One of the world's most legendary nightclubs is set to reopen this week as Berlin raises the curtain on Berghain and more of the city's indoor dance venues after months of pandemic-induced shutdowns.

Berghain will reopen on Friday, October 2 as more nightclubs in Berlin reopen to people who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months. The nightlife scene is one of the last sectors of the German capital to reopen to the public, as the state government recently agreed to drop its mask mandate and open indoor areas of the venues to people who are fully immunized.

Read more: A guide to Berlin clubs: organised hedonism

Earlier this year, outdoor areas of clubs were allowed to reopen to people who were vaccinated, recovered or had recently tested negative for COVID-19—provided they wore a mask. Then in August, Berlin's Senate Department for Culture and Europe launched a trial to test whether PCR tests would be adequate to keep clubbers safe in order to start up indoor club events again. However, before the results were released, a local court ruled in favor of a venue owner who sued the government over its COVID-19 rules.

While the Berlin court said the pandemic rules were fair and sensible, it agreed they were "likely to be disproportionate" for those who have been vaccinated or recently recovered, according to a report by Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg. The Berlin Senate then moved to allow clubs to reopen but decided a negative COVID-19 test would not be enough to get past the bouncers and on to the dancefloor; people would have to show proof of immunization.

Read more: Why German nightclubs could be declared cultural institutions

Most clubs, such as KitKat and Salon zur wilden Renate, reopened their dancefloors to the public on September 3 following the government's ruling.

Berghain said it was looking forward to reopening on Friday for its first club night in almost 19 months with a message on its website that read: "let the bass kick, see you on the dancefloor!" Its opening night will include sets from Ben Klock, Marcel Dettman, Tama Sumo and Lakuti.

Elsewhere in Berlin, restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and cultural attractions are also open to people who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. Children under 12 are exempt from vaccination requirements for now.

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"See you on the dancefloor" - Berghain among nightclubs to reopen in Berlin this week

This Saturday, more than 1000 museums in the US will open their doors to the public for free as part of a campaign that aims to promote the excellent choice of cultural experiences available across the country after months of pandemic shutdowns.

Hosted in association with Smithsonian Magazine, the 17 th annual Museum Day Live will take place on Saturday 18 September, the first since last year's pandemic cancellation as cultural activities resume. Visitors just need to download a branded ticket for participating institutions and they'll gain entry free of charge to museums, zoos and cultural centers for the day this Saturday, along with one guest.

Read more: Rainy day adventures: go to a museum

“As we begin to feel a sense of normalcy in our day-to-day lives, we are honored to welcome the public back to Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. and New York and museums around the country this Museum Day,” said Amy Wilkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Smithsonian Media. “In a year that has challenged us in unprecedented ways it is our hope that this year’s event serves as a reminder of the people, places and cultural experiences that have the power to unite us all.”

Hundreds of museums in all 50 states have already signed up for this year’s campaign, and it is expected that 2021 will be a bumper year. Large and small museums taking part include the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, the Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, the Gibson House Museum in Boston, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC, the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis and many more. You can check for your nearest event here.

This year, the campaign has partnered with Quaker to create a back-to-school giveaway in which children will have a chance to win one of 100 Smithsonian science kits per day. There's also a grand prize giveaway in which teachers and school children can win private Q&A with a museum educator on a cultural field trip for their class.

Each ticket for Museum Day Live grants access to the holder plus one guest, with one ticket being permitted per email address. More information on downloading tickets for Museum Day Live is available on the Smithsonian website.

This article was first published on July 9, 2021 and updated on September 14, 2021.

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Here's how you can get free entry to over 1000 museums this Saturday

With the Olympics underway in Tokyo, now is a great time to visit the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, whether for a family outing or just a wander around to celebrate the legacies of the Team USA athletes.

International spectators haven't been able to travel to Tokyo this year for the Olympic Games, but fans can still experience some of the fun closer to home. The recently-opened United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum puts Team USA athletes at the center of the experience, and is a great place to learn about the history of the Games.

