Globetrotting in the West

Photo by Jen Siska; written by Jessica Mordo

Asia comes alive stateside

From vibrant Chinatowns to Indian spice markets to Japanese teahouses, you can skip the long flight and jet-set through Asia in practically every corner of the West.

More: Favorite places to experience Asia in the West

Photo courtesy of Shangri-La Hotel; written by Jessica Mordo

Globetrotting at Vancouver restaurants

Global fare takes center stage in this cosmopolitan Canadian city. From legendary Asian cuisine to sensational European dining, you can taste your way around the world without leaving town.

More: 8 places to get a taste of the globe in Vancouver

Photo by David Fenton; written by Jessica Mordo

An overseas vacation in New Mexico

Do your vacation fantasies involve dancing a sultry tango, going on an Italian designer shopping spree, or soaking in a soothing Japanese bathhouse? You don’t need to rack up stamps on your passport to do any of those things—experience a worldly getaway in the heart of Santa Fe instead.

More: Discover Japan in Santa Fe and more of the city’s global style

Photo by Joe Menth; written by Jessica Mordo

International sips in a wine region near you

You don’t need to journey to Argentina to taste some of the world’s best Malbecs, nor to Spain to delight in amazing Tempranillos. Western wine regions, from Washington’s Walla Walla to Idaho’s Snake River Valley, are producing top-notch global grapes that are yours for the tasting.

More: 5 best wine regions to suit global tastes

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Jessica Mordo

Savoring the mother country

What’s your proverbial madeleine—the food that takes you back to your childhood with just one bite? For many of our readers, it’s an Old Word dish their moms always made and they now lovingly recreate. Try out these recipes and journey to Finland, India, Portugal, and Mexico by way of the Western kitchen.

More: 4 Old World family dishes remade

Photo by Annabelle Breakey; written by Jessica Mordo

Mangia buono in the comfort of your home

Sure, you can get a great taste of Italy at authentic eateries throughout the West. Know what’s even better? Mastering the classics yourself with our modern, oh-so-Western takes on traditional Italian recipes.

More: 6 Italian favorites made Western

Photo by James Carrier; written by Jessica Mordo

Head south of the border, via your kitchen

Mexican cuisine has become integrally woven into the fabric of Western cooking: observe the California burrito, Southwestern chili, and more. It’s such a part of the way we eat that classic dishes, from shrimp tacos to homemade salsas, regularly appear in our weeknight menus at home. Cook up your old favorites—and discover some new ones—with our ultimate Mexican recipe collection.

More: Favorite Mexican recipes

Photo by James Carrier; written by Jessica Mordo

Bistro fare without the airfare

Francophiles rejoice: you don’t need to journey to Paris, nor splurge on a fancy local bistro, to experience the pleasures of the French palate. Learn to prepare sole meunière, blanquette de veau, seared foie gras, apple galette, and more classics—updated with Western twists, biên sur.

More: 13 French recipes to master

Written by Johanna Silver and Jessica Mordo

Grow global

With many immigrants living—and growing food—in the West, unexpected vegetables are being sold at farmers’ markets. Many you can even grow in your own edible garden! Goodbye, peas and carrots. Hello, chilacayote and more unusual edibles from Latin America and Asia.

More: 8 global crops for your edible garden

Photo by Bret Gum; written by Jessica Mordo

Achieve Zen in your garden

Your garden is your safe haven to relax and reboot, according to the Japanese aesthetic principles of shibui. Go full-tilt tranquility with a garden design that blends Japanese serenity with a beachy, SoCal vibe.

More: How to design a Japanese-style garden

Photo by Holly Lepere; written by Jessica Mordo

Your dream vacation, (literally) in your backyard

Wish you were beachside in Malibu? Warming up by a campfire in Yellowstone? Surrounded by a lush Hawaiian landscape? Luckily you don’t have to hop on a plane for a lovely—yet fleeting—escape to any of those locales. Put your dream vacation destination permanently within reach by channeling its essence through garden design and décor.

More: 5 ways to channel your dream vacation in your backyard

Photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy; written by Jessica Mordo

Give your home a Spanish accent

Forget going overseas to fulfill your Spanish farmhouse fantasies. Instead, create your own private Iberia with our strategies for adding Spanish flair to your home. From setting up a sanctuary for spontaneous siestas to decorating with the bold colors and evocative emblems of Spain, you’ll practically hear the flamenco music wafting through every room.

More: 8 ways to add Spanish flair to your home

Photo by Jeffery Cross; written by Jessica Mordo

Travel memories in every room

We all love revisiting vacations past by displaying fabulous travel snapshots in our homes. While it’s easy to get high-quality prints of digital photos to frame, you can be even more creative with how you flaunt your travel pics. Get those shots of your favorite vacation moments off the hard drive and onto your walls, pillows, shower curtain, and more.

More: How to decorate with your favorite travel photos

Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Jessica Mordo

Cultivating global style

For daily reminders of her most memorable journeys, a world traveler artfully displays an enchanting collection of far-flung souvenirs throughout her home. Get her seasoned tricks for decorating with global style, from curating treasures to carting them home.

More: How to decorate in a global style

14 ways to globetrot in the West