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Sidewalk vendors, push carts, holes in a wall -- even in cities with rich reputations for fine dining, some of the best meals are on the streets. Places like Hong Kong have blurred the line between haute cuisine and quick comfort food, as humble dim sum diners win Michelin stars. That's still the exception, but most chefs on the street aren't looking for that kind of recognition. They're cooking for crowds who pack around their stands day after day. Here are the 23 best cities in the world for street food, from quick snacks to moveable feasts: 1. Bangkok, Thailand It's impossible to avoid street food in Bangkok, where sidewalk vendors in different parts of the city operate on a fixed rotation. Some take care of the breakfast crowd with sweet soymilk and bean curd, others dish up fragrant rice and poached chicken for lunch. The late-night crowd offers everything from phad thai noodles to grilled satay. Chef Van, of the French brasserie 4Garcons on

Plenty of people dream of travel to other planets. But "Star Wars" fans can actually visit locations where many of the films' most famous scenes were shot. And the latest movie, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," only adds to the list. Some places aren't even as remote as one might expect. From dinner at Luke Skywalker's childhood home to a romantic balcony where romance blossomed, here are some of the destinations where "Star Wars" comes to life: Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire, England Meandering paths. Mossy rocks. Twisted trees and gulleys. No wonder Puzzlewood, which sits in the Forest of Dean not too far from Wales, is such a draw. And not just for "Star Wars." You've also seen it in "Merlin," "Doctor Who" and other TV and film productions. But it's "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" that's really put Puzzlewood on the travel map. Hotel Sidi Driss, Matmata, Tunisia Perhaps the most

We love to write about food. We love to celebrate the good stuff and lambaste the bad. This is our take on some of the best food cultures and destinations, but of course it's subjective. It's time to find out once and for all, which cuisine is king as you plan where you'll travel next. 1. United States This may be because most of the popular foods in the USA originate in some other country. The pizza slice is Italian. Fries are Belgium or Dutch. Hamburgers and frankfurters? Likely German. But in the kitchens of the United States, they have been improved and added to, to become global icons for food lovers everywhere. Don't neglect the homegrown American dishes either. There's the traditional stuff such as clam chowder, key lime pie and Cobb salad, and most importantly the locavore movement of modern American food started by Alice Waters. This promotion of eco-awareness in food culture is carried on today by Michelle Obama. Yum Cheeseburger -- a

Deep in the Aragon river valley, close to the border with France, lies the abandoned ruin of Canfranc International Station in Spain. Once one of Europe's largest rail hubs, opulent Canfranc opened in style in 1928, with an inauguration ceremony attended by the king of Spain and the President of the French Republic. During World War II, Canfranc was a hive of activity and intrigue, witnessing arrests, espionage and gold trafficking, but by 1970, the station had closed its doors. Today it's a sleepy destination, popular with photographers thanks to its atmospheric exterior and striking setting beneath the snow-capped Pyrenees. "Even though it is almost in ruins, it brings a lot of visitors," Mayor of Canfranc Fernando Sánchez Morales tells CNN Travel. Now, Sánchez Morales confirms, plans are afoot to breathe new life into the station -- thanks to a huge regeneration program. "We are working on a project that will change Canfranc," says Sánc

On the southwest tip of the rugged isle of Jersey -- one of the two Channel Islands dotted between England and France -- lies Radio Tower. Built by order of the Nazi forces who occupied Jersey during the Second World War, this imposing concrete tower has been sensitively reimagined as a vacation rental. "It's a way of recognizing that part of history and also now making use of it in a more positive light," Joanna Hepworth, heritage venues manager at Jersey Heritage, tells CNN Travel. Those who visit can take in sweeping 360-degree views of the island's coastline and the striking white Corbère lighthouse on the horizon. "One of the number one reasons for staying there, I suppose, is having one of the best views, in the British Isles almost, up there -- it's incredible," adds Hepworth. Difficult history The Channel Islands aren't technically part of the United Kingdom, they're crown dependencies. This means they're not separa

