Winning tip: Invisible Paris

This blog helps visitors understand Paris as it appears to residents, with fascinating insights into the parts of the city that don't make it into the traditional list of sights. It's full of virtually unknown places, Parisian people, stories and, above all, evokes the atmosphere of the city. There are also suggestions for each weekend and a collection of excellent walks on unusual themes.

parisisinvisible.blogspot.com

CarolineLD

Vingt Paris Magazine

There's a real buzz about this city blog. A team of knowledgeable writers review a superb left-field, less mainstream, unpredictable selection of music, art, literature, theatre and dance events – and the occasional picnic too. Each event I've found through the blog has given me that great but rare feeling about Paris: "This is the right place to be. This is where I should be right now."

vingtparismagazine.com

pdroberts27

My Little Paris

A blog available in both English and French giving recommendations on shops, restaurants and events in Paris. It's nicely presented and easy to navigate. There's also the option to receive a weekly e-mail. When I moved to Paris and it was a great way to visit and explore places that normally would have not come to my attention.

mylittleparis.com

Inigo4

PatternLondon

PatternLondon is written by Lucy Elder, a Londoner who appreciates the world of patterns that exists within the city she clearly loves. It flits across the patterns that decorate a multitude of subject matter, including art, architecture, textiles and design. Elder's own photography is combined with well-chosen images of ephemera – patterns in their loosest sense that adorn London. Each post involves a specific location, plotted on a Google map. It is a new blog, but already the amount of well-referenced tone of voice entices the viewer to leave the blog, walk outside and explore London themselves with fresh eyes.

patternlondon.com

PainterlyP

London Stories

A blog written by an American living in London for five months. It gives insight into England that only an outsider can provide, including wry comments on his son's adventures at an urban school, which is very different from his private Catholic one back in Texas.

londonstories-franz.blogspot.com

smorrison78704

Disappearing Budapest

A fantastic and detailed blog for those visitors (and even locals) who want to discover the capital city beyond the usual guidebook information. This guide is written by a travel writer who obviously adores Budapest, speaks Hungarian and has spent more than 20 years researching what he calls "sadly fast-disappearing features of Budapest – a city of neon signs, presszó bars, secret cemeteries, steamy Turkish baths, faded coffee houses, hidden water reservoirs, changing far too swiftly into yet another homogenous mall-packed European metropolis".

disappearingbudapest.blogspot.com

LucyRM

Taste for Bologna

A great foodie blog by two people who love eating: where to eat "Italy's best regional cuisine" when you are in Bologna, and how to cook the food when you get home. The blog has a real insiders' feel and the writers clearly know their onions – and probably which region they were grown in, too. And all with luscious photos.

tasteforbologna.blogspot.com

participons

Paul's Travel Pics (Tokyo)

Some of the photos on this blog make your mouth water. What's more, the information is incredibly detailed and the guy is really helpful whenever anyone posts a question. The same applies to other parts of his blog, which also covers west-central Japan as well as Italy, central Europe and Canada.

paulstravelpics.blogspot.com

Hannahah

Gringo Rio

Partly a blog, mostly a comprehensive information site about Rio de Janeiro and the area around. Yes, the word "gringo" conjures up certain negative images – until you get to Brazil and realise all foreigners are referred to as gringo, in a purely friendly way. It's jammed full of great tips you won't find in any guidebooks and gives an enticing and realistic picture of Rio. I met Hakan, the author, at the hostel I stayed at and he was an absolute gem.

gringo-rio.com

Joyfest

What's Up Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city you'll really want to get under the skin of and this excellent blog – covering music, art, film, going out and more – is a great start. Plus it's in English so there's no problem if your Spanish isn't up to much.

whatsupbuenosaires.com

electricsquirrel

Angry Angmo (Singapore)

This is a blog about life in Singapore city written from the perspective of a German expat. It covers all the best places to eat, go out, etc, while also highlighting the chaotic cultural influences which make Singapore a unique melting pot.

angryangmo.com

NewlyNorthern