We could walk every arrondissement 100 times and still discover new things to love about Paris. From sipping coffee with a croissant at a sidewalk cafe, to running through the rain along the Seine, to tiny glasses of house red – Paris is where your idyllic image (allow us a little cliché here) of what the city could be actually matches its reality.

Though people think of Paris as a place for the sophisticated and fashionable (and let’s be real, everyone who lives there seems to have that cool edge), there’s something for everyone.

We figure you’ve already got The Louvre and a few of the top restaurants on your list. In an effort to add some lesser known gems, and pay homage to the places we love most, check out our guide to Paris, below.

Where to stay in Paris

The Hoxton Paris

Yes, you will find a Hoxton on our list of “Where to stay” in any city that has one – and with good reason. Their Paris outpost is housed in an 18th century hôtel particulier and is their largest (and arguably most beautiful) hotel. Many of the furnishings come from French designers and you can choose from the Shoebox-sized room, through to the Biggy. We recommend asking for one on the top floor, as they have striking views of the Eiffel Tower. With the Rivié restaurant serving classic French fair and Jacques’ Bar making great cocktails, you really don’t need to go anywhere else.

Le Pigalle

This might be the sexiest hotel in Paris. With in-room bathtubs, views of the city, and eclectic artwork – it’s definitely a spot to book if you are going away with someone special. As much as we love the rooms, our favorite thing about this hotel is that the good time comes to you. Their ground floor not only has a vinyl record library, they also have DJs here on a weekly basis.

Grands Boulevards

Experimental Group (the guys behind Experimental Cocktail Club), took a step into the hotel business and opened one in both London and Paris. Built in an 18th-century townhouse and boasting 50 rooms that are designed with rich fabrics and playful details, we would crown the Grands Boulevards the chicest of Experimental’s hotels.

Grand Amour

This is the older sibling to Amour (a 3-star hotel which is also worth staying at). This place serves retro Hollywood vibes, with a Parisian spin. We stay at this place as much for the courtyard bar and the great restaurant as we do for the eclectic rooms.

Where to eat in Paris

Chez Janou

This restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike. The food is good, the vibe is better, and their chocolate mousse (which is literally bottomless) is the best.

Chateaubriand

Don’t come to Chateaubriand if you are a control freak. This distinctly French restaurant has one of the best and most affordable tasting menus we’ve come across – but you don’t get a choice. Truth be told, that’s fine with us because everything that comes out of the kitchen is great.

Le Stresa

Though it’s a bit scene-y and may not be your first pick if you are trying to go to authentic Parisian places, you can’t deny that La Stresa is good fun. Pasta, velvet chairs, and ornate mirrors set the scene. 

Pamela Popo

This restaurant is named after a Serge Gainsbourg song. Need we say more? Decked out in vintage wallpaper, Pamela Popo will take you right back to the 50s and 60s. It’s classic French food; and a lovely place to sit and linger when it’s warm outside.

Where to drink

Le Comptoir Général

Along Canal Saint Martin is one of our favorite multi-use bars in Paris. This Franco-African themed space looks like a converted warehouse loft, with mismatched chairs and vintage finds hanging on the walls. Come here for drinks and great tunes in the evening, and return the next morning for coffee.

Le Perchoir

Our favorite rooftop bar in Paris. Come here for a sunset drink (or three) and make sure to dress well, it’s a stylish crowd.

Hero

Hero is a Korean-inspired restaurant on rue Saint Denis, and while the food is great, the cocktails are even better. It’s dark and sexy, with a mix of hip-hop and K-pop in the background.

Le Dépanneur

Great cocktails in a cozy-chic space (that’s also a restaurant if you’re hungry). It’s in the increasingly hip Pigalle neighborhood, so a good place to start your evening or meet for a date (you are in Paris after all).

Le Syndicat

Behind a seemingly closed storefront you’ll find Le Syndicat. This bar specializes in unusual cocktails and is bringing back old-school French spirits.

