By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— Vahram Muratyan’s book Paris vs. New York: A Tally of Two Cities has been making quite an impression on big city dwellers. Debuting at Colette last year in Paris and launching in February in New York, the book visually chronicles the comparisons and contrasts between both iconic cities. Images illustrate » Read more

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— There is a feeling among some backpackers and DIY-type travelers that tours are for, well, tourists. Granted, I don’t want to be one of 75 people following a guide’s orange flag through the city streets of Rome or London. Not only do those sorts of tours make me feel » Read more

By Regina W Bryan in Barcelona— Not all hotels in Barcelona are created equal when it comes to location. While it’s true that some of the cheapest rooms can be found outside of Barcelona’s city center, this isn’t always the case. There are some great hotel deals to be had right in the center of » Read more

By Nina Derham in London— Choosing accommodation in London can be tricky. The city is so vast that if you are on the hunt for cheap accommodation, you run the risk of ending up a long way from the main sights and spending the majority of your visit battling with the Tube! Trust me, nobody » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— For many, Europe = plazas, or squares. Cobblestone plazas corralled by cafes, grand plazas with state buildings looking down on passersby, and intimate, hidden plazas with bubbling fountains sprouting from their centers. Certainly, Barcelona has its fair share of city squares. The neighborhood with the most plazas in town » Read more

By Marc Justin in Florence— People are always asking me for pointers on where to stay in Florence. If casa Marc is available then hey, no problem. Otherwise, here are the neighborhoods I suggest when choosing a hotel: Steps from the Station: Santa Maria Novella I know a guy who always insists on picking hotels » Read more

By Jessica Colley— Cheapos are faced with one difficult decision when stepping foot in a new city: which neighborhood to use as a home base? Often, affordable accommodation options aren’t in the best possible locations, leaving the choice of a few different neighborhoods. This is definitely the case in Dublin. The following neighborhood guide can » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— I’ve lived all over Barcelona, from the upper Eixample by the Sagrada Familia, to the ancient heart of the city in the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter). I now live near the sea, which suits me best. Which barri is right for your trip or move to Barcelona? That depends » Read more

By Suzanne Russo— The eclectic Mission District is somehow both quintessential San Francisco and a world apart. Like the hip Marina and tony Pacific Heights, the Mission has a large population of ravishing Victorian homes but here the genteel structures keep company with tall palm trees, colorful murals and ornate Spanish-style architecture. And while its edgy, artsy flair resembles » Read more