The museum opened in 2020 but held off celebrating its grand opening until July 2021 to coincide with the 2021 Olympic Games. Now it's gearing up to host a number of weekly events from now until Labor Day, including meet-and-greet with former Team USA athletes, and the Tokyo Games Fan Fest—where visitors can watch the Olympics on a 50-foot screen while enjoying live entertainment, food and drink.

Read more: You can't visit Tokyo 2020 – but these 7 Olympic venues will still let you compete

The building itself is pretty spectacular, noted for being one of the most accessible and interactive museums in the world. The architects used the Guggenheim Museum for inspiration, using elevators and ramps throughout the space so there's no need for steps. When you're there, you can even customize your sport preferences and accessibility needs for your tour. Inside, you'll find 12 galleries that follow a narrative arc through the teams' journeys, using technology that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity too.

The permanent tribute honors the history and commitment of Team USA athletes, and aims to celebrate great athletes and unforgettable moments. The stories and experiences found in the museum aim to serve as inspiration for the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and fans. It includes a film entitled “To Take Part” and a frequently updated rotating gallery.

"The stories of our Olympians and Paralympians are the stories of this nation’s history,” says museum CEO, Christopher Liedel. "Every American can see themselves in the members of Team USA and will be inspired by their dedication, perseverance and respect for the Olympic and Paralympic values. The museum has the unique privilege of telling these stories, and we are ready and excited to share them with the world."

The Olympics take place from July 23 until August 8, followed by the Paralympics from August 24 through September 5 in Tokyo.

Tickets to the museum start from $14.95 for children under the age of 13 and $24.95 for adults. For further information on the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, please visit its website here.

This article was first published on July 27, 2020 and updated on July 22, 2021.

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Celebrate Team USA at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado

The Uffizi Gallery, one of Italy’s most famous galleries, has taken a radical approach to showcasing its precious artworks by taking them on tour across Tuscany. The Uffizi Diffusi project is bringing art to museums in towns associated with famous artworks to highlight the work in a local context. The first stop is the island of Elba to celebrate Napoleon's bicentenary.

Located adjacent to the historic Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Uffizi Gallery houses masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, da Vinci, Correggio, Raffaello and Caravaggio as part of its Renaissance art collections, and is among the world’s greatest and most-visited art destinations.

Now it's sharing some of its treasures in a cool new art tourism project called Uffizi Diffusi (Italian for "scattered Uffizi"). Some of its artworks will travel to as many as 100 sites across the greater Tuscany region, with the pieces having a local connection to the museum or area where they're on display, providing the gallery with an opportunity to showcase work that's currently in storage facilities to the greater public.

At an earlier press conference Uffizi Gallery director, Eike Schmidt, said that the project will showcase the artworks in their local context, and will turn the spotlight on various parts of the cultural history of Tuscany, encouraging tourists to explore more of the region and take the heat off Florence, which was among the Italian cities struggling with overtourism pre-pandemic.

The first stop on the tour is Elba, the Tuscan island where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to from May 1814 until February 1815, for the exhibition Nel Segno di Napoleone (In the name of Napoleon) at the Pinacoteca Foresiana gallery in Portofferaio. Coming to life just in time for the bicentenary of Napoleon's death, the exhibition opened on July 9 and will run until October 10, 2021, showcasing artwork associated with the military and political leader including canvas, marble and porcelain portraits. "Thanks to this initiative, we will be able to enjoy the treasures of the Uffizi that would otherwise have remained unknown to us and at the same time learn more about a key figure in the history of modern Europe like Napoleon Bonaparte, who had a deep bond with Tuscany," said Eugenio Giani, president of the Tuscany region.

The other destinations in the Uffizi Diffusi project have yet to be revealed but in the meantime, the Uffizi Gallery is still welcoming guests to its Florence base under COVID-19 rules.

This article was first published on March 3 and updated on July 14, 2021.

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The Uffizi Gallery's hidden treasures are on a tour across Tuscany

The oldest museum in New York will soon be home to the city's first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and culture.

The New-York Historical Society is gaining 70,000 square feet in its Central Park West building in the form of new program space and a permanent home for The American LGBTQ+ Museum in 2024.

