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Like most Italian cities, Milan has an amazing and very visible history that spans two millennia of art and architecture. But what really distinguishes it from other città is the ever-present testament to modernism and modern architecture—all accessible via the charming vintage trams.

Where to eat the best tapas in Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona, and San Sebastián—plus how to order them like the locals do.

You want variety? Puerto Rico’s shops and boutiques have got variety! Cigars, ice cream, must-haves for the beach, handicrafts, vintage clothes, antiques, housewares—shoppers beware.

In a city known for clean lines, Stockholm’s Södermalm district (“Söder” to locals) is nonconformist. A slum in the 18th century, the neighborhood is now home to a mix of vintage shops, eclectic cafes, hip clubs, local dive bars, and ethnic restaurants. It was also the backdrop for author Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy and best seller “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

Whether your taste runs to fruity tropical drinks, vintage wines, or a nuanced craft cocktail, from dive bars with live music to oceanside terraces with sunset views, the perfect island bar awaits.

A night out in Istanbul is rife with possibilities. For a traditional Turkish experience, linger at a teahouse or an atmospheric nargile bar; for a more contemporary take, follow the cool kids to lively cocktail spots in Nisantasi or Karakoy. There are wine bars for sampling local vintages, rooftops for savoring a view of the Bosphorus, and streets known for their outdoor cafes and roving musicians.

Florence may be full of fancy restaurants, but it’s also easy to eat well and eat cheaply in this Renaissance gem. Look out for good value lunchtime menus at restaurants where dinner may challenge the wallet; delis offering cheap lunchtime snacks; wine bars serving up gourmet eats to pair with the best vintages; rosticcerias with a mouth-watering selection of food to go and mom-and-pop joints with the kind of authentic, homely cuisine rarely found in more up-market restaurants.

As any discerning traveller knows, the local markets can tell you more about a place than any tourist office with their collection of pamphlets. In Australia, this is no different. Escape the tourist traps and do it like the locals, picking up edible treasures and keepsakes. From vintage flea markets to undercover produce markets selling anything from smoked meats to ice cream sandwiches, I’ve traipsed (with a French tote on my side) to find the best markets in Australia.

Browsing Berlin’s many flea markets is a great way to spend a few hours on a sunny afternoon. Most of Berlin’s neighborhoods host flea markets on the weekends. Prenzlauer Berg’s Mauerpark is one of the largest and most popular in Berlin, while Friedrichshain’s Boxhagener Platz market attracts a young and international crowd. Rummage around and you’ll be sure to find unique souvenirs amongst Berlin’s vintage clothes and retro offerings.

Amsterdam is a shopper’s paradise, with vintage shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques, Dutch design outlets and pop-up boutiques throughout the city. If you’re a serious shopper, you won’t want to miss special shopping streets like Haarlemmerstraat/Haarlemmerdijk, Hazenstraat, Utrechtstraat, Kalverstraat, Leidsestraat and the nine small streets that comprise the Negen Straatjes. All offer great window shopping, as well as retail treasures you may not yet know you can’t live without.

Alternative new venues underscore Hanoi’s status as the nation’s capital of understated hip. Hanoi has pop-up cafés in the homes of artists, cafés that strike the right balance between quality coffee and youthful atmosphere. Also, tucked-away you will find Hanoi’s bars and music venues purveying heady cocktails, and soundtracks covering all bases from Thai funk to hip-hop beats sampled from scratchy vintage Vietnamese records.

Capitol Hill’s Melrose Market is a spacious, sunlit, vintagey-looking indoor market with a variety of artisanal and locally made foods: Rain Shadow Meats, Calf & Kid cheese, the Marigold & Mint flower shop, and Taylor Shellfish. There are also a few wine bars and restaurants in here, like Sitka + Spruce, Homegrown Sustainable Sandwiches, and Bar Ferd’nand. There’s outdoor sidewalk seating when the weather is nice, and some indoor tables and bars. You could put together one heck of a fancy dinner party with just one shopping trip (Sonic Boom Records next door can provide the background music) — but it’ll cost you.

When it comes to shopping, Buffalo has you covered with everything from quaint boutiques and high-end fashion retailers to consignment stores, vinyl shops, and a variety of small, family-run spots. A stroll through Allentown, Elmwood Village, the West Side, and Hertel reveals one-of-a-kind clothing, classic home decor, vintage records, and pretty much everything in between—no need to head out to the suburbs for a mega-mall experience here.

Music City—full of neon signs and honky tonks, country music stars and wannabes—has irresistable allure for all types of visitors. Fine art museums, historic plantations, farmers’ markets, a booming downtown, and vintage shops add to the draw of thoroughly modern and exciting Nashville. Here are some of the can’t miss things to do in Nashville.

Uncorking Switzerland’s Secret