On the road to everywhere

My name is Meena Thiruvengadam. I'm a journalist, and I'm addicted to travel. @meena_thiru on Twitter. @meenathiru on Instagram.

[travelingmeena]

One of the great things about travel is that you’re always learning something new as you explore. These photos are from The Explorers Club, a group dedicated to exploring the farthest corners of the world. Its members have been to every country in the world, staked out some amazing places to plant The Explorers Club flag and even been to the moon. If you have the chance, do make some time to explore this place. The world famous trophy room is typically accessible only to members but public events are often held in other portions of the club’s Upper East Side space. When you’re there, do try the Explores Club blend whiskey.

[travelingmeena]

Protip: Dublin is a drinking town, but some bars, particularly in the city's Temple Bar historic districts raise the price of drinks as the night goes on. Save yourself a few bucks by choosing bars that publish drink prices on menus near their entrances and by using 5€ as a kind of benchmark - a well-priced Guinness should cost around that much. If you're told a Guinness will cost 6€ or 7€, it could be a sign that you've arrived too late to a bar where inflation is a nightly occurrence.

[travelingmeena]

It’s true- the Guinness really does taste different - and much better - in Ireland. The big difference? The water used in brewing the iconic beer. 🍻

[travelingmeena]

NYC 🍔 tip

One thing every traveler needs is good food near the train station. If you find yourself near Grand Central Station in New York, head to the city’s other burger shack: Black Shack Burger.

It’s a little pricey, with a burger and fries coming in around $10, but I like it better than Shake Shack, and I’ve never seen a line out the door.

[travelingmeena]

This may well be the most interesting In-and-Out burger outdoor seating view in the world. It's literally just outside LAX and an excellent spot to watch planes come in from all over the world.

[travelingmeena]

Hello from the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

[travelingmeena]

Today I went for a little wander around the west side of Manhattan, hitting spots including Jerry Orbach Way on the eastern edge of Hell’s Kitchen, a beautiful garden on the grounds of the St. John the Divine Cathedral, the 104th Street community garden and an Upper West Side street cafe. This is my Snapchat story from the day and an excellent walk to discover just a handful of New York City’s charming neighborhoods.

[travelingmeena]

It pays to check local events calendars when visiting NYC because you never really know what you might find. On a recent Wednesday night, it would have been yoga set to the live music of Ingrid Michaelson and others in the heart of Central Park. Many events, like this one, are free but require tickets.

[adore-london]

Photograph by london

[More London here →]

[travelingmeena]

A piece of my heart will always be in London. Love this city.

[travelroute66]

Route 66 - Old pumps at the Hackberry General Store in Arizona.

A Gallery of Route 66 Favorites: http://frank-romeo.artistwebsites.com/art/all/all/all/route+66+-+a+special+selection

[travelingmeena]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite travel tumblrs. Here's to road trips!

[whysosirris]

Parisian artist @InvaderWasHere has taken over the streets of Paris with his 8-bit characters, setting up over 30 pieces of artwork around the city, some of which include Bugs Bunny and the Smurfs.

Follow DOPE MAG On Instagram

[travelingmeena]

Now this is street art worth traveling for!

[travelingmeena]

In honor of the upcoming Feast of San Gennaro in Manhattan’s Little Italy, here’s a look at some of my favorite street art in Little Italy. These streets will celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro, an annual salute to the Patron Saint of Naples, between Sept. 10 and Sept. 20.

[travelingmeena]

Believe it or not there are lots of amazing FREE experiences to be had in New York City. One of them is watching the helicopters take off and land from the Financial District.

This video is from the waterfront just south of the Governor’s Island ferry terminal. Another good vantage point is Elevated Acre, the urban oasis up the escalators at 55 Water Street.

[travelingmeena]

Wherever you go in the world, sometimes you just want to taste something familiar. If you’re in New York City and that something is a shepherd’s pie, Cornish pastie or Cadbury’s chocolate bar, head to Myers of Keswick in the Village.

This family-owned English grocer sells a variety of pies, sausages and Cornish pasties. It’s also a great spot to pick up biscuits, jams, sweets and kitschy English stuff in the heart of Manhattan.

[travelingmeena]

On SnapChat? Me too. Follow meenanyc for glimpses into NYC and the other places I go.

[wanderlusteurope]

Guernsey, England

[travelingmeena]

Absolutely beautiful... Hope to see this IRL one day.

[travelingmeena]

One of the things I’ve learned living in New York is that many of Manhattan’s best views are from rooftops perched on top of hotels. This is the view of the Empire State Building from Up on 20, the rooftop bar at the Hyatt Herald Square. It’s an oasis in a chaotic neighborhood and just a short walk from Penn Station.