Everyone who has read "Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo" from Christiane F. (as many Germans have, in school) knows of this place: gritty, dirty, rugged S-Bahnhof Zoo in the old Western center of the city.

Rice Epicurean Markets is a small chain of upscale and gourmet food store. If you need to dash in to get a staple, or are seeking special ingredients for a holiday dinner, their delicious assortment will overwhelm your imagination and taste buds. For a list of hours and locations visit www.riceepicurean.com

A 30 minute hike from Devonport's ferry terminal will bring you up Mt.Victoria, with it's spectacular view over devonport, Rangitoto island, the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland's business district. Old bunkers and air defense installations from WWII show its former military use. Today, it's a great visual treat and gives you a sense of Auckland City's dimensions. Take a hat - the peak usually comes with solid winds.

Castellón has some great tapas bars. Try the "patatas bravas", fried potato pieces with great aioli sauce (lots of garlic!) or "gambas" (prawns). Each dish is about 2-3 Euros so you can easily try a bit of everything. You find most tapas bars around Plaza Santa Clara and Plaza Mayor. On weekends around 11 it is really busy outside the bars. People order some tapas and have their drinks they brought from home outside the bars. Meeting somewhere on the street and drinking wine/beer from home is called having a "botellón" in Spain.

„Bei Otto“ is the most famous German restaurant in Bangkok. Right in the centre of the nightclub district Sukhumvit Thais in traditional Blackforest dirndls dish up hearty meals. The prices are at a homelike level. The quality is surprisingly good. http://www.beiotto/ Soi 20 Branch: 1 Sukhumvit Soi 20 Rd,. Sukhumvit Road, Khlongtoey Bangkok 10110 Tel: 02-2620892, 02-2600869 Fax: 02-2581496 Opening hours: German Pub: 11 am - 1 am Deli Shop: 07 am - Midnight E-Mail: beiotto@loxinfo.co.th

When I worked in Toronto's Financial District, I used to frequent "TD square" (Bay and Wellington St). It's a place full of benches, trees, and people (between the hours of noon and 2pm). Even if you're simply walking through, you're sure to spot some "eye candy", both on the male and female level. It's not to say that I'm superficial (ahem), but when I'm working in a place that's crawling with investment bankers... well I like to look ;-) . If you really want to capitalize on this white-collar "meat market", bring along a wing-man (or woman). If you do, you might just find yourself in the midst of conversation, some laughs, and a couple of exchanged phone numbers. Now that's...

Kids from the age of 3 will be looked after while their parents go shopping. While parents enjoy a coffee in the Lounge the staff also looks after their younger kids. Kidscafe, Mariahilferstr. 47 http://www.kidscafe.at/