Casey MQ

Toronto

Fresh pressed juices and cold cut bánh mì sandwiches from this local restaurant. A gem in Toronto and the owners are incredibly kind. Plus their instagram is amazing.

A great beach spot to suddenly feel a little removed from Toronto while maintaining a view from the city. There is a clothing optional area as well.

I do not drink coffee but if I did, from what I’ve heard, I would purchase from The Common. I regularly get a tea and croissant from there though. Currently takeout but in the past I have spent a lot of time hanging out in there.

This family run restaurant in Parkdale makes excellent Momos. Lovely place!

TECHNICALLY you could ride your bike from Leslie Spit through to Don Valley Trail but it would be a mission. It’s a beautiful bike ride though and Leslie Spit takes you to an outer point of Toronto where you end up looking right back at the city by the end of the epic trail.

The Lightbox is not open at the moment but I’ve always loved the programming and have gone on solo dates there many times!

This is a lovely fashion store in Toronto. Tightly curated selection of clothing and publications. The store really has it’s own demeanor.

A great place to find preloved books. There are three locations at this point in Toronto but most of my purchases have been at the Bloor location. I basically stand around the recommended reads for a little too long.

Which brings me to the Toronto Reference Library lol. Last year I spent a lot of time at this library on the fourth or fifth floor. The inside is gorgeous. I actually spent a lot of time working on ‘babycasey’ at this library.

I have only been here a few times at night but if you hope the fence which is not a particularly easy task - you can maybe get a few laps of swimming in!

Casey MQ takes us around Toronto

Izzy Bossy

Jamaica

Winifred beach has to be my favourite beach its one of the last beaches which hasn’t been bought by foreigners a hub for the community to come and cool af, if you go you must go up to Cynthia’s and get some food just ask for her down on the beach!

Blue lagoon holds a special place in my heart one of my favourite place to swim its hot and cold under and has a magic in the air, if you go down make sure to get a raft trip ask for Beena with the bleached hair and go over to monkey island.

Obviously, I had to put some music-related tings. If you know me you know how much DANCEHALL IS MI EVERYTHING and the best way to keep up with the new music is to get a CD from Junior on William Street.

Boston is the home of jerk. You can’t come to Jamaica and not try it. There are a few amazing places, but you must go to its home, Boston. Go to Mickey's - the first place on the left (if you are facing it). I also always get a chicken sausage from Bumpy as well; you will see him, he is right across.

Corey makes the best fruit smoothies in Port Antonio. He also makes peanut punch with almond milk which is quite rare here, but it’s super yummy. He is based in the back of the fruit market just walk through the shop to the back left corner and you will see him.

This is by far my favourite date night spot. The owner, Vanessa, is one of my good friends and cooks the most delicious food. Get the lobster! Actually, get anything its all amazing !! Also located on Long Bay Beach - you HAVE to go!

Have you ever had a burger with plantain and callaloo? Well then, you must go to Woody's in Drapers. Their burgers are literally so unique tasting and delicious.

If you are going to Rio Grande make sure you head out early as its a full day of rafting. I always drive up and start from Berrydale. You can stop the raft and swim in the river. Also, half way up if you call in advance, you can stop for food at Belinda. She is not there all the time, so you must organise in advance, but I promise you you won’t regret it!

Sanko Bay is a tiny local beach. There isn’t sand, but you can swim and the view is so beautiful. We are currently trying to re-build the community centre situated on this beach to support and give the Drapers community a hub for the locals. We’re also giving free workshops and equipment for our future generation to be able to bloom.

Everyone always talks about Dunn River, but there are so many hidden gems. Reach Falls is much quieter and you can walk down the back of the waterfall where there are holes you can jump through (this will make more sense when you reach). It’s way more chilled and private; take some snacks, drinks & lots of mosquito repellent with you in your bag.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME VIBEZ YOU MUST GO TO MANNAS. You can also pre-order food for small and big groups. Hit up Jason. This is also a must-go!

Coconut shrimp curry to die for. Great for any celebration or just a lovely dinner. Make sore you ask the owner to tell you his story and why he set up soldier camp.

Explore Portland, Jamaica, with Izzy Bossy

Mumbai

Hands down the best Indian restaurant in Mumbai. It's also beautifully designed and if you are scared to try street food off the carts, go here for the greatest feeling of satisfaction.

A short trip from the city, these caves date back to more than 3,000 years ago and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hire a guide and take a half-day tour to explore enigmatic Indian sculpture art. Makes for a great break from Mumbai's constant noise of horns!

