YOUR GUIDE TO LOCALLY INSPIRED TRAVEL

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.

Wellington’s craft beer scene sits mostly in and around Te Aro and Aro Valley, where old garages, warehouses, and corner buildings have been turned into small breweries with outsized reputations. Most places offer tasting paddles, limited releases, brewery-only fills and staff who’ll happily explain the decisions behind each flavour profile. It’s a compact, lively, and slightly obsessive ecosystem.

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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.

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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  

Experience the most interesting places to visit in Saudi Arabia for culture, art, historic landmarks and food.

Your first destination should be Habala Village, or the hanging village. Fun fact: It was once accessible only by rope ladders, hence its name Habala, meaning 'rope' in Arabic. Now it’s accessible either by a scenic hike – for those up for some exercise – or by cable car, open to both visitors and locals. The cable car ride is a highlight that offers sweeping views of the mountains and valleys below. Habala is famous for its postcard views – it clings to the cliffs like a drawing from an Arabic folktale. Come summer, the town bursts into colour as purple jacaranda trees bloom, draping the streets in nature’s own festival. Local tip: Go early in the morning for ethereal photos as the fog lifts from the valley below. Back in Abha’s old quarter lies Al Muftaha Art Village, a living gallery of architecture and history. Once a humble cluster of mud-brick homes, it's been transformed into a vibrant cultural haven that celebrates Aseer’s heritage. Every wall bursts with bold hues and intricate Aseeri geometric motifs, hand-painted in the traditional style once passed down through generations. These patterns aren’t just decoration – they’re living stories of family, faith, and identity, woven into the fabric of the village. From cafés to open seating areas, visitors can pause here to enjoy the tranquil view of the Soudah Mountains. If it's not closed for renovations, make your way to the more traditional Souq Al-Thulatha (the Tuesday Market). Despite the name, it usually opens all week. Be ready to connect with locals as you shop. Traders are storytellers, and conversation is part of the experience. The market itself is like an open-air museum of everyday life in Abha, with stalls stacked with spices, silver jewellery, tribal daggers, and fragrant coffee beans native to the region. You’ll also find more beautifully woven baskets – what the world calls “boho decor” is simply part of everyday life and heritage here. If you’re craving something more trendy and modern, Art Street is the perfect blend of old and new. Lined with outdoor exhibits and chic cafés, it’s where Abha’s locals and younger crowds come to relax, go for a stroll, or simply sip coffee. There are around 10 art galleries here and a theatre that hosts shows and events.

Few French myths capture the imagination quite like the Beast of Gévaudan. The mysterious creature is said to have stalked the Margeride mountains in the 1760s, devouring more than 100 people. Some describe it as a wolf, others as something closer to a monster. Whatever its nature, the Beast has become a chilling symbol of how storytelling shapes remote landscapes. As you explore Lozère’s forests and high plateaux, listen out for rustles in the undergrowth. Keen to learn more? Visit the modest but engaging Musée de la Bête du Gévaudan in Saugues. From Clermont-Ferrand it's around 2 hours 15 minutes by car, or take a TER train to Langeac then a local bus.

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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.