Buenos Aires is less about must-see architecture and more about experiencing the culture, so pick neighborhoods to catch interesting glimpses and be a part of the city OR take these two semi-private tours that will let you discover the magic of BsAs with a little guidance.

Buenos Aires explodes with street art as vibrant as the city — started in 2001 when the rest of the world’s craze for graffiti died, and started as a way of self-expression and a dialogue between young artists.

Graffitimundo was the biggest highlight of our trip;  a five hour bike tour to explore the streets and to gain an unique perspective of urban artists. An artist himself, comes along to walk you through the work, giving you insights behind political art and stories about the cultural phenomenon and creative collaborations of artists that are still working together to create a beautiful and inspiring BsAs.

Credit: Graffitimundo

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BsAs is a place for foodies, creatives and the night owls. Welcome to an unpretentious city, alternative street fashion and happy ‘portenos’ (that’s what they are called) leading a bohemian lifestyle.

Argentina has its economics so favorable for the rest of the countries to just pack and pitch tents there. Especially Buenos Aires, the largest city in S. America after Sao Paulo, is a haven for expats who would like to live a dream life in a hip city. Well, who wouldn’t, with a city full of artistic territory and a wallet full of moolah, I would just move there as well.

An overnight flight from DC took us there and with no time difference, there was no jet lag and we were able to use our 6 days to the fullest. We stayed in Palermo, a fashionable barrio full of design shops, urban bars and street culture.

To Snooze

Fierro Hotel

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I was urged to post about the food scene in DC after listening to out-of-townees who remember DC for stuffy steakhouses and jumbo pizza slices. There is a steady boom of restaurants serving creative cuisine in the trendy neighborhoods: 14th St corridor, U st, Mt.Vernon and H st NE, and here is a list of my favorite NEW places::

Rogue24 - an underground tasting menu experience of modern cuisine with Chef RJ Cooper, where you feel like you are dining in the kitchen among the food scientists crafting the plates with tongs and syringes.

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The gloriousness of Istanbul starts here. Bosphorus, Bebek and the Black Sea.

After you are done with all the must-sees on your list, its time to chill and take in the view and explore the seaside.

Sumahan on the Water

A fabulous property in the Asian side, on the banks of the Bosphorus, neighbors to other luxurious villas and restaurants. A design hotel with 20 rooms with a priceless view of the city on the European side and wait until the sun goes down to be dazzled by the bridge dancing infront of you with its light installations.

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Istanbul - a city spanned across two continents and history dating back to the  Byzantine - Ottoman Empire has interestingly bagged the title “World’s Hippest City” and also can be called as the Islamic city that knows how to party!

Boutique-y Beyoglu

The House Hotel in the buzzling Galatasaray neighborhood amidst the extremely steep streets, is a charming four-story mansion built in the 1890’s. The original name of the building was “Appartement Zenovitch” and it has been entirely renovated in 2010 by Autoban.

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Jumbled between the ruins, historical monuments, a lake, a deer park; an arty village has also claimed the address, Hauz Khas village dates back to the 13th century namesake reservoir and a complex that still stands amidst the indie culture developing around it.

Know where to go to taste a little creativity in the capital city!

Stay at ‘Home’

Amarya Haveli

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Of virgin white cotton bales and pristine blue icy waters, Ladakh is an interesting juxtaposition of calm landscapes, brazen beauty and uneven terrains.

Part 2 of my Ladakh experience. Read Part 1 here.

Roadtrips to Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake

If you would like to touch the roof of the world, here is your chance, head to the Nubra Valley…

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For your next flight - How about you carry your Passports, Eye Masks, Sleep Aids, Nostril Hair-Removers, Medicines for that allergy and all such wonderful things in life, in a bad-ass-looking bag that makes you look that much more chic, just in case you get ‘randomly selected’.

All you men - take note and stay cool.

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Barcelona is where food gets constantly reinvented. The El Bulli veteran has brought that coveted tag “Capital of Molecular Gastronomy to this Catalan state.” and his prodigies are keeping up his name, that too, how…
There were two restaurants we went to that deserve special mentions and you can read about our whole trip here.

Alkimia

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Name the city that’s Euro-American, French-speaking, a year-around party destination, an hour outside the States. Oui, C’est Montreal!

le séjour

Opus Hotel is a chic boutique hotel in the middle of everything and in the corner of ‘mile-end bars and restaurants’ and ‘the trendy shopping streets’.

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