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When Wichita was first established as a trading post along the Chisolm Trail, it was a popular stop for cowboys driving their cattle from Texas to the end of the railroad in Kansas. Today, although some still call it a “cow town,” the only outlaws are the business owners and artists who are blazing their own trails.
In modern times, Wichita has been known as the air capital of the world because of the high concentration of factories producing aircrafts, a heritage that’s on display at the <a href="http://kansasaviationmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kansas Aviation Museum</a>. But more than that, there's been fast and furious urban growth over the past few years, with rapid development in the downtown area, which sits on the Arkansas River, affectionately referred to as “Our Kansas River.” (Wink*) Apartment buildings have gone up and new bike lanes are highly trafficked.
To get a sense of the Wichita landscape, we checked in with Andrew Gough, who owns the popular cafe/roastery <a href="http://www.reverieroasters.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reverie Roasters</a> (so popular, in fact, that it’s moving to a much bigger space after opening in 2013 in its original location.) He had the inside scoop on where the eat, hangout, and daytrip. 
<h3>DINE AROUND THE WORLD WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS</h3>
A few years ago, Andrew was on a dining panel enlisted by the Wichita Eagle, the city’s daily newspaper, because there were too many new restaurants for the one primary restaurant critic to keep up with. Now that’s saying something. Given that, plus the fact that he owns a café and his phone is a who's who of local culinary types, it’s safe to say he’s a trustworthy guide for anyone curious about where to dine around town.
To hear him tell it, some of the city’s most interesting meals are offered at tucked-away mom’n’pop eateries that collectively serve a rich assortment of ethnic cuisines. He’s a regular at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Manna-Wok-Oriental-Restaurant-116158315079707/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manna Wok</a>, a homey Korean restaurant where the kimchee spread is off the charts and the owner clearly loves her customers as much as they love her spot. Why else would the walls be plastered little photographs of diners who’ve visited over the years? It’s a ritual that goes back so long that Polaroids from the early days still hang on the wall.
Latin American fare is the pick on the southside of town. Usuluteco, a low-key and family owned El Salvadorian joint, is set inconspicuously in a strip mall just off a busy street where mom cooks and dad runs the front of house. Everything, he says, is 100% authentic, so he has a tough time deciding what to recommend. “Definitely the pupusas,” he says, referring to the classic El Salvadorian masa cakes with savory fillings. “But also anything with chicken or beef is really good. And also their pastelitos--fried empanadas stuffed with something like beef stew." In other words: everything. 
But if you were to press him on what food is identifiable with the region the way that cheesesteak is synonymous with Philly and pizza with New York, the nu way, a loose meat sandwich, is "a total Wichita thing," Andrew declares. It originated at a restaurant of the same name (<a href="http://www.nuwayburgers.com/%20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nu way</a>), and you'd be best off going to the source to try it. "You need to eat it at the restaurant because when you get it to go, the grease just steeps through the bag. Sure, it's a heart attack on a bun, but it's delicious." 
More generally speaking, humus and all sorts of other Middle Eastern dishes are ubiquitous, thanks to a humongous Lebanese community in town. Wichita is also home to a sizable Vietnamese population, so you’d be well served at any of the many pho joints around town.
<h3>HEARTY MEALS IN THE HEARTLAND</h3>
But Kansas is smack in the middle of the heartland, so it’s only reasonable to expect to find places dishing out good ole American comfort food. Wichita, it seems, prefers its comfort food with a healthy dash of creativity. <a href="http://www.tskwichita.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tanya’s Soup Kitchen</a> is one of Andrew’s go-tos for sandwiches he describes as “well thought out” (smoked turkey, blueberry barbecue sauce and provolone on an onion kaiser roll, anyone?) and soups. On Wednesdays they make a curry soup, but all the locals know that it’s the legendary tomato bisque you’ll want to try. Good thing it’s on offer all week. There’s a neat twist here. “They have recipe cards for all their products so you can make them at home, but interestingly, there’s still a line out the door every day."  
Sometimes you can find the most extraordinary grub in the most unlikely places. You might not be enticed by the no frills exterior of <a href="http://dempseyswichita.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dempsey’s Burger Pub</a>, but the creative burgers here will teach you not to just a pub by its façade. The selections rotate, but the Thai peanut butter burger is a recurring choice and Andrew’s favorite. After all, it’s made with espresso from his roastery.
<h3>COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST </h3>
Dempsey's is located in <a href="https://www.visitwichita.com/listing/clifton-square-shopping-%26-offices-village/25482/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clifton Square</a>, a block-long stretch comprised of mostly Victorian buildings that house an array of businesses, including some that are unique to the city, like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CollegeHillCreamery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College Hill Creamery</a>, a homey neighborhood spot that turns out house-made ice cream. <a href="http://www.tissusewingstudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tissu</a>, a hip, charming little shop that sells yarn and all sorts of notions, features a sewing studio with classes. If you’re in town with friends and up for an offbeat group activity, the <a href="http://www.wichitaroomescape.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wichita Escape Room</a> is for you. A “live action” escape game, you get closed in a room with your group and all you have is puzzles and logic tricks to figure out how to find the key to get out. 
Each of Wichita's many neighborhoods has its own very distinctive flavor and character. The <a href="http://www.dddwichita.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Douglas Design District</a>, which is awash with murals and revitalized storefronts, is regarded as the most creative community. Well over 90% of its hundreds of businesses are small and independently owned. Not surprisingly, it’s where you'll find Andrew’s cozy Reverie Roasters, a go-to cafe for thoughtfully prepared java drinks. His is one among the ranks of businesses that’s making Wichita a destination for foodies. Down the street, <a href="http://www.thedonutwhole.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donut Whole</a> offers fresh donuts made with local ingredients and coffee made with beans from Andrew's roastery. He says it's the shop that ignited the 'hood's creative energy. Complete with a gallery and a lounge with live music, he describes it as “funky, creative, super-duper unique, and eclectic.” Next door is <a href="http://www.piattoict.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Piatto</a>, a pizzeria run by a man who went to Italy to learn how to make true Neapolitan-style pies and brought a traditional pizza oven back with him. The aforementioned Tanya’s is across the street. 
One of the most exciting things in the DDD is the growing craft beer scene. <a href="https://www.hoppinggnome.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hopping Gnome</a> and <a href="http://www.centralstandardbrewing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Central Standard Brewing</a> both feature a brewpub where you can hangout and drink the house suds. Plus they’re food-truck-friendly, so people pick up grub from the trucks and bring it inside for a session. Workers at both brewpubs are really engaging and informative, Andrew says, offering history lessons on beer styles, information on where they source ingredients, and elaborate explanations of beer styles. “Every one of these new breweries does that. It makes it all more interesting,” he says. 
<h3>DAY TRIPPER</h3>
2016 marked the centennial of <a href="http://www.lindsborghistory.org/coronadoheights.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coronado Heights</a>, a castle-like stone structure built into the side of a bluff pathways from spiderweb to the top....pathways carved into hill... Located about an hour and 15 minutes outside town and listed on the National and Kansas State Registers of Historic Places, it features an observatory deck that offers breathtaking views of the Smoky Hill River Valley and it’s one of the “<a href="https://www.kansassampler.org/8wonders/geographyresults.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8 Wonders of Kansas Geography</a>.” (Who knew?) Coronado Heights is surrounded by a an elaborate network of walking paths with astonishing views. Make a day trip out of it and stop in nearby <a href="http://www.lindsborgcity.org/index.aspx?NID=340" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Linsborg</a>, known as “Little Sweden” because it was built by Scandinavian immigrants back when they settled there in 1869. That history lives on in its Scandinavian architecture and rich cultural sites.
About 30 miles in the opposite direction of town is <a href="http://ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Locations/Mushroom-Rock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mushroom Rock State Park</a>, a collection of bizarre oversize standstone formations; millions years ago water left rock formation in the shape of fungi. "There's so many little things and always more to discover. It's a beautiful drive to get there."

