Photo: Antoine Doyen

Some of the hottest bars in Paris are also among the most difficult to find. Speakeasy chic, which plays up the prohibition-era drama of 1920s America, has become the aesthetic of choice for an increasing number of hip watering holes. Like their counterparts in New York, these Parisian speakeasies have discreet signs and tricky doors - it helps to look good or to know someone inside. Well-trained bartenders are another thing that these clandestine bars have in common. Top-shelf liquor and inventive recipes combine to produce outstanding (and usually expensive) cocktails. Packing a punch and priced at more than €10, these are drinks to sip slowly while you watch the beautiful people go by.

April 29th is the International Dance Day. At Momondo we totally support a day dedicated to dancing and we've decided to celebrate the day too. Therefore we’ve asked our city bloggers to come up with their favourite spots to go and dance or watch others do it. So put on your boogie shoes and let our bloggers guide you through the best dance spots in Cairo, New York, London, Berlin and Stockholm.

Let's dance: Paris

Photo: the Moog

Let's be honest: I'm not really much of a dancer. More of a "sway-from-side-to-side" kind of girl, preferably while looking at my shoes. But every once in a while - usually after too much wine - I catch the bug and go in search of some boogie. My mental list changes all the time, of course, as places fall in and out of favor. For the moment, though, here are the Paris spots that are worthy of your dancing shoes.

Nuit Blanche Photo: Benoit Darcy

Following the sleepy summer season, when Parisians head to the countryside and cultural programming grinds to a halt, autumn in Paris is an absolute flurry of activity. With hundreds of exhibitions and performances happening each month, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice. To make life simple, I’ve selected my favorite, most quirky Paris events for the new season.

See my delicate selection below the map.

Paris Tourist Office/Amélie Dupont

At this time of year, locals talk about only one subject – their upcoming holiday plans. That’s because Parisians, if they can afford to, make a mass exodus from the city, turning the capital over to tourists from mid-July until September. With so many shops and restaurants closed, the town can feel a bit deserted. But I appreciate these quiet weeks, and I absolutely love to take advantage of summer festivals during this time.

Call us cheesy, but momondo has gone crazy for coagulated milk. We've given our writers the mission of uncovering 'le meilleur fromage' in Paris, 'il migliore formaggio' in Rome, the stinkiest cheeses in New York and the hands-down best cheeses in London, Madrid and Brussels. So grab yourself some bread and wine and join us on this tour of the best cheese shops in Europe.

Rome 

Volpetti has been serving the working-class quarter of Testaccio since 1973. Over time, the deli has evolved into a foodie destination, a place to sample and buy some of the best products in Rome.

Volpetti’s employees are well-practiced in catering to the fantasies of food pilgrims. They were eyeing me from the moment I walked in – another foreign girl wearing a gluttonous grin.  I was taken by the elbow and shown a starter cheese, an accessible pecorino. “That’s nice,” I said while nibbling on a wedge. “Now what else can I taste?”

My particular guide, after sizing me up, returned with a cheese and a conspiratorial wink. “Try this,” he said, pushing a slice toward me across the cold marble counter. “It’s very good,” I conceded, and he began slicing white fig and pouring some sweet white wine. “Together,” he nodded, and I married the tastes before melting into the floor.

What happened thereafter is a bit of a blur. There were many more cheeses, a number of sausages, vinegars and oils. I was moving around in a euphoric daze, tasting everything, shouting “si!”

I approached the cash register with some hesitation while my purchases were being wrapped. Just how much would all this cost, I wondered, catching sight of a frightening sticker. With the Bagoss di Bagolino priced at 90€ per kilo, I was glad to have asked for a very small slice.

"Your total is 114€, Signora. And our credit card machine is broken.”

After emptying my wallet and also that of my friend, we left completely broke and with thoughts of a conciliatory cheese party back in Paris. Another smiling young woman was entering Volpetti as we were going out. “Good luck,” I told her. “You’ll need it.”

Volpetti Deli Shop, Via Marmorata 47, Rome

Go further: See where in Rome Sari gets her Betty Crocker mix and sugar-free jello.....