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While heading out to raucous clubs can be a good time every now and then, sometimes you just want to listen to some good music and chill out for the evening. Luna offers a host of live music shows (check their website for upcoming artists), boasts a great atmosphere, and, to top it all off, you won’t have to push your way to the bar.

In a city charmed by all things retro, the North Beach neighborhood is the place for Prohibition-era fashion (followed by speakeasy-style drinking, of course). Stop by the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop for the kind of boutique shopping experience from the days of Bonnie and Clyde. It’s a shop made for lingering; you’re encouraged to try on anything and explore the nooks and crannies of the well-curated space (make sure to check out the cinema chairs upstairs). Started in 1895 and headquartered in San Francisco since 1949, Goorin Bros.’ fourth-generation family business is still booming. They make their hats just as they were made 100 years ago—hand blocked on old wood forms and stitched in small factory workshops in New Jersey, Great Britain, and Italy. In addition to the classic Bowlers and Top Hats the company has been producing since the 1890’s, they’ve come up with more modern styles like slouchy knit beanies and colorful wool cloches. With proper care, these are hats that will last generations. Pick up a hat for a stroll in this iconic district and head on over to one of the many neighborhood bars to show it off—Comstock Saloon, Rogue Ales Public House, and Vesuvio Café are some neighborhood favorites.

Many of the crafts of Oaxaca are still made using techniques that date back to ancient times. At the workshop of Doña Rosa in San Bartolo Coyotepec, you can see a demonstration of how black pottery is made. Instead of using an electric wheel, the potter shapes his piece while he spins it by hand as it rests on top of two stacked concave plates - one is right side up, the other upside down. Oaxaca’s famous black pottery gets its color in the firing process, not from any glaze or paint applied to the pieces. Doña Rosa is said to have originated this firing technique in the 1950s - prior to that time the pottery was mostly grey. Black pottery is used mainly for decorative purposes as it will not hold water. Pots that will be used to hold water are fired longer and turn grey. Many families in San Bartolo make black pottery, but this workshop is the most famous. You’ll find a wide variety of black pottery items for sale here, all at very reasonable prices.

Baja Brewing Company may have been the first brewery in Los Cabos, and for a long time, it was also the only one. Recently, it was joined by Cervecería Ramurí, a local craft brewer.

Stouts, porters, pale ales, and even a hefeweizen are on tap here, and can be served with one of the appetizers or entrees turned out by the kitchen, including handmade lobster ravioli.

“Aquí, Se Guisa” is the motto at Borda Berri, one of the Old Town’s best pintxo bars. The star of every pintxo is a braised critter: beef, octopus, rabbit, you name it. There’s no pintxos on the bar at this spot, but don’t let that keep you from entering.

The Japanese Friendship Garden is a beautiful Japanese garden that represents the Japanese philosophy of the universe and its elements. There’s a koi pond, a rock garden, and a little area in the back where you can see some beautiful bonsai trees.

A three mile stretch each way, the boardwalk is a great place to rent a bike and enjoy the gorgeous San Diego weather. Or check out the neighborhood and just bike around Pacific Beach. There are lots of shops and restaurants found on Garnet Ave. and most bike rentals companies include a bike lock with your rental. There are several bike rental places found in Pacific Beach. We really like riding the cruisers. After you hand in your bike satisfy your hunger at Oscars Mexican Seafood http://www.oscarsmexicanseafood.com/ for a taste of local flavor. Tip: If you choose to bike the boardwalk, it can be crowded on the weekends, so either start earlier in the day or go on a weekday.

The confluence of two rivers takes place in Guatín where one hails from the warm thermal springs of Puritama, and the other is the Purifica River, whose waters are from the Andes Mountains. This unique mix of warm thermal spring water and cold clear mountain snowmelt gives rise to the new river which supports the unique ecosystem of the Guatin Canyon. One of the most fun hikes in San Pedro is to trek alongside waterfalls, switching back and forth over large rocks. The canyon is also covered in different cacti like the amazing Candelaria cactus that can grow to be several meters tall. Photo: Francisco Ramirez (Eat Wine Blog)

