YOUR GUIDE TO LOCALLY INSPIRED TRAVEL

Where: Central Da Nang. Most market visits centre on Han Market, Con Market, or neighbourhood markets in My An and Hai Chau. Best for: Solo travellers, couples, and food-led city breaks. Typical cost: Small-group cooking classes in Da Nang usually start from around VND 600,000 to VND 1,000,000 (roughly USD 24–40) per person, depending on length and inclusions. Time needed: Around three to five hours for a market visit, cooking session and shared meal. Why do it: You'll learn local ingredients, kitchen techniques, and how Da Nang's food differs from other regions in Vietnam.

Deira and Al Fahidi: Heritage cafés and spice souk bites. Iranian, Emirati, and Afghan cooking in Dubai's oldest food district. Al Karama: South Asian and Southeast Asian home cooking. Keralan seafood, Indonesian street food, and Ethiopian platters, all within walking distance. Al Satwa: Late-night grills and shawarma counters. Pakistani, Lebanese, and street food that peaks after midnight. Jumeirah: Harbour seafood and chef-led dining. Fresh-catch shacks, Japanese omakase, and Balkan grills along the coast. Downtown and DIFC: Tasting menus and modern Middle Eastern. Japanese robata, Palestinian flatbreads, and reservation-led restaurants. Dubai Marina and JBR: Waterfront casual and late-night bites. Filipino home-style cooking and Lebanese street food on the promenade.

First time in Wellington? Try Garage Project Cellar Door. Tucked into a quiet hillside street with cafés and old villas at Aro Valley, it gives you a quintessential ‘Wellington brewery’ experience. Short on time? Panhead Tory Street. Right in the thick of Wellington's bar strip at Te Aro. Want beer near the beach? Head to Parrotdog. 17 taps and taproom-only pours at Lyall Bay. Got half a day to spare? Tuatara Brewery or Duncan's Brewing. At Paraparaumu on the Kāpiti Coast - classic NZ craft and cult sours. Prefer technique over hops? North End Brewing. European-style, farmhouse ales of the Kāpiti Coast. Want to hit multiple breweries in one stop? Brewtown, Upper Hutt. Panhead and Tuatara Tap Room side by side in a former tyre factory.

Discover the best ice cream spots in Dubai. Enjoy unique flavours, the creamiest textures, and delicious desserts.

Jakarta can feel difficult to navigate at first. The city is large, traffic is heavy, and the experience changes significantly from one neighbourhood to the next. Food helps make that scale more manageable. Instead of trying to cover the city all at once, a food tour gives you a clearer structure. You move through one district at a time, stop at places that reflect local habits rather than only tourist priorities, and build a stronger sense of how the city actually functions day to day. This also makes Jakarta more accessible for different travel styles. Some visitors want classic street food and night-time energy. Others prefer a slower route with cafés, heritage streets or a mix of food and sightseeing. Jakarta supports all of those approaches, but the right area matters.

Paris is unrivalled when it comes to fine dining, but the real joy of the capital's cuisine is found in its neighbourhood bistros. These are the small, bustling rooms where locals drop in after work, the air buzzes with conversation and the cooking is honest, seasonal and full of flavour. If you want to eat like a Parisian rather than a visitor, the secret is to look beyond the white tablecloths and Michelin stars. From cosy corners in Le Marais to bustling bouillons in the 9th arrondissement, these are the best bistros in Paris to experience true dining culture: relaxed, sociable and deliciously unpretentious. 

The Normandy Cider Route is a 40 km trail through the heart of France's cider-producing countryside. East of Caen, in northwest France, it winds through the picturesque Pays d’Auge: a quintessential landscape of rolling hills, dotted with half-timbered houses, châteaux and manor houses. The signposted route links nearly 20 cider farms and distilleries, identified by the “Cru de Cambremer” sign. This mark guarantees the origin and quality of the cider under the AOP (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) Pays d’Auge designation, which ensures that products are made according to the traditional methods of this specific region. Much like a wine route, producers welcome visitors to learn about production, taste different styles and understand the role of terroir. Many cider producers are small, family-run operations, which feel more like visiting a local farm than entering a formal tasting room.

