Belgian beer is world-renowned – Belgium is the only country whose beer culture is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This small nation is home to the biggest brewery in the world, as well as tiny, independent operations located on farmsteads, in old factories, and in cave-like casemates. “In Belgium, the magistrate has the dignity of a prince,” wrote Belgian poet Émile Verhaeren. “But by Bacchus, it is true that the brewer is king.”

So what makes Belgian beer so special? Let's dive in.

A brief history of Belgian beer – and three reasons why it’s so famous

Belgium’s brewing landscape evolved across rural farmland, small towns and monasteries, mushrooming around communities and instilling a resistance to the mass production techniques that took hold much more quickly in neighboring countries. Here are some of the reasons Belgium’s local beer culture evolved into a global phenomenon:

Geography

To Belgium’s west is France and its myriad winemakers, from whom Belgian brewers absorbed knowledge about the microbiological benefits of oak aging in large foeders. To the country's east lies Germany , where technical proficiency in lager fermentation and yeast management influenced quality control in Belgian brewing. And to the north, just across the channel, sits England , influencing both brewing and hop growing in Belgium, particularly after WWI.

This mishmash of influences (and the fact that Belgium has been ruled by various regimes) encouraged Belgians to develop practical workarounds and create new and unique beers.

Regionality

Despite its relatively small size, Belgium's beer diversity impresses even the most experienced brewheads. This begs the question, why so many regional specialities? In the early to mid-19th century, the average Belgian brewery was very small, mostly because there was a tax incentive to remain so. Rather than packaging beer, they were selling beer from wooden barrels directly to consumers in their own pubs.

In 1845, there were 3089 breweries in Belgium – today, there are just around 380. As a result, production and consumption has stayed local, preserving distinctive varieties of yeast and maintaining the unique character of a town’s beer style. This limited reach is the reason why Lambic beer is still found in the Pajottenland and the Senne Valley, why Oud Bruin production remains strongest in South West Flanders and why Saison is still most associated with the province of Henegouwen.

Ingredients and process

Belgian yeasts kick off a pronounced range of flavor and aroma compounds when compared to yeasts from other countries. Because of these compounds, Delirium Tremens evokes the essence of pears and oranges, Chimay Bleue tastes like figs and prunes, and Sint Bernardus Wit embraces the zest of pepper and clove.

And Belgians are not afraid to add flavors to their beer, either, whether it entails emptying their spice cabinet of bitter orange, coriander and grains of paradise, or throwing in fruits such as cherries, raspberries, or apricots.

Glassware in Belgium: the theater of Belgian beer

Presentation functions as a key element of Belgian beer culture, particularly when it comes to glassware – it’s one part marketing, one part theater, and one part attempt to maximize the beer experience. From goblet to tulip and from shaker to stange, a lot goes into the decision: the level of alcohol, desired serving temperature, aromatic qualities, level of carbonation, and handling dynamics.

There are also practical considerations: how easy a glass is to clean, how “stackable” it is, and of course, how much it costs. The resulting array of available glassware includes beauties like the bulbous Kasteel chalice from Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck in Izegem, the ridged Ronceva stem of Palm’s Cornet glass, or the curvaceous, inwardly tapered vase of Brugge Tripel.

One innovative feature that has become increasingly popular in Belgian glassware is the nucleation point, an etched mark on the bottom of the inside of the glass that helps release the carbonation by creating a steady stream of bubbles emanating from the nucleated pattern to the top of the beer. Take a moment to notice these bespoke nucleation designs at the bottom of the next glass of Belgian beer you drink. But figure out a way to remove the beer from the glass first.

The seven styles of Belgian beer

Belgium has a rich and diverse line-up of indigenous beer styles. While there are many variations within each one – and much over-lapping between them – certain widely regarded traditional categories help drinkers understand what to expect from a beer’s flavor profile:

1. Abbey-style or monastic ale

There are six Trappist breweries in Belgium, all brewing different styles of beer (Belgian Pales Ales, Tripels, Dubbels, Quadrupels, etc). “Trappist” is not a style, then, but an appellation tied to the fact that brewing takes place inside the walls of a Cistercian Abbey under the supervision of monks, with the proceeds of beer sales going back to the community. These beers have inspired a whole wave of “Abbey beers,” often bottle-conditioned ales with pronounced yeast profiles, high carbonation, and plenty of alcohol. Many are produced by commercial breweries and have no affiliation with an Abbey, although some breweries license the name from a monastery.

Abbey-style of monastic ales to try:
Westmalle Tripel ( 9.5% ABV, Brouwerij Westmalle )
Trappist Westvleteren 8 Dubbel ( 8% ABV, Brouwerij Westvleteren )
Orval Trappist Ale ( 6.9% ABV, Brasserie d’Orval )

2. Blond and golden strong ales

Belgian Blond Ales have a subtle citrus and spice yeast complexity, with a degree of malty sweetness and a soft finish. Golden Strong Ales share these yeast flavors and malty mouthfeel but often showcase more hop character, more alcohol, drier finishes, and even more intense carbonation.

Blond and golden strong ales to try:
Ename Blond ( 6.6% ABV, Brouwerij Roman )
Omer ( 8%, Brouwerij Omer Vanderghinste )
Duvel ( 8.5% ABV, Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat )

3. Saisons

Saisons are a family of refreshing, dry, hoppy, and fairly bitter Belgian ales. They’re often highly carbonated, with aromas and flavors of citrus and pepper. Saisons are “provision” ales from Wallonia , the southern region of Belgium. While the origin story to Saison has been disputed, some claim that the beers were produced as an economic necessity for farms who had to retain and occupy their saisonnière (seasonal) workers during the off-season – those saisonnières brewed during the winter and quenched their thirst with the beers in the summer as they toiled the land.

Saisons to try:
Saison Dupont ( 6.5% ABV, Brasserie Dupont )
Saisonneke Extra ( 4.4% ABV, Brouwerij Belgoo )
La Saison d'Epeautre ( 6% ABV, Brasserie De Blaugies )

4. Spéciale Belge

Created during an early-1900s competition to come up with a regional specialty beer that competed with imported British ales and continental lagers, Spéciale Belges are malty, average-strength beers with a red or copper color. There’s a subtle fruitiness from the yeast and a bready (sometimes toasty) malt character, but overall they’re known to be well-balanced and easy-drinking.

Spéciale Belges to try:
Bolleke De Koninck (5.2% ABV, Brouwerij De Koninck )
Palm Spéciale (5.2% ABV, Brouwerij Palm)
Spécial De Ryck (5.5% ABV, Brouwerij De Ryck)

5. Belgian wheat beers

Belgian wheat beers (also “white beers” or “witbiers”) are pale, hazy beers brewed using 30-60% of raw wheat. Coriander seed and dried Curaçao orange peel are often added to accentuate the mildly fruity-spicy character of the witbier yeast. Belgian wheat beers are delicate, moderate-strength ales known for their refreshing qualities during the summer.

Belgian wheat beers to try:
Sint Bernardus Wit ( 5.5% ABV, Brouwerij Sint Bernardus )
Jan de Lichte ( 7.5% ABV, Brouwerij De Glazen Toren )
Ertvelds Wit ( 5% ABV, Brouwerij Van Steenberghe )

6. Oud Bruin

Oud Bruin is a family of reddish-brown or brown beers with a caramel-chocolate malt flavor and a red-fruit complexity. They are often both sweet and sour, and sometimes present with a dry, tannic finish like a vintage red wine.