From frolicking on the beaches of the Caribbean coast and taking pictures in colorful Cartagena, to partying in Medellín and enjoying the street art of La Candelaria in Bogotá, the reputation of Colombia as a legitimately varied and exciting destination is assured. However, in and amongst the vast cities with their impressive cable car systems and colonial buildings are nestled a network of tiny Colombian towns, which only add to the charm of the country. Here are a few you should immediately add to your travel itinerary: Villa de Leyva, Boyacá Founded in the 16th century, quaint Villa de Leyva is now popular among rolos (Bogotá natives) as a weekend destination. Excellently preserved, Spanish colonial buildings ring the expansive cobblestoned square -- the largest in Colombia -- their whitewashed walls contrasting neatly with the rusty red-tiled roofs. If you're really looking to escape the rat race, go during the week. Monguí, Boyacá Home to astounding paramo

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, usually comes as a sweet surprise to travelers, who don't quite know what to expect before visiting this city of 1.7 million. With the wide Danube winding through its center, one of Europe's most stunning skylines and plenty of fabulous architecture lining the Buda and Pest sides of the river, Budapest can justly claim to be one of Europe's prettiest urban destinations. These are some of the best attractions you'll find in Budapest when you travel here: The Danube and its banks The Danube runs through the center of Budapest, with flat Pest on the east and hilly Buda on the west. The best way to begin exploring the city is by taking a walk along its banks, where you can take in some of Budapest's most important sights. Points of interest along the Danube include: -- The Neo-Gothic Parliament, the third-largest in the world. -- The Buda Castle, started in the 1200s but which has had additions over hundreds of year

Melbourne is an unlikely city. Consider the conditions: a population of a little more than 4 million in the southernmost major city in mainland Australia, itself one of the southernmost countries in the world. Yet it has developed into a thriving center of culture and good living, ranked the world's most livable city two years running by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It's this unlikely ascendance that leads people to narrow their focus in looking for answers, putting Melbourne's exceptional bars, arts events, festivals, coffee and food under a microscope in search of some sort of ineffable essence when there probably isn't one. It's basically a big city that only looks like a small one. And that's a lot of its charm. Make it smaller with our guide to the best of Melbourne. Hotels Luxury Park Hyatt Melburnians (never Melbournians or, even worse, Melbournites) are traditionally skeptical of global brands encroaching on their proudly i

When I fled Vietnam as a child, I never imagined that the islands from which we attempted our escapes would one day become luxurious beach resorts. But more than 30 years later, that's exactly what's happening around Nha Trang, a seaside town where I grew up about 200 miles north of Ho Chi Minh City (once known as Saigon). Nha Trang has become a small hub for island getaways in Vietnam. If you love finding a tropical destination as much as I do, Vietnam has some beautiful and intriguing offerings in Nha Trang and beyond, including islands that were once used to lock up prisoners. World's Top 10 islands for 2016 The rise of Nha Trang On the south-central coast of Vietnam, where the temperature is hot year round, Nha Trang has long been a popular vacation spot for locals. But in the 1990s, when Vietnam opened its doors to the outside world again, Nha Trang began attracting international travelers seeking a beach break between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. P

Dubai is known around the planet for its opulent hotels, world-class architecture and luxury shopping. But did you know it's also emerging as a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill-seekers? You can go to host of cutting-edge amusement parks here, including an indoor amusement park that set a world record. There's even a hotel where you can enter a tropical rain forest while staying firmly inside your desert dwelling. But if you're craving big thrills and the real outdoors, check out what to do when you travel to Dubai: Skydive If you feel the need to launch yourself out of a plane over the Palm Jumeirah and hurtle toward the ground from 12,000 feet (3,660 meters), Skydive Dubai would love to have you. It's one of the busiest jump zones in the world, with bird's-eye views of Dubai's skyscrapers, the Gulf coastline and desert in the distance. You can even train for a paragliding license here on one of the Skydive Dubai courses. Whe

