Anna.

Most beer and cocktails are around $5 and the very dark and simple bar is a beautiful cave in which to drink. There's also a substantial patio/porch outside.

The Diamond's a great neighborhood bar-- it's also worth the walk if you're coming from Williamsburg. It's beer/wine only, but the selection is great and the bartenders know their shit. The bar itself is gorgeous and dark-lit, there's a wall of old carnival light things, and the music is sweeet. I watched the bartender politely but firmly shut down a lady trying to order a cocktail (no liquor here) and being sassy about it.

Blackbird Parlo(u)r sticks out as a typical Williamsburg joint-- the food and coffee is pretty delicious, but the service is ridiculously bad. Luckily, the ambiance is nice enough to keep you entertained while you watch your waitress drift across the street to hang out with some friends. Get a sandwich and an iced tea (it's usually mint, unless you say otherwise) and people watch out the open windows.

Yes please! El Beit is my favorite of the Bedford Ave cheap coffee places. I recommend taking your beverage straight through to the back courtyard when it's nice out-- lots of tables and chairs AND a sort of lean-to in case it's raining or too sunny.

SOMEONE stuck the best vintage accessories store I've ever seen directly between Spitalfields and the Old Truman Brewery. How rude. Make sure to come on down on a Sunday for the people watching or during the week to get some real shopping done.

Huge collection of purses and shoes-- I found a Longchamp bag for 20 quid.

The owners opened a new store down the road-- it's called Blondie and it's a lot more high end. Even ruder!

With the pound slowly falling into sights of the American dollar, there is no better time to get some cupcakes at Hummingbird. The more famous location in Notting Hill is always stuffed with people-- find the other location on Old Brompton Road in South Ken/Chelsea. Good for expensive but delicious cupcakes. These aren't mutant Candy Cakes (http://www.candycakes.eu/), my friend.

When it gets nice outside, everyone in the general vicinity under the age of 40 (plus a few who feel dangerous) gathers at one of the bars around the Camden Lock to drink Pimms and ciders and heckle the boaters trying to get through the lock.

Rentals, too.

The Bastille's typical for an 11th arrondissement area: a bit rough, but probably the best place to explore and get drinks alongside locals. There's tons of restaurants, but seek out a hookah bar for real shisha and tea.

My favorite spot in Paris to drink, people watch, and chill. Locals only.

If you do the Louvre, do it right-- most students get a discount, especially if you study art. Paris-based students studying art = solid gold. Make sure you get there early enough to set up a card.

Take the metro to the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre stop and sashay right into the museum. Wave at the idiots waiting in line upstairs.

If you feel obligated, do the obvious stops (Mona Lisa, yawn)-- but definitely explore the large format galleries and get upstairs to the third floor for one of the best views of Paris.

(Check my picture, yo-- you can see the pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, and La Défense.)

The Palais de Tokyo is a pretty weird place... right across from the Musée de l'Art Moderne, it's known as the creepier and cooler modern art sister. There's always a few interesting exhibits going on, and models scamper around during each Fashion Week. Let's be honest: the real reason to come here is for an expensive milkshake served by a French guy in skinny jeans.

One of my favorite chill bars in the city-- hang out next to the canal (if you can get a seat) and check out all the cool kids.

I wandered into Catch one night in an effort to escape the cover charge at every other place in Hoxton... My Ex-Boyfriend's Records was DJ'ing to epic results. Great crowd, cheap-ish drinks, usually solid music/DJ.

THE place for other peoples' old clothes. Great dress collection, many hats, and tons of lingerie in good shape. Their website's updated with occasional gigs from bands coming in to play for the afternoon.

Food food food. Get here early and beat the crowds-- it's best to get lunch at Roast's lunch stand. There's meat pies, beer, French/Spanish stands, fresh bread, ostrich burgers, jam, smelly cheese, and tons of shops and fruit/veg people everywhere. For cheap cream tea, check out the place next to Neal's Dairy Yard. Vinopolis is right across the way and a pretty inventive place to get smashed.

Best clothes market in town. You find random shit and terrific vintage you never knew you wanted. Pop out onto Brick Lane for a beer when it's sunny.

Sigh. One of the best clothing markets. Swing by the Old Truman Brewery/Sunday (up) Market for much cheaper shopping when you're done over here.

Always worth it for the temporary exhibits on the ground floor. Upstairs bar is important for a quick espresso and a cheeky wave at all the tourists trooping over from St. Paul's.

Seriously hearty dive bar in the darkest corner of Allston... cheap pitchers and delicious, salty popcorn. You're sure to run into someone describing his Sailor Jerry tats.