For a fun virtual session, Taiwan Tourism hosted a casual at-home cooking event to Bring a Taste of Taiwan Home. The cooking instructor was from Cookinn Taiwan which is a Tripadvisor award-winning cooking school in Taiwan offering hands-on Taiwanese cooking classes, local market tours and ​customized cooking events for groups. The session included learning to prepare scallion pancakes and bubble tea at home ready just in time for dinner. 

Frey Ranch Distillery introduced its flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey to Los Angeles and the greater Southern California area this spring. The Nevada-based farm and distillery’s signature whiskey has received critical acclaim since it was first released in December of 2019, earning 90 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is available at retailers including Wally’s Wine & Spirits, La Vista Liquor, Mission Trails Wine & Spirits, amongst others in the region. It is also available online for nationwide shipping. 

Are we talking about the holidays already? Yes we are! And you heard it here first...Direct from its sold-out run in London, Lightscape will head to the West Coast to transform the 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden from November 12, 2021 through January 16, 2022. The enchanting, after-dark, illuminated trail will span one mile and feature spectacular sights with eye-catching artistic installations that come alive at night with color, imagination and sound. Be treated to a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience at the garden.

The Spring Issue of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - explore locations in Carson Valley, Central Nebraska and southern Italy. Learn more about our recommendations for fun experiences, wellness apps, culinary treats, heathy snacking options and more. This time we have a surprise video thrown in and a global hits playlist too so remember to turn that volume up! Enjoy reading and let us know what you'd like us to cover in future editions...As always, remember to subscribe here to get the next edition straight to your inbox so you can read the magazine comfortably, at your own leisure, any where, any time, on any device. Stay well, stay safe and stay inspired!

The Inspiration Issue of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - explore locations in Madison, San Francisco and Tequila. Learn more about our recommendations for virtual and safe experiences, wellness apps, libations and culinary treats, heathy snacking options and more. This time we have a surprise video thrown in too so remember to turn that volume up! Enjoy reading and let us know what you'd like us to cover in future editions...As always, remember to subscribe here to get the next edition straight to your inbox so you can read the magazine comfortably, at your own leisure, any where, any time, on any device. Stay well, stay safe and stay inspired!

​​The new year wouldn’t be the same without San Luis Obispo Restaurant Month this January, and that means a month filled with delicious meals at an incredible price – even if you can’t dine in. Whatever your palette, circumstance, or family size, SLO Restaurant Month is here to provide. Here are a few options of where to done and businesses to support during this month!

The season for celebration is here so these are four spots around the city where you can plan to dine in from to get festive in a safe manner at home with family and/or friends. Let us know in the comments if you opt for any of these fantastic offerings!

The Holiday Issue of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - explore locations in Amsterdam, Roanoke and Seattle. Learn more about hotel redesigns, restaurant alerts, handy apps and some of our top picks for travel products and services. Check out our holiday food and libations recommendations and safe ways to travel with family and furry friends. Read about heathy snacking options, enjoying time at home and more. Enjoy! As always,remember to subscribe here to get the next edition straight to your inbox.

Antaeus Theatre Company has created a virtual, interactive touring experience of six Los Angeles neighborhoods as an adjunct to the company’s recently released podcast series of original audio plays entitled The Zip Code Plays: Los Angeles. The tours highlight landmarks and small businesses in each zip code that can be explored either virtually or, once it becomes safe to do so, in person. A different member of the Antaeus Theatre Company acts as your guide for each virtual adventure, offering historical, architectural and anecdotal commentary for the sites. 

Holiday celebrations are looking a tad bit different this year, but venues are doing their best to spread the cheer with festive markets, elaborate displays and many options for a fun drive-thru experience with friends and family. Here’s a list of holiday lights drive-thrus you can head to in and around the larger Los Angeles County area for a dose of sparkles, laughter and taking in outdoor experiences from the warmth of your personal vehicle. 

With tens of millions of Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving next week despite spiking COVID-19 infection numbers nationwide, the U.S. Travel Association released an update to its guidance for healthy and safe travel—along with a plea for everyone to closely heed recommended best practices if traveling.  This comes in light of the relatively new challenge of “pandemic fatigue”—which is reportedly causing many Americans to lower their guard against the coronavirus because they are tired after eight long months of evolving restrictions and lifestyle adjustments.

Lavender and Truffles, a non-dairy frozen dessert ice cream brand made with five simple ingredients now has a pop-up parlor in Venice that will remain open throughout the holidays and until the end of the year. Plant-based products are leaping from supermarket shelves thanks to the rise of healthy and transparent diets with millennials at the forefront of the better eating movement. Lavender and Truffles is certified dairy-free and made with organic oat milk. 

The Winter Issue of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - explore locations in South Carolina, Idaho and Mexico. Learn more about socially distanced trips, campervan van travel, and some of our top picks for travel products and services. Check out our comfort food recommendations and safe ways to travel with family and furry friends. Read about newly opened properties, wineries and ideas for your chocolate snacking fix. And as always - try our reading suggestions, recipes for libations and some fun gifting ideas. Enjoy! 