Locals Know Best: Wichita

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CHINATOWN Back in the 19th century, most of London's few Chinese residents found homes around the docks in the city's then-grim East End. That was before German bombs flattened much of the area in World War II, and the post-war decline of the shipping industry robbed Chinese sailors of their jobs. In search of new opportunities, a handful ventured west to set up restaurants on the edges of raffish Soho, a patch of the city center long favored by immigrant groups. Chinatown was born, and Londoners, starved for variety, soon discovered a taste for fried rice and egg rolls. The tiny grid of 17th century streets just north of Leicester Square became the cultural focus for London's entire Chinese community, swollen in more recent decades by arrivals from Hong Kong. Almost 80 restaurants are now packed into a few hundred square yards, with menus to satisfy all regional tastes, from the familiar Szechuan of China's southwest to the lesser-known Dongbei of the far northeast. For the best and cheapest meals, follow the crowd of Chinese students. (There are about 9,000 living in London.) One clear favorite is the Cafe de Hong Kong, an airy eatery that offers genuine Hong Kong cooking in clean, bright surroundings (49 Charing Cross Road, 011/44-20-7534-9898). Order a plate piled high with noodles, mushrooms, and bean curd and there'll still be plenty for a 10-pound note (about $16).  And you'll find plenty of under-10-pound meals at the tiny Jen Café, where handmade dumplings are a specialty (4-8 Newport Place, 011/44-20-7287-9708, $10). Looking for a gastro-treat? Modest in appearance and too cramped for big groups, Four Seasons is famous for its roast duck, served in a sauce whose recipe is known only to its chef (23 Wardour Street, 011/44-20-7287-9995, $14). BRIXTON It's just a 15-minute ride south on the Underground from Oxford Circus, but Brixton shares none of the glitz and glamour of the West End. In the early days of mass migration from the West Indies, Brixton was one of the few districts where new arrivals could find rooms, and this neighborhood's casual, rough-and-ready character will remind some visitors of the Caribbean itself. (Brixton can also be just plain rough: In the 1980s, it was the scene of violent race riots, and the bad rep-largely unjustified-persists.) The music is loud, the nightlife is upbeat, and there's jerk chicken or curry goat on the menu for the spice hunter. For the full flavor of the neighborhood, start at the open-air market that fills the streets close to the Brixton Underground station and the nearby arcades. Stalls are heaped with barracuda and catfish, plantains and yams, while takeout stands sell hefty slabs of Jamaican bullah cake (less than $2) or escovitch fish, a traditional Jamaican breakfast snack of fish marinated in a vinegar-based sauce ($6.50). A short climb up Brixton Hill leads to Negril, named after the famed Jamaican beach town (132 Brixton Hill, 011/44-20-8674-8798). Appropriately, there are tables outside for dining alfresco on London's warm days. Enjoy staples of West Indian cuisine from Jamaican rice cooked in coconut milk with gungo peas ($5) to saltfish fritters ($6.50). You can also bring your own beer or wine.  For a big blowout, there's Bamboula, almost opposite Lambeth Town Hall, where a serving of succulent jerk chicken-half the bird-costs just $11 (12 Acre Lane, <a href="http://bamboulas.net/" target="_blank">bamboulas.net</a>). Unassuming from the outside, the restaurant sports an interior that makes a bold attempt to re-create a Montego beach hut—including palm fronds in the window and a bamboo-thatched bar. LITTLE CAIRO Also known as Little Beirut, this cluster of more than 50 cafés and restaurants caters to London's swelling crowd of transplants from the Middle East and North Africa. There are no reliable figures, but by some reckonings more than 300,000 Arabs are living in London, and the half-mile strip of Edgware Road, the busy highway that runs down to Marble Arch, is their shared meeting place.  Egyptian, Syrian, Moroccan, Persian, Kurdish food-even just an old-fashioned falafel-are all available, together with a bit of the flavor of a souk. Women in veils shop for groceries while men gather on the sidewalks to throw back tiny cups of fierce coffee and trade gossip over their shisha pipes-the hookahs that are central to the café life of the Middle East. (A smoking ban introduced in 2007 keeps the practice outdoors, which is bad news during the British winter and has caused many of the old all-night shisha bars to close altogether.) Much of the immediate area is decidedly posh-Mayfair and the elegant squares of Bayswater are nearby-but there are restaurants for every budget and taste. Typical of the locality at its most relaxed and unpretentious is Abu Ali, where a mixed meze (appetizer) of hummus, tabbouleh, and other regional favorites is an  ample meal for most appetites (136-138 George Street, 011/44-20-7724-6338, $12). The menus are a tad tattered, but the atmosphere is reminiscent of the casbah and you can expect the attention of the proprietor himself. A younger crowd