1. PRINSENGRACHT

Strolling down this canal/street is walking past Amsterdam’s most attractive buildings. These flawlessly-preserved houses are high-ceilinged apartments with minimal decor, home to the professionals and hipsters who can afford them. At number 267 is the most famous house of all, the Ann Frank House. It’s a museum telling the young Jewish girl’s famous story though videos and objects left behind (including the original diary), and there’s also a related shop in a well-executed 1999 extension.

2. PC HOOFTSTRAAT AND CORNELIS SCHUYTSTRAAT

Shopping in Amsterdam is one of the city’s most enjoyable attractions, especially at its Bloemenmarkt flower market and Albert Cuypmarket. After that, it’s OK to skip the chain stores and crowds down the Kalverstraat shopping street and instead head to PC Hooftstraat and Cornelis Schuytstraat. They’re found not far from the city’s main museums, and offer the best window-shopping and boutiques. On PC Hooftstraat you’ll find the international luxury brands together with other less-known names, while at Cornelis Schuytstraat nearby you’ll see the more interesting Dutch brands and a number of one-of-a-kind boutiques (we also love the Boekhandel Mulder book shop which has been at this address since 1931).

3. Van Gogh Museum

A visit to the Van Gogh Museum starts with a tour of the permanent collection’s masterpieces and ends with temporary exhibitions in a separate building. That second wing is accessed through the interior of the main museum, and was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. It opened in 1999 and has become a much-photographed building between a visit to the exhibitions inside and the Rijksmuseum nearby.

4. Rijksmuseum

The Dutch Golden Age treasures are on display in a 19th century building that is currently going through a decade-long renovation period. Among the many masterpieces is Rembrandt’s famous “The Night Watch”, while outside is the IAmsterdam sign that’s become quite a crowd-pleaser and one of the most photographed icons in the city.

5. NEMO

This Renzo Piano building is one of Amsterdam’s main modern landmarks. It’s a science museum resembling a ship that’s especially popular in the summer months when its roof becomes a beach. Sure there’s no ocean to swim in, but lounging on the colorful deckchairs under a parasol while sipping a smoothie here is one of the best ways to get a tan in this city. The building opened in 1997 and also offers a good city view at any time of the year, so finding NEMO is a must every time you’re in town.

6. WALEM

If you only have time for one meal in Amsterdam, this is the place to go. It’s a cafe that’s been serving some excellent light meals since 1984 and remains one of the hippest hangouts today! The tables by the canal are quite tempting, but just as attractive are the backyard seats (open only when weather permits) as well as the spacious interior. It has a cool laid-back yet stylish atmosphere, and we find ourselves returning at any time of the day, from brunch to dinner. We especially love the sandwiches, washed down with delicious smoothies. If you pass by at night you’ll also find a good selection of cocktails and drinks.

7. Morlang

Even if the sun is not out, sit at one of the outdoor tables at this canalside cafe. It’s right next door to Walem mentioned above, in the city’s most attractive canal (see above). The number of beverages to accompany your light meals during the day is not very big, but the post-dinner alcoholic drinks are quite varied. Don’t be disappointed if the tables outside are all taken because you’ll also enjoy the pleasant interior. Even if you choose to dine elsewhere, pass by at night for drinks among the attractive crowds.

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If you’re in the city any time soon, also head to the MAM (São Paulo’s modern art museum) for a recently-unveiled exhibition about Brazilian design. Named “Brazilian Design Today: Frontiers,” it presents about 100 pieces of industrial design, graphic arts, architecture, and fashion made in Brazil, and will be on display until June 28.

Another recent opening was Dalva e Dito, a restaurant bringing rustic traditions to the sophisticated urban crowds. It is named after an imaginary couple and serves innovative homestyle cooking by Alex Atala (one of Brazil’s top chefs who is behind the city’s renowned D.O.M. restaurant) in a contemporary space.

Also new in town is Zena Caffé, an informal space not just serving lunch and dinner, but open for business throughout the day. Most of the menu is Italian, as are most of the over 60 labels on the wine list. Located in the hip Jardins neighborhood and owned by someone who has other popular eateries in town, this one is sure to become one more success story.