Stop by Gravel & Gold in the Mission and you’ll find not only vintage goods from around the world, but also handmade and sustainably produced homeware, specialty food products, books, clothing, and jewelry made in and around San Francisco. Be sure to check out the shop’s made-and-designed-in-house line of clothing and bags, Gravel & Gold Goods; their “Boob Top” is a particular bestseller. Check their website for in-store events like homebrewing workshops, and stop by every Wednesday to pick up a share for nearby Eatwell Farm’s CSA. Gravel & Gold is open Monday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

One of the most beautiful natural lakes in Mendoza is hidden in San Carlos. The provincial reserve “Laguna del Diamante” is 10,600 feet above sea level with a view of the towering Maipo Volcano. Its name comes from the volcano’s diamond-shape reflection in the lake. It takes several hours to get to from downtown Mendoza with a four-wheel drive vehicle, but it’s worth the trip. Hike around the four-mile lake, where your only company will most likely be guanacos and foxes (neither are dangerous). You can also go fishing, which costs $20 pesos. The area is naturally windy all year round, so bring a warm coat and comfortable shoes. A shuttle from the main square in San Carlos departs early in the morning and the last one returns at around 8:00 PM or you can camp overnight, ($750 pesos for a round trip shuttle ticket). There’s a $300 peso discount if you stayed in Uco Valley the night before. Laguna del Diamante is only open from January to the first week of April.

Arts in Puerto Rico range from lavish recitals to paintings of humble local scenes. The Luis A. Ferré Fine Arts Center in San Juan puts on various performances, including theater, concerts, ballet, and opera. The center itself is a work of art, with a vibrantly-colored mural of the Muses, and a stained-glass window symbolizing the elements of nature. Meanwhile, the neoclassical Puerto Rico Museum of Art showcases visual art pieces from the 17th century onwards. Its collections feature a linoleum portrayal of a girl gathering food, and a collage in oil that depicts two faces of the famous Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos.

It was by accident that I found Al’s, while trying to find parking for an event in North Beach. It immediately stole my heart with their window display of vintage inspired, hand made shoes and clothing and I’m so glad that I went in. The fact that Al Ribaya named his first store ‘Taming of the Shoe’ is reason enough to swing by this location! At this store in North Beach he will style anyone that walks in hoping to own his bespoke suits, bags and shoes.

If you’re in Madrid and in the mood for tapas, you might not know exactly where to go or what to taste. The Mercado San Miguel (metro Sol) takes away all that decision-making by providing you with a taste experience all under one roof. The old, derelict market was renovated just a few years ago and turned into an upmarket culinary emporium of sorts. It has more than 30 food stalls, each selling something different. My favorite is the bellota ham sold at Carrasco, but there is plenty more. You can sample sherries and Rioja wines at the wine bar, or do as Spaniards do and pick away at tapas as you make your way through the market. I highly recommend the croquettes, or croquetas, in one of the outside alleys: they have ham, chicken, shrimp, cheese and a variety of others. The more standard tapas area easy to find, like tortilla, and seafood is beautifully laid out for you to pick and choose. Right in the middle is my top-rated tapa place. I couldn’t find a name for it but it’s the largest counter, shaped like a U, and has everything from potatoes aioli to steamed razor clams, with everything in-between.

San Francisco is not only a beautiful city, but it is also home to some exquisite natural landscapes, such as Lands End. I will never forget the first time I hiked the main Coastal Trail: I couldn’t believe I was still in a city because of the gorgeous Torrey Pines surrounding me and the vast ocean below. It was so peaceful and quiet, except for the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees and the waves breaking gently below. And then I saw the iconic Golden Gate Bridge sitting in the Pacific Ocean just beyond the trail. The hike is approximately 3 miles out and back to the starting point. The site is easily accessible by MUNI using the 38 Geary line. (There is a parking lot, but it fills up quickly.) After the hike, I highly recommend relaxing and taking in the view at the Visitor’s Center just south of the trail, and then getting some food at Louis’ Restaurant next door. The trail is also great for trail running. Either way, wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera. A light jacket wouldn’t hurt either.

Dedicated to St. Matthew, Lucca’s beautiful cathedral was built in typical Romanesque style in the 12th century and has a curious asymmetrical, tiered façade covered with fantastically complex carvings. The dim interior houses one of the town’s great artistic treasures, the tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, carved by the Sienese master Jacopo del la Quercia in 1408 for the bride of bigwig Paolo Guinigi who died tragically young. A little dog lies bereft at his mistress’s feet…It’s a real tear-jerker.