Big Four

The Centres of Couture, cities where La Mode is God. Tour the fashion capitals of the world and stick around longer so you can explore more than just their glamourous side.

Love to travel? The four cities: London, Paris, Milan and New York should be on your bucket list. Explore more than just the runways, go behind the scenes to where the magic begins as just an idea, the studios, ateliers and boardrooms where fashion trends are born; where the fate of next season’s shades and silhouettes is sealed. If you are passionate about a career or have a genuine interest in haute couture, swimwear, or fashion journalism, then these are the cities that will move you and inspire you.

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You have the privilege to see fashion come to life almost everywhere, moreover these cities are at the heart of good food, historical landmarks, entertainment and leisure activities. Truly they have it all.

Paris

Whether you go weak on the knees from magnificent architectural structures or want to rub elbows in an authentic French market, let yourself be seduced by the City of Love and let your heart be bright in the City of Light. A true wonder is Paris indeed.

Marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen

A world unto itself, the 150-year-old market is the world's largest and most famous flea market. Within the Marché aux Puces’s labyrinthine alleys and stalls you can find every imaginable curiosity and treasure at a price for every pocketbook - from vintage couture and antique luggage to gilded mirrors and burnished silver, there is truly something for everyone. Even if you don't love antiques, you'll still adore the market's ambiance, totally unique to Paris. The Village Vintage offers the best of mid-century modern fashions and furnishings.

Moulin Rouge

Just like the movie, Moulin Rouge in Paris, which has its locale in the vicinity of Montmartre in the red-light district of Pigalle, offers its patrons regular evening performances of the cancan. Music which is lively and seductive, a pageant of sexy lingerie, slender legs, whirling costumes, together with outstanding dance technique.

The Louvre

The most recognized symbol of Paris is the Tour Eiffel, but the ultimate traveler's prize is the Louvre. This is one of the world's best art museums - and certainly the largest, with 675,000 square feet of works from almost every civilization on earth. The three most popular pieces here, of course, are the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. Beyond these must-sees, your best bet is to focus on whatever interests you the most - and don't despair about getting lost, for you're bound to stumble on something memorable. Little pointer, always make it there early because the queues are simply murder.

Marche d'Aligre

Feast your eyes on the finest local produce at this fabulous covered food market in Place d’Aligre in the 12th arrondissement. Mountains of cheese, artisan butchers and a field of flower stalls can send you into sensory overload after wandering through just a couple of aisles. Stop for a delicious glass of Bordeaux with some good old fashioned cheese and crusty baguette.

Palais Royal Gardens

Far from the noise and bustle of town, these serene formal gardens and elegant shops tucked away behind the walls of a 17th-century palace are a delightful haven and one of Paris' best-kept secrets. Once a royal residence, the hushed arcades and manicured gardens of the Palais Royal are now home to world-class perfumers, antiquaries and designer boutiques—including Marc Jacobs, Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, and Pierre Hardy-and two of France's most famous glove makers Maison Fabre and Lavabre Cadet.

New York

From Wall Street's skyscrapers to the neon lights of Times Square to Central Park's beautiful paths, New York City pulses with an irrepressible and contagious energy.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

This massive and somewhat fortress-like, white travertine-clad complex contains 23 theaters, as well as the Juilliard School, the New York City Ballet, the Film Center of Lincoln Center, and a branch of the New York Public Library, making this one of the most concentrated places for the performing arts in the United States. The largest hall, the Metropolitan Opera House is notable for its dramatic arched entrance as well as its lobby's immense Swarovski crystal chandeliers and Marc Chagall paintings, both of which are visible from the outside during the day.

Bergdorf Goodman

Now that Barneys — still a stellar place to shop — has become a national mini-chain, Bergdorf's is the sole remaining New York–centric luxe department store. Even if you can't afford a thing, it's still fun to browse and dream. But if you can, rev up your credit card. For the ladies, an all-star roster of couture designers is on hand, from Alexander McQueen to Zac Posen. Short on time? Arrange for a personal shopper to help you out.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria

New Yorkers love to argue about the best pizza, with Di Fara's, John's and Lombardi's being among the primary contenders. We won't settle that score here, but if you have only 24 hours you can't go wrong with Grimaldi's, a coal-fired pizzeria under the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. Not only will you get a memorable pie, but also a phenomenal view of Manhattan from one of the oldest and most picturesque parts of Brooklyn. Not to mention a jukebox filled with classics by Frank Sinatra, who, legend has it, had Grimaldi's pies flown to him in Vegas.

MoMA PS1

MoMA is home to the modern masters. But head to MoMa's cutting-edge kid sister across the East River to see the virtuosos of tomorrow. Located in a refurbished public school, P.S. 1 consistently mounts challenging exhibitions from the world's most provocative artists. Don't miss James Turrell's transcendent installation, Meeting and, in the summer, the always-changing architectural garden, along with, every Saturday, the early evening Warm Up session, which is a free weekly dance party that's become a must-stop on the city's summer nightlife calendar.