This historical temple is located in Juhu devoted to Lord Krishna is known for its good vibrations and serenity. If you are visiting around a festival, you could witness a celebration and the prayer which is an experience you must have.

Chor Bazaar literally translates to 'thieves market'. It’s essentially a street market full of vintage gems. From furniture to clothing, to artefacts to stationary to old photo frames, I’ve found some great treasures here which I hold really close to my heart. Every piece here has a rich past and a story to tell.

This is my neighbourhood for the last 6 years in Mumbai and I absolutely won’t live anywhere else in the city (or the world). There are a lot of outsiders (from different parts of the country/world) that live here and it’s full of life with some of the best nightlife options as well as best small coffee shops and eating spots. Walking around the sea promenade around sunset or getting a coffee from a local brewery around the corner are some of the favourite parts of my day. And it makes me feel like I’m home.
Tip: Walk in the sub-lanes of Bandra to discover some of the most beautiful colonial architecture, small catholic houses, all giving a lesson in its history.

This religious-historical site is a small waterbody surrounded by temples. To me, it's an oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the maximum city. I often go here to clear my mind at dusk or dawn.

Go here for the Thackers Special Thali. Local flavours and delicacies are all served in one platter as part of the ritual. Experience a traditional Gujarati vegetarian meal in all its glory! Food coma to follow.

Also known as the art district of Mumbai. It has come up as the centre of everything artsy and trendy. Find here a mix of great cafes, art galleries and small homegrown designer stores. Make a detour to Colaba Causeway (a great place for street shopping!) for a true taste of the old and young Mumbai!

A mosque or dargah located on an islet off the coast of Worli. It’s one of the most recognised and iconic landmarks in Mumbai and has a very charming Islamic architecture. It’s beautifully lit every night and at the end of your visit, tuck into a cup of the iconic fruit cream from Haji Ali Juice Center outside.

The Best of Mumbai with Creative Director, Kshitij Kankaria

La Bella Verde

Ibiza

It is just crazy, beautiful. If you want to reach it by land, it's a massive hike and definitely not everybody is up for that or even capable of getting there. So it's easier by boat. It's such an impressive place, the colour of the water, the history of the place. It's just an amazing, unique and beautiful place.

Es Vedrà is this huge rock sticking out of the water with many myths written about it. It's supposed to be, super magnetic and contributing to the magical energy of the island. And there's this old pirate myth that due to the magnetic forces of the rock like compasses would be spinning around like crazy, and people would not be able to know the way north was and they would crash. These are all stories, but it is a very impressive place to sail past.

It's just very beautiful and the whole West Coast really is quite impressive to sail past because of the geometric rock formations and caves.

This is where one of our boats is based and it has these beautiful, white sand beaches like Playa de Migjorn and the caves!

On the way from the port of Formentera to Cala Saona, there are these swim-in caves. We get close by and then you can jump off the boat and swim into them.

This is a beautiful private island on the east coast. It is a really magical place as well. Beautiful water and just an amazing location.

Ibiza's Only Eco-Friendly Boat Trip with La Bella Verde

Ashlee Constance

Barbados

The BEST bakery on the island. I always get a jampuff, a horseshoe and apple crumble. Don't forget to try their salt bread, it's a must have in Barbados, they're the base of cutters. Cutters can have in fish, fishcakes, ham, cheese... find one before you leave.

Only the rain can keep me from heading to Browne's beach on the weekend. While you're there get a snowcone.

A sweet rum shop with a sweet view. My go-to place for a Sunday evening beer and some karaoke. It's right by the beach so normally I'll go in the water for a nice sea bath, order some food, watch the sunset and head home.

It's really all about the sauce but the rotisserie chicken and chips are pretty good. Perfect place to find a big food and catch a local vibe.

There's local fruits and vegetables, art and a thrift store upstairs. When I'm in Bridgetown, I always try to pass through to buy some stuff and support local vendors. Try to find the lady outside roasting corn, it's really good.

Oistins is where you should be on Friday nights and you must go to Lexie's while you're there. Ideal spot to catch some new and old Bajan vibes, drink some rum and lime. It's also my official line dancing spot.

Calming beach spot, one of my favourite places to go when I need to breathe. During low tide, the natural pools are sooo refreshing. Ask around for the rum shop on the hill, for some sick views.

