1. London

 

 

London

Ladies, please wear long skirts; gentlemen, straighten your ties. Afternoon tea at The Ritz London is a very formal social occasion. Precisely at four o'clock every afternoon, the clinking sound of silver teapots and fine china echoes through the hotel's Palm Court. The tea service here is not inexpensive, but it provides an excellent opportunity to socialize and make new acquaintances.

2. Siberian Railway Carriage

 

 

Siberian Railway Carriage

The direct train from Moscow to Beijing takes over six days. In each carriage, a Russian samovar is provided, allowing passengers to pour themselves a hot cup to ward off the severe cold. This traditional Russian tea urn, different from a simple kettle, is designed for convenient communal water heating and tea serving.

3. South American Countries like Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina

 

 

Some South American Countries

Mate tea is the national drink of many South American nations. It is made from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. To drink it properly, one must use a special silver straw with a filter (a bombilla) along with a gourd-shaped cup (a mate).

4. Yueyang, China

 

 

Yueyang, China

Ever since tea became a drink in the cup of Emperor Shennong over 2,700 years ago, the Chinese have recognized and widely promoted tea's medicinal and social benefits.

5. The Sahara Desert

 

 

The Sahara Desert

The nomadic people of the Sahara do not rush their tea. They have ample patience, typically brewing at least three rounds, with each infusion offering a distinct flavor.

6. Uji City, Japan

 

 

Uji City, Japan

Uji, a city rich in temples, is Japan's tea capital, renowned for its green tea. Traces of green tea are found everywhere in its streets—from wooden boxes of tea leaves lining shop shelves to green tea soba noodles and green tea ice cream.

7. The Inca Trail, Peru

 

 

The Inca Trail, Peru

When resting during a trek at such high altitudes, there's no better drink than coca tea. Though bitter, this tea, made from coca leaves (also the source of caffeine), helps increase blood oxygen levels and is an effective remedy against altitude sickness.

8. Boston, USA

 

Boston, USA

Despite the famous 1773 "Boston Tea Party," where angry colonists dumped enough tea to brew 2.4 million cups from three British ships into the harbor, tea has always held a place of unique significance in the hearts of Bostonians.

9. Darjeeling, India

 

 

Darjeeling, India

Here, tea is all one sees—in cafes, markets, and across the vast, terraced hillsides.

10. The Hill Country of Sri Lanka

 

 

The Hill Country of Sri Lanka

From an airplane, the view of south-central Sri Lanka is a sea of green. Since the 19th century, this cool, mountainous region has been cultivated into vast tea plantations. Women pluckers in brightly colored saris move through the fields, creating specks of red amidst an endless expanse of green.