Frankfurt, Germany has the oldest Christmas market in the country, and they are proud of it! Situated in front of the Town Hall, it provides the best Germany has to offer at this time of year. The beautiful Old Town can be explored by a historic tram Ebbelwoi-Express. Music lovers will be compelled to go to the Alte Opera and enjoy high culture.

The city is proud of the oldest Christmas market in the country! Situated in front of the Town Hall it provides the best Germany has to offer at this time of the year. The beautiful Old Town can be explored by a historic tram Ebbelwoi-Express. Music lovers will be compelled to go to the Alte Oper and enjoy high culture.

Frankfurt is a great place to go in the winter and on holidays -- after all, the Christmas market tradition originated here. Also, a variety of cultural events, shopping centers, and historic architecture make Frankfurt a desirable destination for you regardless of your favorite interests.

This city becomes a dazzling wonder of attraction in the wintertime. The Christmas lights and sophisticated decorations remind us that Japan is the country of innovation. You can go shopping, skiiing, or snowboarding in different places throughout Tokyo, relax in the hot springs, attend one of the many winter festivals like Tori no Ichi and the Jingu Gaien Icho Matsuri, and of course you can be the first in the entire world to celebrate the New Year.

Tokyo is the place to find all the good things that a big city has to offer, as well as find a retreat and relaxing place in various temples or in nature. Numerous activities ranging from skiing to bathing in an onsen will make your winter holiday a blast. Don't forget to grab sushi from some of the best sushi restaurants while you are here, too!

The historic city of Vienna, Austria is embedded in the Alpine region and is a center of attraction. In the winter, it provides numerous entertaining activities. The ice skating rinks like the one in the Town Hall are surrounded with beautiful architecture, making the experience even more delightful. Before the holidays, Christmas markets take over the entire city with sweets, delicacies, and local crafts.

Vienna is proud of its rich, high culture. Winter in this city is the season of opera, balls, and Christmas markets.

Nestled in Ireland, Dublin is cold, and there is a lot of snow -- but there are even more pubs that provide a cozy corner and a glass of original Guinness beer! Dublin was voted one of the friendliest cities in Europe. They are also the home to Dublin Mountains and Wicklow Mountains which provide a natural getaway, hiking trails, and beautiful panoramic views. There's something here for everyone!

Dublin has a great party life, delicious beer, and cold weather in the winter, and is particularly proud of its cultural life and music scene.

Los Angeles is the second largest and most populated city in the US, as well as being the most diverse. As a cultural hub of the United States it is brimming with trade, entertainment, media, fashion and so forth. It is also a world leader in television and music as it is the home of the notorious Hollywood. A popular destination for many people from the US and otherwise, Los Angeles, is seen as the city of dreams

With an amazing combination of beautiful nature scenes and towering tall buildings, the dynamic of LA is an interesting one. With sunny days all year round it is no wonder that many people flee here for an escape. You have beaches abound and endless hiking trails as well as having a plethora of active entertainment venues and delicious dining retreats. With so much to do one might find themselves asking: where do I start?

Lets start with beaches. LA is full of beautifully serene beach fronts perfect for a relaxing day of bliss. If you like to surf or just enjoy watching surfers in general, head to Malibu Surfrider Beach, where the waves are perfect for gliding on your board. Or make your way to the very active Venice Beach, with shops, street vendors and theatrical street performers in full swing, Venice Beach is always a good time. If you’re looking for a laid-back day of taking in some breathtaking sights go to El Matador Beach where you can enjoy the sunset within the many hidden coves.

A day of shopping can be spent at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica or walking down the famed Rodeo Drive. If you want to feel the glitz and glam of stardom check out Hollywood for all your backstage looks at a celebrity lifestyle. And of course what visit to LA is complete without a lunch from the legendary In N Out burger? The food options really are constant though, with five star restaurants such as Melisse, Spago and Providence being just a couple of the hundreds throughout the city.

As one can assume there is plenty to do in Los Angeles. With 42 million people visiting the city per year it is no surprise that LA continues to be a huge attraction for visitors. The city of angels or the city of dreams, whatever one chooses to call it, it is definitely a city chock full of entertainment, beauty and opportunity.

San Francisco California is a city that is remarkably rich in culture; from arts to music to architecture there is always a sight for a wandering eye. Loose Petals creator, Karen Young, is originally from this energetic city of colorful buildings and steep hills. This dynamic metropolis has always beat to the sound of its own drum and was the hub for the counter culture movement of the fifties and sixties. A long time harbor for escapist to flee towards to get away from the dreariness of conventionalism, San Francisco continues to flourish as a city that welcomes all with open arms and promises to be prosperous in experience and growth.

