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In southwestern France, cannelés are a staple of everyday life.

A new patisserie is adding a dash of sweetness to Hong Kong’s vibrant bakery scene.

Once used for only grocery shopping, Madrid’s markets have blossomed into hot spots for meals and nightlife.

Solo cabins and luxurious pet kennels—all with an art deco twist

Airport food so good that you’ll hope for a layover

Stay sane with these tips.

Where to Find the Best Chocolate in Brussels

While the rum-soaked baba au rhum cake originated at Stohrer pâtisserie and is a classic, it’s the éclair au chocolat and the seasonal flavors (this winter’s include both salted caramel and chestnut cream) that deserve special attention. So do the majestic frescoes by artist Paul Baudry (famed for his décor in the Palais Garnier opera house) that adorn the shop’s walls and ceiling.

It also happens to be one of the oldest patisseries in Paris, and is absolutely worth dropping by on your next trip to the city for one of their delicious sweets.

This hotel is on our list of The 11 Best Hotels in Chicago.

Designers Lisa Simeone and Gina Deary of KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group oversaw the original design of the Parisian-inspired Waldorf-Astoria Chicago in 2009, and the pair was once again brought in to breathe new life into this 215-room Gold Coast gem. Rooms are now bright white, well-lit, and include pops of uplifting magenta. Before you hit any of them, however, there’s much to entice at street level. Enter from the circular driveway and marvel at the Swarovski chandelier, modeled after a vintage brooch, along with the herringbone wood floors and black-and-white pinstriped stone. Don’t miss the Peacock Lounge and its secret sister, Bernard’s Bar, an intimate craft cocktail and champagne boîte, which is virtually unknown even by city denizens (which means you can always find a seat). Its Scottish and equestrian themes are almost as anachronistic as the Mansard roof and circular driveway, which just adds charm to this newly beloved Chicago hotel.

The guest rooms feature oversize headboards and abstract floral bedspreads, while bathrooms are a marvel of marble. For something more, splurge on either the new 1,800-square-foot Astoria Suite or the redesigned 2,400-square-foot Presidential Suite, both of which will have you feeling you’ve been transported to a Parisian pied-à-terre (the latter’s primary bedroom features a fireplace).

There are no shortages of places to eat and drink in the Belgian coastal town of De Panne. If you’re looking for a snack and a good deal, head to Patisserie Antoine, just a couple blocks from the North Sea. You can get a couple of croissants with a coffee for about $5. Of course, there are many other enticing things on the menu as well as a mouthwatering selection of cakes and tarts.

Voted Philly’s best French bakery, Miel is a charming and comfortable café that serves great coffee, inexpensive lunch options (hot and cold sandwiches, and soup), and of course, the best pastries. Get here early or the croissants will be gone! Enjoy free wi-fi with your treats.

This gem in a quiet stretch of the French Quarter earns the French word for bakery—patisserie—for its true-to-Paris pastries. The flaky croissants come in all types, from plain or savory to filled and sweet. Whatever you order, you must get one on the side—other can’t-miss menu items include delicious quiches, chicken or spinach pochettes (pastry pockets) and an array of coffee drinks. Mosey into the charming, personality-filled eatery, grab a snack and a drink, and think of cobblestone lanes and horse-drawn carriages.

You’ll have a hard time ever leaving B. Patisserie, and you’ll know why it’s been an over night sensation in lower Pac Heights. The open, modern space feels like something you’d find in the Marais in Paris, and the fact that you can view the pastry-in-the-making magic, while you’re deciding what to order- it a rare treat. B. Patisserie is owned by head pastry chef Belinda Leong and her partner (and San Francisco Baking Institute founder) Michel Suas. Leong trained in Paris with Pierre Herme and has been a part of kitchens such as Gary Danko, Fouchon and Manresa. A colleague of mine (and an extraordinary pastry chef in her own right) suggested this location recently for a catch up with the girls and I have to admit I’ve been back way too many times since then. Four Barrel coffee is also on hand to help you wash down the inevitable delicious delights, and with window seating as well as tables, it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends.

Shenzhen isn’t exactly known for its French pastries, so I was dubious when I heard that there was a great French bakery in OCT Loft. I soon discovered that Lu Patisserie is the real thing. And it’s not just the best bakery in Shenzhen; I’ve taken people here who have said these are some of the best pastries they’ve ever had. Try the Berliner, a doughnut filled with homemade raspberry jam. The caramel tarts (pictured) taste like a crème brûlée in pastry form. The lemon tart is also excellent: The lemon custard filling is quite tart but nicely balanced by the sweet, airy meringue. The bread is also laudable, so buy a couple of loaves to take home. Luckily, the pastries are Parisian, but the prices aren’t. I once bought dessert for nine people for just 150RMB (about $25).

The French are well known for their delicate baguettes, the ricH butter croissants, and sweet and colorful macaroons. Macaroons or in French ‘le macaron,’ are small round meringue like cookies, made of sugar and eggs, stuffed with light cream or crushed almond cream. There are endless bakeries in Paris, and so many patisseries that sell and serve macaroons but my favorite one was Ladurée, which became a prestigious brand name for macaroons. My most visited Ladurée was the one on 21 Rue Boneparte, a cute cornered patisserie with a colorful magical and tempting gift shop next door.