This grand avenue in Paris was named Les Champs Elysees in 1694. Until the early 19th century, it led through open country. Today, it is within the center of this beautiful city. The Champs Elysees leads from the Place de ls Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe.This photo was taken from the top of the Arc de Triomphe and the view looks down the avenue to the Place de la Concord. Paris celebrates big events on Les Champs. The most notable was the celebration at the end of World War II. The New Year's Eve party is held up and down the avenue and all major events are held there as well. This famous street's sidewalks are lined with huge trees, luxury shops, theaters, night clubs, and little cafes. Since this broad avenue is one of Paris' top tourist attractions, I had to get out and stroll the Champs Elysees. Shopping was a real adventure since the elegant shops are top quality and very luxurious. I did a lot of window shopping. This day would not be complete without a stop at an outdoor cafe for some lunch. While relaxing, I enjoyed people watching. Everyone seemed pleasantly happy. The weather was perfect - a balmy day with bright sunshine. I listened to the city sounds of cars and buses passing, people chatting, and birds singing in the trees overhead. What a great time I had on Les Champs Elysses. You know this is a "must do" in Paris. Any of the major guidebooks can give you more info and facts on this Paris attraction.

If you want to rent surfboards or take surf lessons, go to Surf N Sea. They always have a selection of vintage boards on display from famous surfers. —Hoku Haiku 62-595 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa, (808) 637-9887. Photo courtesy of José Mandojana. This appeared in the June/July 2013 issue. Read more about Hoku Haiku’s North Shore neighborhood in Oahu.

Whether or not your a fan of textiles, the Textile Souk can make for an interesting visit, with hundreds of shops lining the narrow passage, displaying their wares on the wooden shutters that serve as storefronts. No matter your taste, you're likely to find something that suits amid a myriad of options here. Photo by travelourplanet.com/Flickr.

Located in Munich's Altstadt, or old town city center, Schrannenhalle is a long, beautiful, wrought iron & glass market hall filled with gourmet food and wine. Originally dating to the 19th century, Schrannenhalle was recently rebuilt as an extension of the Viktualienmarkt. Sit down for a coffee, or a glass of champagne, after a long day of shopping, soak up the bustling atmosphere, and escape the cold in winter along with visitors and locals alike.

The creative team behind the edgy cultural magazine Celeste sells clothes and accessories by up-and-coming designers, as well as hats, lingerie, orchids, cigars, antique furniture, and, as one might expect, solid silver lizards and taxidermied swans. This appeared in the August/September 2013 issue. Image: courtesy of Celeste House

While in Tulum you must go to a cute little boutique at the Coqui Coqui Hotel...it is a great little shop filled with cute clothes and while you are shopping you feel like you are on the beach as the floor is all sand. My favorite aspect of the shop, and what Coqui Coqui is known for is the perfume selection. They have a range of scents including one called Tobacco (which was my personal favorite and I don't smoke)--you can buy them in two different sizes and the smaller size is perfect to give as a local gift.

The St.Lawrence Market is one of my favorite spots in the city. Housing over 120 speciality vendors, it's a perfect place for picking up ingredients for a picnic or light supper. I was able to taste local in every category I wanted. Cheeses from Ontario and Quebec, local wineries, seafood featuring fresh catch and baked goods-my beloved butter tart. There's an international flavor to the market that reflects the city itself, and the Saturday Farmer's Market provides a chance to see the best in Southern Ontario growers. Sundays the antique vendors line the outdoor areas with unique wares. When you've made your selection from the dizzying array of choices, head over to Sugar Beach and enjoy your meal at the revitalized waterfront.

If you shop organic foods and natural products, then Dean's Natural Food Market is just the place for you. The owner, Dean Nelson is dedicated to providing his customers with the freshest organics available. He is friendly and professional. The staff is willing to help with advice and suggestions. There is a nutritionist ( one of two regulars) available for your convenience who is always ready to assist you in choosing foods and vitamins, and offer general advice. When I walk into the store, I always look to my left and see the gorgeous display of fresh organic produce. There is a huge selection of fruits and vegetables. Dean's has a frozen section, grocery aisles, loads of snacks and goodies, raw foods, organic meats and poultry, eggs, cheeses, yogurts, and more. The juice bar is very popular offering juices, smoothies, and shakes. I just love the "Mean Green" juice drink. It smells and tastes as fresh as can be. Dean's also offers sandwiches and prepared foods, dinners, salads - all with the same quality organic and natural ingredients. Dean is also the proud owner of two other successful stores: one in Shrewsbury, N.J. and the other in Basking Ridge, N.J. The market in Ocean was a 2012 New Jersey Monthly Choice winner. Dean has always believed in giving back to the community. You can check out Dean's Community Connection on his homepage at www.deansnaturalfoodmarket.com. You will be very happy to shop at Dean's where you get quality foods and quality service.

Shibuya is the crux of Japanese fashion, culture, color, noise and light. Harajuku girls? They're in Shibuya. Manga? Find it in Shibuya. Biggest scramble crossing in the world? Sit at the Starbucks in Shibuya and marvel at the madness below. You want contacts that turn your eyes purple and the best ramen soup of your life and to find out what the kids are wearing these days? Head down to Shibuya, the cultural crossroads of Tokyo.

Forget David's Tea and the other overpriced chains - Tealish is what REAL tea is about. Self-described as a "modern tea boutique", the shop offers some odd 130 different loose leaf teas, ranging from anywhere between the purest fruity white, to the strong English black and even the therapeutic slimming and wellness teas. The store is also home to Toronto's only menu that's entirely dedicated to hot and cold beverages made with loose leaf teas, as well as a well stocked tea accessories section, with the most delicate Japanese teapots I'd ever seen. P.S. I bought the White Peony, and I love it!

If this photo were snapped in an alleyway, or on a mysterious street, it would make the area seem ominous, but even on the snowy and cold winter day as I wandered through the wide cobbled streets around Ban Jelačić Square, I found warmth throughout this neighborhood that made these windows simply charming. If you can spare the time, this is a fascinating part of Zagreb with history, large churches, shops, beautiful architecture, and quaint cafes. If you happen upon the city in December, be sure to wander through the Christmas market.

Nestled in the heart of lively, artsy West Queen West neighborhood, the Drake Hotel is without a doubt one of the coolest establishments I have set foot in. This is the kind of place where the room and the bed are just a tiny part of the stay - between the café, the general store, the restaurant, the patio (complete with smoking section and movie screen), the bar and the laid-back reading area, there is, in reality, very little time for sleep. Which is a refreshing change in the Toronto hotel scene, to be honest. Exit anonymous, sterile chain hotels. This is the real deal, and a true glimpse of what Toronto is really all about. P.S. Make sure to have one Gin Gin Mule before you leave. Gin, muddled mint, lime juice and ginger beer... you can thank me later.