is more likely to be found just around the corner at the modish Beirut Express, which combines a traditional menu with the sleeker look of a Western café (112-114 Edgware Road, 011/44-20-7724-2700). Open from 7 A.M. to 2 A.M. seven days a week, it's handy for night owls or early risers looking for a sustaining plate of, say, foul moudamas ($8), the bean stew that's often eaten for breakfast in the Middle East. Venture a little farther north and Kandoo offers a spicy introduction to Persian cooking, like shishlik, grilled lamb marinated in yogurt and served with rice or salad (458 Edgware Road, <a href="http://kandoorestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank">kandoorestaurant.co.uk</a>, $17). A bring-your-own alcohol policy keeps prices down. BRICK LANE Some like it hot, some prefer mild. Whatever your style, Brick Lane is a must-visit destination for any curry aficionado. Every year, the narrow street, east of the towering office blocks of the financial district, stages its own curry festival to coincide with the celebration of the New Year in Bangladesh. On any given day, the 40-plus curry houses in the immediate neighborhood pull in thousands of diners hungry for a taste of the subcontinent. Immigrants have shaped the area's character for centuries. First came the Huguenots, Protestants fleeing persecution in 16th century France, who built many of the elegant row houses that still survive in the Spitalfields district. Then came the Jews escaping the pogroms of Czarist Russia. Today, almost a third of the population of the local borough are Bangladeshi by origin and their influence pervades the area. One of London's largest mosques—East London Mosque, capacity 5,000—stands a few minutes' walk from the southern end of Brick Lane. The best time to visit is Sunday morning, when flea markets crowd the local streets, adding a bustle that's missing midweek. Bargain hunters rub elbows with more affluent visitors exploring the boutiques and art galleries that have transformed patches of the edgy East End. Tourists looking for an $8 meal should follow their noses to the BanglaCity supermarket, where Sunday morning purveyors sell steaming bowls of curry or vegetable Samosas, or jilabi (honey cookies) to be enjoyed in the open air (86 Brick Lane, 011/44-20-7234-5710). Competition for customers is fierce among the restaurants on Brick Lane, but the keenest curry fans look to the side streets, free of tourist traffic, where a few of the restaurants maintain the standards of the old country. Take 30-seat Meraz Cafe (56 Hanbury Street, themeraz.co.uk). Set up to feed the earliest Bangladeshi settlers in 1974, the restaurant takes pride in shunning the techniques of mass cuisine adopted by some of its bigger neighbors. Here, sauces are still prepared individually for dishes that include $9 ceena shathkora (beef on the bone cooked with citrus fruits) and $13 Tandoori prawns. On a larger scale, Clifton avoids the fusty atmosphere often associated with curry houses (1 Whitechapel Road, cliftonbricklane.com). Plate-glass windows help to banish the gloom, and the open-plan kitchen serves specialties from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, such as spicy-sour chicken or lamb tetul tanga bujon ($13). GREEN LANES London is home to thousands of Turkish Cypriots. When the former colony was torn apart by conflict between the Greek and Turkish communities in the 1950s, many fled to Finsbury Park, an oasis of greenery a few miles north of the city center. Ignore the rumble of the buses outside and the lunchtime scene at a typical Green Lanes eatery could be anywhere in Turkish Cyprus. In the front window sit elderly women pounding dough for the restaurant stoves just behind. The language of the staff and diners is largely Turkish, and the menu-with prices almost as modest as back home-would delight any homesick Cypriot. A big pide, a Turkish equivalent of pizza, served with a heaping bowl of salad and a chunk of Turkish Delight, costs less than $10.  Though the shop fronts along Green Lanes, the district's main thoroughfare, have the classic look of a Victorian high street, they host a range of Turkish-owned businesses from hardware merchants to jewelers. But food is the big draw.  Hala pulls in crowds from the immediate neighborhood-its $13 manti (Turkish ravioli) and $11 lamb's liver kebabs are standouts (29 Green Lanes, 011/44-20-8802-4883). Near the top of many lists is Antepliler, which includes a café, a restaurant, and a patisserie (46 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, 011/44-20-8802-5588). Kebabs made with organ meat are the main attraction, running less than $8 for liver, heart, or kidney. If you're looking for something even more exotic, consider the lamb's testicles. And for a sugar-rich dessert, Turks from across London head for Yasar Halim, down the road from Hala, to stock up on bread or raid the mounds of sticky delicacies (495-497 Green Lanes, 011/44-20-8340-8090). For the full sweet-toothed Turkish Cypriot experience, try the lukma, a crisp, honeyed doughnut of tooth-aching sweetness (about 16 cents each). The true taste of Turkey—and of London at its most richly diverse. 

