A taste of imperial China at Fuhuazhai Bobo, a traditional Beijing pastry shop. Flaky mooncakes, refreshing jellies and pillowy kidney bean rolls are served in a shop with a distinct Forbidden City feel. A dessert-fueled throwback to the Qing dynasty.

Social life in Sweden revolves around the concept of fika all year round, but around Mardi Gras semlas take over. Rows of soft cardamom buns filled with almond paste and swirls of delicately whipped cream line up the windows in bakeries throughout the country, and legend says they even played a role in the death of a 18th century king.