Today I’m featuring one of my favourite urban parks, the Jardin de Luxembourg in central Paris.   Although not as large as some of the other massive urban parks that I’ve featured previously (City Park in Budapest, Phoenix Park in Dublin or Hyde Park in London) the Jardin de Luxembourg is high on my list of best urban parks for a number of reasons.

Photo credit: Guillaume Cattiaux

Located in the middle of Paris’ Latin Quarter, the Jardin de Luxembourg is an oasis of green and calm in the midst of an otherwise very busy neighbourhood. One of my biggest complaints about Paris while I lived there was the lack of open space and greenery, and this park is definitely the exception.  An easy walking distance from my old flat, the Jardin de Luxembourg has many different features that make it a great urban park in my opinion.

Photo credit: Matthew Phillips

First, the French Senate is located right in the middle of the park.  Though not often open to the public, the building is beautiful from the outside and its quite exciting to see Senators coming and going throughout the day.  Like many French parks, the grass is not open to the public for picnickers but there are plenty of metal chairs that can be arranged to make your perfect picnic spot throughout the grounds.

Photo credit: Copeau

Just south of the centre of the Park is the beautiful Jardin de L’Observatoire or the Observatory Garden.  With fantastic sculptures and a wide green median allowing for a clear view from one end of the park to the other, this is one of my favourite reading spots.  I love claiming a place on one of the benches lining the sides of the grass thoroughfare and stealing glances at passersby while reading.

Photo credit: Jacob Poul Skoubo

In my opinion, the most beautiful spot in the Luxembourg Gardens is the Medici Fountain near the north gates of the park.  Built in 1630 by Marie de’Medici, the fountain’s gorgeous statues and unique water features.  Lined with pots of flowers that are changed according to the seasons, this spot is a perfect place for reflection and a place that I make sure to stroll by and enjoy each time I’m in the gardens.

Head to Paris for a long weekend this spring and enjoy this beautiful garden yourself!  Fly from London to Paris from only £49 return in late May.  Flights from Manchester to Paris start at £86 return on the same weekend, and from Birmingham to Paris, only £73 return.

Fly from Paris to Porto from £18! (via @FlyFromParis)

Photo credit: AbhijeetRane

Do the rainy, grey skies of Paris have you feeling down?  Would you rather be in a seaside town enjoying sunshine and relaxation?  Head to Porto for the perfect city break!  Located on the western coast of Portugal, Porto is a large city that is one of the economic and cultural centres of the country.  With plenty of fantastic museums, the seaside location and of course Port wine to taste, Porto is a great place for a weekend away.

Fly from London to Dusseldorf from only £8! (via @FlyFromLondon)

Photo credit: Retinafunk

A major business centre in Germany, Düsseldorf is a busy city with plenty of things to see and do.  Stroll the streets of the old city, hit up some shops or ride to the tip top of the Rhine tower for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.  Once you’ve tired of sightseeing, duck into one of the many traditional German eateries for some delicious sausage and old-style beer.  A quick flight from London, you’ll feel worlds away as you discover a new city!

Fly from Frankfurt to Berlin from only £7! (via @FlyFromFRA)

Photo credit: rosshuggett

Though not far from Frankfurt, Berlin is a busy city that offers visitors so much to see and do.  A veritable hotbed of history, visitors can stroll along the East Side Gallery to see the longest existing section of the Berlin Wall, visit the world famous Berlin zoo for some animal entertainment or head to one of the many fantastic museums in the Museum Island area.  For a quick break from Frankfurt, Berlin’s the place to go!

Fly from Madrid to Milan from £7! (via @FlyFromMadrid)

Photo credit: rdesai

Want to trade your Spanish routine for something a bit more….Italian?  Milan is a bustling metropolitan area that is cosmopolitan and diverse, and is a great place to go for a weekend away.  Check out the beautiful Milan Cathedral that’s one of the largest in Europe along with some of the beautiful outdoor parks and plazas or spend your time people-watching and enjoying the delicious Italian trattorias.  Either way, Milan is a city with so much to enjoy and discover.

Fly from Milan to London from only £13! (via @FlyFromMilan)

Photo credit: raindog

Ready for some fantastic shopping opportunities or do you want to watch a musical in the West End?  London’s your city!  With culinary options as diverse and interesting as the city’s inhabitants, you’ll find yourself with almost too many restaurant options and your stomach will definitely be happy!  Enjoy one of the many museums in the city free of charge or concur your fear of heights by taking a ride on the famous London Eye which will give you the very best view of the city.

New York City is also a really great place for street art.  From the typical to the wildly different, like the city’s inhabitants, the street art scene is varied, fun and offers a little something for everyone.

I absolutely love this shot of the massive “LOVE” sculpture on 55th Street.  The best part – check out the t-shirt the girl’s wearing.  What a great capture – double the love for New York!

Photo credit: ForsterFoto

This is a great shot of one of my favourite types of street art – the chalk drawing.  There’s something really special about watching art in the process of being made, and the fleeting nature of these pieces.  The minute the rain (or street cleaner) comes along, they’re gone forever*, so it’s important to enjoy them while they are there to be appreciated.  The best part is that there will be new pieces quickly popping up where the old ones once were.

(*Photographer Ed Yourdon has commented that the Michael Jackson piece that he photographed [below] actually withstood winter rain and snowstorms and is still visible – that’s amazing!  Thanks Ed for the photo and for the insight!)

Photo credit: Ed Yourdon

I love the smugness of this little guy who was spotted in the East Village, along with his big heart!

Photo credit: SliceofNYC

Dr. Spock in drag?  Sure, why not?  This is a great reminder of the “anything goes” mentality of New York City where you can go to reinvent yourself and anything is possible!

Photo credit: dandeluca

I’ve saved the best for last today.  Check out this interactive, mobile and “personal” installation by artist Agata Olek.  A Polish artist specialising in hand-crocheted pieces, Olek created quite a stir with her head-to-toe crocheted bodysuits made especially for the “Art in Odd Places” festival in 2009.   While the piece itself is certainly eye-catching, perhaps my favourite part of this photograph is the guy sitting next to it.  In a total “only in New York” type of moment, he sits there as though there’s nothing out of the ordinary whilst reading his Michael Jackson book.  The whole scene, including the subway map in the background, is just fantastic.

Photo credit: See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

I had to include another photo of one of Olek’s human pieces because the reactions of the passers by is just priceless.  I know I’d probably react the same way if I stumbled across this unusual and unique street art in New York!

Photo credit: See-ming Lee 李思明 SML

Head to New York City this summer to enjoy all the city has to offer and spot some of your own favourite street art while you’re at it!  Direct return flights from London to New York City start at only £361 this June.  Consider me there!