Shopping in Soho, NYC

Shopping in Soho, NYC

Inside scoop on the best specialty retail shops to visit in Soho, NYC. Recommendations for your pre-shopping munchies. A hit list of best stores on key Soho streets.
Good Morning from Scottsdale

Good Morning from Scottsdale

Long known for being the home to a slightly older crowd, I’m here to tell you that things in Scottsdale have changed. People of all ages have heard the call and...
Top 12 Places to Explore Like a Local in 2018

Top 12 Places to Explore Like a Local in 2018

Happy New Year! Travel more is a timeless New Year's resolution made year after year. If travel is one of your resolutions this year, then of course we're here to help you make it come true! We're back for our 3rd edition of this list. Instead of creating our own opinionated list of the best places to visit in 2018, we curate destination wisdom from many other lists released out on the interwebs. Here at Unanchor, we want to help you travel with the heart of a local. <3 Each of our itineraries have been hand crafted by a local at the destination so you can save time planning the logistics of what to do, see (& not see), when, and where. Be inspired by the beauty of each destination and begin your own explorations using our knowledge shared from the heart of a local. Here are your 12 best places to travel to in 2018: 1. Morocco One Day in Africa - A Guide to Tangier   2. South Korea 3 Days in the Vibrant City of Seoul and the Serene Countryside of Gapyeong   3. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA New Orleans 3-Day Itinerary   4. Ireland 3 Days in Dublin City - City Highlights, While Eating & Drinking Like a Local History, Culture, and Craic: 3 Days in Belfast, Ireland   5. Peru Little Known Lima 3-Day Tour Cusco and the Sacred Valley - a five-day itinerary for a first-time visitor Arequipa - A 2-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors A 1-Day Foodie's Dream Tour of Arequipa   6. Jordan Adventure Around Amman: A 2-Day Itinerary Amman 2-Day Cultural Tour   7. Indonesia Art and Culture in Ubud, Bali – 1-Day Highlights Yogyakarta - Go with the Sun to Borobudur & Prambanan in 1 Day   8. Portugal Lisbon in 3 Days: Budget Itinerary   9. Belgium 3 Days in Brussels - The grand sites via the path less trodden   10. Taiwan 72 Hours in Taipei: The All-rounder The Two Worlds of Kaohsiung in 5 Days   11. Matera/Basilicata, Italy Landscape, Food, & Trulli: 1 Week in Puglia, the Valle d'Itria, and Matera   12. Seville, Spain   Two-Day Tour in Sunny Seville, Spain   --- Do you live in any of these places and enjoy traveling with the heart of a local? These are hot destinations for 2018 and we would love to have you join our family of travel itinerary authors! Apply here. Cambodia Colombia Malta Mauritius San Antonio, Texas, USA Tasmania, Australia --- If you want more travel inspiration, here are the lists of top travel destinations for 2018 we used to curate our list for you: Travel & Leisure: 50 Best Places to Travel in 2018 National Geographic: Best Trips 2018 New York Times: 52 Places to Go in 2018 Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2018 U.S. News & World Report: The World's 30 Best Places to Visit in 2017-18 Forbes: 15 Coolest Places to Go in 2018 CNN: 18 best places to visit in 2018 Frommer's: Best Places to Go in 2018 Fodor's: Go List 2018
Zaoshang Hao Shanghai! (Good Morning, Shanghai!)

Zaoshang Hao Shanghai! (Good Morning, Shanghai!)

Early mornings in Shanghai are a special treat since it is one of the rare times of day when Shanghai is not hustling and bursting with life, culture, and sound...
Saturdays in Stuttgart

