafood, including sushi, and grilled steaks. The refreshing cocktails focus on fruit and herbal components, while the wine menu has a good amount of offerings from California, in particular the southern part of the state, a nice change from the Napa and Sonoma selections you can find everywhere else.

Paris Club Bistro & Bar

Paris Club originally opened its doors in the River North neighborhood in early 2011; at the time, it was a barn-sized brasserie with a nightclub upstairs and a see-and-be-seen crowd. These days, things are a bit different, as the space downsized, redecorated, and separated itself from the nightlife aspect, reopening as Paris Club Bistro & Bar in February 2014. The room has a classic look, with wooden paneling, leather banquettes, vintage French lithographs adorning the walls, and a handsome bar upfront. And the ambiance is different—better—more grown-up with an intimate, romantic vibe that puts the focus on the food rather than the people watching.

The menu of French classics, overseen by acclaimed chef Doug Psaltis, satisfies with familiar favorites such as escargots in garlic butter, steak tartare, moules frites, and coq au vin. Still, you’ll find occasional touches of surprising luxury, as in a dish of lobster scrambled eggs topped with black truffle, or profiteroles made with salted caramel, fleur de sel, and a rich chocolate sauce. The wine list features selections from Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, and southern France, as well as a handful of international selections that are identified as “French at Heart.” In a city where traditional, unfussy French food is hard to find, this restaurant is a welcome retreat.

Ramen-san

Occupying what was formerly half of Paris Club, Ramen-san has been slinging its bowls of ramen since March of last year. The space is airy and bright, with sand-colored brick walls, blonde-wood benches and tables, and an uncluttered bar that doubles as seating for countertop dining. The soundtrack, which might include hip-hop, is loud and upbeat, while Japanese signs and golden-cat statues serve as the few decorations, making this feel like a place you might see young, hip diners if you were in Tokyo.

Of course, the point of coming here is to eat ramen, and there are seven options on the menu; stick to the traditional tonkotsu option or, if you’re feeling like something more unique, opt for the kimchi and fried chicken bowl. Small plates include de rigueur offerings like gyoza and steamed buns stuffed with pork belly, but don’t overlook the spicy Szechuan chicken wings, irresistibly flavorful and messy, or the wonton stuffed with pork and shrimp, doused with umami-heavy XO sauce. The cocktail program is designed by local legend Paul McGee, and there’s also a robust selection of Japanese whiskeys, a surprising find in this relatively modest space.

RPM Steak

Chicago has no shortage of great steakhouses, but RPM Steak brings a Vegas-sized dose of glitz and glamour to the sometimes-staid restaurant genre. A joint effort between hospitality group Lettuce Entertain You and celebrity couple Bill and Giuliana Rancic, RPM followed in the footsteps of RPM Italian, debuting in August 2014 and remaining a River North hot spot ever since. There’s no other way to put it: This is a sexy restaurant, with seductive lighting and spacious, half-moon banquettes lining the perimeter of the bar area, where you can perch and watch over the action in the main dining room.

If the ambiance doesn’t make you feel like a high roller, the menu (and the fifty-page wine and spirits list) certainly will. Foie gras, lobster, bone marrow, and Wagyu beef all make appearances, as does a showy “millionaire’s potato,” a large spud that is baked twice then topped with fontina and black truffle. To start, take the advice of the wait staff and create your own appetizer by ordering both the thick-cut bacon, with a bourbon-vanilla glaze, and the coal-roasted king crab—combine bites of each to reach a hedonistic nirvana. If you wish, you can spend almost $200 on a 36-ounce steak, or you can be reasonable and stick to the $39 steak frites—either way you won’t be disappointed.

Three Dots and a Dash

Sometimes you pass through an unmarked door, down a set of stairs, and suddenly you feel like you’re on a tropical island. That’s the case at Three Dots and a Dash, which opened in July 2013 but gained international recognition late last year when it appeared on an annual ranking billed as The World’s 50 Best Bars. (Yes, technically it is a bar, but they also serve food.) Ever popular, this downstairs den is a temple of Tiki-bar culture that both pays homage and brings a contemporary sensibility to Polynesian–themed drinking establishments. Sticking to a traditional Tiki-bar look, Three Dots and a Dash features bamboo, funky lighting, and all the other expected design elements without ever feeling too over-the-top.

As for the drinks, there are sixteen of them: half are old recipes sourced from historic Tiki spots like Don’s Beachcomber Cafe, which opened in Hollywood in 1936, and the other half are new inventions that stick to the tried-and-true formula of rum, fruit, and various other fun ingredients. There are also group drinks served in large vessels shaped like clam shells, skulls, or ships; there’s also an ostentatious treasure chest designed for six to eight drinkers, which is served with a bottle of Dom Pérignon for a cool #385—you shouldn’t order one, but it’s fun to see it at a neighboring table nonetheless. The food menu features throwback items as well, including coconut shrimp, crab Rangoon, and a genuine Pu Pu platter that serves three to four tipplers, an ideal way to soak up those drinks at the end of the night.

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Brazil's Top 12 Experiences http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Brazil offers terrific experiences that should be on every traveler’s list. Here are Fodor’s top picks for a memorable trip.

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