As the first museum in the city dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and culture, the museum's purpose is to document and preserve personal stories and artifacts from the LGBTQ+ community—stories the museum says "are being lost every day". Using programs and exhibition space, the museum also hopes to educate communities, support a new generation of activists, and provide a vibrant and welcoming physical space for the LGBTQ+ community.

The concept came about after a task force was set up in 2017 to discuss the project, which won backing from New York City Council the following year. Not to mention the decades-long call from activists to document the queer movement and its pivotal role in America's social history. What followed was a year-long study that engaged over 32000 LGBTQ+ people nationwide, across as many demographic intersections as possible. Through its research, the museum says it intentionally sought out the perspectives of people whose stories are often overlooked, including those who identify as transgender, gender non-conforming, and/or as people of color in the LGBTQ+ community across the country.

"The respect and rigor with which New-York Historical has approached this process, including their consultation with local communities, mirrors our own commitment to building a thoughtful, welcoming, queer, and inclusive experience for our visitors and partners," said Richard Burns, chair of the board of directors for The American LGBTQ+ Museum.

Upon completion, The American LGBTQ+ Museum will occupy entire fourth floor of the new wing and will encompass two galleries. The design for the new wing is by Robert A.M. Stern Architects and was unanimously approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission for "its respect for the past and solicitation of community input."

While the new building is under construction, The American LGBTQ+ Museum will partner with New-York Historical to develop programming in the museum’s existing building and outdoor spaces as early as 2022, and it has already begun hosting digital programs in advance of its grand opening in 2024. To learn more about The American LGBTQ+ Museum, or to sign up for an upcoming digital event, see here.

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First it was Van Gogh who got the digital blockbuster treatment and now it's Monet's turn. Immersive art exhibition 'Monet by the Water' is preparing to tour the US, bringing the French artist's paintings to life in large-scale digital presentations.

Touring immersive Van Gogh shows have taken the US by storm. Nearly every major city has hosted – and potentially sold out – at least one version of the glossy sound-and-light show. If that wasn't enough, American audiences now have the chance to experience a similar exhibition with Monet. 'Monet by the Water' will debut in San Francisco in December, before hitting Minneapolis, Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, and Philadelphia – just as some of the Van Gogh shows across the US begin to wind up.

Read more: Immersive Vincent van Gogh exhibitions are taking over the US - here's where you can find them

If you've been to any one of the Van Gogh shows, you know the drill. Walls and floors of large art spaces will be transformed into a Monet dream world, designed to cocoon guests inside the French artist's famous work; the gardens of Giverny, the beaches of Normandy and the bustling Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris. For 60 minutes, guests can wander through moving images as digital projectors show animated versions of more than 250 of Monet's paintings, accompanied by music and sound effects.

Created by the Museum of Immersive Roaming Arts, the exact locations have yet to be revealed – guests will find out where the exhibition is closer to the event.  Tickets aren't on sale yet but you can sign up to the waitlist here.

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Casa Vicens, one of Antoni Gaudí's earliest architectural works, is opening to guests for one night only through Airbnb, complete with a Michelin-starred dining experience.

Barcelona wouldn't sparkle so brightly without the work of Gaudí. The Catalan architect of La Sagrada Família is synonymous with the city. His church, colorfully tiled Park Güell, and iconic apartment buildings, Casa Batlló and La Padrera, draw millions of visitors each year. Casa Vicens is the one that put Gaudí on the map and kickstarted his career. It was his first masterpiece, and one of the first buildings to launch the Art Nouveau/Modernisme movement in Europe.

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Now, for the first time in Casa Vicens' 136-year history, guests will be treated to an overnight stay through Airbnb. The once-off experience includes an exclusive tour of the Unesco-listed building and its summer garden; a Gaudí-inspired, Michelin-star menu in the dining room; a nightcap in the smoking room; accommodation in the master bedroom; and a full Mediterranean breakfast in the gardens the following morning. Doors will be closed to the public on the day.

Casa Vicens was commissioned in 1882 by stock and currency broker Manuel Vicens i Montaner, who took a chance on a then 30-year-old Gaudí who was fresh out of architecture school, to create a summer home for his family. Located in Barcelona’s Gràcia district, the building with its blend of Moorish, neoclassic and Asian-inspired architecture, opened to the public as a museum and cultural space in 2017 after a major restoration project.

