Melbourne is different than a lot of cities around the world – obviously it’s Australian - but also, it is unique even for Australia.

Melbourne is a city of variation, one where a visitor can find pockets of almost pure nationalities from around the world. In Carlton, just to the North-east of the city block, Italy rules and as one travels beyond the CBD (Central Business District) there are Asian areas, Greek, Turkish and many more. Something like 130 nationalities are represented here.

One of my favourite things about travelling is discovering new places – especially awesome pubs. I recently made a trip to Canberra, Australia’s capital, for a writer’s conference and found a pub with some of the best food I have ever tasted.

When server Adrian greeted my husband and me just as we walked into The Durham, we knew we had found a good place to settle down for a meal and a drink. The soft lighting and modern but comfy surroundings helped me settle in and relax after a long, hard day.

One of the beauties of Melbourne and its suburbs is the fact you can find some of the best places by just having a bit of a wander. My husband and I had the luck to find a fun gem while wandering around not far outside Melbourne.

When you walk into the cozy Hopscotch café, the first thing you are likely to notice is the huge specials board… written completely backwards. Well, not completely, as the only words written straight instruct patrons to turn around and look at the mirrors lining the opposite wall so they can read the board.

While it would be an exaggeration to say that the Dutch do not have a national cuisine, it is absolutely true that the Dutch have nowhere near the cooking skills of their Belgian neighbors. That being said, Dutch pea soup is an absolute delight and pancakes can be a true delight (a tip though: only order a pancake with bacon IN it if you have an iron stomach...if not, try the natural one with butter and powdered sugar).

Sometimes, you don't feel like eating a food as simple as a hot dog. You might crave something a little more exotic - but still budget friendly. Never fear - you're in New York City. The city is home to more cultures than you can find anywhere else in the United States, all in one small area.