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Continue reading →: Welcome, drinking buddyGrab a drink and cozy up to my bar. My name is Brian and I love to travel the world, but I do it through one very specific (yet also vast) lens – food and beverage (actually beverage and food would be the better fitting order). If that is a passion of yours, we are in this together now. Some people seek out museums, I seek out mixed-culture saisons. Some people go hiking, I hike across town for an interesting take on a Negroni. Some people search for souvenirs, I search for the best street tacos. For the past 20…
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Continue reading →: Mezcal, Markets, and Mole: Discovering the Soul of Oaxaca in 3 DaysOaxaca is having a moment, and it’s long overdue. That mezcal margarita you are sipping on right now (thirsty yet?) likely starts with a spirit from Oaxaca. Those mole enchiladas you had last weekend (hungry yet?) were likely inspired by an Oaxacan recipe. We are talking about a state with a food and beverage scene that is internationally known yet remains mostly undiscovered. Better late than never. Being undiscovered has its advantages. Oaxaca still has an instant authenticity to it. Oaxaca City (the starting point for many travelers, including myself) is far from overdeveloped. Locals heavily outweigh tourists at any…
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Continue reading →: Rum, Food, and a Rental Car: Doing Barbados the Right WayThe birthplace of rum. That’s all I needed to hear to put Barbados on my travel bucket list. You already know food and beverage drive my travels wherever I go, but if you want to know how a destination gets bumped to the top? Tell me you invented something. I’m a sucker for an origin story – especially when it’s a spirit as widely used and appreciated as rum. For me, Barbados finally made it to the top. For you, I’ve brought back a distilled destination guide (plus as much rum as my suitcase allowed). I’ve been to several Caribbean…
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Continue reading →: Scottish Highlands, Served Neat: A Scenic, Scotch-Filled Travel Guide To SpeysideScotland is special. Often overlooked in many people’s United Kingdom itineraries, it’s time to extend your next trip to include it. If the scenery and Scotch aren’t enough to pull you in, the people will do the trick. They’re some of the kindest and most welcoming folks I’ve come across in my travels – genuinely excited to show you around. Whatever pub you pull up to (and I’ve shared some of my favorites below), expect to make a new friend before you leave. Luckily, you and I are already friends – so now you know to move Scotland up your…
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Continue reading →: Puerto Vallarta Uncovered: Authentic Eats and Drinks Beyond the BeachesPuerto Vallarta is not at all what I expected. It had never been high on my travel wish list, mostly due to my own flawed expectations of the vibe here. My head was naively filled with visions of a Señor Frogs–type scene (no offense to Señor Frogs, which you can find here if that’s your cup of tea). I was wrong. Sure, there are plenty of condos and global chain transplants. Tourism is undeniably the city’s engine. But there’s so much more – if you’re willing to look. Lucky for me, I’m always up for a deep dive, especially when…
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Continue reading →: Where to Eat and Drink in Providence: Discover the Flavor of New England’s Best-Kept SecretNew England. When you hear those words, what city comes to mind? Odds are it isn’t Providence, but it should be. Underrated is how I describe this place. Often glimpsed from I-95 through a car window, it’s time to finally take the exit ramp. Providence delivers a small-town feel alongside a big-city experience, and its look and vibe are charming enough before you even dive into the culture. A strong arts scene and a diverse population set the stage for, you guessed it, an up-and-coming culinary scene. Now you have my attention. And honestly, how can you not love a…
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Continue reading →: Behind the Pints and Pubs Lies a Dublin You Didn’t See ComingThe Dublin Food & Drink Guide You Didn’t Know You Needed Dublin is a dichotomy. When you think of the place, the word pub is where most minds go (I mean, you’re not wrong). Visions of Temple Bar dance in your dreams, but Dublin defies expectations. While pubs remain an important social institution (and don’t worry, I’ll send you to the proper ones), the culture here is far more diverse than you may think. It’s a city where historic and contemporary energy exist side by side. Where you are just as likely to find a proper toastie as you are…
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Continue reading →: Eat, Sip, Repeat: A Foodie’s Guide to Portland, Maine (and Why I Want to Move There)Portland, Maine – my future home. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I love everything about this place, I just have to convince some other people in my life they can handle the winters here (it’s a battle, check back with me in a few years to see if I have won the war). What do I love about this place? First and foremost, the food and beverage scene here certainly punches above its weight for a city of this size (no shocker this is a selling point for me). Filled with spots that lean into the cuisine…
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Continue reading →: Santorini Is Overrated… Until It’s Not: A 3-Day Guide to Doing It RightSantorini can defeat you. It is without a doubt one of the most tourist driven destinations in the world (hope you aren’t claustrophobic). Cruise ship passengers populate the pathways everywhere you walk (I never counted less than 3 docked ships on any given day). The prices are astronomical, from the hotels all the way down to the Aperol Spritzes. I can easily describe this island as a bit of a fishbowl, but I can also easily describe it as one of the most beautiful places on earth. There’s a reason these issues exist. You must visit with the right mindset.…
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Continue reading →: The Real Las Vegas: A Boozy Night in the Arts District (No Slot Machines Required)Vegas isn’t real. I mean it is, but I could be convinced it isn’t. Whoever came up with The Mirage feels me. An adult playground in the middle of the desert, it’s the kind of place that everyone needs to visit at least once (I will let you decide if once is enough). The thing I like about Vegas is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Nocturnal for the weekend? Go for it. Blackjack bender? Have at it. Shopping and shows spree? It’s all there. That means for me, a food and beverage based trip is…
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Continue reading →: Excessively Fancy Beer Photo DropIt’s time for another edition of yes I really did take way too much time taking photos of these beers while drinking them. As a way to break up my destination advice, I will be sharing many of the shots I have been posting for years over on my Instagram page, with a bit more context on the side. And if you need a refresh as to why I was hit with this hobby in the first place, here’s some light reading for you. To kick off this drop, it only makes sense to post a pour from my favorite…
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Hello,
I’m the Crafty Traveler
I suppose you can also call me Brian. I love to experience life through one very specific (yet also vast) lens – food and beverage (actually beverage and food would be the better fitting order). If that is a passion of yours, we are in this together now. Join me as I share favorite places from my travels, overly fancy beer photos, and more. Behind every pint is another place to explore.
The Crafty Traveler 