Eat Like a Local in London

DAY 1: ART + DESIGN
Turning out everything from colorful handcrafted goods to edgy multimedia installations, Cape Town's diverse creative community redefines the South African aesthetic on a daily basis.
MORNING FIX About three miles east of downtown, the Cape Town neighborhood of Woodstock has become the city's de facto arts capital and the heart of its design scene. The sunny, year-old café Superette, opened by neighborhood pioneers Justin Rhodes and Cameron Munro (who also run Woodstock's Whatiftheworld gallery and Neighbourgoods Market), is an ideal place to get oriented. The shop unites the duo's interests in food and design under one roof: Funky curios like artfully scribbled ceramic mugs share shelf space with raw chestnut honey and jars of agave nectar sugar, and all the coffee drinks are made with beans from Cape Town roaster Deluxe Coffeeworks. 218 Albert Rd., <a href="http://www.superette.co.za/" target="_blank">superette.co.za</a>, espresso from $3.
ART CRAWL A complete Woodstock gallery tour can occupy most of a day, since the top spots are spread across a relatively large area, not all of which is walkable. (Tip: It's best to break the tour into two segments, connected by a cab ride.) A fitting first stop is Rhodes and Munro's Whatiftheworld (208 Albert Rd., <a href="http://www.whatiftheworld.com/" target="_blank">whatiftheworld.com</a>), which focuses on emerging talents like the avant-garde performance artist Athi-Patra Ruga. About six blocks away, the artists-in-residence at Greatmore Studios lead workshops on etching, drawing, and more for anyone who signs up on the website (47-49 Greatmore St., <a href="http://www.greatmoreart.org/" target="_blank">greatmoreart.org</a>, workshops free). From there, a five-minute cab ride leads to Goodman Gallery (176 Sir Lowry Rd., 3rd Fl., <a href="http://www.goodman-gallery.com/" target="_blank">goodman-gallery.com</a>), where the roster includes renowned South African artist William Kentridge and Zimbabwe-born painter Kudzanai Chiurai. Two blocks away, the Michael Stevenson Gallery represents some of the country's most important young artists (160 Sir Lowry Rd., <a href="http://www.michaelstevenson.com/" target="_blank">michaelstevenson.com</a>).
POWER LUNCH Chef Karen Dudley had already made her name as a catering star before launching her low-key sandwich counter, The Kitchen, last year. Open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., it has become the go-to gathering spot for artists, gallerists, and other Woodstock locals, who pull up stools at the six-seat bar to await hearty servings of seasonal salads like panzanella or tabbouleh and inventive sandwiches served on artisanal rolls. 111 Sir Lowry Rd., <a href="http://www.karendudley.co.za/" target="_blank">karendudley.co.za</a>, sandwiches from $4.
HOMESPUN HAVEN For a souvenir with a story to tell, head to Heartworks in Woodstock's converted Old Biscuit Mill building. The collective employs crafters from the Khayelitsha township in southeast Cape Town—many of them displaced by political turmoil in Congo or Zimbabwe—who hand-embroider teddy bears, wall hangings, and pillows in a rainbow of colors. 373-375 Albert Rd., <a href="http://www.heartworks.co.za/" target="_blank">heartworks.co.za</a>, pillows from $39.
STUDIO AUDIENCE After a long day of looking at art, it's nice to meet one of the city's creative forces face-to-face. Designer Heath Nash, whose whimsical Flowerball hanging lamps are made with plastic salvaged from landfills, regularly opens his studio to visitors (call about a week ahead to schedule a time). Nash's pieces are admittedly pricey—lamps start at $90—but he encourages browsing and will happily share stories about his recent collaborations with weavers in his native Zimbabwe. 2 Mountain Rd., <a href="http://www.heathnash.com/" target="_blank">heathnash.com</a>.
SWANKY SUITES The 20-room Hippo Boutique Hotel in Cape Town's Gardens section, one mile southwest of Woodstock, tempers its modern aesthetic with just the right touches. The cherrywood floors, mid-century sofas, and painted headboards guarantee a vibe that's more homey than highfalutin (5-9 Park Rd., <a href="http://www.hippotique.co.za/" target="_blank">hippotique.co.za</a>, from $190). Of course, design means something different to everyone, and in the Sea Point neighborhood six miles farther northwest, the folks behind Nu Rock Inn prefer playful period details to any serious statement. Its 10 studios have '50s-style furniture and throwback games like foosball, and most open onto a shared balcony with views of Lion's Head mountain (68 Regent Rd., <a href="http://www.nurockinn.co.za/" target="_blank">nurockinn.co.za</a>, from $67).
DAY 2: THE OUTDOORS
Cape town isn't merely defined by its natural assets—a bounty of beaches, plentiful hikes, exotic wildlife—it thrives because of them. and, of course, its mild climate (average november high: 73°F) certainly sweetens the deal.
WAKE-UP HIKE Rising more than 3,500 feet above Cape Town, the two-mile-long plateau of Table Mountain can be seen from nearly every street corner in the city, and hiking to its summit is almost a rite of passage. Medium-difficulty trails begin in several places, but the best is in the 89-acre Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which allows you to take in two outdoorsy sites in one go (for maps and information, go to <a href="http://www.sanparks.org/" target="_blank">sanparks.org</a>). Most people need about two hours each way for the hike, but time-strapped travelers have another option: a five-minute aerial tram ride from Tafelberg Road, with clear views of Camps Bay, Robben Island, and Cape Town Stadium, built for the 2010 World Cup (<a href="http://www.tablemountain.net/" target="_blank">tablemountain.net</a>, round-trip tram ride $22).
ANIMAL PLANET They may not be as iconic as the continent's big five, but African penguins (once dubbed jackass penguins because of their braying calls) are as much at home here as lions and hippos. At Boulders Penguin Colony, part of Table Mountain National Park about 45 minutes south of downtown, visitors can get up close and personal with 3,000 or so of the frolicking sea birds from boardwalks suspended above their nesting ground. Simon's Town, <a href="http://www.sanparks.org/" target="_blank">sanparks.org</a>, entry $4.50.
