Central Paris has more than enough on offer to keep any visitor occupied, but if time permits you should make at least one foray out of the centre, whether your interest is in the sumptuous Palace of Versailles, former home of the “Sun King” Louis XIV, or in the Magic Kingdom of Disneyland Paris. The … Read more

A Taste of Greater Paris Morning You won’t cover Greater Paris in a day, and Disneyland Resort Paris and Versailles both need at least a day. If you want variety, go to Montparnasse by métro. In front of the busy mainline station, is the Tour Montparnasse – take a trip to the top to admire … Read more

Graves Père Lachaise cemetery Jim Morrison, Père Lachaise Cemetery The American lead singer of The Doors rock band spent the last few months of his life in Paris and died here in 1971. Fans still hold vigils at his grave, which is covered with scrawled messages from all over the world. Jim Morrison’s grave Oscar … Read more

The East End is booming. Always a vibrant, working-class area and home to London’s dockworkers, the area has also prided itself on providing a refuge for successive generations of immigrants, from French silk weavers to Jews and Bangladeshi garment workers. Since the 1980s, the East End, where the murderous Jack the Ripper roamed, has undergone … Read more

A Day Around the East End Morning Start at Old Spitalfields Market, close to Liverpool Street station, where a mixture of stalls hold sway during the week, and many more, selling clothes, food and collectibles, fill the floor on Sundays. Have a delicious English breakfast at St John Bread & Wine opposite the market at … Read more

Eating and Drinking The Real Greek Great restaurant serving Greek food like you’ve never tasted before. Start with mezedes (starters). The wine list has excellent Greek wines. 15 Hoxton Market N1 020 7739 8212 Les Trois Garçons Elaborate decor is all part of the dining experience at Les Trois Garçons. Happily, the food is consistently … Read more

The area between Morningside Park and the Hudson River, from 110th–125th streets, is dominated by Columbia University and two important churches. Further west and extending north is Harlem, America’s best-known African-American community. In the 1880s, when rail connected the neighborhood to Midtown, the large townhouses were occupied by Irish, Italian, and Jewish families, but by … Read more

A Day in Harlem and Morningside Heights Morning Begin late Sunday morning and take the No. 2 or No. 3 subway uptown to 135th Street and Lenox Avenue. Walk to Odell Clark Place and turn west to hear the fabulous choir at the Abyssinian Baptist Church. Continue west along the street to see the fine … Read more

Restaurants Charles’ Southern Style Kitchen Great fried chicken, ribs, and collard greens at this no-frills spot. Also at 308 Lenox Avenue, between 125th and 126th Sts. 2839 Frederick Douglass Blvd, between West 151st & 152nd Sts 212 926 4313 Charles’ Southern Style Kitchen Acapulco Caliente Authentic Mexican food at easy-on-the-wallet prices. 3508 Broadway, between West … Read more

Manhattan is just one of New York’s five boroughs, each of which has its own unique attractions. Brooklyn alone, with its fine brownstone neighborhoods and numerous top-class sights, would be one of the largest cities in the U.S. The Bronx, to the north, boasts one of New York’s finest zoos, plus the New York Botanical … Read more

A Day Out in Brooklyn Morning Take the No. 2 or 3 subway train to Eastern Parkway – Brooklyn Museum, for the world-class Brooklyn Museum . The museum is part of a civic complex that includes the stately Grand Army Plaza, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden , with its well-known Japanese garden, and neighboring Prospect Park. … Read more

Family Adventures New York Aquarium Walk through a swamp; stay dry beneath a waterfall . Surf Ave and West 8th St, Brooklyn Subway (F, Q) W 8th St Open Apr–May, Sep–Oct: 10am–5pm Mon–Fri (5:30pm Sat, Sun & hols); Jun–Aug: 10am–6pm Mon–Fri (7pm Sat, Sun & hols); Nov–Mar: 10am–4:30pm daily Admission charge New York Aquarium Brooklyn … Read more

Ethnic Shopping Household goods on display Broadway, Astoria Astoria has the largest Greek community outside Greece, with restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries on Broadway. Broadway, Astoria, Queens Subway (N, W) Broadway Main Street, Flushing Flushing’s Chinatown offers bakeries, food, gifts, restaurants, herbal remedies, and acupuncture. Queensborough Library has material in 40 languages. Main St, Flushing, … Read more

Restaurants River Café Lobster, duck, and seafood are among many specialties. The Chocolate Duo dessert includes a mini chocolate Brooklyn Bridge. 1 Water St, Brooklyn Subway (A, C) High St 718 522 5200 Men require jackets after 5pm River Café The Grocery With its New American menu and fresh produce, The Grocery has been drawing … Read more

Many people are afraid of traveling regardless of the exciting and exotic nature of their destinations, because they have to endure long flights or road trips. They do not like the idea of breathing in dry and recycled air or being confined for many hours. More importantly, they are afraid of exposing themselves to germs … Read more