Green: a color like no other.  A color that, aside from being attached to the greatest buzz word the world has on offer these days, is associated with such wonders as the spring time, new life, and health; grass is pretty great to run around; a cucumber on a hot day is pretty refreshing… But, then again, so is beer.  So, who says beer can’t be tacked on to the green list? Certainly not any upstanding Irish American hailing from Boston, Massachusetts! 

Contrary to popular belief, beer and the color green are synonymous! As St. Patrick’s Day rolls near, I look upon my heritage as a wonderful blessing.  In fact, the Massachusetts end of the spectrum cuts me a greater deal than other locations, the world over; although Ireland was home to the saint himself, it is the American population that somehow twisted the holiday into the leprechaun-infused drink fest that it is today, with Massachusetts holding the lead in celebrating their fightin’ Irish heritage.  Green beer on every tap! 

The Brits get a tough rap when it comes to food. Usually, the only place British food consistently appears in the conversation is in the punch line. Couple that with a less than favorable pound to dollar exchange rate, and any foodie in search of an affordable meal is bound to avoid London like the plague.

How wrong the rumors are. As the preeminent capital of the free world for the better half of a millennia, London has amassed quite the collection of cuisines within its city borders, larger and more diverse than arguably any other metropolis in the world.  For the real deal without the out-of-towner tax levied upon all things touristy, follow the list below of our favorite spots for international eats. Each destination shouldn’t run you more than 10-15 GBP for dinner and is sure to keep you coming back for more.

Luisa Maria may be located in Germany, but her heart (or at least, her stomach) is firmly rooted in Italy. Like any good Italian, food is somewhat of an obsession for her, although she would never admit it... that would make it sound like loving food is crazy! That's certainly not the case  here. Consider Luisa Maria your personal guide to that next great meal abroad. First stop on your itinerary: Bologna, Italy.

It’s a good sign when you Google gramigna alla salsiccia and there are only two results that aren’t in Italian.  Prior to visiting Bologna last month, I had never even heard of gramigna pasta, let alone tried this remarkable dish that is rarely served outside of Italy.  Another search found gramigna con salsiccia on the menu of two New York restaurants (Convivio in Midtown and Bianca in NoHo), but both use either broccoli rabe or red pepper in their versions – neither of which sound like bad additions, but they weren’t in the recipe during my trip.  And let’s be honest, I can’t image them being better than the version served in Bologna.  After all, this city is considered by most to be the culinary capital of the world… and this dish was one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

A trip to Rome can be pretty daunting. After arriving jetlagged in an unfamiliar city, you’ve got to squeeze literally centuries of history into about three days.  Our intern, Katie, gives us an insider's guide to navigating the Eternal City after dark... and a long day of sightseeing.

As exciting and exhausting as your tourist-filled days may be, this should never stop you from going out at night. My nights were spent wandering the bars located in Campo dei Fiori, a rectangular piazza located right outside the center of Rome, near Piazza Navona. Filled with bars, restaurants, shops, and club promoters, Campo dei Fiori’s got whatever you're looking for, be it a chill bar, a fog-filled discoteca or some late night eats.