Not too long ago Jardins also welcomed another restaurant to the neighborhood, this time an Irish restaurant with a pub atmosphere. It’s called Mulligan, and it’s not just another typical Irish pub, this is a place for some serious Irish food, with creative interpretations of traditional recipes brought from Dublin. Yes, of course there is plenty of Guinness too, and the dessert to try is the Baileys cheesecake. When weather permits, you can enjoy it all at a table outside.

Where to stay in the city to enjoy all of this? In Jardins, of course! The recent opening of Tivoli São Paulo Mofarrej brought yet another 5-star service to the neighborhood. If you can’t get a room at Fasano or Emiliano, this hotel is a good alternative, offering tastefully-decorated rooms and a luxurious spa, not to mention one of Latin America’s largest presidential suites overlooking the city.

-See the complete São Paulo city guide.
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Start your day at the DESIGN LIBRARY CAFÉ, winner of this years’ Uward for “Best New Café.” It opens at 7AM, so its minimalist space is the perfect spot for breakfast before a browse through the Design Library. You may consult hundreds of major design magazines (current and past editions), over 2000 books and catalogues, and may also catch a design exhibition or product and publication presentation.
If that’s not enough, head to L’Archivolto, a bookstore specializing in architecture, town planning, landscaping, design, and decorative arts. It also has its own publishing division and a gallery where exhibitions, debates, and book presentations related to design and architecture take place.

Another design resource is the Studio-Museum Achille Castiglioni, accessed on a tour using the Triennale Design Museum ticket. That museum presents the best of Italian design, while at the Achille Castiglioni Studio visitors get to see the legacy of one of Italy’s top designers — after his death in 2002, Castiglioni left behind a collection of everyday objects, photographs, and prototypes which can now be seen on the tour.

After admiring so much Italian design, you may end up wishing to get some for yourself, and the place for that is the Tingo Design Gallery. It offers rare, collectable furniture no longer in production, as well as special objects and lighting by Mangiarotti. Also worth checking out is Spazio Rossana Orlandi, a space dedicated to interior design and fashion offering a fine selection of exclusive brands and designer collections.

During your design shopping spree you must also not miss 10 Corso Como, a sophisticated concept store that’s also a gallery and café-restaurant. Worth a special look are the design books and homeware selections.

When it comes to choosing the ideal accommodation, design-conscious travelers can choose between The Gray, Chedi, or the Straf Hotel. You may stay at one of them and dine at the restaurants of the other two. The restaurant at The Gray is a good choice for brunch or a business lunch, the one at the Straf Hotel is perfect for a light lunch, while at the Chedi you’ll be served an innovative mix of Italian and Asian flavors. Chedi’s restaurant also has an extensive wine list, and its space opening out to a garden courtyard allows you to dine outdoors on warmer days.

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1. Amstel
   - The royal 3 U_Star treatment.
2. The Dylan
   - The sophisticated and elegant boutique choice.
3. The College
   - A 19th century school renovated into a casual-luxurious hotel.
4. Hotel Pulitzer
   - A canalside landmark hotel.
5. Seven One Seven
   - An intimate and romantic home away from home.
6. Hotel Vondel
   - An attractive space in a convenient central location.
7. Lute Suites
   - Stylishly-designed 18th century cottages.
8. Arena Hotel
   - The choice of young design-savvy travelers.
9. Amrâth Amsterdam
   - Canal views from spacious rooms and a central location.
10. St. Christopher’s Inn – The Winston
    - Especially designed by local artists for budget travelers.

See the Amsterdam hotels page for complete information and other recommendations, and check out the ultimate Amsterdam city guide.

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Also this weekend is the Miss USA Pageant in the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, and on May 5th the multiple-award-winning musical Disney’s The Lion King comes to town. Tickets are selling fast for that musical, so if you can’t get one for yourself, there are other spectacular shows in the city which you can check out here: Las Vegas Shows and Concerts.

UCityGuides.com has just updated its Las Vegas city guide, the ultimate guide to the city of entertainment, including the addition of the already popular Simon Restaurant at the Palms Place Hotel which you can check out below:

-See the complete Las Vegas city guide.
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Hotels are lowering their rates in order to attract at least the same number of guests as last year, and to guarantee a good price (and a good hotel) you should book your room now. Many travelers reach those hotels on low-cost flights, but for them to actually be low-cost, they must be booked months in advance. Then there’s deciding where to go: Since summer vacation also means more than just the typical city break, travelers often take the opportunity to see more than one destination, with many of them concentrating on several attractions in one country. Spain and Italy have spectacular villages, towns, and scenery to explore outside their major cities, and many visitors choose to discover them at their own pace by renting a car. Again, the best deals for the right car are found now and not when you arrive, when there will be more demand, fewer options, and higher prices.

