Get a taste of: Norway

“Little Norway,” an hour from Seattle on Liberty Bay, has a rich Nordic heritage — they say the Olympic Mountains to the west reminded Scandanavian immigrants of their beloved fjords, and that’s why they chose to settle there. Before you head out for the day, grab a coffee at Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse with views of the marina. And while you’re visiting the Landscape Masterpieces exhibition at the National Nordic Museum (open through mid-October), try Freya’s personal smörgåsbords, filled with juniper-smoked salmon and pickled vegetables, at the museum cafe. Finish the day at Skål Beer Hall for Scandinavian craft beer, mead, and aquavit cocktails. If you’re still hungry, they have a full Scandanavian-style menu with something for everyone, but if you want to go all out, order what they like to call their “Viking Feasts.” You can dine on a whole stuffed rabbit, pheasant, rainbow trout, or sockeye salmon for the full experience. 

Stay at: the Seattle Marriott Waterfront on Elliott Bay. Book with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase and earn up to 17x total points on hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy™. It’s a short walk from the world-famous Pike Place Market, and is the only downtown Seattle hotel offering views of Mt. Rainier and Elliott Bay from every guest room.

Get a taste of: Japan

This six-block area of shops in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco is the largest and oldest Japantown, or Nihonmachi, left in the U.S. It’s been the center of the Japanese community in the Bay Area since 1906, and continues to serve up all the Japanese food you can dream up. The malls near the pagoda in Peace Plaza are filled with stores where you can buy anything from a hand-painted teapot to manga, Japanese comics. If it’s a bit misty out and you’re in the mood for a more hearty meal, On the Bridge serves yoshoku, or western-style Japanese food, with dishes like hayashi rice and hamburger steak. You can also take advantage of San Francisco’s local produce at OzaOza, which specializes in kaiseki, a multi-course meal made of seasonal ingredients. And for a surprise, stop by Oma San Francisco Station for omakase served at a casual eight-seat sushi counter. 

Stay at: Courtyard San Francisco Downtown / Van Ness Ave. Built in 1908, the remodeled hotel has modern amenities paired with historic character.

Get a taste of: China

The Chinatown-International District started out as a Chinatown in the 1800s, and since has become a space for other Asian cultures, too. Now it’s made up of three micro-neighborhoods: Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon. The area has many festivals, like the Night Market Festival in September, which has become one of Seattle’s largest outdoor markets. More than 30 local food trucks gather, and shops selling anything from flowers to crafts fill Hing Hay Park while live music plays. On non-festival days, you can head to Harbor City Restaurant for some dim sum classics like har gow, barbecue pork buns, spareribs with black bean sauce, and sticky rice in lotus leaves and chow down at the park. Afterwards, spend the afternoon at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, which features local artists and showcases Pacific American immigrant and refugee stories.

Stay at: Moxy Seattle Downtown. It’s located in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood which is known for its food trucks.

Get a taste of: Denmark

In 1911, Danish-Americans founded this charming California town and named it “sunny field,” or Solvang, in Danish. More than a century later, there are still glimpses of Denmark to be found around town. Look out for all four windmills and the replica of Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid statue at the corner of Mission Drive and Alisal Road. To begin your day, stop by the cornerstone neighborhood diner, Belgian Cafe. Its walls are lined with traditional blue plates and they serve waffles and crepes all day. Solvang Bakery, another local favorite, also fills their flaky waffles with raspberry jam and buttercream frosting if you want something a bit sweeter. After an afternoon visit to the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art — their past exhibits have included Rembrandt etchings and Viking artifacts — grab an outdoor table at Copenhagen Sausage Garden for some soft pretzels and sausages (get the sampler, as there are more than a dozen links on the menu) and a beer or two.

Stay at: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. With 78 acres, two beaches, three infinity pools and views of the Pacific, it’s an ideal getaway.

Get a taste of: Iran

Also known as Tehrangeles, Persian Square (at the intersection of Westwood Boulevard and Wilkins Avenue) was formed after the Iranian revolution in 1979. Now Los Angeles is considered to have the largest community of Persians outside of Iran. To get a taste of their food and culture, head to Shaherzad, one of the oldest restaurants on the strip, for kashke bademjan (eggplant dip) and filet mignon shish kebabs. For something a bit more casual, stop by Attari Sandwich Shop, which is famous for its tongue sandwich on a baguette with mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, Persian pickles, and a handful of sabzi (fresh herbs). To finish it all off with something sweet, stop by Saffron & Rose Ice Cream, where there’s a rotating menu of seasonal ice creams, like white rose and pistachio and saffron. Don’t forget to check out Ketabsara Persian Bookstore: it’s filled with modern and classic novels and poetry written in Farsi.