Hawthorne, California-based Common Space Brewery has a partnership with DoLA, a hyperlocal event discovery platform and community, to help fight hunger in Los Angeles with beer. The mutual goal is simple; raise funds as fast as possible in order to help feed those in need. To inspire giving and highlight how a small donation can have a big impact, Common Space brewed 25=100, based on the amazing fact that $25 can provide 100 meals to feed the hungry. 25=100 is a delicious Double IPA using the freshest designer hops and
clocking in at 9.0%ABV.
 
The Catch: this beer will not be released until a donation goal of $1,250 is raised from the community. 

Dana Point Harbor is spreading seasonal cheer with the annual holiday light display set to illuminate the Harbor beginning November 11. Each night throughout the holiday season, the Harbor’s magnificent light display will illuminate the evening sky. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor will include Candy Cane Lane, and the popular  “Merry Kiss Me” arch. New this year are added light displays to the island to encourage visitors to explore all areas of the Harbor and avoid large crowds.

The pandemic has caused hotel occupancy rates to plummet and forced countless changes with regard to travel. But some small boutique hotels and bed and breakfast inns in California have found a silver lining with hotel reservations: a rise in direct bookings. Instead of booking a hotel room with a few clicks with an online travel agency (OTA) website like Booking.com or Expedia, more travelers seem to be contacting hotels directly to book their rooms. The California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns (CABBI) has compiled a list of top five reasons to consider booking your next reservation directly with a boutique hotel or B&B.

The Outdoor Edition of Traveler and Tourist magazine is here - explore locations in North Carolina, Las Vegas and Dubai. Learn more about RV trips, sustainable and responsible travel, and some of our top picks for travel products and services. Check out our wellness apps recommendations and safe ways to recreate outdoors this summer. Read about touchless travel, autonomous vehicles and newly reopened properties. And as always - try our reading suggestions, recipes for libations and some fun summer salad ideas. Enjoy! Subscribe for future issues to head straight to your inbox. Don't miss out on ideas galore for where to travel next and what to do there. Ready to subscribe? Click here

The Tribeca Film Festival is heading to Southern California to launch the "Tribeca Drive-In" at the famed Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA beginning July 2, which will feature an exciting slate of over 30 iconic films shown throughout the summer. This limited-engagement drive-in series provides a safe, comfortable entertainment experience that captivates audiences of all ages. Tickets for opening night are completely free and can be reserved here.

The summer edition of the magazine is here! Peruse some of our favorite destinations and travel-related recommendation. Subscribe for future issues to head straight to your inbox. Don't miss out on ideas galore for where to travel next and what to do there. Ready to subscribe? Click here

Another takeout win, and this time from a new spot in town. Kazan opened its doors late 2019 helmed by chef and owner Ryu Isobe, the brainchild of Tatsu Ramen restaurant on Melrose Avenue and Sawtelle Blvd, who moved on from Tatsu, and is now doing his own signature style. The focus is on homemade Japanese style soba noodles and everything is homemade fresh daily. 

Costa Mesa‘s community of large and small businesses are trying to make a difference to their fellow residents. Together, they have donated thousands of pounds of food, helped feed families that have been laid off or furloughed during this health crisis and are raising funds to support and give back to frontline workers in healthcare and law enforcement while getting through the COVID-19 crisis together. With many businesses having to shutter during this time, others are doing whatever they can to stay in business, raise funds and help each other. Following are a few Costa Mesa stories of businesses giving back, and locals helping locals. 

Since we are mostly confined indoors and can only opt for takeout or have food delivered, here’s a great deal from Ono Hawaiian BBQ if you feel like some tropical vibes are needed. Find a location near you and order ahead for pick up or drive over to find what you’d like. They have some great BOBO (buy one get one free) offers going on at the moment. I tried out a few different chicken and rice plates. Each portion comes with a hefty serving of sticky white rice and Asian salad – certainly enough for one hungry diner. 

​The chicken versions vary based on plates, so you have options such as the BBQ chicken, chicken katsu, grilled chicken breast or teriyaki chicken. each of them cooked to perfection and well paired with the salad and rice. They have a few other fish and beef options available as well, and plenty of sauce options to take the meal up a notch. I also went for some musubi appetizer which is not pictured here (it was that good I gobbled it up) – again a great portion size as each order comes with two handy pieces - of meat, teriyaki sauce and solid block of steamed white rice all happily wrapped in seaweed. 

​And to complete the experience, Hawaiian Sun drinks, which I loved by the way for their light fruity flavors unlike soda. I chose the two flavors below so need to try more flavors the next time around. Glad to have a location just a few minutes from me and hope to head back soon, maybe on another rainy day when a hot meal is on my mind. Next time, I am heading for the beef and fish. If you’ve eaten here, let me know your recommendations. Now is a great time to show support for local businesses that have had to recalibrate to new modes of operations but are still staying open to cater to our needs! 

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Gus’s Barbecue, Los Angeles’s most historical barbecue restaurant, is celebrating the official Grand Opening of their third new location at The Vineyards in Porter Ranch with Giveaways, Games, Live Entertainment, and much more, on Saturday, February 8th, 2020 from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm! ​​Inspired by the many regions of the South, Gus’s Barbecue has been serving real pit BBQ and true Southern hospitality since 1946 in its original South Pasadena location.

Read the new edition of the magazine here and subscribe for future issues to head straight to your inbox! Don't miss out on ideas galore for where to travel next and what to do there. Ready to subscribe? Click here