Category: Bucket List

Hungry in the Midwest?

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I’ve visited the Midwest, mostly on football trips, and eaten at some iconic places. Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit have some great culinary traditions. While I’ve touched on the highlights, I always thought it would be fun to escape the big cities and take a tour of some of the lesser visited, less touristy hot food spots.

Akron, Ohio

If you’re looking for home-style, home cooking Akron, Ohio diner spots, you can find them in Akron, Ohio. Driving through town, you’ll see a diner on every street corner. You can find elevated food choices, too. I found Crave. Try the Thai curry lobster or the cinnamon sage waffles with buttermilk fried chicken. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The food is pretty, too. Like Top Chef assembled with food tweezers pretty. If you are a fan of Top Chef, you will get that reference.

Crave would feel right at home in Los Angeles or New York City, but the fact that it’s in Akron, Ohio makes it even more of a cool destination dining experience.

akronPhoto by Aaron Hervey via Trover.com

Omaha, Nebraska

When I think of Omaha, Nebraska, I think steak and potatoes. They have their share of steakhouses, but their culinary landscape is quite diverse. One area of Omaha is a must stop for foodies. Old Market is a historically inspired art and entertainment district in Omaha. The neighborhood has the feel of a European city in the middle of America. In Old Market, you can find Sushi, Tex-Mex, Italian, and Seafood. It also houses several breweries to get your drink on. It reminds me of the French Quarter or Georgetown in DC. It’s where the cool kids in Omaha hang out.

OmahaPhoto by Cody Lee via Trover.com

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota isn’t just a college town on the Red River. The city has a rich history and a cultural awareness. Never mind that it’s cold most of the year; the city has a lot to offer. This is the place where you go for down home, American style food. I found The Blue Moose Bar & Grill. It just sounds like North Dakota. Inspired by the pioneers of the city, Blue Moose has something for everyone. The menu is massive with dishes like Black & Bleu Balls, The Honey Clucker, and the Supercaliforniaextraordinarilydelicious Burger.

I love a menu with a sense of humor.

Grand ForksPhoto by Tammy Pruitt via Trover.com

Ann Arbor, Michigan

This Michigan town has 100,000 people in it; 60,000 of them are college students at the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Michigan is a college town, but it has big city ambition.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen contributes to the laid-back atmosphere of this Midwest town. The comic-inspired menu adds to the fun atmosphere you are sure to meet at Zingerman’s. Even Oprah Winfrey has been a patron. The food is all natural and made in-house with love and care with recipes crafted in the 1300-square-foot restaurant with big flavor.

Ann ArborPhoto by Julia via Trover.com

Grand Rapids, Michigan

You can’t get more American and Midwest than the hometown of Gerald and Betty Ford, Grand Rapids, Michigan. While the president’s favorite food was pot roast, his second favorite might have been sushi from Maru Sushi & Grill. The artistic expression in their sushi is impressive. I’ve had sushi in Tokyo, so I know what I’m talking about.

Grand RapidsPhoto by Steph@myQLE via Trover.com

What is your favorite culinary region of America? 

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What to Do in Southeast Asia in October

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

I imagine I will make it back to Asia, some day. I miss my old stomping grounds. To prepare for my return trip, I conducted some research to find new activities in some of my favorite spots in Southeast Asia.

Macau

I mostly spent my time in Macau at the casinos. Macau is known as the “Las Vegas of Asia,” and I would take this little island with the Portuguese influences over the Las Vegas Strip any day. One place I failed to visit was the Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is just the front façade of the Church of Mater Dei constructed in 1602-1640. The architecture demonstrates the diverse history of the island: Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese influences. Macau is a tropical climate. The weather in October makes for perfect time to stroll through the grounds.

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Photo by Christopher Wong via Trover.com

Manila, Philippines

For being so close to the equator, the climate in Manila, Philippines is great, humid, but not too hot. One of the most interesting and culturally significant sites in Manila is Fort Santiago. Constructed in the 1500s, it was a prison during the Spanish Colonial War. Walking the fort grounds, give you the opportunity to explore the 22-foot walls up close. The preserved ruins give you the feel of what life was like on those harrowing grounds centuries ago.