Soon, it will be an extraordinary place to spend the night in Barcelona for two lucky guests. Booking for the Airbnb/Casa Vicens experience opens at 4pm CEST (10am EST) on July 12, 2021, for a one-night stay for two people this autumn. Bookings are on a first come first served basis and cost a symbolic €1 (necessary to process the booking). For more information, or to book, see here.

Spain is currently open for tourism after it opened its borders in June to vaccinated travelers. If you're not lucky enough to book a night in the Casa Vicens, you can still see it on your next visit to Barcelona. Visitors are free to wander through the building, however one-hour guided tours (in Catalan, Spanish, English and French) bring the building to life.

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Van Gogh fever is sweeping across the country. As we emerge into a post-pandemic world, a number of companies are hosting competing immersive Van Gogh exhibitions across cities in the US, giving art-lovers the opportunity to effectively step inside the Dutch artist's paintings with larger-than-life installations.

Despite similar names and subject matter, there are some really cool unique features among the exhibitions, and generally each one has been tailored to suit the individual city that is hosting. If you plan to visit one, here's our guide to what's on offer and where and when you can find it.

Van Gogh Alive

Created by Grande Experiences, Van Gogh Alive has gained international notoriety in over 65 countries so far. The visual spectacle uses ceiling digital projection to present more than 3000 Van Gogh images at enormous scale, filling giant screens, walls, columns, ceilings and even the floor. Synchronized to a powerful classical score, it immerses visitors in the vibrant colors and vivid details that constitute the artist's unique style, while aromas are infused throughout the auditorium so that museum-goers can literally stop and smell the sunflowers.

Immersive Van Gogh

Immersive Van Gogh offers a similar experience. Visitors wander through giant projections that highlight brushstrokes, detail and color from Van Gogh's sunny landscapes, night scenes, portraits and still life paintings. The team behind the exhibition, filmmaker Massimiliano Siccardi and composer Luca Longobardi, are the same creatives who brought the Van Gogh, Starry Night experience to life at Paris’s L’Atelier des Lumières (which featured in Netflix's Emily in Paris ). Presented in the US by Lighthouse Immersive, some exhibitions will feature set design from Tony-nominated and Emmy-award winning designer David Korins ( Hamilton).

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Created by Mathieu St-Arnaud, the French-Canadian creative director of Montreal-based art studio, Normal Studio, Beyond Van Gogh is a multi-sensory experience that features more than 300 of Van Gogh's iconic works, brought to life with digital projections and music.

Imagine Van Gogh

Imagine Van Gogh exhibition holds the honor of being what organizers claim is the first. Back in 1977, French photographer Albert Plécy transformed an underground quarry in the south of France into an immersive venue called Carrières de Lumière s. In 2001, Annabelle Mauger joined the team and created "the first" Van Gogh immersive exhibition alongside Julien Baron, which toured the world, most notably in Halle de La Villette in Paris. Now it's heading to the US with 200 of Van Gogh's paintings presented in multimedia installations that stretch floor-to-ceiling and are accompanied by music from Mozart and Bach. Separate galleries showcase more of the artist's work.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Like the other exhibitions, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience features giant digital installations of the artist's most iconic work, accompanied by powerful soundtracks. What's more, this exhibition features a virtual reality experience which takes visitors on a journey through "a day in the life of the artist" where they will be immersed in Van Gogh's work through a virtual reality headset.

Locations

Atlanta

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is happening at the Pratt-Pullman Yard. Tickets cost from $32.20 and are available here with slots open until September 26.

Austin

Beyond Van Gogh will take place at the Starry Night Pavilion at Circuit of The Americas between June 25 and August 8. Tickets are available here from $36.99 per adult and from $23.99 per child.

Boston

Boston has two multi-sensory Van Gogh exhibitions coming to town this year: Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will run from September 2 until January 31, 2021 at an unnamed location. Tickets are priced from $36 and are available here, with October and November already sold out.

