Author: Ms. R.

Central Athens is home to a handful of “chop shops,” restaurants that specialize in grilled meat, in particular lamb chops. Of these, To Steki Tou Ilia (“Ilia’s Haunt”), with its charmingly rustic vibe, barrels of wine and outdoor seating, is seen as the classic example of the genre.  The restaurant has a brief menu, which includes starters such a creamy tzatziki and salads and other sides, but the emphasis here is on slender, long, fatty chops—sold by the kilogram—and……

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At Four Shells Kava Lounge in Auckland, New Zealand, Todd and ‘Anau Mesui-Henry prepare kava in the traditional manner. The dried, powdered root of the kava plant is placed in a mesh bag, soaked in water, and squeezed to produce an opaque, brownish beverage, which is often drunk from a coconut shell. Todd explains that this unadulterated presentation is a major part of kava’s long history. In the thousands of years that Pacific Islanders have been drinking kava, he……

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This small museum is home to Barnum & Bailey’s former exhibit “Olaf the Giant,” a none foot tall King of Norway. Inside visitors are treated to other exhibits such as Bailey’s carriage from 1860, Bob Hope’s limousine, and a significant amount of signed sports memorabilia. Entry is donation only, and all money raised goes to local organizations. …

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In 1948, an ethnic Greek restaurateur opened a restaurant on an island near Istanbul. When, in the ’60s, people of Greek heritage were forced to leave Turkey, he moved to his ancestral homeland, and reopened the restaurant in Athens. Since 1969 that restaurant, Fatsio, has been serving politiki kouzina, “city cooking,” the food prepared by ethnic Greeks who lived in Istanbul.  Today, Fatsio’s beautifully hand-painted walls and heavy velvet curtains retain the old Constantinople vibe. Its custom logo tableware……

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Located on a strip of rather touristy-feeling restaurants, Kafeneio Oraia Ellas (“Cafe Beautiful Greece”) is one of Athens’s oldest kafenion, traditional coffee shops. Dating back to 1839, it was a former gathering place for Athens intelligentsia, as well as visiting literati. Hans Christian Andersen drank here not long after it opened. During WWII, the space took a darker turn as the site of a Gestapo HQ. The cafe’s history is apparent today in the old ads and posters that……

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Athens used to be home to as many 1,600 dairy bars, venues that specialized in yogurt and milk-based dishes, as well as sweets. Of those, Stani is one of only a handful of survivors.  Produced since 1931, the speciality here is strained yogurt made from the milk of sheep living on small farms near the city. An order takes the form of a thick dollop, ideally drenched in honey and generously topped with crushed walnuts, both available as optional……

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Old Upper Thomson Road is full of stories. It leads to a now-abandoned village, was once part of the Singapore Grand Prix circuit, and may have a resident ghost or two. The road was once connected to Lor Pelta and Jalan Belang, lanes that led to Hainan Village. Although Hainan Village is abandoned, remnants of the community can still be found through Thomson Nature Park, specifically through the Rambutan Trail. The village, known as a kampong in Southeast Asia, was built……

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Anyone who has worked or dealt with glass knows it’s a delicate material that can be challenging to work with. The Baltic Exchange Memorial Glass is an exquisite example of the medium, designed by Scottish artist John Dudley Forsyth to memorialize 60 members of the Baltic Exchange who lost their lives fighting in World War I. The original piece consisted of 240 panels that form a dome, and five separate panes depicting the virtues of faith, fortitude, hope, justice, and truth…….

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The Ottoman Empire’s conquest and occupation of most of the Balkans was in full swing by the 16th century, and would collapse by the late 1700s. While the inland portions of the peninsula were under almost complete control, the coastlines had more fluidity based on geographic factors (large mountain ranges that made access difficult) and the presence of other major powers such as the Italian Maritime Republics. Modern-day Croatia occupies most of the Balkans’ Adriatic coast, so it was……

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