Bolinas Beach This hidden-away Marin beach tends to be windy and is mostly used by dog-walkers, and kayakers. It’s sandy, with a backdrop of rocky cliffs. If you walk north, you’ll find warmer nooks and crannies out of the wind, where some sun-worshipers bask in the nude, although there is a rarely enforced city ordinance … Read more

Hotel Adlon Berlin Berlin’s top hotel ranks as one of the finest in Europe. A reconstruction of the historic Adlon hotel, it opened in 1997 and has become popular with celebrities and politicians from around the globe. Even if you are not going to stay here, you could have a cup of tea or coffee … Read more

Vau The best of international and Austrian cooking is served by Kolja Kleeberg at the stylishly designed Vau. The restaurant has been awarded a well-deserved Michelin star . Jägerstr. 54–55 noon–2:30pm, 7–10:30pm Mon–Sat 030 202 97 30 The popular Vau Vox The exquisite food in this elegant hotel restaurant is a sleek and modern fusion … Read more

Liberty This handsome, half-timbered building dates from 1925 and its fine wood-floored and panelled interior is part of the shopping experience there. Long associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, it employed artists such as William Morris to design its fabrics. Great for its own Liberty floral fabrics, home furnishings, men’s and women’s fashions and … Read more

Notting Hill Carnival This three-day Caribbean festival is Europe’s largest carnival, with steel bands and DJ’s playing all imaginable kinds of music, street food, brilliant costumes and lively dancers. Children’s parades on Sunday, grown-ups’ on Monday. Notting Hill W11 Last Sat–Mon in Aug Extravagant costume, Notting Hill Carnival Chelsea Flower Show As much a society … Read more

L’Arbuci A well-established favourite, in the heart of St-Germain, attracting a good mix of regular locals and curious tourists. Eat in the pleasant brasserie upstairs, then head to the basement for some old-fashioned Dixie-style jazz. 25 rue de Buci, 75006 L’Arbuci Au Duc des Lombards The Left Bank may be the traditional home of jazz … Read more

L’Astrance There is probably no table in Paris that is more coveted than one in this sober 25-seat dining room, with a single set menu for €120 (without wine) or €190 (with matching wines), orchestrated by young culinary genius Pascal Barbot. Lunch is more affordable, starting at €70 per person. 4 rue Beethoven, 75016 01 … Read more

Central Park Myriad activities for kids include storytelling, carousel rides, bike riding, boating, ice skating, nature workshops, and guided walks. The Central Park Zoo is excellent, not too large in size, and the Tisch Children’s Zoo allows petting and feeding of farm animals. Central Park’s carousel Polar Bear in Central Park Zoo Bronx Zoo America’s … Read more

Union Square Café Danny Meyer’s first restaurant has been one of New York’s most popular since 1985, loved for delicious fare served by friendly staff in comfortable surroundings. Chef Michael Romano’s new takes on American standards include the freshest ingredients from the neighboring Union Square Greenmarket . Union Square Café Gotham Bar and Grill A … Read more

Combining a fascing nating history and stunning natural beauty with a seductive contemporary culture, India’s southernmost state is waiting to explored… Combining a fascing nating history and stunning natural beauty with a seductive contemporary culture, India’s southernmost state is waiting to explored… Steeped in history Although the region has been the home of the Tamil … Read more

Peter Pan Bus Lines (800 343 9999) and MBTA commuter rail (617 222 3200) operate to many of these destinations from South Station Costumed re-enactors dramatize the 1775 Battle of Lexington and Concord each year on Patriots Day (the third Monday in April) Lexington Peaceful, leafy Lexington Green marks the first encounter of British soldiers … Read more

For more information on Cape Cod contact the Chamber of Commerce at 1 508 362 3225 or go to www.capecodchamber.org Bay State Cruise Co. operates a ferry to Provincetown (mid-May–mid- Oct) from the World Trade Center, Boston, 617 748 1428 Cape Ann Thirty miles (48 km) north of Boston, the granite brow of Cape Ann … Read more

Bars & Clubs Crush Wine is king at this hip loft-space bar/restaurant, but other, equally delicious, libations are also poured . 455 King St W 416 977 1234 Closed Sun in winter Bar at Canoe It’s a heady experience sipping the perfect martini while gazing at the city from the top of a skyscraper . … Read more

Theaters Canon Theatre Big musicals have replaced vaudeville on the bill. The 1920s interior is a fantasy of gilt-framed mirrors and chandeliers, a magnificent staircase and dome. 263 Yonge St 416 872 1212 Royal Alexandra Theatre Saved from demolition, this 1906 theater has been returned to Edwardian finery. A lovely mural tops the dramatic proscenium … Read more

Restaurants Canoe Upscale Canadian dishes – think caribou and Arctic char – are the pièces de résistance from chef Anthony Walsh’s kitchen. Views from this 54th-floor room are stunning. 66 Wellington St W 416 364 0054 Bymark Some of the freshest fish in town and extravagant foie gras attract a well-heeled crowd. Top selection of … Read more

The English-language website www.spain.info has a section dedicated to Spanish festivals. Tickets for Festival del Grec & Festival Internacional de Jazz are available from the Caixa de Catalunya ticket line 902 10 12 12. Festes de la Mercè Barcelona’s main festival is a riotous week-long celebration in honour of La Mercè . The night sky … Read more

For Catalan speakers, the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (93 306 57 00) is a fine showcase for Catalan drama. Barcelona’s many versió original (original version) cinemas provide plenty of options for non-Catalan-speaking film aficionados. Gran Teatre del Liceu Phoenix-like, the Liceu has risen from the ashes of two devastating fires since its inauguration in 1847. … Read more

What strikes many visitors to downtown Seattle is how easy it is to see the sights, since key attractions lie within walking distance of one another. Bookended by Belltown to the north and Pioneer Square to the south, downtown can be seen on foot or by city bus at no cost – since all of … Read more

Downtown Shopping Spree Mid-morning Stop at Westlake Center and grab an espresso and pastry at the stand in the plaza before window-shopping Westlake’s indoor mall. Inside, Made in Washington offers a large and creative inventory of regionally produced merchandise. Walk across Pine Street to find Nordstrom’s spacious flagship store, stocked with top designer brands and … Read more

Sport & Wellness Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena in Fröttmaning, in the north of Munich, was built for the city’s two football clubs. Designed by architects Herzog and de Meuron, the transparent façade can be illuminated in white, red, or blue (the colours of the clubs). Holding 66,000 spectators, the stadium includes an enormous food … Read more