Imagine Van Gogh will take place at SoWa Power Station in the South End from December 21 through to February 20, 2022. Tickets from $39.99 are available here.

Buffalo

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is on from August 10 until October 3 at the Eastern Hills Mall. Tickets are available here from $36.99 per adult and from $23.99 per child.

Charlotte

From June 17 until September 12, Immersive Van Gogh will take over the historic Ford building at Camp North End. Tickets are available here and cost from $34.99.

Chicago

Immersive Van Gogh has opened at the Lighthouse ArtSpace at Germania Club, a historic building in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago. Tickets are currently available here for dates through 6 September, costing from from $39.99 during off-peak hours and $49.99 during peak hours.

Colombus

Columbus will welcome Immersive Van Gogh at a currently unspecified location on October 28. The exhibition will close on January 2, 2022 and a number of weekend tickets are already sold out. You can purchase your one here from $39.99.

Dallas

Immersive Van Gogh is currently on show at the Lighthouse Dallas, a former Masonic Temple in downtown Dallas, and will run until October 3. Tickets are on sale here from $39.99.

A second exhibition, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will open on July 21 and will run until December. The location has yet to be revealed but you can get your tickets here from $34.90.

Denver

Immersive Van Gogh will open at a secret location on September 30 and will run until February 6, 2022. Tickets are available here, from $39.99.

Before that, you can see the Van Gogh Alive exhibition at The Hangar at Stanley Marketplace. The exhibition will run until September 26; tickets from $35 are on sale here.

Detroit

From October 21 until February 6, 2022, Immersive Van Gogh will take over a secret location in downtown Detroit. Tickets are already sold out for October, and all weekend in November but more are available here from $39.99.

Before that, you can catch Beyond Van Gogh at the TCF Center from June 25 through to August 15. Tickets are available here from $32.99.

Honolulu

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is heading to the Hawaii Convention Center on July 2 and will remain until August 15. Tickets are available here from $34.99 per adult and from $18.99 per child.

Houston

From August 12, Immersive Van Gogh will take over a secret location in downtown Houston until October 10. Tickets are on sale here from $39.99.

You can also witness Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience from August 30 until October 10. This exhibition will also take place at a secret location and tickets are priced from $29.99 and are available here.

Indianapolis

Van Gogh Alive will take place at The Lume in Indianapolis, a new experiential gallery in Newfields. It is due to open in June 2021 and further information can be found on its website here.

Kansas City

Kansas City will be home to two exhibitions. Van Gogh Alive will take place at the Starlight Theater from October 23, through December 31 with tickets from $29.99 on sale here.

While the Immersive Van Gogh exhibition will take place from December 1 until February 6, 2022 at a soon-to-be-announced location, with tickets from $39.99 on sale here.

Las Vegas

Taking over a secret location in downtown Vegas from July 1, Immersive Van Gogh will exhibit from July 1 until September 6. Tickets are available here and cost from $59.99.

Los Angeles

Immersive Van Gogh is due to open in Los Angeles on July 31 at the former Amoeba Music building on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Tony-nominated and Emmy-award winning set designer David Korins was called in to help the team with the larger-than-life exhibition. Tickets are currently available here, costing from $39.99.;

Miami

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is showing at the Olympia Theater until August 30. Tickets are available here from $34.90.

Beyond Van Gogh is taking place at the Ice Palace Studios until July 11. You can get your tickets here from $36.99 per adult and from $23.99 per child.

Minneapolis

The location is yet to be revealed but tickets are already available here, costing from $39.99. Immersive Van Gogh will open on August 2 with an extended run until October 31.

Nashville

Immersive Van Gogh is due to open in Nashville on November 4 at an as-yet unnamed location. Tickets are currently available here , costing from from $39.99 for dates through to February 6, 2022.

New York

Immersive Van Gogh opened on the waterfront space, Pier 36, in New York City on June 10 and will run until September 6. Similar to the LA exhibition, the exhibition features set design from Emmy-award winning set designer David Korins, utilizing 75,000 square foot of space. Among the unique features of the New York iteration are the giant Van Gogh self-portrait and the sunflower wall in the lobby, and the synesthesia experience; a light and sound show which allows visitors to hear color and see sounds inside specialized boots. Tickets are available here from $39.99.

