If you're feeling ambitious while in Paris to see van Gogh's works at Musée d'Orsay (www.musee-orsay.fr), make a side visit to the nearby Louvre (www.louvre.fr). In Montmartre, I stayed at the Hotel Andre Gill (Angle 76, rue des Martyrs; 011-33-14-26-24-848), an austere but quiet lodging, just a short walk away from the Sacré Coeur Basilica and the nightlife of Montmartre. Other great hotels: Best Western Opéra Richepanse (www.holidaycity.com/bw-opera­-richepanse-paris) is just a few blocks off the Place de la Concorde but feels light years away from the hustle and bustle. My all-time favorite Paris hotel is the Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine (paris.madeleine.hyatt.com), which has the small intimate feel of a boutique hotel but all the amenities of five-star service. Finding good food is never a problem in Paris, but one of my favorite bistros is Le Florentin, just a block away from the American Embassy Consulate on Rue de Richepanse.

London's National Gallery (www.nationalgallery.co.uk) is centrally located at Trafalgar Square. For a taste of the local fare, try Albannach (66 Trafalgar Square; 011-44-20-7930-0066) which specializes in British Isles food, particularly that of Scotland. There is no shortage of lodging in London, no matter your budget. But if your wallet allows, there is nothing better than a night at the Connaught
(www.the-connaught.co.uk), which offers unparalleled luxury, comfort, and service.

If your travel plans don't call for a trip to Europe, visit New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org), the Art Institute of Chicago (www.artic.edu), and Los Angeles's J. Paul Getty Museum