InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

InterContinental ANA Tokyo’s Chief Concierge, Shinobu Momoi, shows us the wonder that is her hometown.

Celebrate Japanese-American heritage with the San Francisco’s Japantown locals during April’s Cherry Blossom Festival. You’ll find traditional foods, a Grand parade, fun costumes, and activities for the kids.

Atiphol Soonthornsingh, our Chief Concierge in Bangkok, shows us the many modes of transportation, eating, and shopping the Thai way.

Although Miami does have the staple retail favourites, sometimes it’s more rewarding to shop a bit off the paths commonly taken by tourists. Here are a few local secrets:

Espaniola Way
Espaniola Way is a real slice of Miami history with its ’20s architecture and bohemian feel. The shops here feature funky and fascinating arts and crafts.

Seybold Building
Miami’s largest jewelry centre has 10 floors and over 280 in-house jewelers. Whether diamonds, pearls, or gold, you’ll find that special piece here.

La Casa de La Guayaberas
Home of the real Cuban Guayabera shirts and Panama hats, dignitaries from the world ‘round have stopped in to make their purchases.

On Thursdays and Saturdays in Frankfurt’s famous Zeil shopping district, you’ll find the city’s regional, organic Konstablerwache farmer’s market. Meander through the rows of this al fresco emporium, which features cheeses, breads, meats, fresh fruit, and ripe vegetables all straight from the source. Because visiting the grocery is never easy on an empty stomach, be sure to take in a rest and a snack at their picnic tables.

Here are a few of Konstablerwache’s notable vendors:

Quirin
Quirin’s cart offers quality meats, such as beef, pork, and bratwurst. Also, pick up a jug of handmade apple juice.

Schießer
Sample a bit of Schießer’s farm-grown honey. In addition to the pure stuff, they also produce fine candles, soaps, and honey liqueurs.

Bleuel
Stop by Bleuel for your poultry needs, including homemade stocks, eggs and egg salads, chicken soups and egg noodles. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their egg liqueur.

Klinger
Here you’ll find the starches you need to round out the perfect meal. The Klinger stand offers potatoes, stacks of waffles, rye and wheat breads, yoghurt, and the specialty baking yeast Backfermentbrot.

Milchschäferei Herbert
Don’t expect your typical dairy section at Milchschäferei Herbert Mill. While they do carry all of the internationally loved staples, like brie and cream cheese, they also offer some more hard-to-find items, such as Zebufleisch, and authentic German quark.

Anybody find the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, but the real New York is in the details. One of those details is the burgeoning neighbourhood of the Lower East Side. Originally an immigrant landing, the area still keeps the charm of its Latino and Asian roots. Until seven o’clock, after which it turns into a nightlife hotspot extraordinaire. Here are a few of the not-to-be-missed insider tidbits in New York’s Lower East Side.

Economy Candy
Stop by this old-fashioned, one-of-a-kind candy store to pick up a bag or bar of your old favourites, including wax lips, Razzles, Squirrel Nut Zippers and more. For those with less of a sweet tooth, their barreled selection of nuts and dried fruits is also astounding.

Dear:55
Dear:55 is a modern twist on the “same old, same old” vintage store. By mixing the old, like classic Vivienne Westwood, with the current, like Comme de Garçon, they’ve given the Lower East Side something chic to be proud of.

Tompkins Square Park
This park is technically located in the East Village, but it’s accessible to the Lower East Side by way of a few minute’s stroll. On Sundays during the fall, grab a hot apple cider from the farmer’s market and enjoy the changing of the leaves.

El Cibao
Located on the corner of Clinton and Rivington, this Latino-American restaurant is so local they don’t have a website. Featuring all of the Dominican traditions, like meats cooked a myriad of ways, soups, and grilled sandwiches. Ask for bistec con pimientos, arroz amarillo, frijoles y maduros. Or, pepper steak with yellow rice, beans and fried bananas. Either way you say it, they’ll serve it up.

Suba
Out of this world tapas, a wine list that is honestly amazing, and an atmosphere to compliment both. Now, top it off with some great service and you have yourself a night to remember. For a special treat, try the garlic watercress.

Istanbul has an interesting way of dealing with modernity. Being an ancient capital of the world there is a regal beauty in the architecture and monuments. On the other hand, having become an independent republic less than 100 years ago, it is a very young nation.

Because of this, most of Istanbul’s traditions pre-date the country itself. Here are a few tips on how to enjoy these traditions.

Food
The food is delicious though not varied. You’ll find a diet composed of mainly tomatoes, peppers and rice, seafood, chicken and lamb. The best way to try the local cuisine is to stay out of the more touristy, yet beautiful, Sultanahmet district and try a few of the eateries near the Galata Bridge.

Shopping
The Grand Bazaar is a must. It is bazaar-style shopping, so the vendors tend to carry a lot of the same merchandise. You’ll find spices, jewelry, pottery, carpet shops and the like. Don’t be afraid to haggle!

People
The people are extraordinarily friendly. They will go out of their way to help you. As most places, there are those who prey on tourist’s dollars. But as you stray further from the tourist attractions, the less you’ll find this happens.

For some really unique Japanese items to stick in your suitcase, head over to Tokyo’s rowdy Shinjuku district. You’ll find San Rio for the kids, electronics for the picky nephew and something extra-special for the significant other. After shopping head to the downstairs food court for some sweet confections or a bowl of savoury noodles. Know more about your room in Tokyo.