Oud Bruins to try:
Rodenbach Vintage ( 7% ABV, Brouwerij Rodenbach )
Cuvée des Jacobins ( 5.5% ABV, Brouwerij Omer Vanderghinste )
Liefmans Goudenband ( 8% ABV, Brouwerij Liefmans )

7. Lambic beers

Lambic is a spontaneously fermented wheat beer aged on wood. No yeast is pitched by the brewer. Instead, the yeast and bacteria in the vicinity of the brewery transform it into beer. Lambics are blended into Geuzes to become very refreshing, highly carbonated, and pleasantly sour beers which are often complex, oaky, and fruity. Brewers commonly blend Lambic with fruit, particularly cherries, raspberries and apricots.

Lambic beers to try:
3 Fonteinen Oude Geuze ( 6% ABV, Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen )
Boon Kriek Mariage Parfait ( 8% ABV, Brouwerij Boon )
Fou’ Founne (Lambic with Bergeron Apricots) ( 5% ABV, Brasserie Cantillon )

Where to drink Belgian beer

There are many great places to try Belgian beer across the country.

Belgium hosts a beer festival almost every week of the year, too. If you can time it right, take in a traditional event ( Zythos, Bruges, or Belgian Beer Weekend), sample a modern festival (Bxl Beer Fest or Billie’s), or dive deep into the niche ( Oud Bruin Fest, Kerstbierfestival, Poperinge Hop and Beer Festival, or the Toer de Geuze).

If you’re looking for recommendations of beer cafes, bottles shops, and breweries, check out our list of 25 great places to try beer in Belgium . Mount your bike, get in your car, or jump on a train, and discover the most fun, quirky and interesting places to drink in this country’s fantastic beer culture.

A beginner's guide to Belgian beer

Whether you're headed to iconic sites like the Bean, the Picasso structure or Navy Pier, or to quieter parts of the city like the North Side’s Andersonville, Chicago keeps the good times rolling.

But with all the experiences on offer, how do you know where to start? Listen to the locals, of course. Here are the best ways to experience Chicago like those who know it best – before you know it, you'll be exploring the Windy City like a pro.

Attend a game

Chicago's home to the Chicago Cubs (at historic Wrigley Field ) and Chicago White Sox (MLB), Chicago Bears (NFL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Sky (WNBA), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Fire FC and Chicago Red Stars (NWSL) – it’s safe to say this is a sports town.

On any given day you'll find a sporting event happening, with fans filling up arenas, stadiums and bars and rooting for their favorite players. Plus, Chicago is one of the rare cities with a long legacy of championships, so don't miss out on the magic—and maybe even the disappointment—of cheering on the hometown team.

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Dive into Chicago’s cocktail scene

The Violet Hour is said to be the birthplace of craft cocktails in Chicago, and no visit is complete without a drink at one of the city’s original speakeasies.

Look for a yellow light to mark the bar’s entrance – if the light is on, they are open for business. Once you cross the threshold, the lights dim and sound hushes behind towering velvet curtains that open to reveal an upscale cocktail bar. Be sure to keep your phone on silent and dress as if you’re meeting the parents to ensure admittance.

If you can’t get enough of Chicago’s speakeasies, add The Drifter and Lady Bird to your list. The Drifter is located in the lower level of River North’s iconic Green Door Tavern , the city’s oldest drinking hole. Find the entrance en route to the bathroom, behind a bookshelf. And the best part? Vaudeville shows play every hour (expect a cover).

Lady Bird is nestled in the basement of the Hoxton , located in the West Loop . The low-lit bar features live music (jazz, soul and rock) Thursday through Saturday and evokes feelings of 1960s glam.

The best times to visit Chicago

Find Chicago's magic

Four of the most prominent magicians in the industry reside in Chicago, and Midwest Magic – the world’s largest magic shop – is located in the nearby suburb of Franklin Park. It’s no wonder the city has become a hub for a burgeoning magic scene.

In the Loop, spectators can get dolled up for an intimate night of magic with Dennis Watkins , a third-generation magician, at the opulent Palmer House Hilton ; dress well, as cocktail attire is encouraged. If you prefer something more laid-back, head north to the Chicago Magic Lounge .

In true magical fashion, the entrance is disguised – as a laundromat. A wall of washers swing open to reveal a host ready to guide you to an auditorium show or to the bar, where the bartenders serve up close-hand magic alongside delicious drinks.

Groove to blues and rock

In Chicago, no genre is as iconic as the blues – the electric blues, to be exact. When Muddy Waters and friends plugged into their amps in the 1950s, guitar grooves reached new decibel levels. Hear it in clubs around town, such as Buddy Guy's Legends , where the icon himself still takes the stage, or Rosa's Lounge , where the vibe is a bit more down and dirty. The blues paved the way for rock and roll, so no surprise cool little clubs hosting edgy indie bands slouch on many a street corner.

Shop local in Chicago neighborhoods

Chicago is a collection of vibrant neighborhoods – t o really experience the city like a local, leave the Loop, avoid Michigan Avenue and support local shops that reflect the city’s make-up.

Andersonville sits on the North Side and has Swedish roots. The Clark Street passage between Foster and Bryn Mawr is littered with nostalgic shops that give off Wes Anderson vibes, while Wicker Park and Bucktown tailors its scene to local hipsters and young families.

If you continue south to Little Village, you'll find a predominantly Mexican community that's the city’s highest shopping district. Pop into Comercio Popular to shop from unique artisans and catch events imported straight from Mexico .

End your retail tour in Hyde Park, home to Michelle and Barack Obama (when they’re in Chicago). The Silver Room is a must – this Black-owned store features a variety of products that places Black culture and Black artisans at the forefront.

Dine at award-winning restaurants

Over the years, Chicago's reputation as a culinary destination has flourished. The James Beard Awards arrived in Chicago in 2015, with plans to stick around until 2027, in large part thanks to local chefs such as Grant Achatz, Stephanie Izard, Bill Kim and Carlos Gaytan.

For high-end dining, head to the West Loop and take your pick of top culinary artists, Beard winners and Michelin-starred chefs. Joe Flamm’s Rosemary , an Italian-Croatian restaurant, is one of the city’s hotspots, while Swift & Sons fits the power dining crowd and Beatrix delivers top-notch brunch.

For anyone looking to splurge, book a reservation at Next for their Chicago 1933 World’s Fair inspired meal.

For more low-key, budget-friendly fare, head to the Athenian Room in Lincoln Park for the chicken kalamata (a Tina Fey favorite), Oasis in the Loop (located in the back of a jewelry shop) or Aguascalientes in Little Village.

Best free things to do in Chicago

Millennium Park

The playful heart of Chicago, Millennium Park shines with whimsical public art. Go ahead, walk under Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate – aka "the Bean" – and touch its silvery smoothness. Let the human gargoyles of Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain shower you with water to cool down in summer or u nfurl a blanket by Frank Gehry's swooping silver band shell as the sun dips, when wine corks pop and gorgeous music fills the twilight air.

Take a tour

Want to know all the Windy City's secrets? Take a guided tour to uncover lesser-known facts and all sorts of Chicago information that will help you win Trivia Night. The river cruise run by the Chicago Architecture Foundation is popular with architecture buffs; it now runs during the day and at sunset with indoor and outdoor seating.

If you want to explore Chicago's neighborhoods more fully, book a tour run by the city’s TikTok Historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas , who leads fascinating walks through Bridgeport/Stockyard, Bronzeville or Pullman/Roseland with his company Chicago Mahogany Tours.

Laugh out loud at local comedy shows

A group of jokesters began performing intentionally unstructured skits in a Chicago bar a half-century ago, and voilà – improv comedy was born. Second City still nurtures the best in the biz, though several other improv theaters also work from booze-fueled suggestions that the audience hollers up.

