Shandana A. Durrani
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Shandana A. Durrani has been a magazine editor and travel writer for more than two decades. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and websites including Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, Cigar Aficionado, Wine Spectator, Silverkris, Haute Living, SO/HO, Metro London, NYMag.com, Justluxe.com and Pursuitist.com. She is the author of "Day Trips from New York City" and the co-author of "Insiders' Guide to New York City." When she is not writing, she is gallivanting across the globe, finding choice spots to eat, drink and be merry. You can follow her on Instagram at missadvnture and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/missadvnture.
Our Favorite Things to Do in the Metropolis of Minneapolis
Our favorite place to eat, drink, see and stay in Minneapolis
Drinking Vinegars: What They Are and Why You Should Drink Them
Drinking vinegars have been around for centuries. Find out what they are, why you should drink them, and where to find them.
Unwinding in the Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley in Oregon is a great place to visit even in the off season--do a tasting at a wintery, eat locally grown food, and admire the vistas.
High Altitude Happiness in Park City, Utah
With miles of singletrack trails for mountain bikes and running, to world class powder skiing, Park City is a haven for adrenaline junkies all year around.
Four New Hotels to Watch in New York City
Four new hotels have entered the chaotic New York City hotel market. Will they last? Who knows but check them out now.
Five Hot New Restaurants for Valentines Day
These five new restaurants are sure to please you and your partner come Valentine's Day.
Wines for Anytime: Five of the Best 2015 Releases
These five wines will surely delight you this fall, whatever the occasion.
Zoiglhaus Brings German-style Craft Beer to Portland
Zoigalhaus is the newest addition to a crowded brewpub scene in Portland. But it's probably the best of its kind in the city today.
Micro Guide: Albania
Join the many Europeans who are beginning to make Albania a must-see travel destination.
Summer hot spots: Where to head to on vacation this year
Wondering where to go this summer? You'll build lasting memories at these five under-the-radar spots.
French Connection: Verdigris Brings Contemporary French Fare to Portland
Verdigris is quickly becoming Portland's go-to French restaurant.
American Pride: Q&A with Cicada Leather Company
Looking for high quality, American-made leather goods? Look no further than Cicada Leather Company.
Sky Food: Five Chefs That Craft Innovative Inflight Cuisine
Airline food is often inedible. But these five star chefs are crafting innovative cuisine in the sky.
Four Seasons of Excitement in Lake Tahoe
From skiing, curling and snow shoeing in the winter to paddle boarding, hiking and biking in the summer
A Woman’s Work: Female Chefs Serve Up Culinary Delights
Image used with permission by copyright holderCooking has traditionally been dominated by women but you wouldn’t know that looking at restaurant kitchens. The list of Michelin-star chefs is long and is almost entirely made up of men. Female chefs have long been relegated to sous or pastry chef status. That’s not to say some female chefs haven’t managed to […]
Pod People: Food Truck Purveyors Group Together for Great Cuisine
It’s lunchtime and you want Middle Eastern food. Lucky for you, a Halal cart is not too far from the office. But what happens tomorrow when you want something different? You might have to scour twitter to see where the hot new food truck is situated. But if you’re lucky, that Halal cart is not […]
Little Rooms: Tiny Houses Offer A Unique Hotel Experience
Sick of the same old room at the Hilton? We've rounded up a list of tiny house hotels around the world.
Savor the Flavor: Whiskey Bars Take Over the Nation
Image used with permission by copyright holderWhiskey has long been a favorite spirit stateside but never has the drink been as popular as it is today. Myriad states lay claim to at least one distillery and bourbon and American whiskey sales have skyrocketed to $2.4 billion. Much of the whiskey dominance can be attributed to […]
Sleeping Under the Stars: Tree House Hotels Around the World
As a child, you wanted a tree house. You’d spend hot summer nights at your lucky friend’s house, climbing makeshift ladders to play in a wonderland under the stars. That dream doesn’t have to die. As an adult, you can release your inner child at tree house hotels around the world. Some are located on […]
Inn at the Market: Seattle’s Hotel with a View
Image used with permission by copyright holderSummer is almost here. And with it comes a surge of visitors to the Pacific Northwest. In Seattle, many guests prefer to stay near the action in Pike Place. Inn at the Market, a chic boutique hotel, offers one of the best views of of Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains […]
London’s Hottest Garden Bars
Rooftop bars have become synonymous with summer fun in the city. A place to unwind with a drink in hand. But many of these bars have become overrun with loudmouths and loud music. Not in London. The city’s top summer destinations are decidedly less boorish than their stateside counterparts. London’s garden bars/restaurants are tranquil yet […]
BBQ Trends Just in Time for Summer
Image used with permission by copyright holderAlthough summer is still officially a few weeks away, Memorial Day signifies the start of the season. Last Monday, people around the country dusted off their barbeque covers and lit up their grills, savoring juicy cuts of meat and fresh produce. BBQ trends change from year to year. Here are a few […]
Supper Clubs Hit the Culinary Mark
The lone diner. You sit in restaurants by yourself, savoring your wine and food, listening in on conversations but never being a part of one. It’s a solitary experience that can sometimes become lonely. But loners need not suffer anymore. From Portland to Sydney to Buenos Aires, crafty entrepreneurs and chefs have created supper clubs […]
Best Chefs America Launches Regional Guides
Image used with permission by copyright holderWho are the best chefs in America? Everyone has their favorites and while names such as Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin and Andy Ricker of Pok Pok are often bandied about by gourmands around the country, Best Chefs America used a more scientific approach to determine the cream of […]
The Rakish Gin Aficionado: David Piper