Stay at: the iconic Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles. Lounge by the rooftop pool and sip cocktails into the evening with a who’s who of Los Angeles.

Get a taste of: Germany

This Texas town, now celebrating its 175th anniversary, is filled with German influences — especially at its local restaurants. Although the area is known for its wineries, if you want to get into the German spirit, you can visit both of its breweries: Altstadt Brewery named the fourth best brewery in America, and the Fredericksburg Brewing Company, the oldest operating brewpub in Texas, to create your own Oktoberfest. For dinner, stop by the Ausländer Restaurant and Biergarten which specializes in Bavarian dishes like schnitzels, sausages, and rouladen (roast beef wrapped around pickles, onions, bacon, and mustard and smothered in gravy). 

Stay at: The St. Anthony, San Antonio, which has been designated a national historic site. Its Italian marble and corinthian columns recall old-world luxury. Book with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase and earn a free night award every card anniversary (valued up to 35,000 points).

Get a taste of: Nigeria

Approximately 20,000 people of Nigerian descent live in Houston, which means there are some great Nigerian eats around town. For lunch, head to Aria Suya Kitchen for Nigerian fusion, like suya tacos with a side of jollof rice and sweet plantains, and compare the tacos to Sabo Sura Spot’s suya meat skewers. Save Taste of Nigeria for a sit-down-dinner; it’s best known for their wide selection of traditional soups; like ewedu made with jute leaves, and egusi, which is thickened with ground melon seeds. They’re served with your choice of swallows — starchy balls made from cassava, oatmeal, or eggplant, made to dip into stews.

Stay at: the boutique Magnolia Hotel Houston for some Texas hospitality. Its restaurant, Magnolia Lounge, has an award-winning bar and a billiards room. There are complimentary evening cookies available in the lobby as well as a rooftop plunge pool and 24-hour fitness center.

Get a taste of: Mexico

The Pilsen Historic District was first settled by Irish and German immigrants in the mid-19th century, and more recently by Mexican immigrants in the 1950s. The buildings in the area were used as canvases for their mural artwork in the ‘60s, as local residents were inspired by the likes of Diego Rivera, making the district a great spot for an art walk. Begin the day at Panaderia Nuevo Leon, a traditional self-serve Mexican bakery. Fill up on some conchas and pack away some of their homemade flour tortillas to bring home. Pastries in-hand, check out one of the most famous murals outside Casa Aztlán and then stop by the National Museum of Mexican Art, which houses one of the largest collections of Mexican art in the country. Afterwards, order anything from tortas to tacos from the local favorite, Taqueria El Milagro — but make sure to try their version of atole champurrado, a warm chocolate drink thickened with cornmeal, which can be hard to find in the States. 

Stay at: the Sheraton Chicago Grand located in the River North district with views of the lake near Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile. Book with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase and earn up to 17x total points on hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy™.

Get a taste of: Myanmar (Burma)

Perry Township is nicknamed “Chindianapolis,” thanks to the over 7,000 Chin refugees that live there. The Chin people, who have been persecuted for their religious beliefs, make up 83 percent of the Burmese refugees in Indiana. Those same refugees have since opened Burmese restaurants and shops, the most well-known being the Chin Brothers Restaurant & Grocery. Not only can you pick up Chin staples like dried shrimp powder or lahpet (pickled tea leaves) to bring home, they serve some of the most authentic Burmese dishes around, from vok ril, a pork blood sausage, to sabuti, a meat and white corn soup. Or, stop in early to try the pe pyot, a breakfast dish of sprouted yellow beans boiled with turmeric and fried onions. And for a change of scenery, head to Kimu Restaurant for Burmese tea leaf salad or shan noodles — rice noodles and chicken simmered in a tomato, fish sauce, and miso broth topped with peanuts.

Stay at: the Le Meridien Indianapolis for its stylish rooms and suites and the craft cocktails at its restaurant, Spoke & Steele.

Get a taste of: Bhutan / Nepal

Since 2007, over 60,000 Bhutanese refugees have settled in the U.S. and many of them have relocated to Clarkston, Georgia, now nicknamed the “Ellis Island of the South.” Approximately 60 percent of those refugees are Hindu, and 27 percent are Buddhist; among the many temples in the area is the nearby Drepung Loseling Monastery, where Buddhist monks lead meditations, and The Hindu Temple of Atlanta (aka BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta), the largest temple of its kind outside of India. (As it’s a religious site, visit their website before you visit for some tips on clothing and etiquette.) Afterwards, grab a bite at Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill for chicken momos and wai wai sadheko — noodles with onion, green chili pepper, garlic, and ginger. Himalayan Spice is also a worthwhile option, serving up Nepalese specials like thukpa noodle soup and badam sadeko, a spicy peanut salad. 

