Survived Eating Fugu (Blowfish)

Who wouldn't want to fork out $200 to eat poisonous fish in a foreign country where English is not widely spoken? I couldn't resist so I sought out the best Fugu restaurant in Tokyo despite knowing I could die. Even if you have the money to burn you can only eat fresh Fugu in the winter months. Consider that when booking your plane ticket. To experience this delicacy, go to a restaurant that specializes in preparing this deadly fish where you can consume an entire eight course meal of Fugu. You''ll start with Fugu sashimi (pictured above) and end with a Fugu nabe (noodle soup). Fugu doesn't have much taste, it reminds me of tofu in that it simply absorbs the flavors of the sauce it's prepared in but of course they are completely different textures. I do love Fugu sashimi as it's sliced so paper thin that it melts in your mouth. The texture is also slightly chewy and when dipped in soy sauce with a squeeze of citrus -- WOW- you've gone to heaven. If you love Fluke sashimi, then you'll go overboard for Fugu. Fried Fugu is another delicious dish. It tastes like kara age (fried chicken) but much lighter and flavorful. The other Fugu dishes are just as noteworthy. Eating Fugu is definitely worth the $200 and a trip to Tokyo in winter. Reserve a table at http://www.kitaohji.co.jp

Tikal, Guatemala

Set in the lush jungles of Guatemala lies Tikal, a Mayan temple complex dating back to 900 AD. Experiencing Tikal requires at least a day of exploring and lots of mosquito spray. This place is so spread out that it's best to hire a guide. You can't escape the heat and humidity even at sunrise but you can escape the people. No matter how sweaty or tired you are, hike to the top of the temples so you can get a panoramic view of this massive complex and the canopy, which is simply breathtaking. After a long day, spend the night in nearby Flores, a charming, colorful lakeside town 45 minutes outside of Tikal. Book a room at Francis Ford Coppola's retreat, La Lancha, at http://www.coppolaresorts.com/lalancha

Machu Picchu Without the Crowds

The best way to enjoy Machu Picchu is in the early morning or late afternoon when the crowds are gone. If you don't want to sweat to death while hiking the Inca Trail, take the train up to Machu Picchu with all the day trippers but ditch them once you arrive. Spending the night in Aguas Calientes will allow you to explore this magnificent place on your own time. Hang out with the friendly llamas and admire the intricate stonework without the sounds of clicking cameras. Seeing Machu Picchu on TV or in travel magazines doesn't do it justice. You'll be in awe once you set your eyes on this world wonder. Can't believe that the Incas built this ancient city 100 years after the French built the Church of Notre Dame in Paris -- puts everything in perspective. To book a room at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel: http://www.inkaterra.com

Cappadocia, Turkey - Another World

If you ever wanted to visit "Bedrock City," take a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey, a 12 hour bus ride from Istanbul. Here you'll experience life like a Flintstone. Explore underground cities, sleep in a cave, and see one of the most unusual landscapes imaginable. The vast valley is dotted with phallic volcanic structures as far as the eye can see. Churches are in the shape of rock domes. The air in the underground cities is cool yet surprisingly plentiful but I still wouldn't want to spend my days without an ounce of sunlight. There is an intricate network of tunnels underground so you'll need a guide.

Biking in Yangshou, China

If you want to see spectacular karst scenery without the hordes of tourists, I recommend skipping Guilin and heading an hour straight to Yangshou, which is less commercial and much more quaint. Don't get me wrong, Yangshou is touristy but the village is small and the architecture is meant to resemble an ancient chinese town. This place is a backpacker's paradise. You can walk everywhere and get lost in the maze of cobblestone streets. Cute restaurants and cafes abound. The best way to explore the countryside is by bike. You can take a guided tour and be forced to make small talk with your guide or if you can read a map that's even better. We did both but preferred going solo at our own pace as our best experiences are the ones we stumble upon by accident. The bike ride is adventurous, challenging and unforgettable. Being on a two-wheeler allowed us to get close to nature. We were also able to stop and meet local villagers and even shared a meal with them. Money Saving Tip: If flying from Hong Kong, save yourself $ by crossing over to Shenzhen by train and then booking an internal flight to Guilin as opposed to booking direct from Hong Kong.

Meeting the "Long Necks" in Myanmar

These Padaung "long-neck" women couldn't keep their hands off my husband. It may have been the first time they ever met a foreigner. We were invited into their hut in Kalaw, Myanmar. We had a "translator" with us in hopes to communicate with them. Who knows if he really translated what they said, but it didn't matter as they were so warm, friendly and inquisitive. They were an aunt and niece who smiled non-stop at us. They took off one of their brass rings for us to try -- it was so heavy. I can't imagine having to wear all those rings starting at the age of five. This was an experience I'll never forget.

Sunset over Bagan, Myanmar

The only time I've ever heard of anyone going to Myanmar was on Seinfeld, when J. Peterman exclaimed to Elaine, "I'm in Burma! You may know it as Myanmar, but it'll always be Burma to me." The show was not what prompted me to go to Myanmar. I ended up there on a whim. I happened to be at a bookstore in Bangkok airport and saw the Lonely Planet's guide to Myanmar. I flipped some pages -- it peaked my interest and I was on my way. So when I arrived in Yangon, I had no idea what to expect. The people were so curious, friendly and warm. The food was fantastic as it incorporates Chinese and Indian spices. The culture was like nothing I've ever encountered. The scenery is spectacular, including that of the massive temple complex in Bagan, an ancient city in Myanmar, where the 2000 plus temples and pagodas date back to the 11th and 13th centuries. Few people make the journey to Myanmar, which is unfortunate as I found it to be one of the best experiences of my life. I wouldn't be surprised if one day Bagan becomes overrun with tourists but with the military junta running the show, it may be awhile before that day comes. Now's your chance to go see this amazing country without the crowds.

Aquavit NY

Before stepping into Aquavit, my only experience with swedish food was at the cafeteria at Ikea. Needless to say I was excited about venturing deeper into Scandinavian cuisine. Ordered from the Restaurant Week menu for $24.07. Started with the herring plate (a sampling of herring consisting of pickled herring, curry, fresh herbs and one more I can't remember, but it was all delicious and flavorful). Meatballs with lingonberries and mashed potatoes were next. Definitely better than Ikea's meatballs - more tender, less salty and not overwhelmed by gravy. Could've been more juicy. Also tasted the seared salmon, which was divine. It was cooked perfectly and the tomato vinaigrette sauce was perfect. If I had to pick - the salmon was the winner. Ended with the Artic Circle dessert (a creamy goat cheese parfait with passionfruit curd and blueberry sorbet). Loved this -- not too sweet, great texture and the perfect amount of tartness. Also tried the chocolate mousse with peanut powder and grape sorbet. This was like a twist on peanut butter and jelly (but much better). It was light and airy, not too sweet and the sorbet was refreshing. Aquavit is definitely a winner for Restaurant Week.