While You're There: Berlin

What to do when you've just purchased a new outfit? Wear it out dancing, of course. There's nothing like new threads to make you step lightly and, if you happen to be in Berlin, Clarchens is the place to show off your moves.

Clarchens Ballhaus. Perhaps the last surviving leftover from the many Tanzcafes of 1920s Berlin, Clarchens Ballhaus remains a thriving dancehall, where old-time patrons and young hipsters alike twirl about to the sounds of tango, cha cha, and swing music. On two floors, a lower level that has a decidedly kitsch aesthetic, and an upper one that boasts elegantly high ceilings and chandeliers, these patrons dine on basic German cuisine and homemade pizza, imbibe heavily, and work up the courage to hit the dancefloors in the center of each room. Luckily, nightly classes are held and instructors are on hand throughout the evening to help newcomers master the retro moves. More than anything, Clarchens is a testament to the enduring power of both old tunes and old customs, the revival of which here unites a diverse crowd in the name of some seriously quirky fun.

Augustrasse 24. +49 30 282 9295

Image credited to www.berlin-magazin.info.

COS

Although owned by the Swedish company Hennes and Mauritz (making it part of the H&M family), two facts are surprising about COS: one, this is a distinctly upscale boutique that has very little to do with H&M's megastores and, two, it has no locations in its native country. Sweden's loss. Germany, rather, is where the largest number of COS branches can be found, allowing Berliners to reap the benefits of the Swedes' carefully constructed and immaculately sleek style.


Keep an eye out for COS during this summer's European travels (the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and Spain all boast outposts of the brand). The COS look, for both men and women, strikes a perfect balance between being just enough classic, just enough cutting edge. Light layers and structured shapes keep the lines clean while adding visual interest: these are detail-oriented, fashion-forward pieces which, since they are crafted in neutral colors, can be warn many seasons in the future, even if their price tags don't necessitate doing so.


www.cosstores.com

Images credited to COS.

While You're There: Catalunya

A visit to Cadaques, the picturesque artists' colony and fishing village where Salvador Dali made his home, is a regular stop for visitors to the Costa Brava. Bonus: the town's most renowned restaurant, Casa Anita, is the ideal place to receive a crash course in porron use.

Casa Anita. Located in a house that once belonged to the Catalan surrealist painter Angel Planells, Casa Anita has long been the haunt of famous visitors to Cadaques. Inside, pictures of illustrious guests crowd the walls, smiling over diners who squeeze together at long communal tables. Amid quintessentially Spanish decor, including arched ceilings and dripping candles, proprietor Joan Marti authoritatively rattles off the menu, which is comprised of whatever fresh fish his kitchen is grilling that night. Let Joan pick the right wine for you and strike up a conversation with your fellow tablemates. Soon, you'll be bonded in amazement over Joan's wine-pouring skills. Using a porron, the classic Catalonian wine dispenser, Joan drips the liquid in such a way that it runs down the side of his nose in a steady stream, straight into the corner of his mouth. While this requires specific facial contortions and years of practice, Joan will let you try the easy version: tilt your head back and let him pour some wine, watering-can style, directly into your mouth. All this imbibing and you're sure to have made some new best friends by the time dinner is done.

Calle Miquel Roses, Cadaques. +34 972 25 84 71

Image credited to Cap de Creus Online at www.cbrava.com.

The Porron

Catalunya, in the northeast of Spain, boasts its own particular type of wine pitcher. The traditional vessel, which was designed as a glass alternative to the leather bota bag, bears the name porron and is crafted to reduce wine's contact with the air. The unique shape, however, also enables a good party trick: When festivities get going, the porron is often taken off the table and carefully tilted, so that the ensuing stream of liquid lands in revelers' open mouths, not their glasses. Winos rejoice - the porron may be a glorified keg, but it is a far more stylish one at that.

Both www.tienda.com (a website selling traditional Spanish food and objects) and www.amazon.com sell versions of the porron.

Image credited to Amazon.

While You're There: Buenos Aires

Here's the place to satisfy hunger before hitting the Palermo neighborhood's ultra-trendy shops, which include a MISHKA outpost. Serious shoppers are advised to skip the 50+ vodka variations (for now at least) and fill up on coffee instead:

Olsen. Nestled in Palermo, on a quiet side street, is Buenos Aires' fabulous and famous Sunday brunch spot, Olsen. Although the name hints at its Scandinavian cuisine, this is a quintessntial spot in the city for locals and tourists alike. Eggs, potato pancakes, salmon, granola, vegetable salads, and pastries are all on the menu in decadent combination plates. Call ahead for reservations inside the bright, loft-like warehouse space or outside in the small, but charming garden.

Gorriti 5870. +54 11 4776 7677

Image credited to +3 Oficina de Arquitectura.

MISHKA

Candy-colored, flirtatious, and decidedly girly, MISHKA's handcrafted leather shoes are the perfect antidote to the edgy leather jackets that inevitably take up prime real estate in departing fashionistas' suit cases. Made from luxurious leathers and suedes, at MISHKA these classic Argentinian materials lose their toughness and are instead delicately rendered into flowers, fringe, and floppy bows.


The line offers gorgeous practical options, such as classic boots and flats that receive a boost from designers' thoughtful details. At the same time, their more whimsical designs make big statements and possess a serious sense of humor.


www.mishkashoes.com.ar

Images credited to Mishka.

While You're There: Stockholm

For those still salivating over the previous post's mention of cardamom buns, here's where to stop for a bite when shopping in Stockholm:

Cafe Saturnus. Famous for its extremely large, extremely delicious cinnamon buns, Cafe Saturnus stakes a claim for serving the best pastries in the city. Cardamom buns provide an equally phenomenal option and are a bit more off-beat - don't be surprised if repeat visits are in order so that you can compare the two choices. Saturnus serves huge bowls of coffee, breakfast platters, sandwiches and salads as well.

Eriksbergsgatan 6, Ostermalm. +46 8 611 7700

Image credited to rommy@flickr via http://beta.stockholmtown.com/fi/Ruokailu/Kahvilat/saturnus/2006.