Authentic Living – Local Voices from Your Favorite Travel Destinations

  • Authentic Living: Vancouver, Canada

    Authentic Living: Vancouver, Canada

    I had never had First Nations cuisine before, so when I heard about Salmon n' Bannock Bistro—a Vancouver restaurant known for its modern take on traditional Indigenous recipes—I knew I had to give it a try. Inez Cook, the restaurant’s gregarious co-owner, charmed me throughout dinner with stories of life in the middle east and thoughts on what it meant to bring Indigenous food to new audiences. Here are her words about Vancouver, Native culture, and the delicious food she serves.
  • Authentic Living: San Daniele del Friuli

    Authentic Living: San Daniele del Friuli

    Arianna is the kind of person you dream of meeting while traveling; friendly, helpful, and patient. Our paths crossed on a recent trip through the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Always on the lookout for new experiences, I thought it’d be fun to see how the world-famous Prosciutto di San Daniele is produced. So, I arranged a behind-the-scenes tour of the Arbea Prosciutto factory, located just outside the town of San Daniele del Friuli, where Arianna served as my host. After my tour, we spoke over an espresso in the center of town.
  • Authentic Living: Rome, Italy

    Authentic Living: Rome, Italy

    Coming from a long line of Romans, Luca is the perfect person to speak with when looking for advice on the Eternal City. I caught up with him over Skype recently.
  • Authentic Living: Antwerp, Belgium

    Authentic Living: Antwerp, Belgium

    Kora Lee is the perfect embodiment of Antwerp; international, sophisticated, and hip. I recently chatted with her about life in the city she calls home.
  • Authentic Living: Dublin, Ireland

    Authentic Living: Dublin, Ireland

    Being friendly, funny, and sarcastic, Tim is a quintessential Dubliner. He also happens to be an old pal. I recently caught up with him in Dublin over a pint of Guinness.
  • Authentic Living: Skopje, Macedonia

    Authentic Living: Skopje, Macedonia

    This past August I fulfilled an old promise and finally visited my good friend Niko, who lives in Skopje— Macedonia’s capital city. It is unlike anyplace I have ever been before, with a vibe that mixes the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, Near Eastern, and Balkan regions with a hint of Disneyland. But what is life like for locals? I asked Niko to find out.
  • Authentic Living: Reykjavik, Iceland

    Authentic Living: Reykjavik, Iceland

    On a recent trip to Reykjavik I stumbled upon a rather unexpected sight; a local jazz festival at Harpa, the city’s concert hall. On stage was a Anna Sóley, a young Icelandic musician with a voice so powerful that I had to meet her. After her set, we spoke about life, music, and Iceland's future.