LUNCHTIME LOOKOUT With its 150-seat terrace overlooking False Bay, Cape Point's Two Oceans Restaurant could easily skate by on location alone—which makes its solid selection of South African wines and its commitment to sourcing sustainable seafood a nice bonus. The menu ranges from à la carte snacks (fresh oysters from neighboring Namibia) to the signature built-for-two platter, a heaping pile of crayfish, prawns, calamari, mussels, fresh fish, and curry. Plateau Rd. (M65), <a href="http://www.two-oceans.co.za/" target="_blank">two-oceans.co.za</a>, oysters $2.50 each, built-for-two platter $60.
POINT OF VIEWS This year, there is a brand-new way to reach one of the country's most-visited sites: the Cape of Good Hope, a rocky peninsula that juts out between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans an hour south of Cape Town. Completed in August after four years of work, the Hoerikwaggo Trail cuts through 60 miles of Table Mountain National Park and connects Cape Town to Cape Point, covering forested, mountainous, and coastal terrain in the process. Tackling the whole route is a four-night affair—made less daunting by the kitchenette-equipped tents at each of four campgrounds along the way—but hikers can also take on shorter segments. It's certainly possible to go it alone, but hiring a guide is recommended. <a href="http://www.sanparks.org/" target="_blank">sanparks.org</a>, trail camping from $27 per person per night.
BEACH SCENE Cape Town's ocean-side community of Clifton is built on some of Africa's most expensive real estate. But while a luxe villa runs about $700 per square foot, the neighboring white-sand beaches are free for all. Each of the stretches of Clifton Beach, numbered 1st through 4th, has a distinct personality—from quieter to busier as the numbers rise. In the evenings, sunbathers migrate to beachfront bars like Café Caprice, in the more down-to-earth district of Camps Bay, for cocktails and people-watching. 37 Victoria Rd., <a href="http://www.cafecaprice.co.za/" target="_blank">cafecaprice.co.za</a>, cocktails from $4.
RESTFUL ROOMS Creating a peaceful retreat within a city of 3.5 million is no small feat, but the folks behind the 10-room Derwent House hotel rose to the challenge. The decor is spa-inspired: Teak chaises line the sandstone pool deck, common areas have high ceilings and open floor plans, and in the guest rooms, extra-long beds are an unexpected luxury. Any accent pieces that do appear are judiciously chosen: Pillows sewn from African textiles brighten the lobby couches, and signed lithographs by Nelson Mandela hang in the hallways. 14 Derwent Rd., <a href="http://www.derwenthouse.co.za/" target="_blank">derwenthouse.co.za</a>, from $163.
DAY 3: FOOD + WINE
From farmers market stalls to high-end restaurants, plus the many vineyards just outside of town, evidence of the Cape's bounty is everywhere you turn—a blessing for the city's wealth of imaginative chefs and winemakers.
SNACK CENTRAL South Africans have a fierce sweet tooth, and Melissa and Mark van Hoogstraten have spent 14 years satisfying it. Their mini chain, Melissa's The Food Shop, specializes in handmade vanilla fudge and allergy-sensitive desserts like gluten-free almond cake. You don't even have to find your way to one of their six outposts to get a taste—more and more competing grocers across the country are carrying the couple's signature goodies on their shelves. 94 Kloof St., <a href="http://www.melissas.co.za/" target="_blank">melissas.co.za</a>, almond cake $3.
WEEKEND RITUAL Since its creation in 2006, the Neighbourgoods Market at Woodstock's Old Biscuit Mill has become a Saturday-morning must-shop stop for Cape Town food lovers. Along with small-batch wines and South African snacks like boerewors (farmer's sausage) and biltong (meat jerky), vendors show off their unique takes on regional produce with items like Cape Gooseberry macaroons. 373-375 Albert Rd., <a href="http://www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za/" target="_blank">neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za</a>, Saturdays 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
BEST BRAAI In South Africa, a braai (or barbecue) is as much a social custom as it is a way to fill your plate—and it's most vividly experienced in a place like Mzoli's, a rowdy restaurant in the Gugulethu township that's standing-room-only on weekends (011-27/21-638-1355, meat from $4 per kilogram). Formality is nonexistent: Patrons simply pick a cut of chicken, steak, or sausage (the cost is calculated by the kilogram), and relax with a Castle lager as it cooks. While you're in the area, it's worth taking one of Liziwe's Tours through the township. Innkeeper and Gugulethu resident Liziwe Ngcokoto leads 40-minute walks that finish at Mzoli's (011-27/21-633-7406, about $14 per person).
DECADENT DETOUR Of the several dozen vineyards in the Cape Winelands area, about half an hour east of the city, Muratie Wine Estate is one of the oldest: It was first farmed in 1699 by a German soldier. The vineyards themselves are beautiful, but the real draw at Muratie is the farmhouse lunch of traditional South African meat, soup, and homemade breads, held in a centuries-old stone-walled cellar decorated with antiques and oil paintings (for parties of 10 or more only; reservations required). For smaller groups, the kitchen can assemble a picnic of cantaloupe, cheese from nearby dairies, and fresh koeksisters—supersweet South African doughnuts—to eat out on the lawn. Naturally, the staff will suggest wine pairings for either option. R44, Stellenbosch, <a href="http://www.muratie.co.za/" target="_blank">muratie.co.za</a>, lunch $26 per person including wine, picnic $20, picnic with wine tasting $23.
COUNTRYSIDE ESCAPE Sampling sauvignon blancs for an afternoon is great, but spending the night in a vintner's farmhouse is downright dreamy. At the Hawksmoor House, a classic Cape Dutch building with rounded gables, each of the eight rooms has its own distinct look (a four-poster bed and an antique vanity in one, bright-turquoise walls in another). Guests share the grounds—all 544 acres—with the owners' horses, cows, and four German pointers, and have access to the wine cellar, herb garden, lavender beds, and vineyard. Near Stellenbosch, <a href="http://www.hawksmoor.co.za/" target="_blank">hawksmoor.co.za</a>, from $136, including continental or English breakfast and afternoon tea.