What to do in Paris

Marche des Enfants Rouges

An indoor market with tons of stalls that carry fresh produce, prepared food, and more. It’s a great place to stop for lunch.

Picnic on the Seine

There are few better experiences in Paris than buying a baguette, a bottle of wine, and great cheese to bring to the banks of the river. 

Institut Suédois

This gallery explores the history of artistic exchanges between France and Sweden, and frequently has exhibits by young creatives and artists.

Canal Saint Martin

Truly one of the most picturesque and romantic spots in a very photogenic city. It’s more tranquil than the other sites along the Seine and is close enough to the Marais to swing by on a whim.

Piscine Molitor

Hotel Molitor’s iconic pool is very Wes Anderson, and ideal to cool off in the warmer months.  

Where to shop in Paris

Merci

That little red car you’ve seen all over the internet? It’s parked in front of Paris’s favorite concept shop, Merci. This multi-floored, high-end general store has home goods, clothing, second-hand books, gifts, furniture, a flower shop and a cafe. Everything you could possibly wish for.

Ami

The St. Germain location of this super-cool men’s brand is the only place you’ll find its women’s capsule collection – we are dedicated fans of the blazers.

Thanx God I’m A V.I.P.

This is the best secondhand vintage shop in the area (although it’s worth exploring the others, too). The collection is well curated and organized by color. We have found some real gems.

Shakespeare & Co

An iconic bookstore you may have heard of, always worth a visit for that magical feeling that good book shops inspire.

Where to dance

Rosa Bonheur

In the middle of Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, this gay bar is a great daytime or sunset spot. And once the sun goes down, it can turn into a serious dance party. Bring your best moves.

Lulu White Drinking Club

Once you walk through the unmarked door in Pigalle, you’ll find live jazz and a bar that specializes in New Orleans-style cocktails. The crowd gets rowdy in the best possible way and this is definitely a place you can dance all night.

Andy Wahloo

With great tunes, neon lights, and a Moroccan-themed bar, this place creates some of our favorite cocktails in Paris. Eat at Derrière, which is a restaurant by the same owner, ahead of dancing.

Where to get coffee in Paris

Le Loir Dans la Théière

Truly some of the best pastries you will have in Paris. Come here for a tea break or lunch, or both. 

Ten Belles

One of the city’s first specialty coffee shops, similar to those you find in NYC, this cafe has a strong brew and not a lot of space. Get a takeaway and sip as you stroll.

Télescope

Popular with the fashion crowd, Télescope offers great coffee, an amazing tea selection. You can’t bring your laptop, which makes it all the better for reading, writing, or people watching.

Jardin des Tuileries or Jardin du Luxembourg

Sitting in one of these parks and watching Paris live its life while you drink your coffee is a joy. Take a picnic, take your children, take yourself and soak it all up before heading on to one of the nearby museums or galleries.

Where to get a hit of Parisian culture

Jeu de Paume

Assuming Musée de l’Orangerie is already on your list, we highly encourage a pit stop at this museum, too. It’s dedicated to photography, and located on the edge of the Tuileries gardens, just a short walk from Monet’s waterlilies. 

Musée Rodin

Once the workshop of the famed sculptor, the Hôtel Biron and its gardens are now a museum dedicated to Rodin’s work and the collection of art he kept. You can visit his studio in central Paris, as well as his home just outside the city. We recommend doing both.

Palais de Tokyo

One of the largest contemporary art centers in Europe, Palais de Tokyo sits beside the Musée d’Art Moderne, sharing a courtyard. With a focus on emerging and established artists from around the world, expect new works from some of recent history’s best talent. Though it may not be one of your first stops in Paris, it’s a refreshing change from the old classics.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

If it were possible to have a dinner party with the dead, you would definitely want to come to the largest cemetery in Paris for the best company. Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and Édith Piaf are all buried here. 

Where to work remotely in Paris

Hubsy

This is more like a co-working space than a coffee shop. You pay based on the hour and get free drinks and snacks while you’re there. Conveniently located in the 3rd, you’ll find fast wifi and plenty of outlets.

