Dim Sum with a Twist in Hong Kong http://ift.tt/2aVh6hm

Dim sum in Hong Kong is a time-honored tradition for families to get together and eat (and eat, and eat). While there are plenty of traditional dim sum restaurants with loyal fans in Hong Kong, culinary innovators are waking up to the possibilities of creative cuisine for dim sum lovers. With unexpected ingredients like shaved truffle or Iberico ham, Hong Kong’s newest crop of dim sum restaurants bring the tradition to new heights.

Everyone should experience Hong Kong’s dim sum experience at least once. The bustling atmosphere with carts full of siu mai dumplings, pork buns, and of course meatballs is as much a way of life as having pizza by the slice in NYC.

Expect to politely fight or at least throw your elbows around at old-school dim sum places like Maxim’s, a 32-year-old restaurant in the middle of packed Central district, serving classic Hong Kong–style dishes. Dim sum was developed in Guangzhou and has since evolved into a family affair, becoming hugely popular for breakfast and brunch. The clinking of white ceramic tea cups filled with strong pu-er tea, locals readying newspapers and noshing on fatty dishes is a glorious sport for self-professed foodies. If you are so inclined to visit one of the oldest and best, Lin Heung Tea House, opened in 1923, is for you. However, if you’re craving something new, head to one of these five restaurants for a foodie feast.

Spring Moon

Located in the iconic Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, Spring Moon is one of the fanciest gourmet experiences you can experience in the city. While the signature stewed pork belly is one of the most popular items on the menu, nothing comes close to the variety of dumplings. The imperial fungus vegetarian dumplings and the Sicilian red prawn and minced pork dumplings are a little on the adventurous side, while the crystal shrimp and spider crab dumplings are a more traditional take on dim sum. Be sure to leave room for the baked crispy buns with minced Wagyu beef. Just be warned: prices are not for the faint-hearted.

Insider Tip: If you feel like you want to re-create these classic dishes at home, the hotel also offers a dim sum cooking class for its guests.

Tycoon Tann

Tycoon Tann takes dim sum seriously. Innovative flavor combinations take inspiration from all over the world, like the Wagyu beef and pear crispy dumplings. Other creative dishes include Spanish Iberico ham and scallop dumplings, lavishly garnished with caviar for something truly opulent.

Insider Tip: Order the crab meat spring rolls stuffed with Italian mozzarella cheese. Trust us.

The Sky Boss

If you want dinner with a view, nothing beats The Sky Boss. Located almost 1,400 feet above Victoria Harbour, this popular restaurant combines luxurious ingredients with classic techniques in their dim sum creations. Take your dining experience to new heights with shrimp and foie gras dumplings or mushroom and black truffle dumplings. For traditionalists, the sesame balls are a fun favorite.

Bo Innovation

Chef Alvin Leung is an innovator who creates traditional Chinese dishes for modern diners. Experimental and bold, three-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation is the place to go for fusion dim sum. Splurge on the set lunch for a true sampling of Leung’s creative genius, with dishes like shrimp dumplings with black truffle XO chili sauce and Wagyu cheek soup dumplings.

Dim Sum Icon

If you’re a Hello Kitty fan (or just a fan of kitsch), you can’t leave Hong Kong without a meal at Dim Sum Icon. Lovable Asian characters like Gudetama and Kobitos are recreated as traditional dim sum dishes for diners who like to have fun with their food. In addition to Hello Kitty-inspired dishes, Dim Sum Icon is a gastropub that incorporates cool food trends from around the world.

 

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Hong Kong Guide

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Clear and Present Danger: China Opens Glass Cliffside Walkway http://ift.tt/2ay9dLb

A new glass walkway on China’s Tianmen Mountain is now open to the more daring tourists. The glass-bottom path wraps around Coiling Dragon Cliff, giving adventurous visitors a crystal clear view of the mountainside drop. The attraction, which is the third glass walkway to open on Tianmen Mountain, is 330-feet long, five-feet wide, and a mere 2.5 inches thick. But if the thrill of the glass walkway is still too tame for you, visitors can also go bungee jumping or zip-lining from the structure.

