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

With the summer solstice this week, Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries turn their thoughts to axial tilt and other astronomical matters: Now here’s a thought. Europeans heading north to cross the Arctic Circle, anxious to catch the mid-summer midnight sun, have to make longer journeys than their parents did. For the Arctic Circle is slipping » Read more

By Regina W. Bryan in Barcelona— Suddenly flip-flops, sunglasses, reddened skin and the smell of coconut suntan lotion are filling the air. This can only mean one thing in Barcelona: spring, and high-season, are here. As the summer approaches the city streets will swell a bit more each month with visitors, tourists, cruise-ship goers and » 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

There are a 101 places in Rome where you could kick back your feet, relax and reminisce over drinks. But not every café will serve up your cocktails with breathtaking views of the Ancient City. Many of the most jaw-dropping vistas have been taken over by Rome’s most exclusive hotels, yet there are still a few » Read more

Feeling musically inspired by Berlin’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene? Cheapos, step right up to Bearpit Karaoke! In February 2009, Irish expat Joe Hatchiban plugged in a karaoke set at Berlin’s Mauerpark Flea Market in Prenzlauer Berg. A bicycle courier by day, Hatchiban toted the necessary equipment on his vehicle: a laptop with karaoke mp3s, a microphone, » Read more

When the weather is hot, there’s nothing as satisfying as a day spent by the water. While many European capitals offer proximity to beaches, rivers or lakes, few of them boast convenient access to both a river and several beaches. Situated on the Tagus River, Lisbon has a waterfront of its own—plus many beaches an » Read more

It’s a pretty well known fact that Italy, like most of Europe, goes on vacation in August. Everything closes up, everybody checks out and heads to the beach. So if you’re a tourist traveling through Florence during the month of August, you’ll just have to get used to the phrase chiuso per ferie (“closed for » Read more