With bands like the Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater and Jefferson Airplane originating in San Francisco there is sure no shortage of evidence of a legendary musical past. Visit the historically significant Haight Ashbury neighborhood to see the streets that were once flooded with counter culture youth jamming out to the likes of Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia. Or be thrown into an era of elegance and swank with a visit to the acclaimed Great American Music Hall that has housed acts that range from Duke Ellington to Van Morrison.

The neighborhoods of San Francisco keep up with its reputation as a striking mecca of revelry. If you stop in the Deco Ghetto you will be welcomed with the effervescent local flavor and a bundle of inviting cafes, shops and bars. It gets its unusual name from its wide array of art deco furniture stores found there. Store owners wanted to give the neighborhood a name that would attract attention and pull people in to shop around. Or visit North Beach for a taste of Italian flavor and culture. Dominating the dining scene in San Francisco with plenty of authentic Italian restaurants to choose from the North Beach neighborhood is not only loved by locals, but visitors as well.

When one imagines the enriching city of San Francisco so many things can come to mind. The spirited past and the equally bright future make it surely a sanctuary of opportunity and culture abound. So whether you are driving on the Golden Gate bridge with the windows down on a hot summer day or bundled up on a brisk autumn morning heading towards one of the local bakeries, take in your surrounding and appreciate the unique San Francisco scenery.

New York City: along with being the city that never sleeps, it is also the most populated city in the US and a global power city due to its massive impact on media, art, fashion, entertainment, education, technology, research and finance. With 40% of New Yorks population living in the Big Apple its no wonder that the streets are always bustling about. A number of American cultural movements also started in New York such as the Harlem Renaissance, modern dance and the Beat Generation.

Back in the 60s disco music was flowing the streets of New York as the dance music movement was rising in popularity. Years later in the 70s punk rock took over the music scene with bands such as the Ramones, New York Dolls and even KISS emerging from the cities streets. The “new wave” style of rock developed a few years later and became popular at New York rock clubs around the city. Also in the 70s hip hop started gaining popularity from being played at block parties on the streets in the Bronx neighborhood. Classic hip hop artists such as Jay Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu Tang Clan, and Busta Rhymes produced multi platinum records at New York recording studios.

New York is also greatly known for its art scene as it is the global center for the  international art market. The Queens neighborhood is quickly growing as one of the main artistic hubs for New York with its ample warehouse spaces perfect for hosting galleries. Not only is the city well known for the many art galleries but it is also popular for its great displays of public art. The underground subway system has been known to host public art projects such as magnificent tile mosaics. The graffiti subculture also was very trendy within the city when it first began to flourish.

The creative energy flowing throughout New York is undeniable. Home to many renowned museums, theaters and acclaimed filmmakers New York is a mecca for inventiveness in the arts. One of the largest and most impactful art museums, The Metropolitan Museum of Arts, is located in Central Park and brings in many guests each day. If you are a fan of theater what better place to visit than New York City?  With 39 large theaters throughout the city that are collectively called “Broadway” there is endless options for viewing pleasure. Or you could enjoy a classic New York movie from the comfort of your couch.  Although not as big as Hollywood New York is extremely well known for its film industry, making it the second largest film mecca in the US.

So as you can tell New York is the home to culture and entertainment abound. One of the most popular cities in the US it definitely lives up to its larger than life reputation. With sparkling  city lights to light up the night and starry eyed dreamers to fill the sidewalks New York is the perfect destination for those seeking excitement, entertainment and cultural experiences.

Located in North Central Switzerland Lucerne is a stunning area along the Reuss River. Made up of only seventeen cities and towns, Lucerne's population is only 250,000. The awe-inspiring sites of the city are bountiful as one walks across charming towns with the view of magnificent mountains always ahead. The breathtaking Chapel Bridge, also called the Kapellbrücke and the Water Tower are found at the heart of the city along the Ruess. This site is the most famously recognizable landmark for the city of Lucerne and a popular destination for all the sightseeing extraordinaires. This is the scene that is presented in the Loose Petals poster print of the beautiful city. 

Authentic Swiss cuisine can be found everywhere in Lucerne. Swiss food is also highly influence by the surrounding regions of France, Germany and Italy, making the delicious options endless. Switzerland is especially well known for their mouth watering cheese because making it is part of Swiss heritage. Because of this there are over 100 varieties of cheese produced in Switzerland. These cheeses are made in small dairies led by master cheesemakers, meaning that none of the cheese found in Lucerne is factory produced. As one can tell, cheese is a pretty serious subject matter over in Switzerland and definitely an artful and respected savory cuisine to locals and visitors alike.