Summer also means beach, so why not discover the Costa del Sol on a trip to Seville? You’d also be able to visit spectacular Granada and Cordoba, and the soulful villages of Andalucia. How about spending days in the warm Mediterranean while experiencing urban pleasures, as can only be found in Tel Aviv? You can then also drive to Jerusalem, making it a guaranteed rewarding summer vacation. Then there’s also Athens, a thriving city with ancient wonders that’s just a ferry ride away from the fabulous Greek islands…

You can also find out which events are planned for the summer in most destinations right now. You’ll notice that on most of our city guides we have a “Concerts & Events” link, and that’s where you should check what’s already scheduled for that particular destination, allowing you to plan your dates according to an event you may want to see.

Where and when you choose to go is up to you, and UCityGuides.com has the ultimate urban guides telling you what not to miss. How much you spend doing it all is also up to you, and how early you start planning it can actually help you benefit from these poor economic times.

-Check Hotel Prices
-Check Car Rental Prices

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For all of that, UCityGuides.com has created the Uwards, the travel awards highlighting the best of what’s new in the urban world. There are 15 categories this year, which are:

-Best airport
-Best airport magazine
-Best in-flight magazine
-Best hotel group
-Best new building
-Best new body & soul experience
-Best new rooftop bar
-Best new members’ club
-Best new concept
-Best new cafe
-Best new restaurant
-Most welcomed new opening
-Best new business hotel
-Best new boutique hotel
-Best new hotel

To find out what won these Uwards, see UCityGuides’ Uwards – Urban Travel Awards page.

But Vienna is much more than a classical and imperial city, and a visit to the Museumsquartier will show you that it’s very much a city of today. Home to a number of museums showcasing everything from modern art to architecture, that huge cultural site contains both Baroque and modern buildings. It’s also a major hangout for the city’s hippest youth, thanks to its cafes, public spaces, and temporary exhibitions.

From there head to the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts) to follow the history of design through its exhibits, and for a meal at its Österreicher Im MAK restaurant. It serves both classic and modern Viennese cuisine in a stylish minimalist interior that equally balances some classic touches in a contemporary space. Smaller, lighter dishes are served at the bar, one of the city’s top choices for after-work snacks.

For cocktails, the place is the Onyx Bar inside the Do & Do Design Hotel facing the city’s landmark cathedral. But you don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the bar’s drinks, its views, and lounge music together with some of the city’s most fashionable crowds, and can choose to stay at the equally stylish Levante Parliament Hotel instead.

Before you go to bed you may want to hit the dancefloor at Passage, a super-club often hosting Europe’s super-DJs. There are very little furnishings here — the lighting fills the space.

All of the places mentioned above, together with all of Vienna’s best attractions, are covered in UCityGuides’ complete Vienna city guide.

The new year will bring a new kind of travel guides catering to today’s modern traveler. With new travel deals, low cost airlines, and a globalized world, people are now traveling more and for different reasons. There are short city breaks, business trips, or long vacations. Even if you choose a beach resort or a rural escape, you almost always pass by a major city on your way there and take some time to experience a little of it. You look for a central hotel offering more than just a bed to lie on, you search for a restaurant that can offer a memorable meal, and want to know which attractions are so outstanding and different that you should not miss before a night out on the town. The modern traveler doesn’t simply look at monuments, he or she wants to experience and live a city in a short period of time. While there are now many guidebooks available at the bookstore or online, the more urbane and discerning traveler needs to look at different sources before finding what he or she is looking for. Not anymore. With UCityGuides.com the very best of the world’s most exciting cities is presented clearly, going straight to what is important. It selects only what is worth finding, and that includes the most characterful neighborhoods, street life, the ideal hotels that meet your personal tastes and needs, and the coolest addresses of the moment. New York, Paris, Rome, and Lisbon are already fully available, while the total of almost three dozen cosmopolitan destinations will be complete in the new year. In the meantime, get the most of your urban experiences, and in 2009 when you think of traveling to a city, think of UCityGuides.com.