The preferred drink in Brittany is not wine, but cider. Whichever delicious dish you decide to sample, accompany it with sparkling Breton cider from the region’s bountiful apple orchards and traditionally served in a ceramic bowl known as a bolée. If you’re travelling with kids and looking for an unusual non-alcoholic Breton drink, Breizh Cola is the preferred tipple. Launched in 2002 with a hint of salted caramel to its taste, it’s a local artisan success story; you'll find it served in most Brittany hotels.

Enjoy brunch with a view in Sydney. Discover some of the city's best brunch menus set against a backdrop of Sydney's stunning views.

Fine dining in Auckland’s restaurant scene now rivals any in the Southern Hemisphere for its exceptional produce, creative ambition, and expert polish.

The best mandi restaurants in Muscat blend Yemeni origins with Omani flair: aromatic basmati rice, tender meats, and a true taste of local hospitality.

Searching for unique Kyoto matcha experiences? From traditional tea ceremonies to plantation visits and matcha workshops, this guide's got you covered.

These are the best breweries in Perth, from Northbridge Brewing Co to Blasta, Matilda Bay to Gage Roads. Essential tips for great craft beer in Perth.

Your guide to Bankstown restaurants, from Pho An and Al Aseel to La Piazza at Bankstown Sports Club. Family friendly, budget picks, and vegetarian options.

Your guide to Bankstown restaurants, from Pho An and Al Aseel to La Piazza at Bankstown Sports Club. Family friendly, budget picks, and vegetarian options.

What the neighbourhood is known for: Family-run businesses, industrial charm, and hidden bars What to see: Narrow printing alleys and traditional metal workshops still operating What to eat: Late-night Korean dishes, Pyeongyang-style noodles, and grilled intestines Fun fact: Known locally as “Hipjiro” for its after‑hours food and bar culture

Location: Central Vietnam, between Hue and Hoi An. Best for: Couples and solo travellers who like beaches, food, and walkable neighbourhoods. For sunrise swims and casual seafood: head to My Khe and An Thuong. For markets, local food, and nightlife: visit Hai Chau. For nature, sea views, and a half-day trip: try Son Tra Peninsula or Ba Na Hills. For a quieter beach, temples, and caves: visit Non Nuoc and Marble Mountains.

Looking for unique things to do in Hanoi? Discover local experiences beyond the Old Quarter, from hidden food spots to train cafés and night tours.

Celebrating Bastille Day is an important date on the French calendar. Stay at Mercure hotels across the country to join in the festivities.

Cocktail bars, 4am dance floors, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Your guide to the best bars, restaurants, and late nights on Courtenay Place in Wellington.

On the hunt for Bali hidden gems? From waterfalls and rice terraces to secluded beaches, here’s your guide to the authentic Island of the Gods.

This 2 week Japan itinerary takes you to unmissable highlights from Tokyo to Osaka with clear daily structure, transport advice, and easy day trips.

Discover the best beaches in Jakarta, from Ancol and PIK 2 to Pulau Seribu, with tips on what to do and when to go.

Looking for the best Bali day trips? Discover Ubud, Uluwatu, and Nusa Penida, with ideas for exploring from Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and beyond.

Looking for hidden gems in France? Here are 4 secret places to visit, from historic city to beautiful coastline; little-known castle to theme park.

See how your journey flows across Java and Bali in two weeks.

Discover the best day trips in France, from medieval towns to wine regions and artisan villages, with tips, transport advice and curated highlights.

Explore Kota Tua Jakarta with our practical guide to museums, historic sites, restaurants, and walking routes around Fatahillah Square, Old Town, and more.

Looking for things to do in Sanur, Bali? From local festivals to night markets and beach yoga, you'll love exploring this less-touristy beach town.