New Yorkers can also catch Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at 300 Vesey Street in Lower Manhattan. Tickets are on sale here from $36 with most summer dates already sold out. The exhibition is open now and will run until November 6.

Orlando

Immersive Van Gogh will arrive in Orlando on October 7 at a location that will be revealed closer to opening date and will stick around until February 6, 2022. Tickets are from $39.99 and are available here.

Philadelphia

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will land in Philadelphia at a secret location (to be announced soon) on August 13 and will remain until November 28. September is already sold out with limited availability in August and October. Tickets are on sale here from $34.90 per adult and from $19.90 per child.

Pittsburgh

We don't know where it will be in Pittsburgh yet but a number of weeks are already completely sold out for this Immersive Van Gogh exhibition. Opening on September 23, it will run until November 28 and the location will be announced closer to opening date. Tickets are available here from $39.99.

Phoenix

Immersive Van Gogh will run from July 29 until November 28, 2021 at an as-yet unnamed location in Phoenix. Tickets are on sale here from $39.99.

San Antonio

San Antonio's location is yet to be revealed but in the meantime you can get your ticket here for Immersive Van Gogh. Tickets cost from $39.99 and the exhibition will run from November 18 until February 6, 2022.

San Diego

Beyond Van Gogh will take place at the Wyland Center at Del Mar Fairgrounds from January 17, 2022 until March 6, 2022. Tickets are available here from $39.99 per adult and from $23.99 per child.

San Francisco

Immersive Van Gogh is open at SVN West San Francisco in California until September 6. Tickets are currently available here, costing from from $39.99.

Seattle

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is coming to Seattle on September 10 and will remain until January 30, 2022. The location has yet to be revealed but you can get your tickets here from $36.

Imagine Van Gogh will take place slightly further afield in the Tacoma Armory, Tacoma from December 18 until January 30, 2022. Tickets are priced from $38.50 and are available here.

St Louis

Beyond Van Gogh will take place at the Starry Night Pavilion at Saint Louis Galleria from September 16, through to November 7. Tickets are available here from $36.99.

Washington, D.C.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is coming to DC in July and will run until January 26, 2022. We don't know where it will be yet but tickets are already on sale here, available from $39.90.

This article was first published on October 7, 2020 and updated on June 14, 2021.

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A particularly bright light was extinguished when chef, travel documentarian and king of the one-liners, Anthony Bourdain, passed away in France in June 2018.  Now, three years after his death, July will see the release of Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, a full length documentary focusing on his life and travels, interviewing those who knew and loved him best.

The exuberant 61-year-old from New York died by suicide while filming his popular CNN series, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, which usually saw him taking the road less travelled, while introducing viewers to local chefs, exploring different restaurants and sampling unusual dishes.

Anthony's great friends, Éric Ripert and José Andrés, have declared June 25 to be ‘Bourdain Day, ’ as it marks what would have been the late chef's birthday.  We look at his legacy, by visting some of the places he took us to in his intelligent, inimitable and entertaining style.

Antarctica

“It takes a special breed of hard-ass to not just make it down here, but like it. You got to be tough.” Anthony Bourdain

Anthony's Antarctic adventure included a helicopter ride over an active volcano, visiting a colony of Adele penguins, and hanging out with the scientists who live in extreme and surreal conditions at the McMurdo Station. In an environment where there is no access to fresh food, fruit and vegetables, he enjoyed the food prepared by camp manager, Rae Spain.

Bahia

"It’s a place where everybody is sexy, where even the ugly people are hot." Anthony Bourdain

Travelling to Brazil to visit Bahia, which is known as the "African heart of Brazil," Anthony visited its legendary food vendors and Salvadoran fishing neighbourhoods. He also enjoyed a barbecue on the beach, and was a fan of the caipirinha, which he described as the "indispensable icon of Brazilian beach culture on the beach."