Among the city's 200 theaters are powerhouse drama troupes such as Hollywood-star-laden Steppenwolf , and heaps of fringey, provocative "off-Loop" companies, such as The Neo-Futurists .

How to get around Chicago

Navy Pier

Stretching away from the skyline and into the blue of Lake Michigan, half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most visited attractions. Its charms revolve around the cool breezes and sweet views, especially from the vertigo-inducing, 196ft-tall Ferris wheel. High-tech rides, splash fountains, big boats and greasy snacks blow the minds of young ones.

Live music, Shakespearean theater and whopping fireworks displays entertain everyone else. A smart renovation has added public plazas, performance spaces, art installations and free cultural programming.

Explore Chicago like a local: here are the 10 best things to do

Milan is a microcosm of Italian culture and has a lot to offer its visitors — you could spend weeks trying to uncover all the secrets of Italy ’s most bustling city and you would still find something to surprise you at every turn. So if you only have a few days to dedicate to Milan, we've got the perfect itinerary to ensure you make the most of them.

Take in gorgeous and world-famous sights, wander around lively neighborhoods, indulge yourself on a mini shopping spree, and luxuriate in the Italian art of the aperitivo. And if you have a day more to spare, try some unique museums or a day trip to one of the many charming small towns that surround the city.

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Day one: start strong with the Milanese must dos

Morning

The real challenge in Milan is making a shortlist of what you want to see because the city has absolutely everything. Start your first day by following your heart to one of the city's most iconic destinations — Piazza Duomo and the marble façade of the Duomo. Make an early start and you may have it almost to yourself — but keep in mind this is still Italy’s busiest city. Once you’ve taken in the delights of the Duomo, head to the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and marvel at its intricate glass ceiling and luxury shops.

Then you can take a trip back in time and walk to the Piazza dei Mercanti, which used to be the real heart of the city in the Middle Ages. From there, make your way north to the Teatro all Scala — its on-site museum gives an intriguing behind-the-scenes insight into the history of this center of performing arts. If you find a performance that captivates you, ask at the box office about same-day tickets; shows are regularly sold out months in advance but last-minute options often crop up. Exit stage right and head northeast to find a different type of costumed wonderland. The Quadrilatero d'Oro is one of the most famous shopping districts in the world and is worth a visit even if your budget doesn't stretch to the eye-watering designer prices.

Lunch

Window shopping can really work up an appetite, so for lunch you can either stay in the area and eat at the Terrazza Rinascente, a rooftop terrace at the top of a designer store with stunning views over the Duomo, or head further north to the Brera neighborhood. If you choose the latter, you can try Pizzacoteca di Brera (named in honor of the nearby gallery Pinacoteca di Brera) and delve into some gourmet pizza or pick the Salsamanteria di Parma to enjoy a selection of cold cuts and classic Italian dishes. Those in search of meat-free dining should beat a path to L'Orto di Brera – it may look like an unassuming local grocers but head inside to discover a delightful dining spot.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon strolling around Brera, one of the most romantic neighborhoods in Milan, and discover its secret corners and façades. You can then head to the aforementioned Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s most famous art galleries boasting an incredibly precious collection of works including Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus and Hayez’s The Kiss. End your afternoon by relaxing on a tree-shaded bench in the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli before moving on to spend your evening in Porta Venezia.

Evening

One of the coolest neighborhoods in the city, Porto Venezia is home to a vibrant LGBTQI+ community. If lunch feels like a distant memory, head to the sublime Dim Sum for gourmet delights. Now you've lined your stomach it's time for some drinks and there's no shortage of great bars to choose from — try Leccomilano for cocktails and a relaxed vibe, Kilburn for a taste of London in Milano, or Kanpai for a Japanese-inspired stylish experience. Head over to Eppol for a mix of the old Milanese tradition and the new underground vibes, or to Mint Garden Café for a flower-full (and flavorful) evening.

Day two: art, culture and your very own photoshoot

Morning

There's no shortage of culture in Milan so another morning of art and history is on the schedule — start at the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie to marvel at Leonardo da Vinci’s world-famous The Last Supper , and then stop at the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, burial place of Milan’s patron saint. From there, head up to the Castello Sforzesco — once home to the mighty Sforza family that ruled over the city in the Renaissance — and then round off your morning wandering through Parco Sempione, a popular urban park that stretches out behind the Castello.

Lunch

It's time for lunch and we're heading north to the Porta Garibaldi and Isola neighborhoods, which will be your destination for the afternoon. Ratanà is the place to be if you want to try some Milanese cuisine with a modern twist; Ajo Blanco and its tapas are a great option for a mix of Spanish cuisine and the menu at Capra e Cavoli offers some delicious vegetarian and vegan delicacies.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, hunt down the best photoshoot locations around Porta Garibaldi and Isola, with their imposing skyscrapers and vibrant street art. You also have to stop at Piazza Gae Aulenti, one of the most recently built in the city and a perfect representation of Milan’s most modern soul — thanks in no small part to its very recognizable tower, the tallest in Italy — and also snap a picture or two at the famous Bosco Verticale residential buildings that act as a vertical living garden to mitigate pollution in the area.

Evening

Come back down south for your evening fun and start your night at the famous San Lorenzo Columns, a social hub of Milan that hosts nightly revelry. Head south to the Navigli – Milan's ancient network of interconnected canals — and enjoy some delicious Milanese street food alongside in-the-know locals at Macellaria Popolare. Wine is available by the glass to wash it all down. Once again, you have a wealth of options to consider for drinks among the many cafés and pubs that dot the streets. Try The Doping Club, Vista Darsena, Bar Rita or GinO12, each with its own unique vibe and promises of an unforgettable Milano nightlife experience.

Day three: football, fun museums or a day trip

If you have an extra day in Milan, then you can consider some unique attractions that do not fall within the "absolutely unmissable" category but are still well worth a visit.

The beautiful game

If you’re a football fan, then you should consider a visit to the famous San Siro Stadium, home of the two Milan football teams — Internazionale, known as "Inter" and A.C. Milan. The Stadium also has a museum that charts the history of the two teams throughout domestic and international championships. And if you happen to go there on a weekend, you may catch one of the two teams having a home game and enjoy an authentic Italian football experience.

The perfect museum for kids

If you’re traveling with kids, don't miss the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci — Milan’s science and technology museum. Its collection includes machines, planes, cars, and ships, as well a huge variety of models built following Leonardo da Vinci’s original designs. The main event, though, is the interactive laboratories — kids and adults can enjoy learning about all kinds of subjects, from DNA sequencing to robotics.

Explore beyond the city on a day trip

If you'd like some respite from the hustle and bustle of city life, then all you have to do is pick a train and go — there are many delightful small towns just an hour or so away. Our recommendation is Bergamo, a town with two souls represented by the two main neighborhoods — Bergamo Alta, the old city center perched on top of a hill, and Bergamo Bassa, the newer area with hipster coffee labs and delicious eateries.

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The ultimate itinerary for a weekend in Milan

The nation’s third-largest city covers a lot of ground, but you can take in a good chunk of Chicago during a weekend if you have a plan. And we’ve got one with sky-high buildings and star art collections, along with dive bars and Route 66 diners.

Here's our guide to the perfect weekend itinerary in Chicago.

Friday

Afternoon

Head to the docks beneath Michigan Avenue downtown and hop on a boat tour with the Chicago Architecture Center. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also marvelous. Grab a seat on deck and look up as the finest collection of buildings in the country glides by. Guides’ architecture lessons carry on the breeze, so you’ll know your Beaux Arts from International Style by journey’s end.