Saturdays in Stuttgart

It’s quite typical for the Germany tourists to be drawn to the beer gardens in Munich, the history-filled Berlin, or the charming towns dotted along the Rhine River. But, hidden among those popular locations is Stuttgart, known more for its contributions to the automotive industry than being a draw for visitors. For the locals and the ex-pats that call it home, however, Stuttgart is a hidden gem with its own endearing qualities. Explore: Any Saturday morning would be best started at the Stuttgart Wochenmarkt (weekly Farmer’s Market). Spread among two of the largest squares in the downtown area, the Marktplatz (market square) and Schillerplatz (the square named for a German poet), using the market as a base enables the visitor to pick up local goodies as well as be perfectly positioned to explore the nearby Königstrasse, the nearly 1-mile long shopping street with stores and cafes, as well as the Schlossplatz (Palace Square), and the Schlossgarten (Palace Garden). Just staying in that one area could take almost an entire morning. Conveniently, it is also the starting location for Stuttgart’s version of a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus that will take you to the main sites through the downtown and surrounding areas. Fresh fruits, veggies, homemade jams and other goodies are easily found at this weekly market. Eat: There are numerous cafes and restaurants to choose from in the vicinity of the market, which could make it difficult to decide where to grab brunch after expending all of that energy shopping. An extremely convenient place to stop is Alte Kanzlei (Old Chancellery), a restaurant that sits directly on the Schillerplatz, one of the two squares where the weekly market is held. There are two outdoor eating areas, both in prime locations. In the front, you are directly on the Schlossplatz, and in the back, you are treated to prime people-watching, as well as views of the Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) and Altes Schloss (the Old Castle). If you go, do not skip the Kasekuchen (cheesecake), it is delicious. Looking out from the inside of the Alte Kanzlei to the Schillerplatz. On Saturdays, the market is filled with fruit, vegetable and flower vendors. Relax: After all of the shopping, exploring, and eating, the next step to make it the perfect day would be to follow the lead of the locals and head to one of the many mineral baths in the area. The MineralBad Cannstatt is a top choice, and easily accessible by public transportation from downtown Stuttgart. After a 15-minute ride on the U-Bahn, you will be dropped off directly in front of this relaxation haven, with swimming and bathing pools, steam rooms, and a sauna. The Bad Cannstatt Mineralbad, a lovely place to round out a relaxing Saturday in Stuttgart. There’s a good chance, following the market, the food and the mineral bath, that you’ll want more time in Stuttgart. But if you only have a Saturday, this is the way to spend it! By: Sarah Meinecke Barber    Interested in getting more information about Germany? Check out the rest of Unanchor's Germany guides:  
Easy like Sunday Morning in Ojai, California

Easy like Sunday Morning in Ojai, California

This Guide Will: Put you in the shoes of a local without having to play the guessing game Provide you with diverse activities and food options for a quick morning in Ojai The Itinerary - Overview This itinerary will give you ample time to explore Ojai’s natural beauty and unique charm with a hike from downtown to a popular, scenic trail, while leaving room to experience the one-of-a-kind Bart’s Books and Ojai farmers market, capping it off with a healthy and unique brunch. Time Activity 7 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Shelf Road Walk/Hike 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Beacon Coffee breakfast 9:30 a.m.- 10 a.m. Bart’s Books 10:00 a.m.-10:55 a.m. Ojai Certified Farmers Market 10:55 a.m.-11:05 a.m. Walk to Hip Vegan 11:05 a.m.-12 p.m. Hip Vegan brunch  Shelf Road Walk/HikePrice: FreeDuration: 1 hour From Signal Street and Ojai Avenue, head north until you come across a gate, which is the trailhead. Free street parking is available. Become acclimated to Ojai by catching a view of it in its entirety, bright and early. This unpaved trail will lead you alongside Ojai’s foothills, providing a view of the entire valley. The trail is approximately 1.2 miles in-and-out with small rolling hills. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Local’s Tip: Ojai is a health-conscious city; early morning exercise is a popular way to work up an appetite. From the trailhead is a 1 mile walk back to downtown. If you’ve brought a car, simply park along West Matilija Street for the remainder of the morning, and head back to Ojai Avenue and turn right. Beacon Coffee is just passed N. Blanche Street, on the left. Beacon CoffeePrice: $3 – 10Duration: 1 hourWebsite: www.beaconcoffee.com Beacon Coffee is Ventura County’s premier coffee roaster, with all of the coffee personally chosen by the owners who visit the small South American farms on which the coffee is grown. The actual roasting location is in Ventura, but recently, Beacon opened a coffeehouse in Ojai that has made regulars out of the locals and the many celebrities who call Ojai home. Sit back and relax with a single-origin brew orone of many creative, seasonal offerings such as the locally grown lavender-infused mocha, with a freshly baked tart or pastry. Local’s Tip: Cattywampus Crafts shares a building with Beacon and is a great place to pick up a small project to pass the time over coffee. From Beacon, cross Ojai Avenue and head up Canada Street toward E. Matilija Street; Bart’s Book will on the left. Bart’s BooksPrice: VariesDuration: 30 minutesWebsite: www.bartsbooksojai.com Interior of Bart’s Books Book worms, rejoice: Bart’s Books is a bookstore out of your favorite fantasy novel. The converted home offers shelves upon shelves of books in every genre in a truly unique setting with no ceilings in an open floor, choose-your-own-adventure-style exploration. Local’s Tip: Should the weather turn dour (very rare!), remember to bring your umbrella inside! Out of Bart’s, turn left on to E. Matilija Street and proceed for four blocks. Ojai Certified Farmers MarketPrice: FreeDuration: 55 minutesWebsite: www.ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com Ojai Farmers Market Depending on the season, expect to find unique, organic fruits and vegetables as well as a slew of handmade craft items such as soap and hand-woven baskets, and a plethora of baked goods. One can get lost wandering the booths listening to musicians busk away the morning. Local’s Tip: Don’t miss out on Freezer Monkeys popsicles featuring unique combination of farmers market flavors as a mid-morning treat. Head east on Matilija Street and make a right on Montgomery; make a left on Ojai Avenue. We’ll be heading to Hip Vegan now for brunch, which will be on the left passed Park Road. Hip VeganPrice: $10-$20Duration: 1 hourWebsite: www.hipvegancafe.com Exterior of Hip Vegan They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and Ojai locals love vegan fare. There is no better place to get acquainted with the meat-free, dairy-free cuisine than at Hip Vegan, offering wraps, sandwiches and bowls. Don’t miss out on the Ojai Pixie Tangerine cake, when available. Local’s Tip: The classic burrito with farm-fresh guacamole is a local favorite. --- About the Author:Chris O’Neal lives in Ventura, 15 minutes from Ojai. He writes for a local newspaper and has lived in Ventura County for 15 years. He can be contacted at chris.oneal13@gmail.com.   Interested in getting more information about SoCal? Check out a few of the rest of Unanchor's California guides:  
An Ideal Morning in Inland Los Angeles