The maneki-neko goes by many names. The waving cat, the lucky cat, the beckoning cat. There are even more variations in its meaning. It's generally believed a lifted left paw invites success in business, while a raised right is for protection at home. While many may associate the talisman with Chinese business establishments, their origins actually reside in Japan. There's some debate as to which city holds the claim, but the most enduring legend is that of Gotokuji in Setagaya district, Tokyo, where the original feline inspiration for the figures has its own temple. The maneki-neko's origins Nestled in the quiet neighborhood, you'll find the temple is swarming with the smiling ceramic kittens when you travel here. According to local lore, when the temple was a mere hut in the 1400s, the monk who overlooked it struggled to live on his meager income. Despite this, he had a cat he loved so much he even shared his meals with it. One day he asked the

Often referred to as South Korea's "second city," coastal Busan has taken a giant step out of Seoul's shadow. Lonely Planet just named it the number one destination on its 2018 Best in Asia list. The food hotspot the tastemakers love With several sensational, world-class restaurants under one roof, it's no surprise that discerning foodies head here. Busan, about a 2.5-hour journey from Seoul, is the country's second largest city and a popular summer destination famous for delicious seafood and picturesque beaches. "A stunning confluence of scenery, culture and cuisine, Busan packs an eclectic offering of activities to suit all travelers: hike hills to Buddhist temples, settle into sizzling hot springs and feast on seafood at the country's largest fish market," reads Lonely Planet's top 10 list. "Poised to steal the spotlight, Busan is East Asia's Culture City for 2018 and will be at its most vibrant with colorful e

Another one for the "tourists behaving badly" file. Two American women have reportedly been arrested for carving their initials into a wall with a coin inside Rome's Colosseum. Daily Italian newspaper La Stampa says the women, aged 21 and 25, were spotted carrying out the act by fellow tourists, who then told security. The two letters -- J and N -- were about eight inches in length and scratched on a brick wall at the historic Roman amphitheater. The women, both from California, reportedly snapped a selfie of themselves with their initials before they were arrested. Their names have not been released. The American pair may now face a fine for "aggravated damage" on a building of historical and artistic interest. If one Russian's experience is anything to go by, the price won't be cheap. Last November, authorities in Rome slapped a 20,000-euro ($21,685) penalty on a Russian tourist caught carving his name into the famed landmark. The

Qataris are proud of their gleaming, ultramodern capital Doha, but their hearts are still in the desert. Each weekend in the winter months, families cram their four-wheel drives with camping gear and travel to the deserts, which envelop much of the Gulf state. Dune bashing and camping under a canopy of stars are weekend highlights for many. As is lazing on the sandy shore of the Inland Sea -- a beautiful, wild shoreline where the rolling desert sands meet water. "It's a big thing because it's a family occasion," says Abdulla, a Qatari national. "Especially when you come with a culture that really values family, those kind of events that bring everyone together in a different setting is really exciting." The large camp grounds in the north are reserved months in advance. There are a minimum of three tents -- two for sleeping and one a Majlis, their living room. In the middle of the camp, overlooking the sea, is the fire pit. There is privacy

Forget the "exotic" duck embryos and fried pigs' heads you often see representing the Philippines on TV. Filipino cuisine has new legs to stand on thanks to a few innovative and passionate Manila-based chefs. There's Jordy Navarra, who's doing reinterpretations of local dishes in his new restaurant, Toyo, serving salads inspired by a vegetable-centric Filipino folk song and chocolate truffles filled with caramel and fish sauce. Then there are established names such as this year's "Asia's best female chef" Margarita Fores, who has turned her restaurant, Grace Park, into a playground of sorts for local organic produce and homegrown cooking. Meanwhile, unlikely neighborhood eats have sprouted in even unlikelier places. The red lights of Burgos district grow ever more faint as girlie bars share space with hole-in-the-walls peddling yakitori, Korean stews and Mexican flavors. Chefs such as Bruce Ricketts, with his tasting menus in Fo