Cycling is an excellent way to explore a city, and who said it had to be nice weather to do it? This photo taken on a foggy day in Bruges, Belgium, shows just what is required in order to take on a city in inclement weather. The cyclists are probably locals, but maybe it's some inspiration for an intrepid traveler ready to commit to touring on two wheels?

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[Photo credit: celeste_redhead]

We love music here at Gadling, and this month is Public Radio Music Month, which is why we're teaming up with NPR to bring you exclusive interviews from NPR music specialists around the country. We'll be learning about local music culture and up and coming new regional artists, so be sure to follow along all month.

Name: Andrea Swensson

Member station: 89.3 The Current

Regular Show/Contribution Beat: Music Reporter

When people think of music in the Twin Cities, what do they think of?

The first thing that seems to come to mind for most people is either Prince or the underground punk scene of the '80s, which spawned the Replacements, Hüsker Dü and Soul Asylum. In more recent years our hip hop community – led by Rhymesayers artists like Atmosphere and Brother Ali and independent crew Doomtree – has become world-renowned, and we have big variety of other genres of artists finding success, from bluegrass to electro-pop to jazz. In general, people think of the Twin Cities with a vibrant, collaborative and supportive place to make music. We like to joke that we are living in the Land of 10,000 Bands.

Design geeks and French lovers beware: this video was made for you.

Using some of Paris' most iconic neighborhoods and coming up with simple visual representations of them, the video was made as a holiday greeting card by global design agency Havas Worldwide.

My favorite is Canal St Martin, an area most tourists recognize from the "Amélie" stone-skipping scene and nowadays with the collection of bars, cafes and small boutiques, the preferred destination of Parisian hipsters. It's ingeniously represented by a bridge in the shape of a mustache.



[Via: Huh Magazine]

Cuba off limits? No way.

Forget travel restrictions... if you're Beyonce that is.

For their fifth wedding anniversary, Beyonce and Jay-Z picked Havana as the spot to celebrate their marital bliss, and were granted the right to go by the United States Treasury Department.

Although the Obama administration has eased restrictions on travel to Cuba, most Americans have to jump through lots of bureaucratic hoops to receive permission to get there.

What happens when a famous person gets to do what most of the rest of us don't? It causes a bit of a media storm. Beyonce was referred to as a tool of "Castro propaganda" and the trip was highly criticized. Maybe the Obama administration was chalking it up to "cultural exchange"?

Wherever you stand on the Cuba issue, the Beyonce/Jay-Z effect has done one thing: bring U.S.-Cuba relations front and center in traditional media. If TMZ is talking about it, it must be important.

[Photo credit: JMParonne]

There's something about the design of subway maps, and not just for plotting metro lines across cities.

For those looking to master French wine regions, look no further. Combining the simplicity of the Paris metro map and the complexity of France's numerous wine regions, De Long Wine has made a map that makes all of the French wine regions seem as close as a short metro ride.

Of course, if you want to visit all of them, you'll have to do a little more planning than that, but it's a fun way of learning about where all of the French wines come from. And that there's more to le vin français than just Bordeaux.

Frame the 18x24 print, hang it on your wall and start planning your next French wine adventure.

[Via: The Paris Kitchen]

You may think you're addicted to Nutella, but would you commit a crime to get some?

This week in central Germany a group of thieves made off with over $20,000 of Nutella. How much is $20,710 of chocolate hazelnut spread? It's the equivalent of about 5.5 tons. Enough to make at least 11,000 Nutella baguette sandwiches. The Nutella was stolen from a parked trailer, begging the question: what was a trailer doing with 5.5 tons of chocolate spread?

Nutella pirates either know that they can sell the stuff on the black market - the spread is addictive as you know - or they'll just be content to have a good stock on hand for when they invite their friends over for crepe night.

Either way, you can go ahead and add that to the list of odd global heists.

[Photo credit: Allison.hare]

Beyond travel, we're also big music fans here at Gadling, largely because music is a great way to get to know a place. This month happens to be Public Radio Music Month and we're teaming up with NPR to bring you exclusive interviews from NPR music specialists around the country. We'll be learning about local music culture and up and coming new regional artists, so be sure to follow along all month.

Name: Jeremy Petersen

Member station/Regular show: OPB Music (from Oregon Public Broadcasting)
Producer/Blogger Host – "In House," weekdays 2-5 p.m. PT

When people think of music in Portland, what do they think of?

It's not really much of a secret - Portland is particularly noted for being a kind of indie mecca. It's not exclusively the flavor, but the earnestly literate and melodic likes of Elliott Smith, The Decemberists and more recent transplants The Shins are some of the more recognizable names that have set the tone for many who have come after. The Rose City is also home to a number of indie labels that fortify the scene, homegrown and otherwise: Kill Rock Stars, Tender Loving Empire, Hometapes, Hush, amigo/amiga, Greyday, Badman, Dirtnap, Magic Marker, Fluff & Gravy and Marriage are but a few of those worth exploring.

When you are in a new place, sometimes it's the most common things that are the most striking. Think about going to the food court at the mall. At home, that's a mundane task, certainly not on the list of anyone with a passion for food or experiencing new cultures. But on the search for mall food in another country? Now that's an adventure.

Instagram user atiriarte shows us Japanese mall food in this Instagram photo. Mall food at home might not have much going for it, but the tray in this photo certainly isn't another meal at Orange Julius. Much more appetizing, for sure, and a look into the world of Japanese food.

Want your own photo featured on Photo of the Day? Submit it via the Gadling Flickr Pool or on Instagram by mentioning @gadlingtravel and tagging #gadling.