Three Days in Cape Town

Reader Nominations for Coolest Small Towns

What's your best travel tip? Send us your tips, and if we publish one, you'll get a one-year subscription (or a renewal) to Budget Travel. You can e-mail them to us at <a href="mailto:Tips@BudgetTravel.com" target="_blank">Tips@BudgetTravel.com</a>.

Best Tips Ever The cleverest tips we've ever run are in The Smart Traveler's Passport, a handy book available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594741778/" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> and select bookstores. Send us a tip: If yours is one that we illustrate, we'll send you a free book (and a year's subscription to the magazine).

1. Rest assured I always pack an inflatable beach ball in my carry-on for long flights. When I'm ready to sleep, I just blow it up, put it on my tray table, and curl over it to sleep. I don't have to worry about my head bobbing from side to side as I sleep, and I never have a sore neck when I wake up. Added bonus: The beach ball also makes a great footrest. Connie Race, Tooele, Utah

2. On the hunt When my husband and I visit museums with our children, we always ask the ticket agent if there are any organized treasure hunts. Some museums, like the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, have a list of specific works of art or facts that are interesting to kids. If we know in advance that the museum doesn't have this feature, we put together our own treasure hunt. Susan Weaver, Ghlin, Belgium

3. Trick up your sleeve I came up with a great way to keep from losing my scarf when I travel. As you take off your jacket or sweater, grab one end of the scarf and hold on to it. Once the garment is off, you'll find that the scarf has been threaded through the sleeve. Since the scarf isn't loose, it's less likely to fall off and get left behind. Chuck Collazzi, Las Vegas, Nev.

4. Beyond the books Before we travel, my husband and I download podcasts about our destination, and then we listen to them on the way there. I even bought an adapter for my iPod that allows both of us to listen at the same time. Janice Telstar, Ardmore, Pa.

5. Magnet memories I purchase magnets when I travel. When I get home, I write the month and year of the trip on the back of each one before I put it on our refrigerator. The magnets are great reminders of when I've traveled where, and they're handy when I go to give blood. I just look at them to see if I've traveled anywhere recently that would make me ineligible to donate. Julie McCauley, Eugene, Ore.

6. It's a wrap On a recent trip to Italy, my husband and I picked up an Italian newspaper to use as fun and inexpensive wrapping paper. We even matched the section of the paper with the recipient, using colorful photos of soccer players to wrap a gift for a soccer-playing relative. We found that family members took as much interest in the wrapping paper as they did in the gift! Ruth Schnur, Princeton, N.J.

7. Hike up your coverage If you're going to do any serious trekking, consider buying rescue insurance. While hiking in Aruba, I fell off a cliff and ended up in the emergency room; in Boulder, I saw someone get airlifted off a mountain. Regular health insurance doesn't always cover things like a helicopter rescue, but rescue insurance does. The American Alpine Club offers a rescue benefit to its members for as little as $40 per year. Amanda Chay, Tampa, Fla.

8. Journal on the fly When my husband and I travel, I buy a postcard and fill it with info about where we stay, eat, shop, and sightsee, and then I mail it home. I use the card as a record for our future trips&#8212;or advice for friends who are planning to go to the same place. Leslie Parker, San Clemente, Calif.

9. Lots to remember It's easy to get a little distracted while parking your car at the airport before a flight. So when my husband and I park, one of us always sends the other a text message with info about our car's location. We never have to wander the lot looking for our car after the trip. Caroline Mosey, Indianapolis, Ind.

10. Room for improvement It can be tough to figure out hotel-room arrangements if you're traveling with several people. Instead of choosing your room, ask the reservations clerk what he or she would recommend as the best deal for your situation. I always explain that we have six in our family, what the kids' ages are, and who can share a bed. We've been given great solutions: two double rooms with roll-aways, and a family room for five with a roll-away. Catherine Douglass, Tacoma, Wash.

11. The fine print I found a way to keep track of all my airline, car, hotel, and club memberships without having to carry the ID cards with me. On a wallet-size card, I listed the membership numbers and toll-free numbers for all the programs in tiny (but readable) print and then had the card laminated. Elizabeth A. Flanagan, Blacksburg, Va.

12. Plugged in When you travel with infants or toddlers, bring a Ziploc full of childproof outlet plugs. You're bound to need them, whether you're staying in a hotel or with friends or family. Melanie Freeman, Encinitas, Calif.

13. Sand-free solution Take a container of baby powder along the next time you go to the beach. Before you get back into your car, sprinkle the powder on your feet&#8212;the sand falls right off! Christine DeFrehn, Mercerville, N.J.

14. Picture this Before a recent trip to Puerto Rico, I went to <a href="http://www.flickr.com" target="_blank">flickr.com</a>, a photo-sharing website, and searched for images of the island. Just going through people's pictures helped me decide what I wanted to do during my trip. When I arrived, it was fun to walk around and see the statues, parks, and places I'd seen in other people's shots. Debbie Morantes, San Antonio, Tex.

15. Grand savings Formula One fans should buy their Grand Prix tickets directly from the track's official website instead of from <a href="http://www.formula1.com" target="_blank">formula1.com</a>, online ticket brokers, or scalpers. I've saved up to $80 per ticket by doing this. For the name of the track (and its website) where the race will be held, just do a Google search. Shelby Spiva, Clifton, N.J.