Stay at: W Atlanta Midtown. The luxury hotel’s sleek rooms and suites and views of midtown, as well as its pool and spa make it the place to stay in Atlanta. Use your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase during your trip to earn 2X points on travel purchases.

Get a taste of: Greece

Tarpon Springs began in 1875 as a simple pioneer settlement, and Greek immigrants soon made it home, even bringing over the natural sponge diving trade, which at one time outnumbered Florida’s orange exports. Listen for people speaking Greek in the streets as you head to the sponge docks and wooden boats on Dodecanese Boulevard. Check out St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, painted butter yellow and filled with colorful frescoes, then settle in for a meal of grilled octopus, saganaki (fried cheese), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and spanakopita at Mama Maria’s. 

Stay at: Fairfield Inn & Suites Holiday Tarpon Springs near the sponge docks. It has thoughtfully designed rooms, a pool, and exercise center.

Get a taste of: Cuba

In the 1960s, a large number of immigrants coming from Cuba settled in Riverside, which became known as Little Havana. Then in 1980, of the 125,000 refugees the Mariel Boatlift brought over to the United States, thousands ended up in Little Havana, cementing the neighborhood’s Cuban culture. There’s no better place in the U.S. for great Cuban food, so get ready for a day of eating: Pick up some guarapo (sugar cane juice) at Los Pinarenos Fruteria and Cuban-style burgers, made of a spiced beef patty between toasted Cuban bread and topped with shoestring fries, at El Rey De Las Fritas. Sanguich de Miami boasts a great cubano, but another great sandwich can be found at La Camaronera Seafood Joint & Fish Market, where the pan con minuta is made up of fried snapper on a lightly toasted Cuban roll. And don’t miss Versailles Restaurant for a sit-down-meal at the end of the day. Anything off the menu — from their stuffed green plantains to their ropa vieja — is a hit.

Stay at: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami along the island beachfront. Its ocean views, Caribbean-inspired resort spa, and Lightkeepers restaurant featuring Florida-sourced seafood take luxury up a notch.

Get a taste of: India

Called “Little India,” Oak Tree Road in Edison, in Central New Jersey, is filled with Indian shops, markets and restaurants, and 30 percent of its residents are of Indian and Pakistani descent. To work up an appetite, take a stroll down the street and stop into whatever markets or clothing stores that pop out to you — there are dozens to choose from — then head to Swagath Gourmet for thalis, big serving platters filled with different South Indian bites. Mithaas, another local spot, is known for its Indian desserts, from cakes lined with orange blossoms and pomegranate seeds to jalebis (deep fried batter that’s soaked in syrup) to mango kulfi (a pop made with condensed milk and mango puree).

Stay at: Courtyard Edison Woodbridge which has a contemporary yet comfortable lobby, fitness center, and indoor pool.

Get a taste of: Italy

In the early 20th century when a wave of Italian immigrants came to New York, many settled in Belmont in the Bronx, where Little Italy is now located. Today, a new wave of Albanian and Mexican immigrants are keeping the original Italian stores and restaurants alive, just a short train ride from Manhattan. Start by sampling the wares at the local stores: You can see (and taste) the sausage chandelier at Calabria Pork Store, where all of their dried sausage hangs from the ceiling, and take home some fresh ravioli from Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles, some cannoli or biscotti from Madonia Brothers Bakery, or fresh ricotta and mozzarella at Calandra’s Cheese. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop in Dominick’s Restaurant for a traditional meal filled with red sauce and red wine — and don’t forget to order the stuffed artichokes.

Stay at: The Algonquin Hotel Times Square in midtown. A New York City Historic Landmark, it’s filled with classic style. Iconic attractions are nearby like Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, and Central Park.

Get a taste of: Brazil

The first wave of Brazilian immigrants came to Framingham in 1980, due to economic hardships, and now it’s home to the largest Brazilian community in the U.S. Start your trip at Pão Brasil Bakery with coffee and any number of treats. They sell bread and cakes filled with coconut or guava, as well as traditional sweets like beijinhos and brigadeiros, little balls made from condensed milk and coconut or chocolate. Another favorite is the pão de queijo, a cheese bread baked with tapioca flour. After a few hours you’ll be hungry again — that’s when you’ll head to Framingham Station for some rodízio-style Brazilian barbecue, an all-you-can eat experience with all the skewered meats from beef to chicken. While you’re there, don’t miss Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha. You can order the original or any of their flavored caipirinhas made with fruit like mango, passionfruit, or kiwi. 

Stay at: Boston Marriott Long Wharf on Boston harbor for its elegant rooms and access to all Boston has to offer. Book with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Card from Chase and earn up to 17x total points on hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy™.