Ko Phangan, Thailand

Ko Phangan, Thailand is beach life at it’s best and in October, the weather is perfect from morning until night. You can enjoy the amazing sunrises and party the night away at a Full Moon Party held every month to correspond with the amazing full moons visible in this part of the world. The parties are held all over, but the original spot, Paradise Bungalows, has the best. They feature food vendors, bands and international DJs. The party started in 1985 and has gained in exposure and levels of debauchery ever since.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam is known for its temples and pagodas. One area of the city where you can wander and see nine of the most beautiful and iconic examples of Vietnam history is in Old Quarter. Located in the center of Hanoi City, Old Quarter takes you back to old world Vietnam. The area boasts a market where locals sell their crops and crafts. You will certainly put your bargaining skills to the test. The narrow crowded streets offer a nostalgic setting in this modern city. I can’t wait to try the sticky rice or the Bun cha, a barbecue pork dish in fish broth with noodles.

fixedw_large_4xaPhoto by Kostas Brejaart via Trover.com

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Besides the plethora of mopeds and scooters that litter the streets, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam is like Miami. It’s hot and humid, but modern and westernized. October is a great time of year to stroll the streets and get to know the city. Last time I visited, I ate and ate and ate. I would do a repeat of that culinary tour. Vietnamese food is not just Pho, although the Pho is amazing. The food has many other Asian influences such as Thai and Chinese. I would return to Temple Club every visit. Besides having the most eclectic décor, the food is amazing, with dishes from all the influences that make up the charm of Ho Chi Minh City.

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Bucket List Trips – Exploring Zola Predosa, Italy

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

Creating a travel bucket list isn’t like planning a vacation. After you figure out how to get there, where to stay (Amati Design Hotel is a nice place), and how to get home, you have to plan your experience. The sites, the sounds, the tastes, and the memories will last a lifetime. Zola Predosa is a municipality in the Province of Bologna. The commune is located in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, located seven miles west of the center of Bologna.

Taste

It would be easy to talk about the food here, but no. If you truly want to taste this part of Italy, you have to experience the wine of the region. Zola Predosa is the City of Wine. The oldest winery is the Manaresi Vineyard. This ancient, family-owned winery was renovated into a modern facility. The art on the label pays tribute to the winery’s namesake. A tour of the vineyard includes the history of the label and tasting sessions. Take home a bottle of their award-winning Merlot or impress your friends back home with a bottle of their Pignoletto Frizzante.

Vineyard

Photo by Jacob Koepke via Trover.com

Feel

This is where we get to the food. This region of Italy is known as the Food Capital of the World. Zola Predosa is a municipality of Bologna, the birthplace of bologna and tortellini pasta. You can learn how to cook the famous pasta at Cucina Di Luciana or tour the many factories that create the famous sausage. If you can plan your trip in September, join in on the parties during the Mortadella, Please Festival.

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Photo by Fascias via Trover.com

Sights

Now that you are stuffed and happy, it’s time to see some sights. Zola Perdosa and the surrounding countryside has a lot to experience. When you think of Italy, you don’t typically think of palaces. One of the grandest in Europe is located in Zola Predosa: Palazzo Albergati. Constructed in 1540, the simple and elegant exterior is a direct contrast to the Baroque-style, ornate spatial effect of its interior. It is a sight to be seen, Italian opulence at its finest. You can walk the grounds and fantasize about what your life would have been like in the sixteenth century.

Sounds

After all the opulence, exquisiteness, and indulgence, it might be time for some quiet reflection. Zola Perdosa is home to several museums. The Cultural Center and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Ca ‘la Ghironda is the most unique. As you walk through the 24-acre grounds, discover over 200 statues and sculptures in various materials. After your walk, relax in the Petite and the Grande Promenade or stroll through the botanical gardens with flora indigenous to this region of Italy. That will fulfill your smell sense as well.

While most trips to Italy focus on the big cities like Rome or the sexy cities like Tuscany, the Bologna region offers a unique experience with a good mix of ancient and modern Italy. Planning a trip to Zola Predosa, Italy will fullfill all your senses and more. It’s a bucket-list-worthy trip for the senses.