An alternative to the big city art establishments is La Tabacalera. A community-run gallery/workshop space/music venue/café/bar in the multicultural barrio of Lavapies, this old tobacco factory is the laid back, graffiti-walled hangout for the cool kids, mums and dads of Madrid. If you want to mix with locals and brush up on your Spanish the vibe is friendly, the art is edgy and the drinks are cheap. Any given night of the week there is bound to be a salsa-class, skateboarding practice, art exhibition or workshop in session, open to anyone and all for free.

Calle Embajadores 53, Madrid
latabacalera.net/
Metro stop: Embajadores

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A short walk from the trendy neighbourhood of Cihangir and housed in a converted warehouse is the Istanbul Modern Art Museum. Maybe because of its manageable size or the fact it provides a welcome contrast to the city’s tourist-packed historical sites, the gallery is an engaging and enjoyable space filled with exhibits featuring both established and emerging Turkish artists. When you need a break from looking at art, try the view from the gallery café where you can sip apple tea and stare out onto the Bosphorous watching the boats and ferries glide by. Entry is free on Thursdays.

Meclis-i Mebusan Cad. Liman İşletmeleri
Sahası Antrepo No: 4, 34433 Karaköy
www.istanbulmodern.org/en/f_index.html
+90(0) 212 334 73 00

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Forgo any inhibitions and don your birthday suit in Germany's thermal bath mecca. Caracalla spa has a variety of indoor and outdoor spas and saunas to keep you relaxed yet stimulated throughout the day. Nudity is the norm in the upstairs sauna level, so when in Rome. In January the bath’s central building and surrounds lights up at night, creating a glowing atmosphere. And if it snows during an outdoor bath session, even better for a magical winter break.

Römerplatz 1, 76530 Baden-Baden, Germany
+49 (0)7221 275940
www.carasana.de/caracalla.html
Google map: bit.ly/g51e8W

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