A Bar Owners Guide to New York City With Paul...

Whether you want mulled wine or chic cocktails for saluting the season, our insider knows the finest festive drinking dens in the Big Apple…

View All Trips

Born and raised in New York, entrepreneur Paul Ramirez owns and runs the Bronx Beer Hall. When he’s not tending the bar, he’s committed to changing perceptions of the Bronx, showing off the unique culture and diversity of what he calls “New York’s proudest borough.” We sat down over a craft beer or two to talk hotels with house cats, frozen s’mores and espresso martinis that give “the city that never sleeps” new meaning.

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

The Bronx Beer Hall

Bakery, Bar, Market, Italian

“Our beer hall is in the Bronx’s Little Italy, the real Little Italy of New York. It’s on Arthur Avenue, in an old retail market with a butcher, gelato-seller, cigar roller and pizzeria. We serve all New York craft beers and state wines. Being an Italian area, things really get decked out for the holidays, with lights and carolers everywhere. Anything that screams Christmas to you, Arthur Avenue does it. In the bar, we make our own mulled wine to celebrate – and while the exact recipe is secret, it includes a blend of reds from Brotherhood, America’s oldest winery.”

The Algonquin Hotel

Hotel

“Here’s an old-school New York hotel. You’re close to Times Square, but not bombarded by technology; it’s a step back in time, with heavily carpeted spaces, high ceilings and wooden fixtures. One thing I love is their house cat. That feline owns the hallways, owns the lobby, and you know, really owns the whole hotel. It makes you feel like you’re staying in somebody’s home. When I can’t get away from New York, but need to get away from reality, I come here to just hang out.”

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Market

NEW YORK (Manhattan), USA: January 20, 2018: Bryant Park winter rink in the morning with midtown buildings in the background.

“Bryant Park is in the heart of the city, just east from Times Square, and in the winter they transform their lawn into a skating rink, and the surrounding space into a holiday market selling crafts made by native New Yorkers. To the side of the rink, there’s a bar called Fever-Tree Porch, which exists all year. I love the hot whiskey with ginger beer they do around the holidays. It’s crisp and effervescent, and gives you that warmth that you’re seeking when it’s cold out.”

Roberto's

Restaurant, Italian

“This was the first Michelin-rated restaurant in the Bronx. It’s proper southern Italian fare. The owner is a hunter, and in the winter they serve venison he shoots himself. There’s also a great wine selection. Many wines are from Italy and California, and the cellar has everything from $55 whites to $8,000 amarone. But I really like the espresso martinis, made using a double shot of fresh espresso. Stick to two at the most, unless you want to be running around New York for the rest of the night. And I literally mean running.”

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Boutique Hotel, Eco Hotel

“This hotel between Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge gives you amazing views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. It’s close to the ferry, too. Hop on one – not even a hundred feet from your room – and you’ll be in downtown New York in less than five minutes. It’s ultra-slick, ultra-modern, with lots of greenery and wood. Just walking in is calming. It feels very ‘I work in a high-level tech job and this is where I should be staying.’’’

STK Steakhouse

Bar, Restaurant, Steakhouse

“For festive drinks with a dance scene, the rooftop here is one of my favorites. The food is good – they’re known for their steak – but they’ve also got great cocktails and good DJs for when you’re feeling lively. Because it’s a rooftop, they can really transform the vibe for the holidays, and they go all out with the lighting and decorations. If they have it, try the frozen s’more: an ice-cream bar with charred marshmallow, thin graham crackers wafers and chocolate.”

Top Hops

Bar, Pub, Wine Bar, Pub Grub

Essex Market neon sign at night, in the Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City

“If you want to buy beer to take away, come to this shop in Essex Market. They have a great selection of New York state craft brews. Staff are informed and always have something new in stock, so you’ll get the latest local stuff as opposed to the generic supermarket beers. Look out for the Kings County Brewers Collective. They have really fun comic-style art on their labels, and all the beers are delicious – whether it’s a sour or an IPA, lager or stout.’

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden

Bar, Restaurant, Czech

“This is one of NYC’s original beer gardens and a great meeting place for friends over the holidays – it nails the Christmas vibe. These days everybody creates Instagrammable moments, but Bohemian did it before Instagram was a thing. You’re talking full-scale Christmas trees, tons of festive lighting and Santa’s sleigh. There’s an indoor space and an outdoor one, and live music. When a big group of us are going out, it’s always a great starting point.”

The Jane

Boutique Hotel, Budget Hotel, Hotel

“This hotel is traditional in the sense that it’s in the West Village and it’s a landmark building. It’s been around since the early 1990s. The bellhops still wear classic uniforms, with red hats and gold buttons – and the ballroom feels like an old-school train or ship. But the biggest thing for me as a New Yorker is that they have very good parties. Not too big. But there are always cool people there. People with great style.”

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.