After stuffing your head with knowledge, it’s time to stuff your face with deep-dish pizza, Chicago’s premier local specialty. Giordano’s makes “stuffed” pie, which is a bigger, doughier version – like deep-dish on steroids. Loosen the belt, because each cheese-laden slice weighs a half-pound or so.

Evening

Next, motor north a few miles to catch a show at Second City, the launching pad of jokesters from Bill Murray to Tina Fey. The outlandish sketch revues are always high-quality laugh fests. They’re also popular, so book tickets well in advance.

Before the night ends, get a drink at the Old Town Ale House, across the avenue from Second City. It’s a wonderfully democratic institution (some might call it a dive bar), where beautiful people and seen-it-all regulars mingle on barstools under the nude celebrity paintings until last call at 4am. You might even see cast members from your show hanging out over a wee-hour brew.

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Saturday

Morning

Start at downtown’s western edge and fuel up at Lou Mitchell’s, a diner from the days when Route 66 rolled by the area. The old-school waitresses call you “doll” while delivering fluffy omelets and plate-defying flapjacks to the table. Lines can be long, but Lou’s soothes the pain with free donut holes and Milk Duds as you wait for your table.

Walk a few blocks east to Willis Tower. Chicago’s tallest building pokes 1450ft into the heavens and its 103rd-floor Skydeck provides a panorama over four states. Brave souls can step onto the glass-floored Ledges to be suspended (almost) in stomach-lurching mid-air. Be sure to book tickets beforehand.

Afternoon

Stay downtown and mosey to the Art Institute of Chicago (advance reservations required). The second-largest art museum in the country hangs masterpieces aplenty, especially impressionist and post-impressionist pieces.

Georges Seurat’s pointillist A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte is here; so is Grant Wood’s American Gothic. Marc Chagall’s glowing stained glass America Windows fill a room, too.

When you’ve seen your fill, head to the Art Institute’s 3rd floor sculpture terrace, and step onto the silvery pedestrian bridge arching into Millennium Park. Make a beeline for the shiny “Bean” sculpture for the obligatory photo op. Splash around in Crown Fountain, where video images of locals spout gargoyle-style. Admire Frank Gehry’s swooping silver band shell. Then contemplate it all over a Nutella soufflé pancake and ginger tea at Hanabusa Cafe.

Evening

Take the Blue Line L train to Logan Square, a buzzy neighborhood 20 minutes northwest of downtown – prime for chowhounds and tipplers. Drop in at Revolution Brewing to knock back a Rosa hibiscus ale or other inventive beer with the local crowd.

Make your way a mile southwest to Giant, a small storefront cooking up big flavors in modern American comfort food. Advance reservations are essential. If you can’t score a seat, no worries: nearby Ground Control earns praise for its tofu fried chicken, beer-braised greens and other vegetarian dishes served with a side of local brews and budget cocktails.

From here it’s a stone’s throw to Rosa’s Lounge. The electric blues became Chicago’s tune when Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and friends plugged in their amps in the 1950s, and Rosa’s is an authentic spot to hear a fret-bending set.

The humble venue brings real-deal players to its arm’s-length-away stage where guitars wail into the night. It’s wise to buy tickets in advance, though you usually can walk up and get in after the first set (around 11pm).

Sunday

Morning

Chicagoans go gaga for brunch, and the West Loop provides loads of stylish hot spots to get your eggs on. The Publican delivers honey butter waffles, pork belly hash and hefty Bloody Marys, while Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard’s Little Goat shows how it’s done with cheesy hash browns and spiced apple pancakes. Roister makes chicken and waffles and biscuits and gravy that go way beyond the traditional versions.

Afternoon

If it’s baseball season and the Cubs are playing, hop on the Red Line train to Wrigley Field. The 1914 ballpark charms with retro touches like ivy-covered outfield walls and a hand-turned scoreboard. Shoveling down hot dogs and drinking beer in the raucous bleacher seats makes for an exceptional afternoon.

Otherwise, aim for the Pilsen neighborhood, a mash-up of Chicago’s Mexican community and hipster underground. Wild murals radiate off the buildings on practically every street.

A walkabout with Pilsen Public Art Tours is a good way to explore. Hungry? Bite into sublime pork tacos at Don Pedro Carnitas or complex, mole-rich dishes at 5 Rabanitos. The Pink Line L train to 18th Street gets you there.

Where to stay

Downtown (aka the Loop): Cool boutique and architectural properties fill the core, where you’re steps away from Millennium Park, the Art Institute and other top sights. The playful Virgin Hotel offers large, cleverly conceived rooms in an old art deco bank tower, while the Silversmith flashes gem-inspired, vintage-cool rooms in a Gilded Age jewelers building.

West Loop: Chicago’s most trendsetting accommodations pop up in the West Loop, surrounded by heaps of fashionable bars and restaurants. The Publishing House Bed & Breakfast puts you in the thick of it, with 11 stylish rooms named after Chicago writers. The Hoxton Chicago brings mid-century-modern-inspired decor to its creative digs, along with free bicycles and a festive rooftop cafe.

How to get to Chicago

O’Hare International Airport is on the city’s northwest side; it’s larger and where most international flights arrive. Smaller Midway International Airport is on the south side. Both have easy links to downtown via the L train, which costs $5 and takes 40 minutes from O’Hare, and $3 and 30 minutes from Midway. Amtrak arrives downtown at Union Station.

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Thoroughbred horses might dominate the headlines in Kentucky, but the state packs more into its stables than high-speed horses. Straddling a geographic and cultural crossroads between two distinct and fiercely proud American heartlands, Kentucky is a place of bucolic landscapes and alluring national parks with a transforming culinary scene that beckons between the bourbon and bluegrass.

Here's a guide to the best things to see and do in Kentucky.

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See the "Greatest Two Minutes in Sports" at the Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby, which takes place on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, is not only the world's greatest horse race, it's the longest-running continuous sporting event in North America. A visit here is a bucket list bonanza of sport, style, bourbon and betting.

Join a who's who of upper-crust America – decked to the nines in seersucker suits and the most decadent hats you ever did see – for a mint julep-fueled race-day blowout. And after all the build-up, it culminates in a blink of an eye: the main event is over in just two minutes.

Even if you fail to wangle a ticket on race day, the Kentucky Derby Museum and its guided tours around the Churchill Downs racetrack remain some of Kentucky's most interesting cultural diversions.

Line up glasses on the bar on the Bourbon Trail

Bourbon is one of the world's most prized spirits, with the state of Kentucky distilling 95% of the world’s inventory. Embarking on a connoisseur's tasting journey through the postcard-perfect bourbon country around Bardstown and Frankfort is one of Kentucky's top highlights.

Once you've worked out the logistics of sampling bourbon on a tasting tour in bourbon country – designated drivers, ride-sharing apps and organized tours are your new best friends – Kentucky's best distilleries are at the ready to showcase the subtle differences of their bourbons, which you can sample surrounded by the horse farms of Central Kentucky.

New laws now allow 1¾-ounce sample pours and sales by the glass, so visits to our favorite distilleries ­­– Woodford Reserve, Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and Maker's Mark, among others – just got a whole lot more gratifying.

Step into the batter's box at the Louisville Slugger Museum

The Louisville Slugger baseball bat is the most iconic 42 inches of hardwood in baseball. At the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, you can see how baseball's most famous bat is made, alongside displays on the great players who wielded it. Babe Ruth's 1926 record-setting Louisville Slugger is on display, complete with notches for every home run carved by the Bambino himself. Both museums are part of Louisville's cultural cradle, Museum Row on Main, which includes nine museums and distilleries spread across four historic downtown blocks.

