Youthful crowds of artists and designers have made this neighborhood in the southern inner city of Stockholm into a trendy destination. Actually called Sodermalm but nicknamed SoFo (inspiration from London’s notorious Soho?), it’s a bohemian mecca that’s home to numerous individual shops and tiny cafés and restaurants, all with a fun, lively atmosphere. Take a stroll around its squares or enjoy a picnic in the park at Nytorget, right in the center of SoFo.

Nearest metro station is Medborgarplatsen (Green Line)

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Cross the Knippelsbro bridge to the Christiania district for a slice of Copenhagen’s alternative side. Founded in the 70s when a group of hippies took control of an abandoned military barracks and abstained from Danish rule, it’s a ‘free city’ within a city. Have a coffee along the waterfront and enjoy the paintings, sculpture and live music that seems to spring up everywhere.

Cross Knippelsbro, one of the two bridges connecting Sealand and Amager.

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A trendy but not pretentious place. Zuka, in Leblon, is a magical restaurant to have an exotic and tasty dinner in. The chef's creativity amazes all senses. I was really surprised by the ambience - cosy but modern, full of hip and interesting people. Definitely a must-try.

Rua Dias Ferreira 233, leblon
www.zuka.com.br

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After an energy-sapping morning soaking up the rays on Valdevaqueros beach - one of the best along the Costa de la Luz - try lunching at the minute hotel perched on the dunes behind a surf school and shop. Enjoy the typically Tarifan hippy-chic vibe, sitting at oversized wooden tables under generous shady bamboo cover and their delicious array of hearty, green salads and fresh fruit juices make a welcome break after a night of tapas indulgence.

www.hurricanehotel.com/pages/valdevaqueros.htm

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Stylish hotel, excellently located in Mitte, within walking distance of many of the key sights; alternatively, seconds from tram, U and S-bahn. Room design is trendy, with huge floor-ceiling windows. Amazing price-quality correlation. Hotel's cocktail lounge has extensive range of drinks. Breakfast not cheap (15EUR per person) but great selection, including delicious crispy bacon.

Oranienburger Strasse 52
U-bahn: Oranienburger Tor
www.arcotel.at/velvet.htm

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It's an excellant bar, very bohemian and funky, not just for students at the Spanish schools but also for locals who study at the renowned local University.

Near Jardin de la Union

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Great cafe: hard to believe it's in Singapore. I don't know what this building was originally, but the owners have transformed it into some sort of organic-Scandinavian-modernist-but-not-too-new-looking environment, with eclectic furniture, fantastic music and a view across a small green valley which had me, as a one-time Singapore resident, scratching my head and going 'where the hell am I?' Highly, highly recommended for a weekend brunch or dinner any night of the week.

28B Harding Road, off Dempsey Road, which is off Holland Road in the direction away from town;
tel: 6479 3343

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The Dogs Bar in St Kilda is an institution and a great place to get a glass or 10 of red wine and a plate of cheap pasta on a Sunday afternoon. It's great in winter with a roaring open fire and people gathering to have a natter or play a game of chess. Uber cool, the crowd tends to be over 30.

54 Acland Street, St Kilda;
tel: 9525 3599;
email: info@dogsbar.com.au;
www.dogsbar.com.au

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Ironic isn't it? The design hotel phenomenon was late in coming to this Mother of All Design Nations. But Hotel Sankt Petri has got the whole concept wrapped up. Housed in an old department store, the hotel offers an über modern hotel experience. In short, it's the urban resort of choice for the demanding, travelling urbanite. There's a bar, brasserie and a cafe.

Prices start at 2,100 kroner.
Located in the heart of town.
www.sktpetri.dk/

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For those in need of a bite and desperate to get away from the screeching tourists and leery old men around the Moulin Rouge, head down to La Marmite bar/restaurant for an affordable steak and then across the road to the uber-cool La Fourmi for a demi.

Between Pigalle and Anvers metros, just off the main boulevard.

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The Gonpachi restaurant offers up a super dining experience. A hip, lively place where the staff shout a welcome to you while you're led to the table.

At the door you can choose between the sushi half of the place or the kushiyaki (skewers) and soba (noodles) half. The soba noodles are made from buckwheat ground daily on the premises. A massive food experience with traditional and yet modern Japanese fare. Skewers of foie gras with balsamico and strawberries? Unbelievable.
We tried the sushi half another night and were bowled over by the quality of the dishes and the æsthetic presentation.

Gonpachi is buried at the back of the G-Zone dining complex. After you enter just keep on walking down the halls. No, not that restaurant, keep going. All the way to the back. Well worth a visit.

Closest station: Kyobashi (Ginza Line). Exit 3. Or G-Zone is located under the elevated motorway across from the Seiyo Ginza hotel.
Tel: 03 5524 3641
Web: www.global-dining.com/site/restaurants/index.cfm?resID=142&page=detail&lang=EN&chainId=8

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