Live Like a Local

Good travel writers tell you where all the other tourists will be congregating. Honest travel writers help you experience local flavors and hangouts.

So I'm not going to tell you to visit Plaza Mayor in Madrid, or insist you see the Mona Lisa in Paris (leave your cake at home). If you’re looking for elaborate descriptions of cobblestone streets and quiet cafes, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Instead I'll give you a genuine suggestion of one place I feel truly captures the authentic local flavor of the city. None of these spots are hidden gems. In fact they're quite well known. But they are all worth your time. Enjoy at your leisure.

Madrid

Madrid Me Mata

The culture of Madrid can't be reviewed without its La Movida period, a counter cultural artistic movement in the 1970s and 1980s that defined the post-Franco city. Madrid Me Mata serves as well-preserved time capsule of the era. The walls of this bar are plastered with relics from the period and the music blasts the hits comprising the soundtrack of a generation. Listen to locals singing "Voy a Ser Mamá" by renowned filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and Fabio McNamara or any song by La Movida icon Alaska.

With a spacious dance floor and separate seating area with comfortable couches, Madrid Me Mata keeps the spirit of La Movida alive.

Seville

El Rinconcillo

To live like a Spaniard one must spend quite a bit of time eating tapas and drinking with friends or family. Sevillanos have been frequenting El Rinconcillo, a charming tapas bar open since 1670, over a hundred years before the Declaration of Independence. The decorative tiled-walls on both floors are old as they are ornate and the wooden shelves have held thousands of bottles over the years. Be sure to try some traditional tapas including tortilla española (an egg, potato and onion omelette) and solomillo ibérico (Iberian tenderloin). Take a break from drinking Rioja wines and indulge in an Andalusian wine to pair with the variety of meats and fishes on the menu.

El Rinconcillo has kept customers happy for centuries, so you won’t be disappointed by this historically high-quality restaurant

Paris

38 Riv

Jazz clubs are a quintessential part of the Parisian experience, but few are as unique as 38 Riv. Head down a flight of stairs in the Marais neighborhood into this 12th century cave and find an array of jazz musicians every night. The arched wine cellar made of stone is cozy and fits less than 40 or so patrons, creating an intimate and comfortable atmosphere. Many jazz clubs in the city feature professional touring groups in manufactured settings requiring expensive tickets. At this joint, talented local musicians, some of whom come from the audience on open mic night, play their hearts out and make the crowd a part of the show. The energy in 38 Riv is infectious.

The price of entry is one drink, so grab your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail and become a part of an unforgettable performance.

Lyon

Place des Terreaux

While tourists flock to Vieux Lyon and its historic landmarks, the equally historic Place de Terreaux hosts dozens of locals on its numerous patios at night. The plaza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the center of Lyon, between the Saône and Rhône rivers straddling the city. City Hall, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, surround the patios and massive fountain. Food here ranges from authentic Lyonnaise cuisine to Middle Eastern kebabs. There’s even a beer hall called Boston Tavern, which is sort of endearing. You'll hear almost exclusively French spoken and the rumbling engines of motorists who come to show off their bikes.

See why the Lyonnaise are so proud of their city being decidedly different from Paris.

Nice

Plage de Carras

The obvious answer is sometimes the right one. Rocky beaches and crystal clear water are the backbone of life in Nice. People there appreciate a slower pace of life and recognize the power of relaxing on the beach for the entire day. Bring a good pair of flip flops- the pebbles are sure to hurt your feet- and a towel with extra clothes for padding. Don't be surprised to see a few topless sunbathers. With a prime location outside of Vieux Nice, there are countless restaurants, gelaterias, and creperies to seek refreshments and respite from the heat. For those looking to sit on the sand, Villefranche-sur-Mer is under twenty minutes away by metro.

The delightful beaches of the French Riviera are equally as memorable as any tropical destination.

Porto

Jardim do Morro

To enjoy Porto, you have to see all of it. At Jardim do Morro you really can. This hilltop green space offers expansive views of city’s red roof-tiles and the blue Douro River. Take the Teleforica de Gaia to make the trek up by cable car or walk along the Luís I Bridge to take in the scenery. The garden itself is a neat lawn with benches and a grove of palm trees at the summit. At sunset, the sunlit slope is filled people picnicking and the chatter of Portuguese. Guitarists also strum calming songs while sounds from four-piece bands carry from below on the riverbank lined with terraces. In other words, the vibes here are really good.

The unfettered views offered by Jardim do Morro allow you to capture the picturesque city in all its majesty.

Lisbon

Mesa de Frades

Located in an old chapel in the Alfama neighborhood with stunning original tile murals still intact, Mesa de Frades promises one of the best Fado shows in the city. Fado is a staple of the city’s music culture, involving a delicate performance of a singer and guitarists capturing saudade- a Portuguese feeling of unplaceable melancholy of nostalgia for a lost person, place or thing. The intimate environment gives you a front row seats to watch the focus of the guitarists and talented singer. Have a glass of port wine between sets and feel free to chat with the performers as they mingle through the crowd.

Music is the universal language, so you’ll understand every emotion expressed by these incredible musicians.

Dublin

Palace Bar

Stop by for a pint at one of Dublin’s greatest watering holes. City life here happens in the dens of pubs and bars, and Palace Bar is bursting with energy. Glass stained windows and gold adorned hardwood fixtures create an intimate setting at the long bar. A back room replete with red leather couches and wooden chairs is full of chatter, ciders pale ales and stouts. Pictures of Irish writers stare back at you from the walls as a reminder of the pub’s vaulted history.

Remember, the head of a Guinness should be 12 to 18 millimeters, no more and no less. in this city