A hip, happily grungy dive bar with a dance floor, drinks in plastic cups and a young, up-for-it crowd. Fridays are 80s night, Saturdays new music, Tuesdays are “Tuesgays” – the classic place to end a night out on Red River, hangover optional.
The little plaza at the heart of boho Passyunk Square, named for the 1930s and 40s standards drifting from speakers tucked in the landscaping (Sinatra features heavily, thanks to the Italian neighbourhood). Grab a coffee, share a bench and watch the vibrant, ever-changing strip of vintage shops and cafes around it.
The one place in Ljubljana where you can still touch the socialist Yugoslavia of the 50s to 80s. Half shop, half little museum, it’s crammed with original retro pins, postcards, posters and LPs that make brilliantly offbeat gifts – you can even rent a classic “Pony” bike. Entry’s free and the coffee is a euro.
A Madrid institution among students and anyone on a budget: order a beer or a tinto de verano and it arrives with a mountain of free tapas – bread and cheese, patatas bravas, tortilla, ham and chorizo. Get there after 9pm and, if it’s full, the second El Tigre is right up the street.
The flagship shop of Bucuria, Moldova’s national chocolate maker, sweetening the country since 1946. The full range is here – chocolates, candies, marmalade and jellies – at local prices, making it a perfect souvenir stop. Locals swear by the “Meteorit” and “Do-Re-Mi” bars.
A big, bustling everyday market by Bujeon Station where Busanites come for groceries – and, more to the point, cheap and delicious local food. Unlike the tourist-heavy Jagalchi or International markets, this one stays refreshingly local; bring cash, as many stalls don’t take cards.
A little tourist road-train that loops the main sights with commentary along the way – the quickest, easiest way to get your bearings in León. The circuit runs about 35 minutes and won’t break the bank.
A gimmicky-in-the-best-way bar where drink prices rise and fall like a stock ticker on the screen – buy low, drink well. Rooms upon rooms mean a proper dancefloor plus quieter corners, and the calendar is full of themed nights, from costume parties to karaoke.
A charming “Little Venice” on Baku’s seaside boulevard – a network of clean canals, islands and decorative stone bridges first built in 1960 and greatly expanded in 2012. Glide through in a gondola, then settle in at one of the island restaurants for Azerbaijani and international dishes.
A glamorous lounge on the 11th floor of the Park Inn with sweeping views over Baku Bay by night. A favourite for a lively evening out – come at the weekend when local and visiting jazz singers perform live with their bands.