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You don’t necessarily need to know how to wield a paintbrush to participate in these seven art-filled tours.

You might want to consider bringing an extra suitcase when visiting Paris, home of magnificent Art Deco and Art Nouveau department stores, sprawling flea markets, and one-of-a-kind boutiques – you definitely don’t want to go home empty-handed.

An aspiring bluegrass fiddler from London discovers much more than music on a trip to North Carolina.

Of the traditions that the French uphold with near-religious obsession, carving time in their schedules for a late afternoon/early evening drink at happy hour is perhaps the most important. Unwind from your day and sidle up to the bar at one of these hot spots. No matter your preference - beer, wine or cocktails - they have a tipple for all tastes.

A new generation of tastemakers puts Beijing on the fashion map.

It may be hard to imagine feeling the necessity to skip town when the capital has so much to offer. But to really understand France - its people, culture, values and storied past - you’ll need to reach beyond the well-heeled streets of Paris. Some of these spots make ideal day trips from the city while others deserve your undivided attention. All are picture- perfect so keep your cameras handy.

Privacy and discretion reign supreme behind the iconic red door of this Jacques Garcia-styled hideaway between the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées. The smallest of the capital’s Palace hotels, La Réserve Paris is set up in a former mansion that belonged to the Duc of Morny (Napoleon III’s half-brother). The hotel maintains the feel of a private home, thanks to a mix of Second Empire decorative touches, including parquet floors, crown moldings, cordovan leather paneling, and velvet drapery. It’s easy to linger in the public areas, including the library packed with 3,000 books reserved for guests during the day, the fumoir that looks out onto a leafy courtyard, and salons with plush banquettes and club chairs.

Families visiting this coastal city will find outdoor adventure at beaches, waterparks, and islands. Above it all, a thrilling Ferris wheel with air-conditioned seats (really!) beckons view seekers. Back on land, kids may encounter camels and wild animals, and learn about desert culture. Yes, the younger set can easily have fun in this largest emirate.

Inside the city’s most innovative restaurants, maverick chefs are defining modern Czech cuisine.

There’s a lot more to the San Fermín festival than the running of the bulls. In Pamplona, a skeptic learns what it’s really like to attend the biggest summer fiesta in Basque country.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent Meghan Daum on a spontaneous journey to Peru.

On a trip with a young traveler in tow, a writer reflects on her first Venice adventure—and how it changed her life.

Thanks to a brigade of artisanal coffee hounds and supremely talented baristas, delicious coffee of all sorts—filtered, iced, with milk or with a bit of mocha—can be found. Be sure to caffeinate at one of these top coffee shops during your next trip.

French chef Eric Fraudeau spent 30 years working in three-star kitchens. When he returned to France, he opened a cooking school to share the wealth of French cuisine with visitors from across the globe. He started with market-to-table classes and was soon overrun with requests for his fun, informative, hands-on lessons. There is now an entire team at CWC, all of them professional chefs or sommeliers, offering a range of classes, from “Mother of All Sauces” to cooking with kids, wine pairings, and baking croissants or macarons. You can also opt for a gourmet food tour instead.

Philadelphia boasts endless options for family visits. Hit the historic sites and the Art Museum (for photos at the Rocky statue and a run up the iconic steps, natch). Then hang out with some dinosaurs and have some doughnuts. Here is our insider’s list of kid-friendly stuff in the City of Brotherly Love.