Go caving – and more! – at Mammoth Cave National Park

Cave enthusiasts flock to Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest cave system on earth, with some 400 miles of surveyed passageways. Located 23 miles northeast of Bowling Green, this massive cavern is worth a detour not only for fascinating ranger-guided subterranean tours and serious day-long spelunking excursions (reservations recommended) but also for its lesser-known hiking trails. There are 85 miles of hiking tracks, 60 miles of horse-riding trails, and 25 miles of mountain biking routes. So yep, there's a little something for everyone at this central Kentucky outdoor adventure juggernaut.

Soak up the country air in beautiful Bluegrass Country

There are few American landscapes as unexpectedly gorgeous as north-central Kentucky's Bluegrass Country. Like a painting brought to life, the brilliant-green hills are dotted with ponds, poplar trees and handsome estate houses and strewn with never-ending fences safeguarding prized thoroughbred horses – it's rural Americana at its finest.

Just driving around aimlessly during summer or winter is as fine a day as you can spend in America's heartland, but WinStar Farm makes an excellent destination. Founded in the 1700s, this prestigious horse farm has bred numerous champions (you can tour its stallion complex several days a week). Base yourself in hip Lexington, a hotbed of culture, craft beer and historic distractions.

Be awed by Ali at the Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville

The greatest and most charismatic boxer to ever grace the ring, Muhammad Ali is captivatingly chronicled at the riveting Muhammad Ali Center, one of a number of outstanding museums on Louisville's Museum Row on Main. Ali was born in Louisville in 1942, and the museum exploring his life makes for an outstanding afternoon at any time of year. It's at its liveliest during the newish Ali Festival, which commemorates the boxer's great achievements for a week in June.

Feast on Kentucky culinary delights like the Hot Brown

No trip to Kentucky would be complete without a taste of the state's most famous contribution to American gastronomy, the Hot Brown – an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon, tomato and Mornay sauce, invented in 1926 at Louisville's Brown Hotel. But Kentucky's culinary landscape has evolved; some of middle America's most exciting bites and brews are being forged here, contributing to an ongoing redefinition of what America eats and drinks.

Dining at Modern American eateries such as Proof on Main or Decca in Louisville and Carson's Food & Drink in Lexington will quickly convince you this is not your grandma's Kentucky night out. Bookend a meal with a craft beer at Louisville's Holy Grale or Monnik Beer Company (with the best beer cheese dip in Kentucky), or Lexington's Country Boy Brewing.

Feel the need for speed at Bowling Green's National Corvette Museum

Ever since it was featured in the 1960s television show Route 66, the Chevrolet Corvette has captivated even the most casual car buff, building the legend of "America's Sports Car." Bowling Green's National Corvette Museum displays some 80 Corvette models – including one-off concept cars and prototypes – in an enthralling space that will leave the average Joe slackjawed (while bringing tears to the eyes of superfans).

Highlights include the world's only 1983 Corvette (production was halted that year due to a change in California emissions laws), wrecked vehicles crushed when a sinkhole opened under the museum in 2014 (kids will get a kick out of peering into the cave via a manhole in the floor) and loads of classic convertibles, guaranteed to instill a sense of they-don't-make-them-like-they-used-to nostalgia.

Hike and climb in Daniel Boone National Forest

Rock climbers from across the world are lured to Red River Gorge inside Daniel Boone National Forest some 70 miles southeast of Lexington. This expansive area of forest features 700,000 acres of rugged ravines and gravity-defying sandstone arches spread across the Appalachian foothills, but it's the gorge that stands out as one of the premier rock climbing destinations in the country.

At the adjacent Natural Bridge State Resort Park – famed for its stunning sandstone arch, with a 78ft span and 65ft opening – many more hiking and climbing routes beckon to adventurers. The whole area is just far enough off the beaten path to instill a real sense of discovery and adventure for those who visit.

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The 8 best things to see and do in Kentucky from bourbon to bluegrass

The 885-square-mile Lake District is a hauntingly beautiful part of northwest England that was voted the nation's favorite national park in 2018. The region seduced Wordsworth and other literary giants, and continues to attract sightseers, walkers and adventurers in search of its fascinating heritage and abundant outdoor activities.

From Windermere to Scafell Pike, and the best things to do with your family, here's what you need to know about visiting the Lake District.

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History of the Lake District

Until the mid-19th century the area was barely visited by outsiders – Daniel Defoe described it as "barren and frightful" in 1724 – but the Romantic poets’ idea of "sublime nature" encouraged an appreciation of wild places, and the introduction of the railway to Windermere in 1847 made mass tourism possible.

Lake District National Park

The landscape in the region is spellbinding: shadowy ridges gilded with golden light, shimmering meadows ablaze with wildflowers, and sparkling blue lakes that reflect the whole glorious scene.

Lakes are plentiful, of course: to the west of Windermere is Coniston Water and west of here are Wasdale valley and Wastwater, the deepest lake in England. North of Wastwater you’ll find Lake Buttermere, absurdly scenic from all angles, and east of Buttermere is Derwentwater, with its lovely wooded islands. Further east, Ullswater is arguably the most majestic of all, and is where the daffodils that inspired Wordsworth can be found.

Here are some of the region's key locations and what you can do there.

Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere is still the entry point for most visitors. Its adjacent namesake lake ribbons for 11 glorious miles through the gently undulating southern portion of the park. Taking a cruise here is a classic Lakeland experience, albeit one you’ll share with plenty of fellow sightseers.

Hawkshead

On the western side of Windermere is the village of Hawkshead, a pretty and atmospheric place to stay. It also has important connections to Beatrix Potter. You can visit Potter’s old home, a 17th-century cottage called Hill Top whose setting inspired much of her work.

Beyond Lake Windermere, heading north into the middle of the park, the scenery becomes more wild and dramatic. Bottle-green valleys dotted with sheep and flanked by craggy ridges form great fissures in the landscape. Mountain passes, draped like bootlaces across the unforgiving terrain, link remote hamlets and villages.

Grasmere

Wordsworth was schooled in Hawkshead and lived for a time in Grasmere. You can visit his old home, Dove Cottage, where he penned some of the greatest poetry ever written – much of it concerned with the nature he found around him – and see his grave in St Oswald’s Churchyard.

Keswick

The most northerly of the Lake District's major towns, Keswick has the most beautiful location of all: encircled by cloud-capped fells and nestled alongside the idyllic, island-studded lake of Derwentwater, a silvery curve criss-crossed by puttering cruise boats. It's also brilliantly positioned for further adventures into the nearby valleys of Borrowdale and Buttermere, and is a great base for walking.

The best walks and hikes in the Lake District

The Lake District has some of the finest walking trails in the world. Walk Lakes is a useful resource and allows you to choose trails by both difficulty and location. Some popular routes include:

The 5-mile circuit around Buttermere is surrounded on all sides with mountains and offers consistently stunning views.

The popular 3-mile scramble up the 1476ft (450m) peak of Catbells, adjacent to Derwentwater, is slightly more testing and provides one of the best panoramic views in the Lake District.

For the glory of saying you’ve climbed the highest peak in the country, Scafell Pike beckons. This is doable for anyone with reasonable fitness but should be approached with common sense and waterproofs, not flip flops and a vest. If the weather is kind, you’ll catch a glimpse of Wastwater from the top – a mere puddle on the landscape when viewed from the 3208ft (978m) summit.

The national park also has a wide range of accessible walks for those who are less mobile. There are 50 routes, right across the national park to suit people of all abilities, including many routes for wheelchair users. You can find full details of those at the park website.