Staten Island Ferry

Every day, some 70,000 people ride the ferry to Staten Island, one of the city's outer boroughs, and you should be one of them. Free of charge, you get phenomenal views of the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island during the 25-minute boat ride across New York Harbor.

London

With a wide variety of things to do and places to see in London. You can be sure that every desire, decadent fantasy and passion will be entertained by this incredibly dynamic city. Ranging from a rich and tumultuous history, home to literature and theatre, punks and rock-n-roll, a true exploration of all your senses are in order here.

Churchill War Rooms

Among the most fascinating and evocative of London's historic sites is the perfectly preserved nerve-center from which Prime Minister Winston Churchill directed the British military campaigns and the defense of his homeland throughout World War II. Their Spartan simplicity and cramped conditions underline the desperate position of England as the Nazi grip tightened across Europe. You'll see the tiny cubicle where Churchill slept and the improvised radio studio from which he broadcasted his famous wartime speeches. Simple details, such as Clementine Churchill's knitting wool marking the front lines on a map of Europe, bring the era to life as no museum could possibly.

Chinatown

London’s Chinatown can be found around Gerrard Street, sandwiched between Soho and Leicester Square. With its Chinese lanterns and eye-catching red arches, it is next to impossible to miss this vibrant neighborhood. Filled with authentic Asian restaurants as well as supermarkets and secret bars, there is always something new to explore in Chinatown. For a slice of genuine Asian cuisine, try the HK Diner for delicious roast duck, good service, and big portions. They also serve bubble tea, an Asian trend that has recently swept across the city.

East London street art

The ephemeral nature of street art makes it difficult to say with confidence where you might find specific displays at any given time. However, certain areas of East London – notably Shoreditch – are famous for having particularly impressive graffiti. The side streets around Brick Lane always yield good artwork, as do Middlesex and Sclater streets.

Bond Street

Bond Street connects to Oxford Street and is a popular shopping district in its own right. Bond Street differs to Oxford Street in its selection of stores, with a much greater focus on the exclusive designers. It is one of the most expensive shopping streets in London and is worth visiting for a taste of the indulgent. Doormen stand patiently outside many store entrances. Diamonds glitter in the windows of watchmakers, jewellers, and handbag stores. On this street you will find Tiffany’s, as well as the flagship stores for Cartier and Ralph Lauren.

Science Museum

The highly informative and entertaining Science Museum fills seven floors with interactive exhibits. The Energy Hall highlights the first steam powered locomotives, which date back to the early 19th century, while the third-floor exhibits include old gliders, hot-air balloons and flight simulators.

Milan

If you’re headed to Italy’s capital of chic, the places on the following list are must sees with art to admire and food to devour.

San Siro Stadium

First built in 1925, and expanded for the World Cup in 1990, the San Siro Stadium is home to two of Italy’s most famous football clubs: FC Internazionale and AC Milan. With cheers and boos, crazed fans chant reverberating in the ringed stadium, watching a match at San Siro is an unforgettable thrill. But if that doesn’t prove possible, take a tour of the museum and stadium on a non-match day. The highlight is a peek inside the dressing rooms – revealing the contrasting philosophies (both sporting and political) of each squad.

Salone del Mobile

With more than 350,000 visitors from 160 countries, Salone del Mobile (Furniture fair) every April is the biggest annual event in Milan. Designs from the 1,270 exhibitors at the main Fiera Milano trade fair in Rho (open to the public on weekends) range from the understated to the bizarre. But what makes the event worth coming to are the hundreds of exhibits, cocktail evenings and parties at the Fuori Salone fringe back in town. Most are free and open to all.

10 Corso Como

Ever since it first opened in 1990, in a rambling converted garage, the whimsical fashion and design emporium that is 10 Corso Como – with bookshop, café, restaurant, B&B and gallery – it has become an essential part of call for anyone with the vaguest of interests in the fashion world. Owned by former Vogue Italia editor Carla Sozzani, its interiors feature swirling, organic furnishings and monochrome abstract patterns that add to a magical take on fashion land. Prices aren’t for the faint-hearted – but you may uncover the occasionally affordable notebook or accessory: snag that, if only to get hold of one of the shop’s beautifully designed paper bags.

Rectangle of Gold

Purveying hot-off-the-catwalk clothes by the likes of Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Versace, it isn’t surprising that Milan’s upscale fashion shopping district is known as the Quadrilatero della Moda – the Rectangle of Gold. The merchandise in most of the stores is definitely not for those on a budget, although you can always snoop around at the DMagazine Outlet, a discount fashion shop on via Manzoni, or simply enjoy a spot of window shopping, whilst clocking the well-dressed fauna that adorn these style-conscious streets.

Basara

Making a name for yourself in Milan's sophisticated sushi scene isn't easy, but chef Hiro's lobster maki roll sings a siren song that packs this place for two sittings every evening. The raw-fish plates are superb, particularly the pretty block of red Sicilian shrimps served on a black slate slab with a sprinkle of sea salt.