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Been There, Do This: Gustapizza in Florence

Been There, Do This: Gustapizza in Florence

April 5, 2017 | By: Valerie Chen

Like with gelato, claiming that the best pizza in Florence can be found within your doors is a bold statement. But there’s no denying that the ooey-gooey deliciousness of Gustapizza draws many patrons — regulars and first-timers alike — who rave that the beloved local joint has earned such an impressive title.

Been There, Do This: Fridheimar Farm in Southern Iceland

Been There, Do This: Fridheimar Farm in Southern Iceland

March 1, 2017 | By: Valerie Chen

Bellies rumbling, we turned off the frosty road in search of something that could warm us from the inside out. The next stop on the roughly 190-mile Golden Circle — southern Iceland’s famed tourist route that includes Thingvellir National Park, Strokkur geyser, Gulfoss waterfall and Geysir hot springs — would have to wait.

Been There, Do This: Blue Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Been There, Do This: Blue Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand

January 25, 2017 | By: Valerie Chen

As a deeply spiritual nation, Thailand has no shortage of Buddhist temples. During my weeklong trip in the country, each temple proved more extravagant in design than the next. But the eye-catching beauty of these temples doesn’t come at the cost of humility.

Been There, Do This: The Now in Santa Monica, California

Been There, Do This: The Now in Santa Monica, California

October 19, 2016 | By: Valerie Chen

Minimal decor, natural surfaces and tones, curated crystals and treatment rooms redolent of breezy cabanas — these are just a few items that make The Now in Santa Monica, Calif., less like your average spa and more like the idyllic haven you’ve been dreaming of.

Been There, Do This: Carabe Gelato in Florence, Italy

Been There, Do This: Carabe Gelato in Florence, Italy

August 3, 2016 | By: Valerie Chen

When I sang the familiar tune of “eating as much gelato as possible while here” to my Italian cooking instructor, a Florence local, her eyes immediately brightened. “You’re in luck,” she told me, pointing out that the very best gelateria in Florence was just down the road.

Been There, Do This: Sketch in London

Been There, Do This: Sketch in London

June 15, 2016 | By: Valerie Chen

With just one foot in the door at Sketch, wide-eyed visitors abandon the humdrum of ordinary life. A complex of sorts, the London establishment encompasses five restaurants and bars: the Gallery, the Lecture Room & Library, the Parlour, the Glade and the East Bar. From the Lecture Room’s more relaxed vibe with eccentric art and fixtures to the sleek modernism of the East Bar, each room twinkles with a distinct and whimsical personality.