Read more: The 8 most dramatic hikes in England

Outdoor sports

Not surprisingly, there’s an abundance of other ways to enjoy the outdoors in Lakeland, from water-based activities such as fishing and kayaking, to mountain-biking, climbing and gorge walking (often called "ghyll scrambling" in these parts). One of the most exciting adventure activities can be found at the Honister Slate Mine on its vertiginous via ferratas – think cables, cliffs and clinging on for dear life.

Things to do with kids in the Lakes

There are also plenty of great family days out to be had in the Lakes, and they're not all reliant on favorable weather. For indoor entertainment, try the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness. It's divided into areas themed on Potter's more famous stories and is perfect for younger children.

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway (known locally as La'al Ratty) makes for a highly pleasant 40 minutes, trundling 7 miles from the coast through the lovely Eskdale valley to the foot of the Scafell range. Nearby Muncaster Castle, with its impressive castle grounds, has a Hawk and Owl Center with daily flying displays of birds of prey.

How to get around the Lake District

It's possible to access and explore most of the Lake District using public transport – there are railway stations at Windermere, Oxenholme (Kendal) and Penrith, and an excellent network of local busses, including the legendary 555 that runs the entire length of the national park and is a day out in itself.

For convenience and flexibility, most prefer to use their own transport. The M6 flanks the entire eastern edge of the park, while the A591 and A66 dissect it internally. Most of the Lake District’s roads are rural and mountain passes may be closed in bad weather.

The national park also offers electric car hire options, as well as a network of charging points.

Read more: How to get around in England

Where to stay

The bulk of accommodations is in the four main towns – Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick – but almost every village has at least one B&B option. There are also plenty of campsites and youth hostels.

What to eat

The county is crammed with passionate food producers and local delicacies. Taste Cumbria has a running schedule for local food markets. There are plenty of excellent pubs to choose from too, from no-nonsense fodder for hikers to fine dining at the three-Michelin Starred L’Enclume in Cartmel.

What to pack

What kit you bring will depend on what walking you plan to do, and you’ll need to be properly prepared for the likes of Helvellyn and Scafell Pike, especially in the colder months. You should have a pair of sturdy boots and waterproofs as an absolute minimum.

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A beginner’s guide to England's Lake District

Los Cabos has made quite a name for itself among the high-society set. With more luxury resorts than any other category, a marina brimming with million-dollar yachts, and a guest list of international glitterati, it's considered one of the most exclusive destinations in Mexico.

You'd imagine that dining here would have to be next level – and it is. At the same time, Los Cabos remains committed to its roots as a former fishing village. The chefs who have opened restaurants in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are fiercely proud of the land, the sea and the bounty they provide, and the farmers and fishermen who make it all possible. Curating menus that are true to the destination is vitally important to the ethos of the restaurant scene.

The juxtaposition of the two is where Los Cabos shines. Big-name chefs rub elbows with down-home cooks across many different price points and atmospheres, and whether you're looking for a perfectly poured champagne cocktail at sunset or a simple cerveza to wash down your fish taco, there's a restaurant to match.

There's never been a better time to be hungry in Los Cabos. Here is our guide to the best places to eat at the southernmost point of the Baja peninsula.

Best high-end restaurants in Los Cabos

Los Cabos is an epicenter for five-star resorts and yacht culture, so finding high-end cuisine can often be easier than seeking out the holes-in-the-wall. But here are a few superb places to start.

Sunset Monalisa

What could possibly be more romantic than a spectacular cliffside Mediterranean-style dinner at sunset, overlooking the iconic Cabo San Lucas arch at Land’s End? Not much, honestly.

Spread across several tiers above the crashing waves of the Pacific, Sunset Monalisa has the market cornered when  it comes to deliriously dreamy dinners. Tasting menus are the way to go here – the restaurant offers three that range from $94 to $319. To level up, add on the wine-pairing experience.

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El Farallon

Any experience at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is going to be a cut above, but its El Farallon restaurant raises the bar on an already chic experience. Built directly into the side of a cliff, the tips of waves practically kiss the elegant stone pier on which the restaurant sits.

Start the evening by sampling one of 20 unique champagnes at the restaurant's Champagne Terrace before moving to the alfresco dining area. The menu changes daily, as it relies heavily on that day's catch; whatever is on offer, however, is guaranteed to be spectacular, albeit at a very hefty price tag.

Manta

The driving force behind Mexico City's acclaimed fine-dining spot Pujol, Enrique Olvera is legendary in kitchens across the country, and in Los Cabos, he's flexing his skills over at Manta, the signature restaurant at the Cape Hotel, a Thompson Resort.

With international influences, particularly from Mexico, Peru and Japan, Olvera has created a menu rooted in Baja seafood — but at a much higher price point. The fish tempura tacos, for example, while exceptional, will set you back a hearty US$30.

Best farm-to-table restaurants in Los Cabos

A champion of the farm-to-table movement in Mexico and one of the first destinations in the country to highlight the importance of local producers, the kitchens across Los Cabos have long been committed to supporting their own.

Paradero Todos Santos

Todos Santos is the new "it" town when visiting Los Cabos. Technically it's a two-hour drive up the coast, but more and more visitors are breaking away from Cabo San Lucas to see what the fuss is about.

Certainly one of the trendsetters is the boho chic Paradero Todos Santos, a property with a luxe desert aesthetic, sweeping views, a gorgeous infinity pool and beautifully appointed suites. But its restaurant is reason enough to visit. The locally sourced menu is designed around freshly caught fish, sustainably raised meat and an onsite organic garden.

Acre Resort

Ten minutes from San Jose del Cabo sits a desert oasis that raised the bar on design in Los Cabos. Acre's treehouse-style bungalow rooms are unique to the area, but what put the resort on the map was its 25-acre organic farm and restaurant.

The majority of the ingredients used were grown right on the property – and if it wasn't grown here, it was sourced not too far away. The menu changes based on seasonal availability, but if you see cheddar biscuits or duck croquettes, do not pass them up.

El Mirador Oceanview Restaurant

A winding road leads to the top of a hilltop, where a massive palapa sits perched overlooking the Pacific, offering sweeping views of the Punta Lobos coast and the Sierra de la Laguna mountains.

Come to El Mirador Oceanview Restaurant for the views, but stay for the Mediterranean-Mexican fusion cuisine, particularly the exceptional tuna tostada. Organic herbs and vegetables are grown in the kitchen garden, and most of the menu is locally sourced. Book a table on a Sunday to catch the weekly Live Jazz Sunset sessions.

Best seafood restaurants in Los Cabos

Surrounded on all sides by the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, the sea and its bounty is one of the most important and vital resources for Los Cabos.

Oystera

Todos Santos has undergone an evolution, and no better example of that is Oystera. Housed in the bones of a former sugar factory, Oystera is a house of worship to the bounty of Baja, with a sophisticated menu of fresh oysters and crudo that lends itself to perfectly crafted cocktails and chilled glasses of bubbles.

When not sitting in the sun-drenched market-style dining room, you'll find guests snapping shots for the 'Gram around the elegant factory shell, which also is home to an art gallery, outdoor gardens, and chic boutiques.

El Marinero Borracho

Taking it back to San José del Cabo's fishing-village roots, El Marinero Borracho is all about casual, fresh and local seafood, and its menu is packed with shrimp dishes, ceviches and tacos. Sit under the breezy palapa, crack open a Pacifico beer to go with a tangy plate of shrimp aguachile, and cheers to the good ol' days.