16. Double-duty dishes I often bring along sandwiches or snacks in disposable plastic containers on trips. Instead of throwing the containers away when I reach my destination, I save them. Rinsed out, they're perfect for protecting small breakable items in my carry-on. Judy Zdeb, Newington, Conn.

17. Easy seat I used to check my toddler's car seat on flights, but now that airlines charge for extra luggage, I keep it with me. Since the seat is so heavy and bulky, I bought a Tote a Tot (<a href="http://www.toteatot.com" target="_blank">toteatot.com</a>, $30). It's a strap that attaches the car seat to any small roller suitcase, so I don't have to lug the thing around by hand. Best of all, when I board, I can check the seat at the door for free. Cinzia Cervato, Ames, Iowa

18. Wipe out Once at a wedding I realized that my makeup had smeared onto my collar. In desperation, I used one of my baby granddaughter's wipes, and it took the stain right off. Now I never travel anywhere without baby wipes, whether I'm with a baby or not! Janey Mitchell, Scanlon, Minn.

19. Checkmate! A lot of travelers think there's only one security checkpoint to go through when departing from the South Terminal at London's Gatwick Airport. But when the airport gets crowded, a second&#8212;and, when it's really packed, a third&#8212;opens. I've always found the upstairs checkpoint to be much less crowded than the main one. Tom Reese, Memphis, Tenn.

20. Sounds of slumber I listen to music when I go to sleep, but it gets tricky when I travel and share a room with others. On a recent trip, I put my iPod next to my pillow, cranked the volume all the way up, and put the earbuds under the pillow. The music was just loud enough to help me fall asleep, but not too loud for my roommates. Denise Hendershot, Grand Rapids, Mich.

20 Tips

What's your best travel tip? Send us your tips, and if we publish one, you'll get a one-year subscription (or a renewal) to Budget Travel. You can e-mail them to us at <a href="mailto:Tips@BudgetTravel.com" target="_blank">Tips@BudgetTravel.com</a>.

Best Tips Ever The cleverest tips we've ever run are in The Smart Traveler's Passport, a handy book available at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1594741778/" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> and select bookstores. Send us a tip: If yours is one that we illustrate, we'll send you a free book (and a year's subscription to the magazine).

1. DIY car insurance I collect vinyl bumper stickers&#8212;the kind that peel off without leaving a mark&#8212;and put them on the bumper when I get a rental. With my car dressed up like it's local, I don't have to worry about thieves who target tourists. Chris Manos, Centennial, Colo.

2. Beat the competition On our last cruise to Hawaii, most of the passengers rented cars to get around. When we got off the ship, everyone else began loading onto the rental-car bus, but my wife and I hopped into a taxi and paid a small fare to get to the rental-car agency. We were the first to get a car. As we drove off to explore, we noticed a long line of people from our cruise waiting for their wheels. Gary Kessler, Avondale, Ariz.

3. Strap happy If the strap from your travel bag or camera is digging into your shoulder, put a padded seat-belt cover on it. You can find these at most auto-parts stores for less than $10. Gretchen Hord, Weatherford, Tex.

4. Museum markdown The Museum of Modern Art in New York shows films every day for $10. If you keep your ticket stub from the film, you have 30 days to apply its value toward the museum's $20 admission fee. Carli Entin, Hoboken, N.J.

5. Scents and sensibility To avoid the hassle of taking a perfume bottle with me on trips, I spray my accessories with the fragrance before I pack. Dori Pappas, Drexel Hill, Pa.

6. Coming clean You can't always count on public restrooms to have soap, so it's best to take your own when you travel. The mini shampoos from hotels work great as liquid soap. Ed Foster, Texarkana, Tex.

7. Wrap star My husband and I line our suitcases with bubble wrap and layer it between our clothes. It's a life-saver: The wrap lies flat against the sides, keeps our clothes wrinkle-free, is almost weightless, and comes in handy when we buy breakables that we want to carry home. Nanette Ruffner, Miami, Fla.

8. Sew clever On a recent vacation in Rome, my husband accidentally sat on his glasses. As we were trying to fix them, we lost one of the screws. We searched throughout the whole city for inexpensive reading glasses but found only designer glasses that cost hundreds of dollars. In desperation, I got out my sewing kit and stitched the glasses together with a needle and thread. They held perfectly! Sandy Davenport, Destin, Fla.

9. Child's play When my husband and I travel with our kids, we always plan to spend a day at a local zoo or amusement park about midway through the trip. For example, we've gone to Leofoo Village Theme Park near Taipei and to Parc Ast&#233;rix, an amusement park north of Paris. The trips are a good break from museums and monuments, and we always learn a lot about the local culture. Gwen Gibbons, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

10. If the shoe mitts&iquest; The little shoe mitts that are part of some hotels' complimentary toiletries are great for dusting your computer monitor or wiping the lenses of your glasses or camera. Kimberly Button, Orlando, Fla.

11. Show and cell Asking for help in another country can be tricky, but traveling with a camera-phone has made my trips easier. I've created a photo album with pictures of basic necessities like a bottle of water, a toilet, a taxi, and stamps. Now when I'm traveling and I don't know the word for what I need, I just show a local a picture of it on my phone. Jena Persico, Arlington, Va.

12. Indulge early At some point between booking and boarding a cruise, I go to the cruise line's website and order myself a gift or two&#8212;usually gift certificates to the spa or the casino. Prepaying for these is my way of treating myself without feeling like I'm blowing my budget while I'm on the vacation. Shauna Neuhauser, Apple Valley, Minn.

13. Ham it up On a recent trip to Ireland, my girlfriends and I rented two cars. In the southwest part of the country, the road signs can be very confusing, so we used handheld short-distance radios to communicate. Being able to talk saved us many times from getting separated on tricky turns and roundabouts! Lisa Gault, Starke, Fla.