[Photo credit: atiriarte]

Most people that go to Sweden for their first time head to Stockholm, a beautiful city that is well worth a visit. But just outside of Stockholm you will find another Scandinavian gem: Uppsala. It's a university town, and founded in 1477, the university is the oldest in Scandinavia. The fourth largest city in Sweden, Uppsala has managed to keep its quaint feel, the center a mixture of cobblestone streets, old architecture, and local residents on bicycles.

For me, Uppsala is a combination of cozy cafes and brightly colored houses. Although it is big in population, the city center feels small and welcoming, and because it's a university town there's plenty to do.

You could spend several days in Uppsala, but if you have the time for a day trip or two from Stockholm, here are a few things that I never miss when I am there. And although traveling to Sweden isn't necessarily "budget travel" (you can blame that on the exchange rate) these things are all reasonably priced and/or free.

What to see

Domkyrkan - Uppsala Cathedral

You can't go to Uppsala without visiting the cathedral. It dates back to the 13th century, and in the middle of town, its spires stand high above the rooftops - it's no surprise that it's the tallest church building in Scandinavia. It is an active cathedral, with not only the traditional mass, but also presentations and concerts. Every Saturday there is a free concert offered in the afternoon - well worth a visit. Domkyrkoplan, www.uppsaladomkyrka.se

Botaniskaträdgården - Botanical Gardens

The oldest botanical garden in Sweden, Botaniska Trädgården was founded in 1655 and was originally used for teaching students about botany and pharmacy. Today the gardens extend over 34 acres with some 11,000 species from all over the world. The original garden is today called Linneträdgården, Linnaeus' Garden. Here you will find a museum and a cafe. Entrance to the Botanical Gardens is free (except for the tropical greenhouse which is 40 SEK) and entrance to Linnaeus' Garden is 60 SEK. www.botan.uu.se

Gamla Uppsala - Old Uppsala

Take a bus out to Gamla Uppsala (Old Uppsala) for a feel of ancient Viking times. Just outside of central Uppsala, Gamla Uppsala is a historical site that has. During the Iron Age, this site was home to an established society as well as a place with religious importance. Gamla Uppsala's main draw are its great Royal Mounds, three large mounds that stick out of the ground and are covered in grass. There was much speculation as to their significance, but in 1846 an archeological dig showed that it was in fact a burial ground. The identities of the people buried inside are unknown, but they were certainly people of importance. At the local Gamla Uppsala Museum you can learn more about the history of the area and the Royal Mounds (entry fee is 60 SEK). The site is perfect if you want an outdoor getaway; there is a nice selection of trails making for a good walk or run, perfectly free of charge. After a walk, grab lunch or coffee at Cafe Odinsborg.



Godsmagasinet

In between the train station and the concert hall, Godsmagasinet is a design and craft gallery, featuring local artists. There are textiles, ceramics, jewelry and clothing, and if you are interested in Swedish design, this should be the first stop on your list. Explore the gallery and then grab a cup of coffee and an open faced sandwich in the cafe that's located in the building. Rosalgsgatan 1, www.godsmagasinet.nu



Ulvakvarn

Just outside of Gamla Uppsala you will find Ulva Kvarn, Kvarn means "mill" in English, and sitting right on the Fyris River, Ulva Kvarn was in use as a watermill from the early 1300s all the way until 1960. Today you can visit the old mill house, built in 1759, but there is also an entire collection of local artisan studios on site, making and selling traditional Swedish goods from blacksmiths to jewelry makers. There is also a good cafe on site, so it makes for a perfect day trip from Uppsala to go and explore the countryside. Ulva Kvarn, www.ulvakvarn.com

Where to eat

There is nothing more Swedish than coffee and a baked good. Here are some of my favorite cozy cafes around the city.



Cafe Kardemumma

Located inside Uppsala's library, Kardemumma is a quiet cafe in the middle of town. It has a quaint outdoor courtyard that's very enjoyable in the summertime. They bake their own bread, and source much of their ingredients for sandwiches and salads locally. Try one of their chokladbollar. Svartbäcksgatan 17.



Cafe Linne Hörnan

An old fashioned styled cafe, Cafe Linne Hörnan is like stepping into a Swedish cafes from several decades ago. They serve breakfast, lunch and the traditional Swedish coffee break, fika, which means you can choose from a wide array of baked goods and classic Swedish cakes. Svartbäcksgatan 22, www.cafelinne.com

Ofvandals Hovkonditori

My mother ate here when she was a student at Uppsala University, and the decor and menu have barely changed. This bakery and cafe is an iconic Uppsala destination - it has been there since the late 1800s - and if you want a taste of traditional Swedish cakes, this is the place to go. Sysslomansgatan 5, www.ofvandahls.se

Getting there

Getting to Uppsala from Stockholm takes 55 minutes on the train, just enough time to enjoy the scenery and drink a cup of coffee. Because it's a common commuter line, there are frequent departures and tickets can be purchased at the Stockholm central station. A one-way ticket costs between 80-100 SEK (about $12-15).

Gallery: Exploring Uppsala, Sweden

[Photo Credit: Anna Brones]

An adventure guide to Paris? Yes.

At first glance, Paris probably isn't the go-to city for outdoor enthusiasts. Metros, brasseries and the Champs Elysées don't really make the top of the list of an adventurer's itinerary. But being the diverse and ever-changing big city that it is, there are plenty of opportunities for those travelers that like to blend their urban tours with a little bit of adventure. There are parks to explore, bike paths to navigate and even a beach to walk on barefoot in the summertime. If you thought Paris was only for the urbanite, think again.

The other benefit to exploring the City of Light through the adventure lens is that in a city that's known for being fairly expensive, Paris' outdoor options are actually all very budget friendly, meaning that you end up with a city visit that's both fun and also easy on the wallet.

Ready to explore a Paris that goes beyond croissants and red wine? Allons-y!