By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— When you’re visiting Paris and “hitting the sights,” you shouldn’t spend half of your precious time waiting in lines. If you follow a few simple tips, you could curtail those lines and large groups and spend more time strolling the streets and relaxing in cafés after a day of successful » Read more

By Audrey Sykes in Amsterdam— The Dutch were never known for their exotic cuisine–bread, cheese and fries being the basics. Thankfully the Netherlands has a satisfying sweet tooth. When visiting Amsterdam, don’t hold back on indulging in these five sugary surprises that are simple, cheap, yet oh so tasty. 1. Appeltaart met slagroom Typical price: » Read more

By Laura Mongillo in Florence— With so many must-see museums, churches and palaces, Florence is a treasure trove for art and history lovers. It’s almost impossible to visit them all in a lifetime, much less a weekend trip! How do you choose which museums are worth your time–and budget? There are a few ways to » Read more

Unsung places are often the most interesting. Enter Szczecin, the Polish port city on the Baltic which lies just a shade east of the German border. This is Poland with a twist, for the city has a complicated history. One-time capital of Pomerania, Swedish until 1720 and then German until 1945, the city now known » Read more

By Lara Kavanagh and Daniel Gill in London— London’s East End is one of the trendiest spots on earth, its once dowdy streets undergoing continual gentrification. This is where to head to see some great alternative art galleries and to shop in everything from high-end boutiques to second-hand emporiums and artisan markets. There’s no end » Read more

By Theadora Brack in Paris— Like king crooner Morrissey, whenever I’m having a challenging day, “I throw my arms around Paris,” and hotfoot it over the Pont du Carrousel to the Louvre where the stone and steel not only accept my love, but transport me to dizzying new heights. Here I find peace and tranquility, » Read more

By Nicole Arriaga in Rome— Tourists may not feel inclined to spend a night at the movies when visiting Rome. This is partially because of the language barrier (most films in Italy, especially big American blockbusters, are dubbed from English to Italian) and also because you’re probably too busy seeing the sights. Seeing a film » Read more

By Suzanne Russo in New York— Winter. Gusty, chilly, bone-numbing winter—this writer is not a big fan. Don’t get me wrong: Those first frosty days are magical, the snow beautiful. But this time of year, I’ve about had it with the crazy wind tunnels created by those incredible buildings I love so much. In New York, » Read more

Bring out the red carpet–it’s February in Berlin. Unlike other film festivals, the Berlinale is truly a people’s celebration with a wide open door. Here’s how a regular Joe can attend an international film premiere.