14. ID your ID We have four passports to keep track of when our family travels, and we used to waste time at security trying to figure out whose was whose. Finally, I put the label maker to use and stuck our first names onto the front of each passport. Mary-Jeanine Ibarguen, Altamonte Springs, Fla.

15. Drop some pounds To avoid going over luggage weight limits, I've switched to using a large duffle with wheels. My midsize suitcase weighs 14 pounds, but my duffel bag weighs in at a mere 7 pounds. Shelby Spiva, Clifton, N.J.

16. Check it twice Look closely at your boarding passes when you do curbside check-in. On a recent flight, I checked in curbside and got boarding passes for both legs of my flight. As I headed to security, I realized I had been given someone else's boarding pass for the second leg! Tracey Madden, Dover, N.H.

17. Duck the cover charge If you're looking for a place to eat in Italy, check to see if the restaurant has a coperto, or cover charge. If you want only a light breakfast or lunch, skip the sit-down places, buy a pastry or panini from a bakery, and do some sightseeing while you eat. You can save a lot of money by doing this! Blair Sechrest, Cary, N.C.

18. When in Rome... Next time you book a rental car at a busy airport in a foreign country, don't be afraid to use the smaller European companies. On a recent trip to Rome, my husband and I decided to skip the American options and rent from Auto Europa instead (autoeuropa.it). When we landed, exhausted from an overnight flight from Boston, we walked right up to the rental counter and were on our way in less than a half hour. Jen Kelley, Acton, Mass.

19. Cruise control Because of a late connecting flight, my family and I missed our cruise departure from Miami. The cruise line offered to fly us to the ship's first scheduled port stop so we could join our group a few days later. We didn't want to miss so much time at sea, though, so we came up with a better solution: We asked the cruise line if we could join a different cruise leaving from Miami the next day. The company obliged, and we had a wonderful trip. It never hurts to ask! Mary Myers, Erie, Colo.

20. Throw on the towel My wife and I always bring our own towels to lay across our lounge chairs when we go to a beach resort, to a hotel with a pool, or on a cruise. Because most of the other guests use the white towels supplied by the resort, our chairs are easy to spot. We use the resort's towels to dry off if we go into the water. Brian Metzler, Fair Lawn, N.J.

<h2>What's Included</h2>
<ul><li>Stay Thursdays-Sundays through June or any day July-August<ul><li>$189 per night ... Traditional King or Two Queen Room</li><li>$219 per night ... Deluxe or Balcony King or Two Queen Room</li></ul></li><li>Travelzoo member perks:<ul><li>Daily $25 resort credit</li><li>Waived resort fee (reg. $18 per night in March; and $25 per night April-August)—covers Wi-Fi, parking, access to the pool and fitness center, a $25 food-and-beverage credit and more</li></ul></li><li>Not available: April 11-14, 18; May 2-4, 9, 16; June 6</li><li>Price is per room, not per person</li></ul>
<h2>More Reasons to Go</h2>
<ul><li>Amenities include a Kids Club, 200-foot lagoon-style pool with a waterslide and a splash pad, hot tub, 24-hour fitness studio and complimentary local shuttle service </li><li>The resort sits adjacent to a championship 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio, who is considered one of the best golf course architects in the U.S. </li><li>It's less than a 10-minute drive from the numerous shops and restaurants at The Shops at Legacy and less than 30 minutes from both Plano and Dallas, which offer a number of great museums, parks and nightlife </li></ul>

Travelzoo

Frisco 4-star Westin w/daily credit, reg. $304 - $189

<h2>What's Included</h2>
<ul><li>$999 ... Two guests can stay Mondays-Saturdays through April 26 or Sept. 30 - Jan. 17</li><li>Travelzoo member perks:<ul><li>Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (excludes alcoholic beverages)</li><li>One 1- to 1.5-hour <a href="https://ranchodelaosa.com/outdoor-adventures/" target="_blank" tabindex="0">activity</a> per person, per night (activities begin the first morning after arrival; daily activity varies based on schedule)</li></ul></li><li>Add additional adults and children five and older for $349 per person</li><li>Not available on: Feb. 28; March 7-19; Oct. 7-12</li><li>Travelzoo Tip: Learn more about Rancho de la Osa on the <a href="https://www.travelzoo.com/blog/john-wayne-loved-rancho-de-la-osaand-so-will-you/" target="_blank" tabindex="0">Travelzoo blog</a></li></ul><h2>More Reasons to Go</h2>
<ul><li>The ranch's history dates back to the indigenous Tohono O'odham people—and many artifacts, including pottery shards, have been found on site </li><li>Former Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson, along with actors John Wayne, Joan Crawford and Caesar Romero, have all stayed here </li><li>The ranch neighbors the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge and offers stunning vistas of the Baboquivari Mountains and Baboquivari Peak</li></ul>

Arizona dude ranch adventure for 2 w/meals - 55% off

Clifton is the largest city in Bosque County, in Central Texas in the United States. The city's population was 3,442 at the 2010 census.

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<title>Budget Travel | Clifton</title>

Clifton

Waco ( WAY-koh) is the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a 2010 population of 124,805, making it the 22nd-most populous city in the state. The 2020 population estimate for the city was 138,486. The Waco metropolitan statistical area consists of McLennan and Falls counties, which had a 2010 population of 234,906. Falls County was added to the Waco MSA in 2013. The 2020 U.S. census population estimate for the Waco metropolitan area was 277,005.

Waco

Hillsboro is a city in and the county seat of Hill County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,456 at the 2010 census.

Hillsboro

Glen Rose is a city in and the county seat of Somervell County, Texas, United States. As of the 2012 census estimate, the city population was 2,502.

Glen Rose

The Texas Longhorns men's cross country team was founded in 1920 and has 33 Southwest Conference championships and has placed as high as 3rd in the NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship.
The 1956 individual championship was won by Walter McNew with a time of 19:55.94.

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