The sublime public life of a great city

 

Barcelona—once dismissed as a grimy, dull city—is now mentioned in the same breath as Paris, London and Rome as a must-see destination for anyone seeking to experience Europe at its best. What happened?

The city sports gorgeous architecture, both in the charming tangle of medieval streets and in turn-of-the-19th-Century masterpieces by Antonin Gaudi and other geniuses of the Modernisme movement. The Mediterranean Sea splashes right at its doorstep, creating a vibrant downtown waterfront where you can stroll past a harbor full of tall-mast sailboats and broad beaches crowded with stunningly well-toned sunbathers. Barcelona is ringed with mountains, laced with Parisian-style boulevards and dotted with lively nightspots.

Daytripping in the new and improved Detroit

Type	City
Mode	Walking
Lodging	"Lovely brick mansions" downtown
Distance & Duration	6 miles
Difficulty	Easy
Highlights	Streetlife and architecture

To many people the idea of visiting in Detroit sounds like the punch line of an old comedy routine. “First prize, an all-expense-paid one-week vacation in Detroit.  Second prize, two weeks in Detroit!” Ha-ha.

But for those of us who love cities in all their giddy gritty glory, the Motor City is no joke.  Although struggling in recent decades Detroit still offers experiences you expect from a world-class city: heartstopping architecture, a bustling waterfront, topnotch art, convivial nightlife, great food, picturesque city squares, a jam-packed public market and, most of all, memorable strolls.

Malibu has as many great trails as it has billionaires on Carbon Beach.

The hike around the King Gillette Ranch offers broad meadows surrounding the razor blade tycoon's mansion, a steep climb up to a knoll with views of Malibu Creek and raptors circling below your perch. Awesome enough to get your teen dancing on the trail. Find info at: www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=670
Restrooms , visitor center and ice cream not far from trail's end

Sent from my iPhone

 

Join On Location Tours on a guided sightseeing adventure of the famous Boston Common and Beacon Hill. The Boston Movie Mile walking tour visits more than 25 locations from movies and TV shows such as Good Will Hunting, The Departed, Blown Away, Cheers and many others!

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.screentours.com/tour.php/boston.