An Ideal Morning in Inland Los Angeles

Many people confuse Los Angeles with Hollywood - probably one of the most famous places in the world, but just a small part of Los Angeles, an enormous city that can engulf many of the US's other cities and still have space left over. Los Angeles is the Mecca for wannabes, could-bes and might-bes, and it's the Hollywood sign, one of the most recognizable signs in the world that draws them here. It's a symbol of failure and tragedy for many, hope and success for others. It's been featured in countless movies and TV shows, and it is cherished by Angelinos whatever their connection to it and the city.Los Angeles is unique in the fact it has no real center, it is like lots of little cities in one big city, unkindly called urban sprawl by some people! With 4 million people in the city and 10 million in LA county, one of the great things is you never feel hemmed in! Because of the vastness of the city, the best way to see Los Angeles is to split your stay into two areas for example: inland and the beach. With that in mind, here’s an ideal morning spent inland in Los Angeles. Start with breakfast at the 101 Coffee Shop (6145 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028) in Hollywood. This gorgeous retro diner isn’t what you would probably expect to find in a Best Western Hotel but it’ll take you back to diner glory days of the 60s. Not only a historic landmark, it probably comes as little surprise that its starred in movies, in particular Swingers. Order the Mickey Fitz and wash it down with plenty of coffee. You’ll need the energy for the rest of the day. Next stop is the Griffith Observatory (4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027) This museum is situated inside Los Angeles favorite outdoor space - Griffith Park. Whether you consider yourself a space nerd or not, there is plenty for everyone to do at the Observatory. You can just wander around the grounds and admire the view of the city, and the Hollywood sign from here. Or enter the Observatory (free!) and check out the astronomy themed exhibits including a Tesla coil and a camera obscura. Or... weigh yourself to see what you would weigh on other planets and touch real moon rocks! There is an excellent planetarium show with live narration (about $7 for an adult), which is well worth the price if you can afford it. If you have plenty of energy left, you can walk the trail that starts just near the parking area for amazing views of the city. Just be sure to take plenty of water, sunblock! After the Observatory, if you haven’t brought a picnic to enjoy in the park, then head back down to Los Feliz (pronounced Los Fey-Lease) to one of my favourite outdoor restaurants - Home (1760 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027). There truly is no place like Home - the food is very good and plenty of variety whether you want sandwiches, salads, burgers, wraps. The highlight has to be it’s wonderful patio so be sure to ask to sit outside and bring your sunglasses - if you are lucky, you will spot a celebrity especially during the weekends. After lunch if you have time explore Los Feliz - original home of Walt Disney studios, childhood neighborhood of Leonardo DiCaprio - check out the boutique shops, pop into the wonderful Skylight Bookstore on N Vermont Blvd or sit and watch the world go by with a coffee at H Coffee house or Blue Bottle Coffee both on Hillhurst. Thanks Clare Interested in getting more information about Los Angeles? Check out the rest of Clare's guides:  
A Saturday Morning in Kansas City