Copenhagen

"I gotta be honest, I usually try to avoid clean, orderly countries without massive social problems." Anthony Bourdain

Visiting Copenhagen, Anthony dined on reindeer moss at Noma, the two-star Michelin restaurant run by chef René Redzepi. He also foraged on a beach, and attended the Saturday night staff meeting at Noma, during which chefs submit their culinary ideas.

Detroit

“Of all the American cities, this is easily one of the most awesome.” Anthony Bourdain

The celebrity chef visited the glory days of the past at the famed Packard Plant in Detroit and examined the current state of the city's urban decay. He featured firefighters, volunteer park-mowers, café owners and a high-end chef, to highlight the promise of the future in the citizens who are rebuilding their communities.

Ethiopia

"I learned a lot about a beautiful country while making this episode, and enjoyed doing it." Anthony Bourdain

Anthony travelled from the busy streets of Addis Ababa to rural villages to discover Ethiopia. Chef Marcus Samuelsson and his model wife, Maya Haile, acted as his guides, and they drank local coffee, flavored with salt instead of sugar, and ate injera bread and beyaynetu platters.

French Alps

"God bless the French. They can’t go too long—not even down a mountain—without eating well.” Anthony Bourdain

Anthony Bourdain was joined by his friend Éric Ripert in the French Alps, where he braved the slopes and ordered some of the finest foods the region has to offer, including wine and all types of cheese. Eric offered to pay him in caviar if he could prove that he could successfully milk a cow.

Greek Islands

"There’s a lot of delicious food. The place is, as one would expect, gorgeous." Anthony Bourdain

Anthony visited the Greek island of Naxos, where he drank raki with the local residents and dived around an early 20th century shipwreck. He also travelled to the mountainous village of Apeiranthos, where he attended a traditional celebration in the town square.

Havana

"Even crumbling from neglect, Havana is the most beautiful city in all of Latin America or the Caribbean." Anthony Bourdain

When Anthony visited Cuba, he spent time in its bustling capital city Havana, and also spent hung out in the slower-paced Santiago. His conclusion was that the rum in Havana is the finest in the world and the music is fantastic.

Iran

"Of all the places, of all the countries, all the years of travelling, it's here, in Iran, that I am greeted most warmly by total strangers." Anthony Bourdain

While in Iran, Anthony visited Esfahan and Tehran and enjoyed traditional Persian cooking at two private homes.  He marveled at the complexity of its food, and dined on long-simmered stews, egg-stuffed meatballs, turkey-filled haleem porridge and chelow kebab.

Jamaica

"Let's accept as a premise that this is as close to paradise as it gets." Anthony Bourdain

A visit to the coastal city of Port Antonio was on the agenda for Anthony in Jamaica. He visited Goldeneye, James Bond novelist Ian Fleming's estate, and dined with music producer Chris Blackwell. On the culinary front, he enjoyed local dishes such as jerk chicken, curry goat and ackee and saltfish.

Korea

"I have, for some time, believed that the chefs doing the most interesting work in America are Korean." Anthony Bourdain

This was Anthony's return trip to South Korea and he experienced the nuances of hyper-modern Seoul. He ate a soup made from beondegi (silkworm larva) and favourites like Korean fried chicken and barbecue, and also partook in karaoke and played video games.

Laos

“Laos is the kind of place that can easily capture your heart and not let you go.” Anthony Bourdain

While in Laos, Bourdain dined on imperial Lao cuisine at the Ban Lao Hotel, and participated in Boun Ok Phansa, a colorful festival that celebrates the end of Buddhist Lent. He also stopped at Phosy-Market for khao soi and khao piak sen, and enjoyed meat and fish skewers on the banks of a river.

Myanmar

"It’s something really special to be thrilled by ruins—hair-standing-up-on-the-back-of-your-neck-excited by a view." Anthony Bourdain

Aside from admiring the temples and ruins of Myanmar, Anthony paid a visit to a Yangon tea shop. Philippe Lajaunie, the owner of Brasserie Les Halles, where he previously worked as a chef took him a full-moon festival, and they boarded a train for a 600km trip to Bagan that took over 19 hours.