Off the Beaten Track in Barbados with Ashlee Constance

Alani Adenle

Lagos

If you want a relaxed day and a nice meal out

Lagos with Alani

Dani Pujalte

Barcelona

Of all the bars I really like Quimet. They have tapas and conservas. I used to live really close so this was the bar I went to all the time

It's the best party in Barcelona. You'll need to drink but it's definitely the best party in town

This place is really special. When we had the Olympics here they built a pool with a super high trampoline where you can see all of Barcelona. They built a shitty bar there too, it’s not fancy at all but that’s why I like it. It’s good for the views, having a beer with your friends and watching the sunset

I really like this gallery. It's also in Montjuic so stop by when you're there

I really like pizza and Italian food. It’s really good here. It’s a bit expensive, but not super expensive and they have really good wines. It's run by two twin brothers and I really recommend this one I love it. Everything’s super good, the spaghetti and squid ink pasta super good

It's super crowded but they've opened an exhibition on Picasso with photography which is really nice. I've been lucky to have been documenting the installation and stuff so I got a sneak peek. There are loads of cool sculptures too.

I've been going here since I was super young - this is a good club to go to in Barcelona

We’re super lucky in Barcelona to have the sea here, it's super important for me. Whenever I have some free space, I used to go to where the beach is separated by stones because I hate sand. I have my own stone that I sit on, relax and have my legs in the water. I really like this stone. There’s not thousands of tourists so you can be chill alone and naked too

Dani Pujalte takes us Trippin in Barcelona

Winston Surfshirt

Sydney

A piece of grass that is known by the locals as 'The Office'. Sitting on the grass in front of the harbour on a Sunday afternoon with a beer is like having a Sunday Roast in England.

The best beer in Straya, the best pub in Manly. This would be my local go to for a good pint. Can take your dog down and sit outside with a pint in hand. Tip: Wednesday night Pub Quiz.

One of the most beautiful beaches on the Northern Beaches, tiny little cove around from Manly Beach, no waves just the perfect spot to relax.

Fast or Slow Ferry, 15 minutes or 30 minutes, wether you need to get there quick or slow its the best way to see Sydney Harbour. Can get a drink and sit upstairs as you float between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

If you're looking for a good view of the Harbour Bridge and Sydney, walk up to Observatory Hill and sit on the grass.

My favourite record store, in the middle of the city behind QVB, they'll have what you are and aren't looking for

Lil dive bar in Darlinghurst, if you like spicy food, tinnies n loud music get your fix here.

Another of my fave pubs in Sydney, located in the Rocks (old Sydney) its beautiful round there... Love a Lord Nelson.

Ocean Extreme... They take you out on a dope lil boat with music blaring and fly up and down the coast, if you're in the right season you'll get to see migrating Humpback Whales breaching... It's insane. Best chance of whales around June/July.

Sydney with band, Winston Surfshirt

PLANET

Great day spot to continue a big night out. Can play giant Jenga, queue tunes on the jukebox and play some games of pool. The bistro is pretty sick as well.

Perfect spot for a post swim schoo. This one is hard to beat from a view perspective - grab a drink from the bar, take a seat on the grass and just vibe. If the mood strikes you can take off your shoes and roll some balls at another, smaller ball. Bliss.

From questionable origins to BBQ heaven. Great spot to come and enjoy some Southern style BBQ in an eclectic beer garden with more plants than a Newtown sharehouse bathroom. Lovely.

They say never mix business with pleasure. ‘They’ are wrong. Had a good few PLANET business meetings here, always very productive. KPI’s smashed. Has a playground for the youngins.

The story here goes that when an old bloke doesn’t show up to his chair one arvo the other locals say “Diddy die?” and that’s how it got called The Diddy. Good ol’ unpretentious bowling club but has had a facelift over the years. Reschs on tap.

Sydney's Best Beer Gardens with PLANET

Tesselated

"Secluded, calm beach spot. One of my favourite places to get away from the city for the day and just breathe for a minute.

The ideal coffee spot. Just outside the city up in the Blue Mountains - super calm vibes. Sometimes I just go here to escape the heat in the summer.

My go-to spot for some rum with bredrins, old school vibes. You get your drinks and food; no frills but consistent every time.

Fire Mexican/Jamaican fusion spot. Always a solid option for lunch and also the venue for many lowkey mid-week events.

Unmarked but one of the most iconic spots. A dead end road overlooking the city, the scene of many many late night gatherings since teenage years.

Jamaica with Tessellated

anaiis

Hawai'i

It’s been a ritual for me to do this hike on January 1st, it’s about 5-7 hours of the most ethereal otherworldly beauty, feels like being on mars. You need two cars unless you hitch hike your way back to the top after the hike, bring loads of water and drink it slowly.

