While these were great, unplanned, fun evenings, I couldn’t leave Madrid without an evening of flamenco music. Miguel had surprised me by saying, “Flamenco must be listened to in silence”. The simplicity and absoluteness of his statement intrigued me. Isabel Viedma, the tour guide, agreed with him. “You start with the dance and then work … Read more

There’s a maple for every garden Every Canadian garden should include at least one maple tree. After all, the maple leaf is our beloved national symbol. But more than that, it’s our national symbol because maple trees (Acer species) grow so darned well in every part of the country. All they ask is sun to … Read more

Literary, legal and scholarly, this is the brainy quarter of London. Dominated by two towering institutions, the British Museum and London University, and bolstered by the Inns of Court, it could hardly be otherwise. It is an area of elegant squares and Georgian façades, of libraries, bookshops and publishing houses. Most famously, the Bloomsbury Group, … Read more

Bloomsbury & Fitzrovia on Foot Morning Arrive at the British Museum at 10am (opening time) so that you can enjoy the new Great Court in peace. View Norman Foster’s glass dome while having coffee at the café here. Stroll past the great Assyrian bas-reliefs on your way out. Browse the antiquarian book and print shops, … Read more

The Champs-Elysées is undoubtedly the most famous street in Paris and the quarter which lies around it is brimming with wealth and power. It is home to the president of France, great haute couture fashion houses, embassies and consulates, and the five-star hotels and fine restaurants frequented by the French and foreign élite. The Champs-Elysées … Read more

A Day of Shopping Morning The Champs-Elysées is an area for leisurely strolls. Begin by window-shopping along one side of the avenue Montaigne, where Prada, Nina Ricci, Dior and many more have their flagship stores – the area oozes money. Have a break in the Bar des Théâtres, where fashion names and the theatre crowd … Read more

Designer Shops Christian Dior The grey and white decor, with silk bows on chairs, makes a chic backdrop for fashions from lingerie to evening wear. 30 ave Montaigne, 75008 Christian Dior bag Chanel Chanel classics, from the braided tweed jackets to two-toned shoes as well as Lagerfeld’s more daring designs, are displayed in this branch … Read more

Change is in the air in this flourishing section of Manhattan. Union Square, once a hangout for drug dealers and scene of protest rallies, has been renovated and transformed. A Greenmarket fills the square with fresh produce four times a week, drawing patrons from all over the city, and the neighborhood around the square is … Read more

Exploring Gramercy Park and Flatiron Morning Book-lovers should start on 12th Street, where the city’s biggest used book-store, the Strand, is located at No. 828. From here, head north up Broadway to Union Square, visiting the Greenmarket . Continuing up Broadway brings you to the Paragon Sports superstore, 867 Broadway at 18th Street, and Fishs … Read more

On days when the Red Sox are playing a home baseball game at Fenway Park, Kenmore Square is packed with fans. By night, Kenmore becomes the jump-off point for a night of dancing, drinking, and socializing at clubs on or near Lansdowne Street. Yet for all of Kenmore’s genial rowdiness, it is also the gateway … Read more

A Day of the Arts Afternoon Take the green line “T” (B train) to Boston University Central and make your way to the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, part of Boston University, for a glimpse of Fred Astaire’s dancing shoes and other show business ephemera. Then head west toward Kenmore Square to explore the stores, … Read more

Our picks of unusual destinations and must-try sports for serious snow plans 1.    Airboarding in France I’m lying on my stomach, speeding down a slope, which at any other time would be labeled a wipeout, but here at Alpe D’Huez, it’s known as airboarding and it’s the coolest way to travel! I’m on what’s basically … Read more

We think that Pembrokeshire is one of the best places in the country to hone your photograph skills. Read on to find out why… Pembrokeshire, my home and where I’ve spent most of my life growing up. Famed for its stunning beaches, seaside villages and rugged coastline; it’s a holiday hotspot at any time of … Read more

Tenby is one of those places I absolutely adore and never get tired of visiting, even on the most rainy days! It’s absolutely packed in the summer months due it being a highly regarded holiday destination and the economy is mainly based around tourism. It’s also a mecca for artists and painters alike. It’s not … Read more

Famous for its stunning cathedral nestled at the bottom of a valley, there are great opportunities for some photography in and around the cathedral grounds. Further West leads you down to St. Justinian’s Lifeboat Station with great views across to Ramsey Island, whilst heading further North will take you past Whitesands Bay and up towards … Read more

Shopping Tips The Colonnade, Bloor Street West Store Hours Most shops are open 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday (often later on Thursday). Department stores and shops in malls and commercial districts may keep longer hours, from 10am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, and from noon to 5pm on Sunday. Widely observed retail holidays are … Read more

Inexpensive Hotels Unless otherwise stated, all hotels accept credit cards and have private bathrooms and air conditioning Casa Loma Inn This stately home dating to 1894 is now a charming inn. Each of the 23 rooms – and all are unique – have a fridge, microwave, and coffee-maker. Some rooms have fireplaces. There is no … Read more

The Zona Alta (Uptown) is an area covering several neighbourhoods that, as the name suggests, are in the hilly part of the city. From the moneyed streets of Pedralbes and Tibidabo to bohemian Gràcia, this entire northern area of the city offers stunning views and regal attractions. But what really sets this area apart from … Read more

Gràcia Until the end of the 19th century, Gràcia was a fiercely proud independent city. Despite locals’ protests, it became part of Barcelona proper in 1898, but has always maintained a sense of separatism and has been a hotbed of political activity. It is now home to a booming cottage industry nurtured by a growing … Read more

Hip Drinking Spots Gràcia Nightlife, Plaça del Sol Mirasol Possibly Gràcia’s most classic bar, the atmospheric Mirasol has been a bohemian hang-out for decades. In summer, there’s outdoor seating on the plaça. Pl del Sol 3 Closed Sun DA Mirasol Universal Café Open until 5:30am, Universal Café is a late-night, two-level bar with a spacious, … Read more