Dom's Top Tips Worldwide

Budapest

Food – A Presto – Okay, I know this is Hungary and yes this is a pizza place but what a pizza place it is! These super tasty, quick and cheap pizzas are a must if you’re on a budget or not! Also serving pasta dishes, A Presto is eat in (limited seats) and takeaway. For the price, it is always my go-to whenever I’m hungry and want something quick in Buda! - £

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Drink – Szimpla Kert – One of many ‘Ruin Bars’ in the city, Szimpla Kert is an old converted factory. It hosts many live and varied music nights and is a hub for locals and travellers alike. They have no exclusive contracts with any suppliers so you have the option of over 400+ drinks and with a number of bars to order from, you never have to wait long. A great place to start a night or spend the whole night! - £

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Activity – As well as exploring a new city at your own leisure; I would always recommend doing some sort of tour if time allows for it. Many cities offer free walking tours or open top bus tours. However, for Budapest, I would look no further than the Segway Tours! With many to choose from, if it’s within the budget, it’s a superb way to see the many cobbled streets and sights that this amazing city has to offer! - ££

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Photo by on @kopakonan_ Instagram

Kuala Lumpur

Food – Petaling Street – Okay, this suggestion may not be one specific restaurant or stall but Petaling Street is a vibrant are in the Chinatown district. You will find a wide array of different cuisines, down each and every alleyway. I suggest, go with your sense of smell! The aroma in the air is to die for so you’ll be sure to pick out a gem! My favourite is Madras Lane though! - £

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Drink – Heli Lounge Bar – There are some nice bars in KL but in terms of a view… You’re not going to get much better than from the Heli Lounge Bar. If you’re backpacking then you may only want to go for one or two as it is slightly more expensive but worth it to get the shot for the gram! - ££

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Activity – Batu Caves - I’ve spent many an hour walking around KL and it’s great to take in the smells and sights that this city has to offer. However, my activity suggestion would be to head out of the city towards the ‘Batu Caves’. They are home to a Hindu temple set back into some ginormous limestone caves! Make sure you have suitable footwear, as it’s not an easy climb to the top, and make sure you help them out! (you’ll understand what I mean when you get there if there is still building in the process) - £

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Photo by @acoupleoftravelagents on Instagram

Melbourne

Food – St Ali - Now I could make a never-ending list of places to eat in Melbourne, but that isn’t the point of this. Melbourne is home to (dare I say it) some of the best brunches you’ll ever have, so my top pick; St Ali. Located in South Melbourne, it serves up some superb coffee and inventive brunches all housed in a trendy, renovated warehouse. Serving up brunches with a twist, not just your standard smashed Avo on toast, is why it’s my fave! - ££-££

Drink – The Arbory Bar and Eatery - Once again, like food, Melbourne is far from short on places to sip on your favourite drinks! For argument's sake, I’m going to stick to the CBD, so my top pick is ‘Arbory bar and eatery’, and I don’t think you could get more central!  An outdoor bar situated alongside the Yarra River and conveniently located right next to Flinders St Station. They serve great cocktails (including espresso martinis on tap!) and a wide selection of craft beers and wines. As a bonus in the summer, they branch out onto the river with their pop up bar ‘Arbory Afloat’. Same great drinks with even better views! - ££-£££

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Activity - Melbourne has a something for everyone, however, the first thing I say to people when they first visit Melbourne is to just explore it! It's been voted the best city in the world numerous times for a reason! Start at the Victoria Market (north of the CBD) and make your way through the city, diving in and out of various graffiti-ridden laneways between the bustle of the main streets (Make sure you check out Hosier Lane, ACDC Lane). Still heading south, you’ll reach Flinders St Station and Federation Square, plus the very picturesque South Bank. If you still have energy in you, continue across the bridge and explore the Botanical Gardens as well as The Shrine of Remembrance. - FREE 

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Photo - My Own

New York

Food – Red Rooster – If you’re from Australia then no, not the fast food Red Rooster! You’ll find them in the heart of Harlem, serving up traditional American cuisine mixed with the culinary traditions of the local neighborhood. They serve a number of dishes but my suggestion definitely go for the ‘Yep, chicken and waffles’! - ££-£££

Drink – Refinery Rooftop – Of course when you’re going out for some drinks the quality of the drink is important but like many of my other tops picks; in my opinion, it’s also about the atmosphere and location. The Refinery has all three! With great knowledge from the bar staff who make cocktails to order, even those not on the menu. The setting is like something out of a movie, with spectacular views of the iconic Empire State Building and to top it off the atmosphere was buzzy but also quite a relaxed vibe (bearing in mind I visited on a Sunday evening!). ££-£££

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Activity – Bike The Big Apple – Now unlike me, I would suggest you don’t do this tour hung-over. However, it’s an awesome tour hung-over or not! Bike The Big Apple run plenty of tours throughout the week but we were lucky enough to get on the ‘Delights of Brooklyn’ on a Saturday. Starting and ending in the Lower East Side You make your way over the Williamsburg bridge and head back over the Brooklyn Bridge. It is the perfect tour and very reasonably priced for what’s included. Our guide was great, very knowledgeable and ensured we were getting the most out of the experience. Check their website out for more details on all the tours they run. - ££

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Photo - My Own

San Francisco

Food – Sushi Ran – One for the Sushi lovers! Although a little bit on the expensive side, Sushi Ran is ideal if you’re looking for a guaranteed great meal, with good atmosphere and service. By far some of the best sushi I have ever had! Actually located across the bay from San Fran, in the picturesque Sausalito, it’s a great way to spend an evening. Just don’t miss the ferry back to the city! ££-£££

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Drink – Smugglers Cove - Being such a vibrant city, San Fran isn’t short of great bars to choose from. Smugglers Cove is one of the original Tiki bars and now hosting an incredible collection of over 550 rums! Don’t miss this spot on your visit! - ££

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Activity – Alcatraz - Only accessible by boat, Alcatraz sits in the heart of the San Francisco Bay. The prison, now derelict, is open for day and night tours heading off every 30 minutes from 9:00am. Be sure to book during peak seasons as it can get very busy! - ££

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Photo - My Own

Sydney

Food – Bar Luca – We came across Bar Luca one night when we wanted a quick and tasty meal at a reasonable price, and this place certainly did the trick! The burgers were big, extremely delicious and there was plenty of option to choose from! Along with some mouth-watering sides and a good selection of drinks, it’s hard to fault the place! Definitely worth a try if you're in the city centre! - £-££

Drink – The Baxter Inn – If you love whiskey like me then you’ll be in ore with the backlit wall of whiskey only accessible by the scrolling ladder. Serving a wide array of whiskeys but also the classic cocktails, this is perfect for a more sophisticated drink with the other half or a group of mates. ££

Activity – Bondi to Coogee – Although in my opinion second in line to Melbourne, Sydney does have one thing going for it above and beyond that of its Victorian counterpart, and that is its beaches! Bondi is obviously a tourist favorite, but my suggestions would be to head south and do the Bondi to Coogee walk. Passing through some stunning swimming and bathing spots, it’s a must! - FREE

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Photo by @the.lostboy on Instagram