A-Frame (http://aframesurf.com/) will get you all set up with you whatever gear you need and offers both private and group lessons. Rob, Aja, and Erik are all very patient pros and great teachers! More

Try Tino's, which is tucked away in the hills overlooking the city. Great views, great tacos. More

It surprised me when I went to Venice to learn that there are actually officers enforcing proper decorum. Stay on these guys' good side or risk paying a fine. One way to avoid that is being appropriately dressed in the city center. Don't dress like you're at a beach. More

Grandmother's Cafe is a delectable little spot for lunch and has great sandwiches! More

Amsterdam is awash with historic architecture. You can see one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam-the Houten Huis, which was built in 1420. The oldest remaining building in Amsterdam is the Oude Kerke, or Old Church. This building dates back to 1346. The Rijksmuseum Museum is also a must-see. More

The Buffalo Club is dive bar in the best sense of the word, and was the staple of many a spring break during my years at university. Great crowd, lots of drink specials, and some very hot bartenders. More

Taipei is a vibrant and active city with a very young energy. You can find a lot to do anytime of the day or night. I would recommend trying one of the many night markets there. The Danshui night market is an especially good one because it not only has a wide variety of wares, it is located right on the river. You can also check out Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taipei - there at 101 floors. More

This year, they are hosting the International Short Film Festival (http://www.clermont-filmfest.com/index.php?nlang=2) from January 27, 2012 to February 4, 2012. More

For my money, Hermosa Beach is the best beach in the LA area, but it really depends on what you are looking for. Hermosa is a "beachy beach" -- you can swim, surf, play volleyball, roller skate on the strand, gawk at beautiful people. There are no tourist attractions other than restaurants and some shopping, so bring a swim suit, a towel and sunblock and prepare to hang out for a few hours.

To get there from LAX, go to the LAX City Bus Center and take the "Redondo Beach/Riviera Village" bus from Bay 6 to 11th Street and Hermosa Ave in Hermosa Beach (use the trip planner at http://www.metro.net/). Walk back North a couple of blocks to Pier Avenue, turn left and you will hit the beach in 1 block. More

My favorite place to eat in Ann Arbor is Zingerman's Delicatessen near the Kerrytown District. It has a menu of 100's of sandwiches and you are free to build your own. All the ingredients are either made on the premises, shipped in fresh from local suppliers or procured from the finest deli suppliers around the world. The classic Rueben is the best I have had anywhere. More

I've heard that Salty's Seafood Grills is pretty good. More

Jeffrey's Hamburgers is my favorite place to eat in Menlo Park. They have a huge menu, so everybody, even picky kids, will be satisfied. More

Purple Gables Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful little house I stayed in during my own visit to Amherst. The room was spacious, breakfast is absolutely amazing, and the house is just a short walk to the Amherst Commons. I highly recommend it, but you'll want to book well in advance, if you can. More

Oh man, take her on a hot air balloon ride! With beautiful views of the city and the Yarra River at sunrise, it's sure to be a moment you'll never forget. And the champagne afterwards is included in the price! More

La Suite! Each "suite" is a different color and mood: purple is British, blue is masculine, and black? Moody and romantic with 180 degree views of the bay. The green room is quite lovely too. It's near Near Joatinga Beach and in an exclusive residential neighborhood. Small and intimate for a romantic vacation. More

Actually, yes you can! It's exactly where J.K. Rowling said it would be... at London's King's Cross train station in between platforms 9 and 10. Be sure to stop for a photo-op! If your Potter-mania isn't fulfilled there, London actually offers several Harry Potter tours, so you can see Platform 9 3/4 PLUS lots of other shooting locations, like The Ministry of Magic and Diagon Alley. More

Soi 38 Night Market in Sukhumvit is a great place for foodie, with a wide variety of thai and chinese food to choose from, including of course the infamous fried creepy- crawlies Bangkok is famous for. More