My favouuuuuurite fish tacos, definitely get them from this location. The mango salsa is so yummy.

There’s a little hut on the road to Hana, just have to keep an eye out for it. They make the best banana bread with these special breeds of bananas in maui the apple-banana and the ice-cream banana.

This is hidden spot on the road to Hana, but so gorgeous and unexpected.

My favourite activity on Maui, park your car in the parking lot for big beach, walk to the right extremity of the beach and climb up the hill which will lead you to the other side. There’s a drum circle on this nude beach every Sunday and it’s such vibes.

Star gazing La Perouse Bay -- go way past midnight, be mindful of the deers you may encounter on the drive there, and star gaze from the bay’s parking lot.

I love this jungly hike, it feels so good to be immersed in all of the greenery.

Sneak into the Andaz hotel for a nice hot tub / sunset. I love sneaking in to the Andaz, via the beach front… act cool. Really nice view of the sunset from the hot tub.

The Beautiful Island of Maui, Hawai'i with anaiis

Octa

Berlin

This restaurant is run by my good friend Tim Ligtenberg and they make a fantastic Neapolitan. It's also my go-to spot on Friday evenings, as Tim always has a DJ or two spinning in their outdoor space in Mitte's Hackescher Hof, where I can be sure I'll run into at least a few friends before heading to the next event.

A small, quiet wine bar in Neukölln – the perfect stop for a chilled glass of orange wine on my way home from the office. They also offer a limited selection of authentic Italian goods, such as my very favorite Nocellara olives and bread sticks.

This local nut and dried goods store has a couple of locations around Berlin, but I like to frequent their shop on Karl Marx Straße for familiarity. In addition to their wide selection of traditional Lokum (aka "Turkish Delight") they also offer a huge selection of roasted nuts and dried fruits – I recommend their candied hibiscus, or the sesame roasted almonds – my go-to snacks since the first time I entered their store.

Probably the best way to describe Hopscotch is as an oasis. In addition to a sprawling selection of non-western English-language literature, emphasizing diaspora narratives and marginalized experiences, Hopscotch hosts workshops and events for a general audience.

To be frank, I haven't had a chance to visit the SAVVY Contemporary space, but that is only because of lockdowns hindering the accessibility of cultural institutions. SAVVY's focus, as an arts center, classroom, and communal space, is on interrogating notions of the "West" and "non-West" to attempt to deconstruct some of the firmly held social constructions surrounding such notions. SAVVY founder Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung was recently appointed as the new director of the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin to take effect in 2023, which is a huge deal – especially in Germany, where visible examples of Black cultural architects are very limited.

Berlin is home to a huge selection of swimming lakes and ponds. Sadly I have a deep connection to the Ocean, but since Germany is largely landlocked, lakes will have to do. Bernsteinsee is one of my favorite places to go swimming, but at around an hour's drive outside the city, it is a rare visit for me. The vibe there is just very clean, very quiet, and SANDY – which is not the case for all of the lakes in Greater Berlin.

Octa's Favourite Spots in Berlin

Lillian Hardy

Portland

Go in the morning, get breakfast (ask for the house made hot sauce) and get the cookie to-go. It’s award winning! Take that cookie on a walk up Mt. Tabor! Say hi to the trees.

PDX is coffeeland. This place is no bullshit, the best coffee in America. Oh and on Saturday’s the owner’s wife spins otherworldly Kakigori shaved ice. Don’t mess around and take a bean bag home with you.

I spend hours here nerding out on stationary, organizational tools and pens. They have the best selections of paper, manga and tiny sticker books.

This place is out near my studio, so we hit it the most. Be prepared, it gets very rowdy! The dancers are amazingly strong, completely nude and lovely to talk to. Don’t forget, tip every song-- $2 bills only! Throw down more and the show is yours.

A local event space, gallery and grocery store that supports Palestinian artists and activists.

Fresh oysters on Sunday and mind blowing cocktails.

This is my studio. We throw events, art shows, pop-ups and have a range of fun toys to play with. Come by for tea, stay for a while.

Order the baked fish and a white Manhattan.

Live out your organic dad dreams here. Bring cash and a tote. Get the steamy corn :-)

Get out of town and into a hike: Coyote Wall or Dog Mountain. Chase some waterfalls on the old highway then get lunch at White Salmon Bakery. Stop by a winery if you’ve got the time! Hiyu is great.