New York

"This is a show about a very special place, a special time, and some very special people." Anthony Bourdain

Anthony dined with actor Bill Murray in Yonkers during No Reservations. In the series finale of Parts Unknown, titled "Lower East Side," he took a personal journey through the neighborhood to chat with musicians like Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, as well as New York -based artists and filmmakers.

Okinawa

"Okinawa is where I found out that having a thumb crunched into the cartilage of the ear can really, really hurt." Anthony Bourdain

The alluring island of Okinawa was explored by Bourdain, who ate delicious yakisoba and found out that he was not "completely horrible" at tegumi, a version of sumo. He found Okinawa to be decidedly laid-back, compared with mainland Japan.

Peru

"Whole different flavour spectrum, right? All new. It’s almost like you need a new section of your tongue." Anthony Bourdain

While in Peru, Anthony and Éric Ripert explored the far reaches of indigenous Andes in search of a rare variety of wild cocoa that is said to be the best in the world. After having what he described as a "great adventure," they moved from hip, modern Lima back in time into pre-Columbian Peru.

Québec

"You will see food porn in this week’s episode so epic, so enticing, so devastating in its richness, flavours, and sheer volume as to endanger the life." Anthony Bourdain

Anthony sampled local delicacies in Montréal and Québec and explored ice fishing on the St. Lawrence River. While in Québec, he dined at Le Continental and at L’Affaire est Ketchup, a quirky kitchen and restaurant where the chef cooks on two four-burner electric stoves.

Russia

"It’s a different Moscow every time I come here." Anthony Bourdain

In February 2014, on the eve of the Olympic Games in Sochi, Bourdain visited Russia. He visited Moscow's historic Metropol Hotel, took the Grand Express train to St Petersburg, and dined with former Russian deputy prime minister and opposition politician, Boris Nemtsov. Nemstov was shot dead a year later.

Shanghai

"If you live in New York (as I do) and think you live in the most modern, sophisticated city in the world - or even at its centre - Shanghai can come as a rude surprise." Anthony Bourdain

Anthony visited Shanghai to explore aspects of Chinese history and culture that still resonate today, amid the flashing lights of the modern city. And in true Bourdain style, he sought out the best street food and gate-crashed a wedding.

Trinidad

"Trinidad prides itself on its multicultural, multi-ethnic makeup. If one judges solely by the food, it is a glorious stew indeed." Anthony Bourdain

On a trip to the Caribbean, Anthony discovered how the island of Trinidad has turned a history of colonialism into a non-stop celebration of multicultural food, music and good times. Arriving shortly before the famous Carnival, he spoke with locals and attended a steel orchestra rehearsal.

Uruguay

"Welcome to the tiny, overlooked but enchanted land of Uruguay, one of my favourite places to visit." Anthony Bourdain

While in Uruguay, Anthony travelled around the cities of Montevideo and Santa Lucia and the island of José Ignacio, with chef and restaurateur, Ignacio “Nacho” Mattos. He ate the unofficial national sandwich at Bar Arocena, a chivito made of ham, steak, bacon, cheese, egg, mayonnaise and garnishes.

Vietnam

"My first love; a place I remain besotted with, fascinated by." Anthony Bourdain

Bourdain explored his beloved Vietnam's capital Hanoi by motorbike, and examined how the country is thriving and growing in the 21st century. He dined with former US president, Barack Obama, and described their meal as "low plastic stools, cheap but delicious noodles, cold Hanoi beer.”

West Texas

"Thank you for showing me this ludicrously amazing, beautiful place.” Anthony Bourdain

While visiting the vast and hardscrabble land of West Texas, Bourdain dined on fresh braised goat, jalapeño-cheese grits and buttermilk biscuits at the Means Ranch Company. He also checked out Marfa, a community where artists, cowboys, and blue collar workers live side by side.

Zanzibar

"Zanzibar has a lot of Arab, Persian and Indian influence, which makes the food spicy and quite interesting." Anthony Bourdain

When he visited Tanzania for an African safari adventure, Anthony went off to check out the island of Zanzibar. He enjoyed the island's food, which included mandazi to street food, grilled seafood and the famous Zanzibari pizza, saying it was very different to that of mainland Tanzania.

This article was first published in June 2019 and updated June 2021.

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