Eat & Stroll is a culinary bike tour in Jakarta. One of the hidden gems of the tour is a quaint coffee shop located in the Batavia Pantai Indah Kapuk area called Rumah Kopi Papowi. In addition to offering coffee, the place also serves Chinese & Indonesian comfort foods, including the owner’s personal favorites.  Embark on a bike tour and become enthralled in this gastronomic love affair, where you will experience a mouth-watering food adventure to uncover the culinary secrets of Pantai Indah Kapuk such as the famous recipe of the nasi goreng - a traditional fried rice dish - and its surroundings. You will meet the 3 generations of owners, Akong, Papa and Owi, the little boy who likes to help his father and his grandfather by making the drinks or finishing the doughnuts stock. Recommended by Mercure Jakarta Pantai Indah Kapuk​. Rumah Kopi Papowi Coffee  From 15 Rp to 65 Rp Rukan Beach View Blok A No. 25. Golf Island, Jl. Pantai Indah Kapuk, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 14470, Indonesia 3,2 km from the hotel Book directly on their website  

Feel the power of a warrior welcome at the Fiji Culture Village, taste local food, and support communities on the best Fijian cultural experiences in Nadi.

From handicrafts to carpets, spices and all the gold, tradition meets shopping in Riyadh's markets. Here are seven of the best souqs in the Saudi capital.

Discover how the real-world sustainable actions at Mercure Katowice Centrum include stunning architecture, creative upcycling and close community ties.

Find out how Mercure Marseille Canebière is minimising food waste through redirecting surplus food, buying local and composting organic waste.

Culture and nature in Koh Samui have always been deeply connected. A must-visit destination is Bophut Fisherman’s Village, renowned as the most beautiful village on the island. It still preserves its old wooden houses in their original structure, offering a glimpse into the island’s rich heritage. Every weekend, the area transforms into a bustling night market, where you can shop for unique gifts, enjoy fresh seafood from Samui’s shores, or simply soak up the lively atmosphere with live music and performances. Nearby, numerous restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood available. During your visit, you’ll have the chance to meet Mr. Arwae Lermae, an 80-year-old native of Koh Samui who has spent his life following the traditional ways of fishing. Unlike modern commercial fishing, which he believes has a significant negative impact, he relies on time-honored techniques and shares his knowledge to support local fishing communities. To complete your experience, savor a tasting at Khao Hom restaurant, which offers an authentic “from sea to table” menu, ensuring a true taste of Koh Samui’s coastal heritage. Recommended by Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana. To be determined by the fisherman, tip would be welcome Bophut Beach Road, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 8km from the hotel Organise this encounter with hotel front desk when staying  

After a year of looking for ways to improve his business, in 2017 Martial Machaudon decided to transform the family wheat farm into an artisan dry pasta factory, aiming to rediscover the natural flavors of cereals in his products. Through his 17 hectares of sustainable agriculture, Martial wants to work with respect for the environment. Clay-limestone soils and his expertise enable him to grow durum wheat and give his dry pasta a unique, flavorful taste.  In this experience, you will embark on a tour of his fields, during which Martial will explain the harvesting process and share his knowledge about transforming wheat into semolina. Then, you'll have the opportunity to participate in the workshop to cook your own pasta. After the workshop, a lunch will be organized at the farm where you can enjoy the pasta you've prepared. You can’t get more “farm-to-table" than that. Recommended by Mercure Paris Boulogne. L'Atelier M' Pâtes Price upon booking request 14 Rue de Voisins, 91690 Saint-Cyr-la-Rivière 68 km from the hotel Contact: 06 72 07 05 13 or geralmar@wanadoo.fr  

Les Jardins de Pauline 85, located in Coëx, Vendée, is a human-scale agricultural endeavor dedicated to the cultivation of organic edible flowers and fresh herbs. Since its creation, the garden has gained recognition that extends beyond the borders of Vendée. Pauline and Nathalie work together to provide edible flowers to chefs and individuals all around the country.   Pauline and Nathalie will introduce you to the flavors of aromatic plants and edible flowers. Immerse your senses in the heart of some 40 carefully cultivated varieties of edible flowers and take this opportunity to discover these delicious blooms more specifically. Pauline 85's garden offers a range of activities, including visits, conferences, workshops, and other events to help you discover the world of fresh edible flowers, their unique flavors, and their fragrances. You'll be enchanted by this garden, labeled "Bienvenue à la Ferme”. This label recognizes the high quality of the products and the warm welcome of the guests while highlighting an agriculture respectful of the environment. Recommended by Mercure La Roche sur Yon. Edible Flower Garden Visit and Workshop with Pauline and Nathalie Price upon booking request La Bernardière, 85220 Coëx 31 km from the hotel Book directly on their website.