Gaîté Lyrique

This large concept space is completely free to the public. It hosts cultural programming and events, and has coffee shops and bars on each floor. Make yourself at home, stay as long as you like, and check out any exhibitions or shows while you’re there.

For more inspiration, check out A Guide to Paris, by Social Country Lead at Amazon Prime Video France, Juliette Premmereur.

Marina Mularz is a writer living in Hollywood (in the heart of Thai Town), with an enviable job in product, editorial and writing innovation for Netflix. She has also published a collection of short stories, Welcome to Freedom Point, which is funny, honest, relatable and won Marina the New American Fiction Prize in 2019. Marina loves to travel, especially in and around California – you’ll catch her on the scenic coastal train heading down to San Diego, or darting up to Silicon Valley several a month.

Read on for Marina‘s guide to Los Angeles.

What do you love most about living in Los Angeles?

Never running out of things to try. There is always a new restaurant, a new museum exhibit, a new hike I’ve never taken (with so many new trail dogs to pet). Los Angeles is the ultimate running list of a city.

What is your favorite part of Los Angeles? 

I am a Los Feliz/East Hollywood fan for life. I love the energy, the artistry, the history and the access to serene spaces like Barnsdall Art Park. 

The best coffee shop in LA?

Bolt EaHo gets my bid because they have the kindest staff, the coolest space and they make homemade Twix bars

Your favorite Los Angeles restaurant? 

Lala’s. I’ve eaten nearly everything on the menu, tried every location and it always delivers on quality food and quality company. If I could, I’d marry the milanesa.

The best thing to do in LA?

I’m a small business super fan and shopping for stationary (The Social Type) and unique accessories (Burro) is my kind of way to spend a day. I’ve also fallen in love with is satin jackets and Tuesday of California is an incredible local designer.  

Where would you love to work in LA?

Disneyland! For real. I might be the only person in history to measure productivity between corn dogs, but I have an Annual Pass and I feel inspired every time I am there. I’ve done more writing sitting on Disneyland benches than I have at any desk. 

Your go-to Los Angeles bar or nightclub? 

I am a non-drinker, so I give extra points to any bar that does a great mocktail. That said, Harvard & Stone and The Edison both deliver on inclusive, unique experiences.

And of course, your favorite LA bookshop? 

My heart belongs to Vroman’s of Pasadena. It’s well worth the drive and they also champion a lot of local literary journals and short fiction collections (which are often hard to find on the shelves!)

OK, we’re in Los Angeles for a work trip, and want a hotel where we can get stuff done and have a fun stay – any shouts? 

For the tried-and-true experience, go Kimpton Everly. My out-of-town colleagues love it, and I love it, too, because it’s the perfect flavor of contemporary comfort. For more adventurous spirits, go with the boutique experience of Hotel Covell. It’s got great writerly energy and a bustling bar.

Read on for our guides to LA West-Side and LA Mid-City.

Milos is what we wished Mykonos was like on a good day. It’s the lesser known Greek island with better beaches, better food, and way less tourists. Not insinuating that we don’t like a good visit to the party island – but if Mykonos was Beyonce, Milos would be Solange. You get what we are saying.

As warm-weather destinations go, Greece is always top of our list. And Milos does that quintessential white-washed houses and clear waters vibe like no other. Unlike Santorini, Crete, or any of the more popular islands, Milos is home to 72 incredible beaches and – we’d argue – a more interesting history (the statue of Aphrodite, now in the Louvre, was discovered here).

Make sure you hire a car, too – the towns of Adamas, Pollonia, Plaka, Klima, and Mondrakia are all worth exploring. Read on for our guide to the beautiful Greek island of Milos.

Where to stay in Milos

Skinopi Lodge

High in the hills, you’ll find three discreet villas overlooking the bay. Constructed in modern glass and stone, they look like something out of Architectural Digest – a stark contrast to the more traditional buildings in Adamas and Pollonia. If you are seeking top design, attention to detail, and perfect seclusion, this is the place.