Mariscos El Torito

What started as a wagon under a tree in Mazatlán has grown into a Mexican seafood empire. Back when Mariscos El Torito opened in 1992, not far from the beaches of Mazatlán, they sold cold dishes, cocktails and ceviches. After a mention in the New York Times, the wagon became one of the most popular spots in town, which allowed the owners to expand their business to Cabo San Lucas.

Today it's a hot spot among locals, who come for the ceviche, fish tacos and grilled fish — all for prices that are really, really hard to find in Cabo San Lucas.

Best Baja-style restaurants in Los Cabos

Mexican food can mean many things around the country, but Baja-style Mexican food is certainly a league of its own, with a focus on seafood, ceviches and grilled meats.

Tacos Gardenias

For the best of Baja in Los Cabos, Tacos Gardenias is top of mind. For more than three decades, this taco joint has been slinging the favorites, from ceviche and shrimp cocktail to the unofficial signature dish of the peninsula, fish tacos.

La Panga Antigua

San José del Cabo has the reputation for being the funky, artsy one, and it's got the restaurants to match. Tucked in a leafy courtyard behind 150-year-old walls, La Panga Antigua is a gem.

The menu here brings traditional Mexican (and Baja-specific) classics to life with an elevated, 21st-century twist, and it changes all the time, as the chef relies on local proteins and produce. But frequently on offer is a wide selection of fabulous surf and turf, plus organic produce from local suppliers.

Salsitas

No frills but all the flavor, Salsitas is a cantina-style restaurant in the heart of San José del Cabo, beloved by locals and those in the know for its laid-back service, colorful ambiance, and really great happy hour. Fish tacos are as good as you could hope for, but Salsitas also specializes in tostadas, enchiladas and gut-stuffing burritos.

Best vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Los Cabos

Entire vegetarian or vegan restaurants are tough to come by in Los Cabos, though many restaurants are well equipped to not only handle vegetarian and vegan customers, but to do so in haute style.

La Rana Vegana

La Rana Vegana was one of the original vegan restaurants to burst onto the Los Cabos scene. The restaurant prides itself on being 100% vegan, serving everything from salads and tacos to pizzas and quesadillas. The quesa birria tacos in particular have even the non-believers hooked.

Namaste India

The beauty of Los Cabos is that because it's such an international city, you can find almost any cuisine — Indian included. While Namaste India isn't exclusively vegan or vegetarian, its flavor-packed menu offers a dizzying array of options for those who are going meat-free. Try the mixed-veg jalfrezi, which comes in a rich and creamy sauce made from cashews and savory spices.

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Where to eat in Los Cabos in 2022

Our ancestors foraged to survive, but harvesting wild food became much less common after the advent of the grocery store. Fast forward to the present day: Americans want to know what’s in their food and where it’s coming from, and they're increasingly motivated by sustainable travel. And what could be more sustainable than finding your own food?

It’s time to bring back picking dandelions in your backyard (they’re edible!) and foraging for raspberries in the woods. Foraging excursions in cities and the countryside offer the chance to gather food, dine and meet new friends. For the most up-to-date tracking of local foraging, check out Falling Fruit, a handy resource for eating local.

At these eight destinations in the US, you’re guaranteed to forage and feast.

Greens, berries and mushrooms in Asheville, North Carolina

How about pairing some wild berries with your local lager? Trace the origins of the country's first forage-to-table experience through the Asheville countryside. Localvore pioneer Alan Muskat founded the first only forage-to-table company back in 1995, along with the world's first wild foods public education program. Ever since then, business has been picking up – literally. Catch a tour to forage alongside Muskat then make plans to drop off your finds at several Asheville restaurants. The chef will transform your bounty into a one-of-a-kind dish, complimentary, though a purchase of one entree per person is required.

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Nuts, berries and mushrooms in Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin

When you’re starting out, it’s a good idea to have a foraging mentor. Many common plants are poisonous, including some varieties of magic mushrooms. Head to the quaint town of Weyerhaeuser, population 238, and meet Samuel Thayer, Founder of The Forager’s Harvest. The wild food expert leads foraging classes for travelers from May to October, with events and discussions throughout the winter.

Experiences include anything from an introduction to foraging to foraging for mushrooms. Depending on the time of year, you can expect to find a variety of nuts, root vegetables, fruits and seeds. The classes are usually a weekend-long and include cabin-style lodging and some meals for $300.

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Ginkgo biloba and persimmon in New York City, New York

Have you ever considered foraging in the Big Apple? It can be done! Join"Wildman" Steve Brill in Central Park for a day of foraging with your children. Spend the day discovering native and introduced species right in the middle of the city that never sleeps. These foraging tours happen from the beginning of March to the start of December, so depending on the season you can expect to see everything from ginkgo biloba and American persimmon to the pods of the Kentucky coffee tree, from which you can make caffeine-free coffee. The suggested donation is $20 for a four-hour excursion. Steve also conducts tours elsewhere in New York State and beyond if you need a break from the city.

The Detour: How to explore Central Park in New York City

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Mushrooms, acorns and onions in Ithaca, New York

Upgrade your usual camping situation to glamping (aka glamorous camping) at Firelight Camps in the Finger Lakes. Think safari-style tent with a comfortable queen bed, a private tented porch and battery-powered lanterns. You’ll sleep under the stars and go on a guided foraging hike through mesmerizing waterfall trails in Buttermilk Falls State Park, accompanied by Sarah Kelsen from FLX Wild.

In 90 minutes, you’ll learn to identify a variety of plants including mushrooms, acorns, onions, greens and more. Sarah encourages travelers to taste nature’s medicinal treasures around the grounds of Firelight, and she can answer any questions along the way. Bring an enquiring mind and an explorer’s sense of adventure. Guided hikes are $40 and they run from April to November.

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Mushrooms in Chesterfield, Missouri

Many of the mushrooms you'll find in Missouri are edible but don't run into the forest and start grazing. For any outbound mushroom excursions you should tread lightly, with a healthy dose of caution as ingesting the wrong kind of fungi could have the potency to kill. Seek out local experts from Missouri's Mycological Society to help guide your way through the bountiful mushroom patches found in Mark Twain National Forest. Continue to explore the state's mushroom varieties with the society's full calendar of guided hikes to seminars, uncovering the magic of fungi.

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Truffles in Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley is known as Oregon's wine country, a place for wine tastings and delicious food. However, foraging for the elusive truffle is becoming another popular draw for travelers to this famous region. Truffles grow throughout the forests in the Willamette Valley, and this aromatic fungus goes for $500 or more per pound!

Foraging for this highly sought-after delicacy takes place in winter through spring. Prestige Wine Tours offers guided tours with a professional hunter, accompanied by a truffle-hunting canine. After the hunt you have the option of attending a wine and food pairing with your precious truffles at a winery tasting room. You’ll be tired after truffle hunting (and all that wine), so book a stay in an adorable vintage trailer.

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Seaweed in California’s Central Coast

Fun fact: there are over 10,000 types of seaweed in the ocean. Learn all about the varieties and health benefits of seaweed on a foraging tour with Marley Family Seaweeds on California’s Central Coast, along the Highway 1 Discovery Route.

Surrounded by stunning views, you’ll spend 90 minutes walking on the beach and in the water.  The tour concludes with bowls of ramen noodles for lunch, made with freshly harvested seaweed and served on the beach. Try your hand at cooking with seaweed with recipes like Irish Seaweed Bread or a Korean Seaweed Omelette.

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Mushrooms in McCloud, California

Get ready for a weekend celebrating the mushroom at the McCloud Mushroom and Music Festival, held every Memorial Day weekend in this historic lumber town. The festival celebrates wild mushroom hunting, which takes place every spring. During the festival you can go mushroom foraging with Todd Spanier, the “King of Mushrooms”, take mushroom workshops and attend the multi-course gourmet mushroom dinner.