A Saturday Morning in Kansas City

By: Jill Dutton Spring is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore Kansas City. Thanks to the KC Streetcar, you can spend a Saturday morning with a streetcar ride from Union Station to the City Market, enjoy brunch at The Farmhouse, a farm-to-table restaurant, walk and shop the City Market, then return to Union Station for a trip back in time as you explore a living piece of history. KC Streetcar Head to Union Station located at Pershing and Main. There you’ll jump on the KC Streetcar for a visual ride through the Crossroads area, Kauffman Center, Power & Light District, the Library, and the City Market. Stay on until the last stop at the River Market which will put you at 4th & Delaware. The KC Streetcar is free to ride and runs daily from Union Station to the City Market. Track the streetcar and see where it’s at while you wait. Brunch at The Farmhouse Walk the short distance from the Streetcar stop to The Farmhouse at 300 Delaware. The Farmhouse serves up local meats and produce, a la comfort foods. Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. You’ll find a decadent selection of entrees like Steak and Eggs (Two Windhaven Farms’ eggs, salsa verde, bleu cheese butter, pickled onion & potato hash) or Midwest Croque Madame (Brioche Texas toast, smoked provolone, ham, country gravy, and sunny up farm egg). Non-meat eaters will enjoy the Veggie Benedict (Two poached eggs, roasted butternut squash, spinach, hollandaise sauce, on challah bread) or Vegan Street Tacos (Tofu chorizo, napa cabbage, slaw, and pickled jalapeños). After such a hearty, satisfying brunch, you’ll want to do some walking, so head the few short blocks to the historic City Market. City Market The City Market, a Kansas City farmers market since 1957, offers an outdoor market with more than 40 tenants providing everything from live goats, gift items, herbs and plants, to a variety of produce. After you’ve perused the market, jump back on the streetcar at 5th & Walnut and return to Union Station. Union Station History abounds at the Kansas City Union Station, the location of the 1933 “Kansas City Massacre,” where Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Vernon Miller, and Adam Richetti attempted to free Frank Nash from the custody of law enforcement officers. Four officers and Frank Nash were killed in the shooting. Things have calmed down since, but the station is still a glorious tribute to the days of rail travel. There are too many things to do in one morning, but it’s free to explore Union Station, or you can choose from one of the activities like Science City, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, the H&R Block City Stage, or the Regnier Extreme Screen Theater.               -- Jill Dutton is the publisher of Evolving Magazine (www.evolvingmagazine.com) and a travel writer who explores the United States and Canada by train (www.usabyrail.blog). She leads group tours by train, starting with Santa Fe, NM, July 2-8, 2017. Visit https://usabyrail.blog/guided-rail-tours/ for more information. Photo credits (except cover image): Claus Wawrzinek    Interested in getting more information about Kansas City? Check out Jill's guide:
Top 12 Places to Explore Like a Local in 2017

Top 12 Places to Explore Like a Local in 2017

Happy New Year! Travel more is a top New Year's resolution people make each year. If travel is one of your resolutions this year, we're here to help you make it come true! Instead of creating our own list of the best places to visit in 2017, we decided to curate for you the wisdom from many of the other lists already available out there on the interwebs. Here at Unanchor, we help you travel with the heart of a local. Each of our itineraries have been hand crafted by a local at your destination to help you save time on planning what to do, see (& not see), when, and where. Be inspired and start exploring on your own right now with our knowledge from the heart of a local. Here are your 12 best places to travel to in 2017: 1. Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town - What not to miss on a 4-day first-timers' itinerary   2. Berlin, Germany A 3-Day Guide to Berlin, Germany 2 Days In Berlin On A Budget   3. Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon in 3 Days: Budget Itinerary   4. Hawaii, USA Tackling 10 Must-Dos on the Big Island in 3 Days Local's Guide to Oahu - 3-Day Tour Itinerary Lesser-known Oahu in 4 Days on a Budget   5. Paris, France Paris 3-Day Walking Tour: See Paris Like a Local Paris for Free: 3 Days The Best of Paris in One Day Paris 4-Day Winter Wonderland Art Lovers' Paris: A 2-Day Artistic Tour of the City of Lights Paris Foodie Classics: 1 Day of French Food Paris 1-Day Itinerary - Streets of Montmartre   6. San Francisco, California, USA San Francisco 2-Day Highlights Itinerary San Francisco Foodie Weekend Itinerary The Tech Lover's 48-Hour Travel Guide to Silicon Valley & San Francisco   7. Hong Kong Between the Skyscrapers - Hong Kong 3-Day Discovery Tour   8. Alaska, USA Alaska Starts Here - 3 Days in Seward   9. Peru Little Known Lima 3-Day Tour Cusco and the Sacred Valley - a five-day itinerary for a first-time visitor Arequipa - A 2-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors A 1-Day Foodie's Dream Tour of Arequipa   10. Seoul, South Korea 3 Days in the Vibrant City of Seoul and the Serene Countryside of Gapyeong   11. Washington, D.C. Washington, DC in 4 Days Washington, DC: 3 Days Like a Local   12. Moscow, Russia The Very Best of Moscow in 3 Days   ---If you want more travel inspiration, here are the lists of top travel destinations for 2017 we used to curate our list for you: Travel & Leisure: 50 Best Places to Travel in 2017 National Geographic: Best Trips 2017 New York Times: 52 Places to Go in 2017 Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2017 U.S. News & World Report: The World's Best Places to Visit in 2016-17 Forbes: 12 Top Destinations Of 2017 CNN: 17 best places to visit in 2017 Frommer's: Best Places to Go in 2017 Fodor's: Go List 2017

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