(ARA) - Instead of picking up souvenirs as you make the round of London's major sights, try taking a different approach to buying the goodies you'll bring home. London is one of the best cities in the world for market shopping, and you'll find one-of-a-kind treasures that will instantly remind you of where you got it, even years from now.

London can feel almost intimidatingly vast, but it is actually quite easy to get around. Skip the cabs -- the Underground system is second to none and a much more economical option. Taking the "tube" (the Underground's more colloquial name) makes it easy to go from any number of London hotels to whichever market you want to visit in a snap.

(ARA) - If you wanted to travel the world by going to only one place, New York City would be the place to do it. For centuries, it has acted as the gateway to America for people across the globe, and even today, immigrants from almost every imaginable country come here to start a new life. Foodie travelers should make it a priority to taste their way through the city, because New York City is seasoned and spiced with the culinary traditions of countless cultures.

Name a famous chef, and it's pretty likely that, if their restaurant empires aren't headquartered in New York, they have an outpost here. Whether you save up for one special night at a top-of-the-line restaurant or put your year's vacation budget toward trying multiple hotspots, dining at a top-flight restaurant is an essential part of any foodie's trip.

(ARA) - Even with the increasing popularity of "mini" vacations, many travelers don't want to be confined to their country's own borders. The good news is that you can get a lot out of a short vacation - you just need to plan ahead a little bit more if you're headed to a city jam-packed with things to see and do, like Paris.

One of the best things about Paris is that is a terrifically walkable city - in fact, many people who return time and time again insist that it's best seen on foot. When you're planning your trip, consider looking at Paris hotels that are close to the center of the city for sheer convenience. But even if you're not in the central arrondissements (neighborhoods), take comfort in the fact that you're never more than a 500-meter walk from a Metro (subway) stop.

(ARA) - Paris is arranged like a seashell, whirling outward in a spiral from two islands in the Seine (Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis). It grew incrementally, adding neighborhood next to neighborhood, connected by a warren of medieval streets that can be mystifying (when you get lost) or enchanting (when you're happy to be lost). Many of Paris' neighborhoods retain unique characteristics, some of which aren't any more tangible than a "feel," but getting to know them helps shrink the scale of this legendary city.

The neighborhoods, called "arrondissements" are identifiable in two ways: Parisians know them by number, while much of the rest of the world calls them by names. For instance, the 18th is also Montmartre (home to the Sacre Coeur basilica). Some of the neighborhoods are more tourist-oriented than others, and it's up to you what kind of feel you want. Paris hotels come in every shape and size, and though they're never exactly cheap, you can find some good values.