Kostantakis Winery & Residence

These well-designed rooms sit within a beautiful vineyard, the next best thing to being next to the water. It’s a small boutique hotel, so everything feels personal. And, of course, the wine cellars are amazing here.

Salt Hotel

Located near Pollonia, Salt is all of our white-washed Grecian dreams come true. Only 1.5 miles from Papafragas beach, the location is pretty hard to beat. Some rooms come with jacuzzis on the decks, others with a patio overlooking the bay. Either way, bliss.

Where to eat in Milos

To Kyma

Though it isn’t technically on Milos, the short boat ride to Kimolos is worth it for this simple seaside taverna. Despite the fact that it takes pride in the no-frills atmosphere, it’s known to host the same celebrities as some of the best restaurants in NYC, London or Paris (the likes of Brad Pitt, Keira Knightly et al are regulars when vacationing in the Greek islands). Order the octopus and a variety of salads.

O Xamos

Set in a charming garden, this old-school restaurant is where you go when you want home-cooked Greek food. They are famous for their grilled meats, and with good reason. Make sure to get a side of grilled halloumi, too.

Medousa

This is our favorite restaurant on the island. Arrive a little early, put your name on the list for a table (ask for one overlooking the sea), and go check out Mandrakia beach while you wait (it’s usually not too long). Serving the best seafood, make sure to order the octopus and a full bottle of white wine. Note: don’t mind the cats roaming around, it’s all part of the atmosphere.

Where to drink

Utopia Cafe

For the best sunset views and decent cocktails, head to Utopia. It’s in the hillside town of Plaka – which is lovely for a wander around the little shops. And, check ahead if you can, as opening hours are unpredictable and it’s a summer-only place.

Kri Kri

Also located in Plaka, Kri Kri doesn’t serve the best drinks we’ve ever had, but it’s nice to stop at before or after dinner and the garden area is adorable.

Kostantakis Winery

Have you tried Greek wine yet? Now’s your chance. Come here for a full tasting or just a glass, and walk the grounds while you drink to really soak up the terroir.

Where to get coffee in Milos

Palaios Pastry

As a counterpoint to all the delicious Greek mezze that Milos has to offer, head to Palaios Pastry. Everything in the shop is homemade, and they offer a variety of traditional Greek desserts.

Alesta

This unfussy little coffee shop in Pollonia is wonderful for people watching and a world away from the ‘coffee culture’ spots you might be used to in London, LA, Berlin and the like. Closed for the winter season, it reopens come spring.

What to do in Milos

Firiplaka Beach

Firiplaka is the idyllic sandy beach we all imagine when we think of Greece. Backed by pink-hued cliffs that make for an incredible contrast to the bright blue ocean, you can rent a cabana, a lounge chair or, head down to the ‘clothing optional’ zone and embrace the freedom.

Kleftiko Caves

Milos was once an island where pirates took shelter after looting ships, and the Kleftiko Caves were some of their favorite places to hide. You’ll need to take a boat to see the caves (check the weather ahead, as they don’t go out if it’s too windy), but it’s 100% worth the trip. We recommend Oneiro tours, who cater to small groups and tailor a more personalized experience.

Tsigrado Beach

Tsigrado is tucked away near Firiplaka, so it’s ideal for a beach-hopping day on the southern part of the island. Prepare for a steep descent down to the sand, but once navigated, it’s a gorgeous sandy cove to spend the afternoon.

Sarakíniko Beach

By far one of the most famous spots in Milos, Sarakiniko is the moonscape beach that you might recognise from photos. White volcanic rocks line the shallow waters, and make for amazing structures to jump off and sunbath on. 

Firopotamos Beach

Backed by classic fisherman’s houses, this isn’t a secluded cove, rather a beach to take in the local culture. You’ll be in good company, with Greek tourists getting their dose of Vitamin D on the sand. 

Where to get your hit of culture

Venetian Castle

Built in the 13th century, the well-preserved Venetian Castle is located on the highest peak of the island. Definitely come here for some of the best sunset (or sunrise) views in Milos. 

