By C H Kwak in Berlin— In 2001, a relatively obscure local politician named Klaus Wowereit proudly declared: “I’m gay, and it’s a good thing.” Berliners wasted no time electing him mayor, and he has been in office ever since. San Francisco may have boys with flowers in their hair, but Berlin is arguably the » Read more

By Cynthia Kane in Madrid— Imagine letting the hours pass by in Madrid. What comes to mind? My mind always conjures up images of the city’s cafés. And this is nothing new: Before moving to Madrid I dreamed about sitting at an outdoor café enjoying a café con leche, or finding the coziest corner inside » Read more

By Jessica Colley— The Irish take their sunshine very seriously. This is mostly because they get so little of it in Dublin, and also because it’s the perfect weather to sit around for a few pints in. When it comes to summertime bars in Dublin, there are a few spots that are ideal both for » Read more

By Theadora Brack in Paris— Toots, I did it again. I fell head over heels in love with Paris all over de nouveau. Setting the scene, I had just finished inspecting a slew of hotels in the Latin Quarter, and was headed to meet friends at the wine bar 5ème CRU. This Cheapo haven is » Read more

By Cynthia Kane in Madrid— Bars that offer stacks of board games for their patrons are becoming more and more popular in Madrid. And although you can find one here or there in every neighborhood, two barrios in particular are packed with Trivial Pursuits, Taboos, checkers, chess and more: Malasaña and Lavapiés. Here are my » Read more

By Audrey Sykes in Amsterdam— Tipping abroad can be confusing, especially when you’re on a whirl-winded European trip that takes you into and out of different countries with different customs. Often travelers tip too much, or to little, and rarely the right amount at the right time. How much should you tip in Amsterdam? Learn » Read more

By Joann Plockova in Prague— In a past post or two I’ve mentioned Prague’s beer gardens. Now that the season is upon us, it’s time to dedicate an entry to a few that offer not just excellent refreshment, but a wonderful view of the city as well. Here are my favorite places in Prague to » Read more

By C H Kwak in Berlin— ‘Tis the time–to take a seat outside and enjoy a beer (or two) with friends. Going to a beer garden (biergarten in German) is a quintessential Berlin summer activity and should be on the list for any visitor during the warmer months. Among the many beer garden options the » Read more

Few experiences in Paris are as rewarding as sitting at a café for hours with a single beverage, watching the world pass by. During the summer, the sidewalk terraces open and the street theater plays out in front of you. As long as you stay away from the most famous streets and tourist-laden cafés in » Read more