Arriving in Berlin, the first thing you'll notice is how cool it is. And, no, we're not talking about the temperature, though that may be the case too, depending upon when you go. Rather, we're talking about this central European capital's vibe. Just being there, wandering the old streets between houses once belonging to European elite, hobnobbing in funky bars and quirky cafés with well-heeled Berliners, exploring art museums and vintage boutiques, and stumbling onto outdoor concerts will make you feel that much cooler.

Before you go, it's easy to forget that just twenty-one years ago, most of Berlin was still part of East Germany and, thus, the former Soviet Bloc. Indeed, you may even be surprised at how little of Berlin belonged to West Germany; pretty much all the happening areas in central Berlin now lie in parts of the city once (still?) filled with concrete, Stalinist architecture. That's part of what makes Berlin so fascinating. You think you're going to just another picturesque Western European city only to arrive and find a city still adjusting out of Eastern European Communism....

Preferred mode of travel: I love a train. I can read on a train with little to zero nausea, depending on the source material (ahem, ladies' magazines!), and if I'm particularly bored, I can pretend I'm in an Agatha Christie novel and there's been a MURDER!

Nervous flyer? Yes!

Any techniques for improving our flight experiences: The Klonopin Technique. It's never failed me. 

Favorite short jaunt: Montauk...

We've rounded up our favorite travel deals this week, picked especially for discerning New Yorkers, including everything from a discount on a JOW-recommended spa, to a last-minute cozy cabin getaway for Labor Day.

Our favorite find? An apartment swap in Buenos Aires this fall. Give up your Manhattan lifestyle and head to Argentina for an adventure in the trendy Palermo Soho neighborhood.

Click on through to find out how to book this deal plus details on all our others, or keep reading for an overview of all our specials this week.

And remember: Unless otherwise noted, all flights listed are nonstop, roundtrip, and include all taxes and fees.

Happy jaunting!

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