Klima Village

One of, if not the most picturesque village in Milos. An old fishing town that still operates, the houses here are carved into the white rock, and famous for their colorful “boat garage” doors. This is another great place to catch a sunset.

Catacombs

Dating back to between the 1st and 5th centuries, these are the only Christian catacombs in Greece. They are incredibly well preserved and offer a welcome break from the heat of the sun.

Deanne Moser is the founder of DM Public, Canada’s only cultural communications firm that inspires connections between people, ideas and places in the arts space. She is also a board member for Luminato Festival Toronto, Co-Chair for the Art Gallery of Ontario young patron fundraiser, and a committee member for Canadian Art Foundation and Art Toronto Opening Night.

Given all of the above, it’s clear she knows her home city like the back of her hand. From the Toronto artists to get to know before you go, to where to find the best fried chicken when you’re there, this is the kind of insight that only a local expert can give. Thank you Deanne!

What do you love most about living in Toronto?

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and is proudly home to some of the most talented, beautiful and diverse people you will ever meet. We’ve got the NBA Champions; a creative hub called Hxouse founded by The Weeknd’s Ahmed Ismail and La Mar Taylor; a huge international film festival; an all-night free public art exhibition that brings out over a million people; a crazy big and good vibe Caribbean festival; a guy named Drake; and so many talents that will change the game on an international level. There is so much momentum in this city and it feels like we are just getting started. 

What’s your favorite part of the city? 

I might be biased, but it’s my neighborhood, West Queen West and Dundas West. It’s home to cool local boutiques like 100% Silk, VSP, and Saudade. Plus, the iconic Drake Hotel, which essentially birthed the west-end vibe. There’s everything from dive bars to outstanding diverse cuisine. And we have the best city park, Trinity Bellwoods, which is the place to hang out in the summer. 

Best coffee shop in Toronto?

Tokyo Smoke – also a cannabis brand. 

Favorite restaurant? 

La Banane, where you’ll find the best fried chicken in Toronto. Unlike so many restaurants that try to incorporate art, co-owner Sarah Keenlyside is a genius, and has beautiful pieces from artists including Douglas Coupland in her collection. 

Top thing to do in Toronto?

Go to the AGO, even if it’s just to step inside the amazing Frank Gehry building. Then, walk around Kensington Market, a beautiful hippy-like area that feels like a blast from the 60s. It also has the best summer Sunday’s bar called Cold Tea.

Your go-to fitness class?

6IX Cycle on Queen West. Pro-tip, book Julie or Calvin’s class.

Favorite bar in Toronto?

Bar Raval. It’s been around for a minute, but the design and cocktails can’t be beaten. 

And of course, art galleries? 

• Copper Cole – the most LA/NYC of the Toronto galleries. 
• Blouin Division Toronto – highlighting alternative perspectives, a must see. 
• Daniel Faria – a tight list of amazing Canadian artists.
• Power Plant – a free institution that has an amazing contemporary program. 

Best hotels (if you didn’t already live here)? 

Toronto has had a huge influx of top international hotels like The Ace, The Hudson, The W, The Andaz, and The 1Hotel. But, if you want to stay local, rest your head at The Drake Hotel in the West or The Broadview in East. Both have everything you need to make a work or play trip very fun. 

Which Toronto artists should we get to know before we go?

So many, but here are a few of my favorites – Canadian artists are so much more than landscape painters! 

• Alex McLeod – he is doing mad digital works, concerned with simulation and the transition of matter.
• Maya Fuhr – a photographer that has an incredible editorial eye, she examines the relationship with textiles of dresses as meaning-making. 
• Rajni Perera – she uses her work to address gender submission as a way to reclaim personal power. 
• Tau Lewis – a rising global star, using reclaimed objects for sculpture to tell her diasporic story.
• Kent Monkman – looks at historical Western European and American stories and disrupts the narrative with provocative interventions. 

For more inspiration, read our guide to Toronto, here.