Blues Alley Marvelous drinks and food in an intimate club setting featuring today’s best jazz performers. 1073 Wisconsin Ave, NW Blues Alley Madam’s Organ For years this Adams Morgan fixture has defined the middle-of-the-road club scene in the city. Live music and dancing. Their slogan is “Where the Beautiful People go to get ugly.” 2461 … Read more

Bambuddha Lounge The sumptuous restaurant in this ultra-hip nightclub serves Southeast Asian cuisine and all the dishes are priced under $15. The interior is an eclectic mix of modern slate fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling waterfalls, with a retro cocktail lounge and Asian artifacts. Bambuddha boasts a poolside dining area, and couples will enjoy the intimate corners … Read more

You can rent in-line skates from Skates on Haight, at 1818 Haight Street

We meet a man dedicated to creating a nature reserve in Montana to rival Africa’s best.  “The idea of creating a large-scale grassland reserve has been around for more than 50 years,” says Sean Gerrity. The 53-year-old former Silicon Valley businessman is now transforming this idea into reality. Since the late 1990s, when the American … Read more

Olympiastadion The Olympic Stadium is worth a visit even if no particular sports events are scheduled. The giant edifice, constructed by Werner Mach for the Olympic Games in 1936, reflects the architectural style typical of the Nazi period. Two statues by Arno Breker flank the main entrance. Opposite the 80,000-seater stadium are the Maifeld, inspired … Read more

Großer Tiergarten Tiergarten – the green lungs of Berlin – is the most famous park in the city. It covers an area of 203 ha (500 acres) and is situated right in the centre of town. Originally designed, in 1833–40, by Peter Joseph Lenné as a hunting estate for the Elector, in the latter half … Read more

Les Misérables Victor Hugo’s 1862 French classic novel was adapted for the stage by Trevor Nunn for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1985. With music by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, “Les Mis” tells the tale of downtrodden poor and the social and political struggles in revolutionary France. It is now at the Queens Theatre … Read more

The Lamb and Flag This old-world establishment tucked up an alley looks much as it did in Charles Dickens’ day. In the heart of Covent Garden, it can get crowded – during the summer drinkers spill outside into the quiet alley. The 17th-century poet John Dryden was severely beaten up outside the pub which was … Read more

Opéra National de Paris Garnier Not just a night out, but a whole experience, opera has now returned to its original Paris base after the theatre had a spell as a dance-only venue. The vast stage can hold a cast of 450, and the building itself is an example of excessive opulence, complete with grand … Read more

Disneyland Resort Paris Formerly known as Euro-Disneyland, the French offspring of America’s favourite theme park is a clone of its parent, and has now been joined by the Walt Disney Studios complex. Both have big queues, so arrive early. There are rides for children of all ages and most adults are equally enchanted . Parc … Read more

St. Patrick’s Day Parade People wear Irish green for this big day when marching bands, politicos, and lovely lasses march down 5th Avenue to proclaim their love of the Emerald Isle. Millions come to watch and the celebrations last way into the night. 5th Ave 11am Mar 17 Check press for exact route Easter Parade … Read more

Macy’s What can you say about the world’s largest store? Food to futons, the selection is vast. And Macy’s is a major part of the New York scene, from the spring flower show to Tap-O-Mania, when thousands of tap dancers converge on Herald Square . Bloomingdale’s After Macy’s, this is New York’s best-known department store, … Read more

For more information on Boston’s parks contact Boston Park and Recreation (617 635 4505) The Esplanade Provided the Charles River Basin has not frozen over, collegiate rowing crews, canoeists, small sailboats, and the occasional coast guard patrol all share the waters off the Esplanade. Find a bench facing the water and take in the scene. … Read more

May– Oct ferries sail from Long Wharf to Georges Island where there’s a shuttle service to other islands (call 617 223 8666) Islands are open 9am to sunset daily, closed in winter. Camping is permitted on Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells by special permit Georges Island As the terminal for the harbor islands ferry and water … Read more

The streets of Harbourfront and the Financial District combine old and new in a vibrant mix. Along the shores of Lake Ontario, the origins of the city can be traced to the establishment of Fort York in 1793. As the town of York grew, spreading north from the lake, financial institutions settled around Bay and … Read more

An Art Walk Morning Start at Commerce Court North to admire the stunning lobby. Walk west to Bay St and the TD Centre , noting the Wall and Chairs sculpture in the plaza and Joe Fafard’s life-sized bronze cows lounging on the lawn behind 77 King St W. Just around the corner at 234 Bay … Read more

An elegant and unspoilt walled town in the heart of the Alentejo wine country, Evora is an ideal destination for lovers of culture and cuisine, says Paul Richardson. The motorway powers out of Lisbon, heading east towards the Spanish border, through countryside as unpopulated and as little messed about with as any in Europe. The … Read more

Evora managers to be not only an outstandingly beautiful and well-preserved city, but also functional and user-friendly. Almost everything worth seeing lies within the ring of fortifications, and nothing is further than a half-hour walk from anything else. So it makes sense to leave your car in one of the various car parks outside the … Read more

It is well known to oenologists, but a little surprising to the rest of us, that the region is not only by far Portugal’s prime producer of plonk, but increasingly the source of some genuinely classy and sophisticated wines. The headquarters of the local wine authority, Vinhos do Alentejo, on Praca Aguiar, is a good … Read more

The traditional heart of the IK capital may be in the west, but a young generation of artists, chefs, designers and hoteliers – as well as a brand new Olympic park – has taken up residence on the other side of town. Writing exclusively for Condé Nast The Olympic Games may be coming to the … Read more