Image used with permission by copyright holderGin has long been the clear spirit of choice for tipplers the world over. And Hendrick’s Gin is one of the finest in the marketplace today. Crafted in Girvan, Scotland, Hendrick’s uses an array of organic herbs and botanicals in its pricey spirit. One could say, it’s stylish and […]
Artisanal Vermouth: A Drink That Can Stand Alone
Thank the Italians. In the late 18th century, they were the first to create vermouth. The fortified wine was often drunk on its own but morphed into a key ingredient in many standard cocktails, from the Martini to the Manhattan to the Negroni. Although Europeans have long drunk vermouth on its own, Americans were late […]
Q&A: George Esquivel of Tumi
Image used with permission by copyright holderEvery traveler worth his weight in carry-ons needs a great weekend bag or wheeled suitcase. After all, if the paparazzi spy you at LAX do you really want to be carrying a beaten and threadbare duffel bag? One of the hottest luggage brands on the market today is Tumi. […]
A Family Affair: Lobel’s of New York Retains its Old-World Charm
Image used with permission by copyright holderOnce upon a time, you’d head to a cheese monger for cheese, a fruit market for sundries and a butcher for your meat. The introduction of the supermarket in the 1920s changed all that and, for generations, Americans of every variety adhered to the one-stop-shopping rule. Today, shoppers are […]
Green is the New Black
Sustainability. It’s a hot trend that doesn’t seem to be dying down. But for travelers, it’s sometimes daunting. The number of eco-friendly hotels grows every day but finding other eco-friendly products while on vacation can be challenging. Instead of searching for sustainable products, why not bring them with you? At The Manual, we’ve selected a […]
Hotel Zetta: San Francisco’s Modern Marvel
Image used with permission by copyright holderChic, modern hotels are nothing new but when you add sustainable elements and high-class design, modern turns into marvel. San Francisco’s Hotel Zetta, opened in the summer of 2013, is one such architectural wonder, thanks to Dawson Design Associates. Situated in SOMA, known for its high-tech design firms and […]
Move Over Sriracha! There’s a New Hot Sauce in Town
Sriracha has been the on the market for some time and with a recent “shutdown,” lovers of spicy condiments have been left wanting. But fear not. Small-batch hot sauce purveyors across the country have answered the call of spice lovers everywhere. Here are four of the best from around the nation: Bat’s Brew Hot Sauce […]
Top Spots Around the Nation to Ring in the New Year
Millions of Americans face a crisis of epic proportions every year: what shall I do on New Years Eve? You don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of your work colleagues come January, especially that annoying frat boy who tries to top everyone in the office with his stories. Most of us have a game […]
Wine Art: Art and Wine Collide at Wineries Around the World
Wineries lure visitors in many ways. Some come for the scenery, others for the food and ambiance and others for the wine, natch. But a number of wineries also lure serious art lovers and collectors. The Manual narrowed down our favorite wineries with art galleries. The Hess Collection Recommended Videos No talk of wine and […]
The Champagne Connoisseur: David Speer
Image used with permission by copyright holderIn a city filled with myriad craft breweries, it’s sometimes hard to find a man that loves wine more than beer. But fear not, dear reader, they do exist. Enter David Speer, owner of Ambonnay, a sparkling-wine bar named after a picturesque Grand Cru village in Champagne. An 11-year veteran […]
Punch Bowl Social: Food, Drinks and Fun All in One Venue
Image used with permission by copyright holder Downtown Portland isn’t known for its must-see destinations. Other than a few great restaurants, it’s not on anyone’s go-to list when visiting the city. You’re more likely to meet other tourists than quirky locals at many of the area watering holes. But that all changed this July with […]
Handmade in Portland: Mana Chocolates Lead the Bean-to-Bar Scene
Mana Chocolate is one of Portland's Best Artisanal Chocolatiers.
Hendrick’s: The Gin for the Flavor Connoisseur
Image used with permission by copyright holderIt’s enough to get people in a tizzy. The argument over who makes the world’s best gin. After all, this is not flavorless vodka we are talking about. Maybe you’d get an angry retort from a Moscovite for saying such a thing. But gin is a connoisseur’s spirit. From […]
Robert Mondavi Winery Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Founder’s Birth
Food and wine pairing for Robert Mondavi's Fume Blanc Reserve.
Food Porn: Hannibal Serves Exquisite Dishes For the Not So Squeamish
Image used with permission by copyright holderCoquilles. Amuse Bouche. Buffet Froid. French culinary terms that would make any gourmand worth his or her weight in black truffles salivate. But they have a deeper meaning to fans of “Hannibal,” the NBC cult sensation that follows the exploits of Dr. Hannibal Lechter and his nemesis Will Graham. […]
Gem of the Ocean
Image used with permission by copyright holderIsolation can lead to deprivation so one would think a two-island nation, situated at the bottom of the globe, separated by thousands of miles from the nearest large land mass, would have little to offer the intrepid tourist. But New Zealand has an abundance of riches, from great seafood […]
In Vino Veritas
Image used with permission by copyright holder Portland: a city steeped in beer. With so many great breweries around, who needs anything else? Well, sometimes, only a glass of fine wine will do. Portland has a burgeoning wine bar scene, thanks to an influx of transplants who favor vino over barley and hops. These bars […]
Norway Takes a Bow
Image used with permission by copyright holderWhen one thinks of the regional culinary titans of Europe, France and Italy immediately come to mind. One certainly doesn’t think of Scandinavia, but if recent accolades and Michelin stars are any indication, Scandinavian cuisine is coming into its own and the country at the forefront of this revolution is Norway. What, […]
Rose City Imbibing
Image used with permission by copyright holderBeer is king in Portland. With so many craft breweries and pubs, beer aficionados have a plethora of places at which to enjoy their beverage of choice. But if you’re a cocktail drinker, finding a favorite watering hole can be bit more challenging. Don’t worry. This is a drinking […]