For more on this story visit The Daily Mail.

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The World's 15 Best Amusement Parks http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Whether you’re dangling over a cliff in Hong Kong or standing at the top of a 330-foot drop on the coast of Spain, thrill rides are universal. Driving attendance by the millions, theme parks now compete on a global scale to win the attention of savvy adrenaline seekers. There’s no replacement for the rush of being launched to 72 mph in 2 seconds, or bracing the walloping speeds reached on the world’s newest, fastest wooden roller coaster--two standouts in this compilation of the world’s best amusement parks.—Zachary Laks

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Walk on Air at Brighton's New Vertical Pier http://ift.tt/2aBCp2T

Brighton, England’s historic beachfront is getting a futuristic twist. The British Airways i360, engineered by the minds behind the iconic London Eye, is now the world’s tallest moving observation tower, boasting a 531-foot tall viewing tower that offers visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding coast. The tower stands in place of the West Pier, which burned down in 2013. Though the structure can’t replace the much beloved pier, architect David Marks says that, like its Victorian-era predecessor, the new “vertical pier” offers visitors “a new perspective on the city and its setting between the land and the sea, to walk on air.”

For more on this story visit USA Today.

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Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics http://ift.tt/2aOYvCe

Famous the world over for its spectacular beaches, stunning natural landscape, and colorful Carnival, Rio de Janeiro is set to dazzle as the host of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Despite much-publicized problems in the run-up to the games, Rio is primed to put on a stunning show. Vibrant street parties are planned, and seriously beefed-up security means the city’s tourist hotspots will be much safer than usual. An added bonus: visa requirements have been waived for those heading to the city for the Olympics, and the country’s weakened economy means it’s once again affordable for international visitors. The 2014 FIFA World Cup highlighted Rio’s chronic shortage of hotel rooms, and hoteliers faced a sprint to the finish line as they raced to double the number of beds available in time for the Olympics. New hotels have sprung up across the city, including several close to the Olympic Village in Barra da Tijuca but—despite predictions of poor ticket sales—most have already been snapped up for the duration of the games. However, last-minute planners can still find plenty of enticing accommodation options.

POUSADAS

For those who like their home comforts, Brazil’s pousadas—independently run guest houses—are a pleasant alternative to often charmless hotel rooms. A common complaint among Western visitors to Rio is that high prices are rarely matched by quality in the city’s mainstream hotels, but for those prepared to sacrifice a beachfront location in return for lush tropical gardens, personalized service, and lots of charm, the country’s pousadas offer excellent standards. Options range from simple guest houses to "boutique” pousadas and eco-lodges, and prices vary accordingly. As a rule, however, they offer vastly more bang for your buck than standard hotel rooms.

Insider Tip:

Hidden Pousadas Brazil cherry-picks the best guest houses in the country, like Casa Kobert in the laid-back beach suburb of Recreio. The brand new German-American run property offers seven chic suites with excellent facilties, including a gorgeous pool and gardens. For an even better experience, take a side trip from Rio—guest houses in gorgeous nearby beach towns such as Buzios and Paraty offer great stays without the Olympic pricing.

HOME RENTALS

Cariocas, as natives of Rio are known, are renowned for their entrepreneurial spirit, and many are now offering rooms or entire homes for rent. Home rental site airbnb was appointed as an official “alternative accommodation provider” for the 2016 Games, allowing savvy travelers to search by price bracket, location, and accommodation type according to their needs. (Options range from sofa-beds in locals’ downtown apartments for less than $10 to entire luxury Ipanema penthouses with pools, starting at around $1,000, and everything in between). Potential guests can vet hosts and read comments from previous guests, making airbnb a relatively safe option for visiting sports fans. 