People dressed up at the Lucerne Festival 

Among the delectable cheeses of Lucerne are some equally incredible events. One of the most popular being The Lucerne Carnival celebrated every year in the month of February. With arts and entertainment found in abundance the carnival sure seems like quite an extraordinary sight to see. A typical day taking part in the carnival would include seeing people dressed as characters in extravagant masks and costumes celebrating the many musicians or Guggenmusigens (in native Swiss language) participating in the festivities.

Astonishing sites, exquisite cuisine and whimsical events abound, Lucerne paints a picture of a truly alluring haven. To immerse oneself in such a culture would seem like entering a fantasy world, one that I myself, would probably never want to part from. So I suppose as winter quickly approaches here in the US we can all daydream about winter wonderland over in Lucerne and imagine ourselves happily strolling along their quaint brick roads.

Prague: a city that many people visit and never want to leave. With its picture perfect views and cultural and historical attractions it’s no wonder that TripAdvisor named it the 5th best destination in 2014. Looked at as one of the cultural centers of Europe, Prague hosts many events and festivals throughout the year such as Prague Writers Festival, Prague Fringe Festival, and the World Roma Festival. Prague, where beer is cheaper than water,  also hosts the Czech Beer Festival which is a 17 day celebration held in May where more than 70 Czech beer brands can be tasted.

Often referred to as the stone dream or the golden city, Prague is home to many architectural gems. With so many different architectural styles side by side there is plenty to see when you visit the city. If you choose to see Romanesque style architecture visit St. Martin Rotunda or St. Cross Rotunda. For Renaissance style take a stroll to The Royal Summer Palace or the Ball Game Hall. For classic cubism style you can visit the beautiful Adria Palace.

While eating in Prague you can taste the German influence in much of the cuisine. The three main foods are vepro, knedlo, and zelo or what we in America call: pork, dumplings and cabbage. Other popular dishes include roast beef, roast chicken and spicy cured meats. Traditional Czech sauces are known to be heavy and creamy often paired with spicy meat or cabbage to create a unique delicious blend. Before, during and after your meal it is not uncommon to be enjoying some of Prague’s esteemed beer. Gambrinus, Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen are just three of the beloved beers of Prague. With the cities love for drink comes many places to drink, with a handful of tank pubs, breweries and bars throughout the city. After a good meal and a few brews one may explore the effervescent nightlife that Prague has to offer. It is often a destination for many Europeans for its fun clubs and lively music scene.  

Prague is friendly to anyone who enters its hemispheres, from hearty food and a good brew to the beautiful sights and endless cultural entertainment options once you visit you will have a hard time leaving.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is found on the Western Iberian Peninsula along the Atlantic Ocean.  It is the eleventh most populated urban area in the European Union with about 3 million people living in the metropolis area. Being one of the oldest cities in the world it has an affluent past filled with historical significance. Brimming with museums and beautiful architecture, Lisbon is truly a magnificent place of grandeur.

Some of the elegant architectural styles one can find while walking the streets of Lisbon include: Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern. There is also the remarkable Belem Tower, the most photographed landmark in the city. It seems that almost anywhere you look you can find an extravagant palace or an old exquisitely constructed church. All of this classic architecture mixed in with contemporary styles makes Lisbon out to be a perfect hybrid of old and new.

Every year Lisbon is also home to many festivals that celebrate art and culture. The Lisbon International Documentary Film Festival, The Festival of the Oceans and the Art Lisboa- Contemporary Art Fair are just a few of the festivities that happen along Lisbons cobbled roads. One of the largest pop rock festivals,the Rock in Rio Lisboa, has also happened in the city. While in the city one can also enjoy Fado, a type of urban folk music that sings about love, desire and the ups and downs of life. Fado is strong in emotion and equally as strong in performance with such an engagement to the crowd that many people say the music has moved them to tears. To fully understand the experience that entails with Fado one can visit the Cafe Luso, which was established in 1927 and is now one of the oldest Fado houses in the city.

Made up of different barrios or neighborhoods, the communities of Lisbon have no definitive boundaries but rather have distinct districts that are common in culture and living standards with each other. Bairro Alto is an area that is known for its fine shopping and entertainment and is also the hub of Portugal nightlife. Parque das Nações is a quaint residential area of the city and also the newest district to be established in Lisbon. Chiado mixes old with new as a popular shopping area filled with museums as well as theaters.

A perfect blend of classic and modern, Lisbon is a place for those wanting to learn about the past along with celebrating the present. Visually stunning with architectural gems and inspirational sights of the sea, even just walking the city is an outstanding experience in itself. Thriving with arts and culture a visit to Lisbon would definitely be a remarkable journey for anyone to partake on.