It’s coming up to Christmas and if you’re like me, i.e. like to avoid the hustle and bustle of a jam packed Oxford Street to find that perfect item for that special someone why not check out Folk Clothing which is tucked away close to Central St. Martin’s near Southampton Row and surrounded by some really interesting shops including the People’s Supermarket.

This is a completely unexpected scenario in the heart of Shoreditch. The entrance is seamless, a standard corner-shop-type with a narrow door, leading downstairs to a peculiar setting in the basement. The drinks are carefully selected and mixed. There is always something to experiment that doesn’t disappoint.

Stepping in to the vibrant shop Scriptum in Oxford is like stepping in to a shop in Harry Potter. If you ever need a visionary prop – imagine... anything, this is the place to visit.

The Polish Institute Düsseldorf is one of many Polish Institutes worldwide which were established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. It aims to promote the cultural relationships between Poland and Germany using the presentation of Polish art, cinema, theatre, music, and literature and to intensify the mutual exchange of history, politics, education and society. The Polish Institute Düsseldorf was founded in 1993. It is active not only in North-Rhine Westphalia but also in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hessen and Saarland. Apart from its exhibitions, seminars, workshops, lectures and discussions in its impressive location at Düsseldorf’s Altstadt (Old Town), the Polish Institute takes part in numerous projects of German museums, galleries and universities. It frames programs of theatres, cultural festivals, cinemas and concert halls and organizes study tours and educational and youth projects.

One of my favorite sophisticated-but-casual places in Berlin. Everything is delicious and the restaurant is cozy and minimal at the same time. It is the right place to have a wonderful dinner with somebody special without being too anxious about the dress code :)

The Nightingale is the antithesis of the hundreds of soulless gastropubs that a lot of decent pubs have recently become and remains everything a proper pub should be. Britain's pubs haven't had it easy lately. The smoking ban and the general effects of the recession have hammered the industry hard. The Nightingale continues to be what it has always been, a proper pub at the heart of the local community. Its annual charity walk has raised nearly £500,000 for good causes in over 30 years and it seems determined to do the things a pub should do and do them properly. Once inside you feel like you could be in a country pub instead of in the middle of South London. There's no jukebox and the TV is hardly ever on, but there’s a great atmosphere with a good set of locals and good drink and food. Bliss.

For under 6 euros you can get the best burgers of the city. This small place is always full and anytime is good to eat their hamburgers.

I go shopping there for veggies and bread but always leave the store with a little more than that.

Here's what the world used to look like.

At the Damrak on the daily journey between home and studio, my eye is continually drawn to the emblem that has functioned as a façade ornament on the corner of the Beurs van Berlage for more than a hundred years. In combination with the past function of the building - trade centre - and in relation to the present financial crisis, the timeless maxim gains extra significance: ‘Dis-pe-reert niet’ (‘Do not des-pair’).

This is my favorite bar in the city: original cocktails, an unpretentious crowd and live jazz.

Have you ever had Uzbek food? Me neither until I went to Nargis Cafe. It's kinda like middle eastern food mixed with Ukranian food. It's so good and so inexpensive.