FAVELAS

For those prepared to venture a little farther off the beaten tourist track, truly unique accommodations can be found within the city’sfavelas. Formerly the bloodied terrain of heavily armed drug factions, many of these urban developments have now been pacified by Rio’s military police. Elliot Rosenburg runs the favela rental agency Favela Experience, a sustainable tourism service that works with locals to offer beds, rooms, and entire homes to rent while presenting the realities of the community. The prices are about half the rate of hostels, and the rentals offer an immersive experience in city life. Favelas in Rio’s Zona Sul—the beautiful South Zone of the city, which encompasses the beaches of Ipanema, Copacabana, and Leblon as well as leafy, upper-class suburbs such as Jardim Botanico and Lagoa—cling to the mountainsides, offering sweeping vistas that are unsurpassed by any hotel in the city.

Insider Tip: Visitors must be sure to double check the security situation before making a booking as some favelas are significantly safer than others. Travelers should also search for reputable booking and housing services that work with and for the favela communities in order to facilitate genuine, non-exploitive cultural exchange. 

HOSTELS

Rio has an excellent hostel scene, which goes well beyond bunk beds for backpackers. Many offer double rooms, pools, and stylish communal areas. Some of the best hostels can be found in the boho-chic hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa, where the recently opened Hennessy House has private rooms from $62 per night during the games, while suites start at $92. A hammock-strewn roof terrace with spectacular views makes this a real Olympic winner, while visiting monkeys and toucans add to the tropical appeal.

“Love” Motels

Open-minded travelers can find competitively priced lodgings at Rio’s “love motels.” These discreet accommodations are found across the city and, while they traditionally rent to couples looking for a few hours’ privacy, many have modified their offer to cater to longer-stay Olympics visitors. Rooms are cheaper than standard hotels, and many feature giant whirlpool baths—a seductive offer for those who don’t object to a mirrored ceiling. 

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Rio de Janeiro Guide

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Art Lover's Guide to Maine http://ift.tt/2aOYn5S

Driving up the coast of Maine, you’ll encounter antique shops, art fairs, farmers’ markets, and charming towns full of galleries and artisans. While Portland, Rockland, and Monhegan Island are the heavy hitters in Maine’s art world, there are hidden gems in every town. The Swans Island Blanket Company in Northport and Camden sells luxurious (and pricey) locally made wool products, while the weekly Belfast Art Market has stalls full of alpaca wool, handmade pottery, and oil paintings. Farther north, Swans Island is home to Saturn Press, a high-quality letterpress shop, and Bath In Wood, a workshop that sells custom-made wooden bathtubs. In almost every town along Highway 1 and on the islands dotting the coast, you’re sure to find something wonderful.

Portland

Just one of the many American towns in the midst of a hipster renaissance, Portland is a tiny city full of vintage shops, dive bars, award-winning restaurants, and intimate music venues. As cool as Portland is, it still has mainstream art credibility with the Portland Museum of Art. The museum’s impressive collection covers everything from the Renaissance to contemporary sculptures, with works by artists like Monet and Warhol alongside Maine’s own celebrity artists Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer. The museum is small enough that it’s easy to see everything in one afternoon.

Insider Tip: If you have time, reserve a tour of Winslow Homer’s studio in Prouts Neck, about 20 minutes’ drive from the museum. Perched at the end of a peninsula, it’s an awe-inspiring introduction to Maine.

Where to Stay: The Press Hotel, housed in a converted newspaper warehouse, is Portland’s artsiest boutique hotel, complete with a bar serving craft cocktails.

Where to Eat: For seafood, look no further than Eventide Oyster Co., and upscale spot that serves local fare alongside craft brews and cocktails. If you’d rather have your seafood with a pint of beer down by the water, head to the Portland Lobster Company. If you’ve already overdosed on lobster rolls, check out Central Provisions, a James Beard Award–winning favorite where you’ll find artfully presented farm-to-table fare.