A Guide to Portland by Lillian Hardy

Darwin 

Puerto Escondido 

Killer local spot for sashimi and fresh fish in centro - hidden behind a car wash

Lorenzo who runs the dive school is a total badass. An Italian/ Puerto transplant that loves to share his knowledge on all things aquatic. I highly recommend the boat tour, get ready to see humpbacks, loads of dolphins and turtles. You can also do your dive course and fun dives here

This is probably the cutest thing you will do, and it also helps fund the local turtle conservation programme

If you are a beginner, winter is the best time to learn, Puerto Surf is the oldest school in La Punta and you'll be in good hands. You can always hit Zicatela for the big waves, but they are hella dangerous and locals are pretty rough in the water there

I don't know what this guy is on... but his fish tacos are off the chain

Killer traditional style tacos, killer micheladas and 90s rock and roll

Cocktails, cocktails and cocktails. Great place for a date

Darwin's Guide to Puerto Escondido

Kranium

They have the BEST Ice Cream in the Caribbean.

You feel his spirit and appreciate him for what he’s done for reggae and Jamaica.

A must-visit; you have to jump in the water.

One of the best getaway resorts on the island.

Jamaica with Kranium

Bully Mag 

Independent fashion store that carries a tightly-edited selection of clothing brands (such as Telfar, Barragán, and Vaquera) and premium and obscure fashion print publications. A real day one BULLY supporter (and stockist).

Both an in-house brand and textile gallery shop, 100% Silk curates emerging *slow fashion* designers from around the world. They also work with local artists like GUNNAR to bring their retail experience on another level – very conceptual.

Follow the lights up to the second-floor for this classic Chinatown karaoke bar. Think neon lights, pleated leather couches in private rooms, and considerably late drink service.

A Black-owned business conceptualized and operated by CHIEFF BOSOMPRA, who runs event collective UNDISPOSABLE, in collaboration with Canadian Top Chef Adrian Forte. We reco the Accra burger + fries combo, an ode to Chieff’s hometown in Ghana.

Authentic Japanese homestyle vibes here – soft lights and natural wood tones help you get cozy until you realize you’ve been there for hours. Ask about their secret vinyl room downstairs where they play rare groove and Japanese city pop.

Black-owned business. The wife-and-husband duo fuse Jamaican and Italian cuisine together in a cozy spot in the heart of our eclectic Kensington Market. Local community vibes – look for the spot with the lineup and a grill out front.

Tucked inside P.A.T., a local grocery store in the heart of Koreatown, this cash-only stall gets lineups of people deliberating on whether they should get sweet custard or red bean-filled homemade waffles shaped like lil fishies.

Go here for contemporary menswear like Our Legacy, Eckhaus Latta, BODE, and Margaret Howell. The Toronto space has a showroom vibe that showcases the Neighbour world really well, which also includes a variety of household items and found objects alongside print publications from the likes of IDEA.

Hanlan’s Point is an inclusive space and a short ferry ride away to escape the city. Clothing optional :)

Canada's oldest boxing gym. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Lennox Lewis have stepped into Sully's to train. Coach Tony is a Black trainer and former heavyweight champ – he might even drop some boxing history if you're nice. Iconic.

Authentic vintage clothing experience here – no curated boutique showroom or displays. There are some real deadstock finds if you dig deep enough in some of the mountains of clothes. Also good for military surplus goods, costume and props, and a lil role play.

Niche rental store for obscure cinema on vhs and dvd. There are some titles you just can’t find online that they carry, ranging from B-movie blaxploitation to Takashi Miike deep cuts. They also have a small screening room in the back for rent if you ever thought of setting up a private screening dedicated to Hype Williams or whoever.

Indo-Caribbean family-owned business. This lil everyday convenience store has a very small, unassuming room in the back that sells a bunch of different santería love charms and all the Yoruban orisha candles to help you find love, give you strength and protect you from enemies. This is a Parkdale gem tbh - if you know you know.

Toronto with BULLY MAG

Gina Hargitay

A reaaaally good ital place. They do the most delicious breakfasts and ackee sandwiches... 

Is a bit overrated, but they do really have a beautiful sunset view.


Jamaica Inn is also a beautiful (but quite expensive) hotel with beach access. 

Inside the Island Village is a must. It's a Jamaican brand of Ice cream that originated from Devon House in Kingston and it's my favourite. 

Also come here for the freshest seafood. Both locations are right next to the water with fresh caught fish served then and there.

It is this cool place with lots of rivers and waterfalls and you can cliff jump and stuff. 


I've actually never been but i've heard good things, I would say it's worth a visit. 

Sugar pot beach is the place on that end of the island where my friends and family usually go, it's quite beautiful. 

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