On Shrove Tuesday, ski carnival is celebrated in the Alps. The best known is held at Firstalm – there’s a prize for the best costume. Curling and a trial of strength called Fingerhakeln (finger wrestling) are traditional Bavarian sports. Schäfflertanz Every seven years, the Dance of the Coopers is performed to commemorate the end of … Read more

Named after the ring of elevated train tracks that encircle it, this is downtown Chicago’s core, and the city’s financial and governmental hub. Abuzz with laptop-toting business folk during the week, the Loop is transformed on weekends when a veritable shopping frenzy erupts along its famous State Street. Those thirsty for culture also come flocking … Read more

A Day in The Loop Morning Start early with breakfast at the charming Atwood Café in the lobby of the historic Hotel Burnham , with its beautifully reconstructed interior. Then stroll a block west to Daley Plaza to see the giant unnamed Picasso sculpture, stopping off at the Hot Tix booth at 78 W Randolph … Read more

The Qian Men (front gate) at the southern end of Tian’an Men Square was once part of the inner city walls. These divided the imperial quarters of the Manchu emperors from the “Chinese city,” where the massed populace lived apart from their overlords. Walking south from the gate you are immediately plunged into a network … Read more

A Day South of Tian’an Men Square Morning Start on Tian’an Men Square, at the southeast corner beside the stripey brick Old Qian Men Railway Station, built by the British in 1901, partly to bring military forces straight to the assistance of foreigners in the event of a repeat of the siege of the Boxers. … Read more

Restaurants and Teahouses Duyichu Centuries-old corner snack shop serving baozi (steamed buns). 36 Qian Men Dajie 6702 1555 Lao Beijing Zhajiang Mian Da Wang Bustling institution serving traditional Beijing snacks. Kitsch but cheap and very tasty fare. 29 Chongwen Men Wai Dajie 6705 6705 Fengzeyuan Specializes in Shandong cuisine, which is heavy on soups and … Read more

This imposing tree-lined avenue,adorned with fountains and sculptures, is home to no fewer than three worldclass art galleries: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. In the 18th century the prado was a meadow, crossed by a stream, but the bucolic surroundings were deceptive, as the area was acquiring an unsavoury reputation for muggings … Read more

A Day on the Paseo del Prado Morning Begin at Plaza de Cibeles and take a peek at the palatial central hall of the Town Hall . Plans to redirect traffic away from the Paseo del Prado have been frustrated, but the central boulevard still makes a pleasant walk, with plenty of shade in summer. … Read more

Places to Eat Senzone Acclaimed chef Francisco Morales and his wife, Ruth Controneo, a sommelier, run this wonderful restaurant. Expect inventive, seasonal cuisine. Hotel Hospes, Plaza de la Independencia 3 91 432 2911 Paridis Thyssen This Catalan-Mediterranean restaurant above the Thyssen Museum offers great views from its outdoor summer terrace. Paseo del Prado 8 91 … Read more

The east of the island was the first to take up the population pressures of the nascent colonial capital of Victoria, and until the late 1970s had a low rent reputation. Some of that survives in the haggard pole-dancing clubs and tattoo parlours of Wan Chai, the quarter where Richard Mason wrote The World Of … Read more

A Day for Exploring Morning Start off with a brisk stroll through Hong Kong Park, a green haven surrounded on all sides by thrusting towers of glass and concrete. Chances are you’ll see several caparisoned couples awaiting their turn to be married at the Cotton Tree Drive Registry Office. Take time for a look through … Read more

Places to Eat and Drink Tasty Congee and Noodle Wantun Shop For many this is the best place to go for beef fried noodles and piping-hot congee (rice porridge). The dim sum are also highly rated. G/F, 21 King Kwong St, Happy Valley 2838 3922 Petrus Contemporary French cuisine is served in an exquisite room … Read more

RomaEuropa Festival A fast-growing performing arts festival with a pronounced emphasis on the provocative, held every autumn in various superlative venues, including the French Academy, Palazzo Farnese and the Spanish Academy. All kinds of music, dance and theatre, including several international artists. end-Sep–early-Dec Testaccio Village This well-run multi-event happens all summer long in a purpose-built … Read more

Via dei Condotti The chicest shops are here, where all the biggest names in haute couture have staked out their turf: Gucci, Bulgari, Prada, Hermès, Ferragamo, Armani, Trussardi, Valentino and more. It’s a foregone conclusion that this street offers no bargains, but the staff will make you feel like visiting royalty . Via dei Condotti … Read more

Annapolis, Maryland This enticing city on the Chesapeake Bay is one of the great sailing centers on the East Coast as well as being home to the US Naval Academy. It has a bustling business district and numerous historic houses, such as the home of William Paca, the governor who signed the Declaration of Independence. … Read more

Wine Country Taking at least a day to drive up into the Napa-Sonoma hill country should be on everyone’s list. Not only is the countryside beautiful, but you can also sample some of the best wines in the world, and dip into the restorative volcanic hot springs that feed the area . California wine Muir … Read more

Whatever you’re looking for in a tropical island family holiday, you’ll find it at Club Med Phuket. 1.    Sun and water Club Mcd Phuket lies right on the kilometer-long stretch that is the beautiful Kata Bay in the Andaman Sea. The balmy water of the bay is perfect — we floated on the gentle swells … Read more

Sophisticated Charlottenburg is a haute bourgeoisie enclave and was the only district of Berlin that did not rub shoulders with the Wall. The historical streets off Ku’damm feature small cafés, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, based in stout residential houses from the beginning of the 20th century. These streets and Charlottenburg’s proud town hall remind … Read more

A Day in Charlottenburg Morning Begin your tour of Charlottenburg at Breitscheidplatz and stroll down Kurfürstendamm in a westerly direction. Turn left into Fasanenstraße to visit the Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum and to see the Literaturhaus. You could stop for a mid-morning breakfast at Café Wintergarten in the Literaturhaus, before going back up Fasanenstraße in a northerly direction. … Read more

Science Museum Natural History Museum Madame Tussaud’s One of London’s most popular attractions, this is where you can see everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Queen. A Spirit of London ride takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the city’s history. The famous Chamber of Horrors puts you face-to-face with London’s most infamous criminals and … Read more