Rockland

Just a little farther up the coast, Rockland is home to two contemporary art museums and countless galleries. The Center for Maine Contemporary Art is a new museum with a focus on art made by Maine residents or people who are inspired by Maine (if you spend enough time in Maine, you’ll find yourself painting, weaving blankets, and building driftwood sculptures in no time).

The Farnsworth Art Museum is an American modern art masterpiece, with works by Lichtenstein, Alex Katz, and George Bellows. Separate from the main building is the Wyeth Center, which showcases the work of three generations of the celebrated artistic family. In addition to the museum, the Farnsworth also owns two historic properties that are open for tours: the Olson House in Cushing, which was the subject of works by Andrew Wyeth, and the Farnsworth Homestead, which was the original home of the museum’s benefactor Lucy Copeland Farnsworth.

Apart from the museums, Rockland’s quaint Main Street is full of galleries that exhibit everything from cheerful boat paintings to serious sculptures.

Insider Tip: Just before you reach the town of Rockland, you’ll pass the Maine State Prison Showroom in Thomaston. It’s full of wood sculptures and other crafts created by inmates at the Maine Department of Corrections. It’s worth a stop, especially if you’re in the market for a truly unique gift—the wooden tchotchkes are truly impressive works of art.

Where to Stay: There are countless inns along the coast that are full of flowery bedspreads and lace doilies, but the best place to stay in Rockland is the new 250 Main. The boutique hotel is super modern, yet comfortable, with reclaimed wood floors, plush carpets, fancy rain showers, and excellent views of the harbor. The hotel has a serious focus on art, with works by Maine artists (all of which are for sale at local galleries) in the lobby and in every room.

Where to Eat: There are plenty of places for good seafood, but if you’re in Rockland you must eat at Primo (if you can get a reservation). Housed in a converted Victorian mansion outside of town, the restaurant has a huge menu that focuses on local fare. Everything served is either grown on premises or harvested from local farms, including the Damariscotta oysters (a.k.a. the best oysters in the world). The extensive menu has something for everyone: there’s a classic menu with hefty servings, and a menu of small plates that includes pizza, local cheeses, cured meats, and vegetable sides. The wine list and bar menu are extensive too, with local brews and craft cocktails like the Lavender Moscow Mule.

Monhegan Island

This tiny island is only 4.5 square miles, with a year-round population of just 60 people. It’s so densely populated by artists that if you go out for a walk, you’re likely to encounter a painter rendering the unspoiled landscape in oils or watercolor, or a group of musicians practicing for a hootenanny. If you go on a hike around the island, you can take a peek at Jamie Wyeth’s house. The Monhegan Museum is worth a visit, as it chronicles the artistic history of the island, starting in the 1960s.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the D.T. Sheridan shipwreck, best seen from Lobster Point. At low tide, you can walk right up to it.

Where to Stay: The Island Inn is one of the only hotels on the island and a classic coastal New England experience. However, it’s very expensive (even in shoulder season) so it might be worth checking into a cheap and chic airbnb, like this great little converted artist studio.

Where to Drink: There are a few worthy places to eat on the island but the place you really can’t leave without going is the brewery. Try the sour beer with blueberry syrup. It sounds weird, but it’s delicious (and a really pretty color). 

 

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Maine Guide

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The Tiny Hotel That Has Britain Buzzing http://ift.tt/2aOJIZz

Bees looking to kick back in the lap of luxury now have a hotel designed just for them. The tiny hotel is about the size of a dollhouse and was inspired by Wes Anderson’s 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel, which in turn was based on the Corinthia Hotel in Budapest. British tea brand Taylors of Harrogate teamed up with Kew Gardens in order to raise awareness of the importance of bees and to encourage people to set up their own bee-friendly hotels. The mini luxury hotel features amenities like a peppermint leaf swimming pool, rhubard sugar water bath, and a daily supply of cherries.

For more on this story (and how to help the bees!) visit The Telegraph.

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