Surrounded by water on two sides, separated by a highway on the others, and no subway stop -- there's a reason that Red Hook doesn’t make it onto most tourists' itineraries. Sure, Red Hook’s isolated, but it's also got some pleasant bars, restaurants, and shops, and an appealing old-Brooklyn atmosphere that make it worth a visit, especially on a lazy weekend.

LeNell's 

If you want to get to one of the neighborhood pioneers, though, you’ll have to hurry. LeNell’s, a liquor store on the main drag of Van Brunt Street, is looking for a new home because of lease difficulties. For now, though, you can still check out it’s famed selection of whiskey and other spirits, their bottles piled high amid a small cupid statue and other odd furnishings.

Brooklyn Ice House 

f you’d rather sit down with a drink rather than just get the supplies for one, then one likeable option is the recently opened Brooklyn Ice House, up the road a bit at 318 Van Brunt. The beer here comes with impressively low prices, and so does the BBQ: I recommend the pulled pork sandwiches ($5), which come two to a plate with potato chips. It’s a low-key place during the day, with lots of board games to play, a TV that might be tuned to some sports, and no reason to hurry out.

Red Hook ballfields on weekends 

Van Brunt’s fun for a stroll, but the best reason to go to Red Hook hasn’t even opened yet this year. For nearly 20 years food vendors have been setting up shop at the Red Hook ballfields on weekends, serving a primarily Latin American crowd that comes here for the soccer and baseball games. Don’t’ expect hot dogs or boring old pretzels: think instead ceviche, pupusas and other exciting dishes. Legal snags have kept the vendors away during the sports season so far, but the director of the vendors’ group, Cesar Fuentes, is certain that they’ll all be up and running again by 26 July at the latest.

IKEA 

Photo by Specialkrb

But how are you going to make it to Red Hook if the subways doesn’t? Believe it or not, a certain large Swedish retailer is here to help. Last month, IKEA opened a huge store along the water in Red Hook. The mega-store runs a free water taxi between Manhattan's Pier 11 (just south of South Street Seaport) and its entrance. There's no rule that you have to set foot in IKEA for even one Lack shelf if you take the taxi, which runs every 20 to 40 minutes.

Photo by Specialkrb 

Certainly, a recent ride back from the store showed lots of people without any telltale bags--and some were even taking their bikes along. The trip itself is fun, with views of Brooklyn’s waterfront, the Statue of Liberty, and Olafur Eliasson’s waterfall installation, which will remain in the East River until mid-October.

At this time of year, locals talk about only one subject – their upcoming holiday plans. That’s because Parisians, if they can afford to, make a mass exodus from the city, turning the capital over to tourists from mid-July until September. With so many shops and restaurants closed, the town can feel a bit deserted. But I appreciate these quiet weeks, and I absolutely love to take advantage of summer festivals during this time.

Cinéma en plein air de la Villette

Paris Tourist Office/Amélie Dupont

My favorite one has just kicked off – the Cinéma en plein air de la Villette. This annual open-air film fest is held on a grassy lawn in the Parc de la Villette. Movies from all over the world are screened on a giant inflatable screen on every night except Monday between July 15 and August 17.

Because I live across the street, it’s easy for me to haul a blanket, a cold bottle of wine, and a yummy picnic spread. But those who don’t want to cross town with an armful can rent folding chairs, buy kebabs from street vendors, and get an over-priced drink on-site. In past years admission to the festival was free, but it’s an affordable 2€ in 2008.

As for the films, I’m especially looking forward to 'Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' on July 31 and 'Volver', part of a whole night of Pedro Almodóvar on August 1. The full program can be downloaded here.

Festival Paris Quartier d'été

Paris Tourist Office/Amélie Dupont

Festival Paris Quartier d’Eté is an annual assemblage of dance, theater, and music events in neighborhoods around the city. Highlights this year include a dance tribute to Maurice Béjart in the Palais Royal, Vieux Farka Touré performing Malian blues in the Jardin du Luxembourg, and interactive theater at the Point Ephémère from British troupe Rotozaza.

Paris Plages 

Paris Tourist Office/Amélie Dupont

And who could forget about Paris Plages? As David told you, the beach is coming back to Paris between July 21 and August 21. In 2008, the festival will be held at three different sites - on the voie Georges Pompidou (4th arrondissement), along the Bassin de la Villette (19th arrondissement) and on the quai de la Gare, near the national library (13th arrondissement).

Locals and visitors alike flock to this urban beach party to take salsa dancing lessons, swim in the floating Josephine Baker pool, or kick back in a folding chair and do nothing at all. In association with Paris Plages, the mega-store Fnac puts on a concert series each year at the Pont de Sully.

The Indétendances Festival features free concerts every Friday and Saturday night between July 25 and August 16. Most of the acts are French - making this a good opportunity to discover local music - but a few good ones (like the American rock & soul band The BellRays) are imported from abroad. The full program is here.

these festivals make Paris a fantastic place to be in summertime, and the absence of Parisians just means that there’s twice as much space for the rest of us. See you at the beach!

In small cities like Venice or Amsterdam it can be easier to find a unique historical monument than to find a perfect hangout place. One of my favourites is indeed very hard to find because it’s located in the middle of a deserted shipyard.

To get there, take the boat behind the central station (direction NDSM Werf) or from the less crowdy stop at Distelweg. On the other side of the Ij-Canal, walk 50 meters straight ahead then turn to the right and walk for another 300 meters. Here, you will find yourself in the middle of the former shipyard where all kinds of artists have installed their ateliers. At the end of the docks, standing on a tiny little hill, you’ll find Café Noorderlicht. The semi-circular building recalls a greenhouse, and is especially beautiful when illuminated at night and is stunning by sunset.

Photo by Manou van der Noort

Friends tell me that it’s a bit alternative, but believe me Amsterdam was screaming for such a place. It’s still less cool and grungy than for instance Bar 25 in Berlin. On beautiful days when the terrace is overflowing, you can sit wherever you like. My place is directly at the waterfront where I can look over the water daydreaming, talk with friends or read a book undisturbed by yelling toddlers.

My hardcore city kids, when they are here, enjoy playing with dogs between the boats and exploring water plants. For me, this place has the sheer wildness and magic which I relate to an end-of-the-world mood. Not in an apocalyptic sense, but in the spirit of being liberated from everyday life; you can relax without getting bored. All kinds of people seem to be attracted by this café, so don’t worry that you’ll have to spend time with some utterly barbaric tribe.

Those who have a soft spot for flea markets will be happy that there’s a good one in this area (forget about Waterloopein). It’s not held regularly, so check this website for information.

Café Noorderlicht; t.t. Neveritaweg 33; Amsterdam

Go further: Frederique mentions Bar 25 in Berlin. Find out more about this ranch-looking bar and 'beachlife' in the German capital here. 

Danish airline Sun-Air will from August 24 operate their first ever route to Poland, when the service between Billund and Gdansk launches. From August 11 they will also operate two routes to Stord on the Norwegian west coast. The routes will fly from Oslo and Århus.

easyJet will launch a new route between London Gatwick Airport and Helsinki. The airline will operate the route on a daily basis from November. At the same time, easyJet will cut the routes from Berlin and Gdansk and Belfast, due to low passenger demand.