Stay in downtown McCloud and sample locally sourced mushroom-based delicacies from eight different food vendors. Local restaurants incorporate mushrooms into their local fare with special menus during the event. If your taste buds can handle more mushrooms, there is even mushroom ice cream called candy cap, which tastes like molasses.

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The best places to go foraging in the US

Not only is Turin fashionably elegant, handsome and seductive, the capital of Piedmont also enjoys an enviable location for exploring northwest Italy with ease.

When the joys of serial sightseeing or summer in the Savoy city begin to wane, there are a myriad of different destinations to escape to for a day. Vineyard, palace garden, mountain pasture or alpine peak: whatever bucolic change of scene you yearn for, Turin (and its easy transport connections) can oblige.

Here are six of the top day trips from Turin, each no more than a couple of hours by e-bike, bus, train or car.

Head to Via Lattea for alpine thrills and spills

It is hard to resist the call of the Alps in Turin: their enticing, snow-capped peaks can be seen tantalizingly on the horizon from any number of shopping thoroughfares and viewpoints in the city. On winter weekends torinesi head out of town to fly down slopes and warm the cockles with mugs of vin brûlé (mulled wine) at the resorts of the huge Via Lattea ski area. Come summer, walkers, nature lovers and fun-loving families flock to the same alpine pastures, now sprinkled with wildflowers and whistling marmots, to escape the city’s intense heat and embrace nature through a range of outdoor activities.

Whether you opt to explore the region by car or on foot, set out early in the morning for Pian del Colle (4740ft/1445m), a tiny hamlet close to the border with France. From here, head uphill towards Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite along a forest trail hugging the main road. At an altitude of 5800ft (1768m), sit down to a hearty lunch of cheesy, silky polenta topped with sausage ragú alongside a generous beer at Rifugio I Re Magi.

How to get there : Trains leave every hour from Torino Porta Nuova station to Bardonecchia (90 minutes, €15/$15.75 round trip), from where free buses ( Linea 3, 9 minutes) shuttle walkers to Melezet; Pian del Colle is a 25-minute walk from here. By car, Les Granges de la Vallée Étroite is an hour and 40 minutes’ drive from Turin.

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Feast on dizzying Savoy splendor at Reggia di Venaria Reale

Built as a 17th-century hunting lodge, Unesco-listed Reggia di Venaria Reale was the expansive residence of the Savoy royal family. An impressive estate with 150 acres of manicured grounds and a gargantuan baroque palace, this half-day trip dazzles visitors with royal apartments, salons, hallways and countless other rooms dripping in frescoes, gild and stucco. Its far-from-modest vegetable patch and kitchen garden is the largest in Italy, and lunch at Michelin-starred restaurant Dolce Stil Novo – with its dreamy terrace overlooking palatial pea-green lawns – is a romantic date to remember. The palace’s Museum of Theater and Magnificence and seasonal water-fountain shows are spectacular highlights.

How to get there : Pick up a public-sharing [To]Bike on Piazza Castello or Piazza San Carlo in Turin and pedal 10km to Venaria Reale along the Corona Verde Stura cycling route; the trail links several royal residences in Piedmont. By bus, it takes 30 minutes and costs €4 ($4.20) for a round trip with a one-day GTT ticket (€3/$3.15 if bought via the GTT To Move app) with bus No 11 from the city center. Or hop aboard the Venaria Express bus shuttle (€3.40/$3.60 round trip on weekdays; €7/$7.35 on weekends) from Piazza Castello or Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

In Bra, you can stuff yourself silly with true Slow Food

A small, unassuming town in provincial Piedmont, Bra makes for a thrilling pilgrimage no self-respecting foodie should miss. This was where the global Slow Food movement – which embraces the delights of naturally produced, locally sourced gastronomy – took root in 1986. Wander around the historic center to uncover tiny, family-run shops bursting with organic sausages, handcrafted chocolates and seasonal zero-kilometer farm produce – testimony to Slow Food’s contagious go-slow vibe, green thinking and sustainable soul.

Post-stroll, take lunch – alfresco in the courtyard on warm days – at Osteria del Boccondivino, Slow Food’s backstreet HQ. A rustic temple to regional produce, this authentic osteria woos culinary curios with local delicacies like salsiccia di Bra (the spicy local sausage), “Gobbi di Nizza Monferrato” cardoons (wild artichokes) and veal tripe. Don’t miss out.

Devote the afternoon (if you can still move) to tasting unusual vintages at the Banca del Vino, the wine cellar inside Slow Food’s University of Gastronomic Sciences in the neighboring village of Pollenzo.

How to get there : Regular daily trains trundle between Torino Porta Susa station and Bra (45 minutes, €9.60/$10.10 round trip). Buses connect Bra train station with Pollenzo (20 minutes, €4/$4.20 round trip).

Savor Piedmontese wine country in Langhe

South of Turin, the Langhe wine region is renowned for its reds, in particular Barolo – made from 100% nebbiolo grapes and aged for at least two years in oak barrels, and produced in a very limited zone around the namesake town. The next village over is La Morra, with a beautifully maintained historic core that sits proudly atop sloping vineyards. Meander through them to reach the vivid Cappella delle Brunate, a very unique (and Insta-worthy) “chapel” painted by American artist Sol LeWitt, then sit down at Osteria More e Macine for a plate of supple tajarin – the delicate Piedmontese iteration of tagliatelle – and a glass of local, robust red wine.

How to get there : Trains leave every hour from Torino Porta Susa to Alba (90 minutes, €11.80/$12.40 round trip), from where buses on line 66 continue to La Morra (30 minutes).

Explore an ancient abbey with bird’s-eye views at Sacra di San Michele

Crowning Monte Pirchiriano (3156ft/962m), the hilltop Sacra di San Michele is a brooding abbey dating to 987 CE, with celestial views of the Susa Valley far below. Just 25 miles (40km) from Turin, the complex was originally a Benedictine monastery, later abandoned for a couple of centuries before being taken over in 1836 by the Savoys.

Post–abbey visit, swing past Birrificio San Michele, a brewery at the bottom of the mountain, for a platter of tangy salumi paired with a flight of aromatic craft beers. On weekends, the artisanal brewery offers free tours of its production area.

How to get there : Trains leave hourly from Torino Porta Nuova station to Avigliana (30 minutes, €6.20/$6.50 round trip) from where it is a 90-minute hike uphill. April to October, bus line 253 loops five times a day between Avigliana train station and the abbey (30 minutes, €4.40/$4.60 round trip).

Take in fashion, design and Leonardo’s Last Supper in Milan

Most urbanites who find themselves as far north as Turin can’t resist the hankering to drop in on northern Italy’s other great city. Fast, fashionable and with an enviably design-centric soul, glamorous Milan is the country’s edgiest metropolis and a brilliant contrast to its more traditional Turinese sister. Milan’s sublime pink-marble cathedral, the Unesco-listed church safeguarding Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper , and your pick of the best city museums make for an enthralling day out. Lingering another day raises the curtain on dozens more things to see and do, such as watching the curtain rise at La Scala and savoring an expertly mixed Negroni along the Navigli.

How to get there : Regular trains link Torino Porta Nuova station and Torino Porta Susa train stations with Milano Centrale every 15 minutes or so. Fast/slow trains take one/two hours and single fares range from €12.45 to €36 ($13.45–$37.85).

You might also like:
Piedmont’s top dishes and where to try them
Alps, art and aperitivo: 10 reasons to visit Piedmont
How to drink coffee like a true Italian

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