Québec City is celebrating its 400th anniversary (though we don’t think it looks a day over 250). The city has aged perfectly, blending modern conveniences with historical charm, making it the ideal destination for a little summer getaway.

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The former headquarters for the National Bank, Hotel 71 is a sophisticated, hip boutique hotel located in the Old Port. Be sure to book one of its cool minimalist rooms offering eye-popping views of the St-Lawrence River. 71 Saint-Pierre, 418-692-1171, www.hotel71.ca

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The St-Roch district's Hugo Boss boutique, laid out over two gleaming floors, is the only store in the country to carry the entire men’s and women’s lines. 505 Saint-Joseph East, 418-522-4444, www.hugoboss.com

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Work up a healthy appetite before you sit down for an evening meal at L’Utopie. The best way to enjoy the imaginative cuisine and standout wine selection is to opt for the tasting menu ($130/person). The eight-course service is culinary perfection. 226 ½ Saint-Joseph East, 418-523-7878, www.restaurant-utopie.com

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The winding streets of Old Quebec are one way to bask in the city’s European charm, but you can also get an eyeful at the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec. Its summer exhibit, The Louvre a Québec, features pieces borrowed from eight different sections of the Paris museum. Parc des Champs-de-Bataille, (418) 643-2150, www.mnba.qc.ca

It’s your pal’s birthday and she already has it all. What’s a BFF to do?

You can’t go wrong with functional-but-fabulous goodies. Head 2 Toe carries practical gifts you won’t find anywhere else in the city: Miss Oops Rescue Sponges ($15) for removing deodorant marks, one-time-use Nundies “pantyless panties” ($20), and the portable Little Hooker for keeping purses off dirty floors ($15-$25).

This off-the-beaten-path boutique also carries exclusive lines of nickel-free jewelry from Claudia Accessories, Mariana of Israel, Tula and Robin Steele. Worried your friend might already have it? Owner Elyssa Caron keeps meticulous records of who bought what so you’ll never be outdone.

Head 2 Toe Accessories, 2360 Lucerne Rd., Suite 1-D, T.M.R., 514-344-4936, www.shophead2toe.com

Known as La Ville Rose for its pink-hued buildings, the southern French city of Toulouse has far more to offer than just sausages.

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You’ll find only the best Euro designers at chic boutique Hall 2. Covet the cotton shift dresses from cult label Les Prairies de Paris, the Golden Goose chemises, and its original selection of lovely chausseurs including a darling pair of black patent leather Mary Janes with grey suede heels by Avril Gau. Sometimes credit limits are there to be tested. Hall 2, 32, rue des Marchands, Toulouse, +33 5 61 52 92 04.

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We have a bit of a thing for foreign pharmacies and Toulouse has some of the quaintest in France. Pay a visit to Pharmacy Ozenne (circa 1775) because there‘s nothing quite like buying shampoo in a neo-medieval building. Pharmacie Ozenne, 3, rue Ozenne, Toulouse, +33 5 61 52 70 51.

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Built in the 1850s, Le clos des potiers is an elegant boutique hotel with its own private garden. We loved the Philippe Starck ghost chairs set amongst the French antiques and hardwood floors. Be sure to ask for a Junior Suite overlooking the historical centre. Rooms from €100, rue Potiers, Toulouse, +33 5 61 47 15 15, www.hotel-closdespotiers.com

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Sweet or savory, Toulousains adore their tartines. Stop for lunch at L’Autre Salon de Thé in the quartier Saint-Georges. With 64 blends of tea and dozens of cakes, you may want to skip the savory and go straight for dessert. Try a bite of its famous Banofi cake sinfully made from banana, toffee, double cream, vanilla and chocolate (€3.50). L’Autre Salon de Thé, 45, rue Tourneurs, Toulouse, +33 5 61 22 11 63.

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This city is best explored by bike and there are 2400 available for rent at various VélôToulouse sites around town. Be sure to peddle along the banks of the Garonne River and across the lovely arched Pont-Neuf. €2/per rental plus €1/hour.

Who doesn’t love a two-for-one? At Hanneman Design Boutique/Eco Darling you get the services and products of two hip young ladies under one roof.

Sarah Hanneman, who studied upholstery, can help lovingly restore a faded piece of furniture to newfound glory and Eco Darling’s Elayna Wallace provides consultations on how to make your home more green… and gorgeous.

Upcycled items include refurbished Russian-crystal chandeliers (restrung and redesigned), handmade throw pillows and patchwork tea cozies. Hanneman is also putting the finishing touches on a purse modeled after a doctor's bag—its wire frame and sturdy flat base possibly the perfect antidote to bottomless bag syndrome.

69 Villeneuve Ouest, 514-807-7906, www.hannemandesign.com

If vintage shopping brings to mind worrisome stains and missing sashes, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Mémento, which draws shoppers from as far away as New York.

The family-run business cleverly purchased a massive amount of stock from a theatre costume warehouse that was used sparingly on set or stage.

Now the store is again a treasure trove for moviemakers (the crew for I’m Not There picked up some gems to reincarnate Bob Dylan over the decades).

Not only is the collection refreshed often, it’s meticulously curated, colour coded and labelled by decade.

Our pick? A Holt Renfrew Blin & Blin black wool bolero (made in France) from the 70s, or an original Aquascutum polka-dotted rain trench crafted in England.

3678 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, 514-843-8391.

We do our best to buy eco-friendly, but sometimes the lack of high-quality goods out there is frustrating.

We were thrilled to stumble upon upscale shopping site, Zia & Tia. Founded by husband-and-wife team Julie Jonas and Danny Roberge, it has over 400 luxurious, fair trade and eco-friendly products including vintage recycled chandeliers (from $225), hand-knit baby clothes made from 100% organic Merino wool (from $32), and 320 thread count duvet covers printed with water-based dyes ($345).

We also love that a tree is planted for every purchase made on the site and a part of all proceeds go to Half The Sky, which helps enrich the lives of orphaned children in China. Now that’s friendly.

Zia & Tia, 514-783-9995, www.ziaandtia.com

The next time you’re hopping across the pond, escape the bustle of London with a day or two in the countryside. Thirty miles west of London, Marlow in Buckinghamshire has the twee charm of an old English village with glorious big city shopping.

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Built in the 17th century, The Compleat Angler hotel has played host to such fashionistas-of-their-day as Noel Coward, Tallulah Bankhead and Nancy Mitford. Book yourself an Executive Four Posters room with private balcony overlooking the River Thames (Rooms from £170).

The Compleat Angler, Marlow Bridge, Marlow, +44 870 400 8100, www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleatangler

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Ask the hotel to charter you an Edwardian yacht with its own skipper. Enjoy a picnic lunch with champagne and strawberries as you quietly cruise along the river (from £85/hr). Follow it up with a Pimm’s cocktail in the hotel’s picturesque garden.

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Fall head-over heels in love along Marlow’s chic high street. Panache had us at hello with a sassy selection that included Lulu Guinness silver lizard print flats, Jaime Mascaro turquoise suede sling-backs, and white naughty-nurse heels by Chie Mihara. Further along, we went gaga over a ruched leather Lupo Abanico bag at Menzana. Sigh…

Panache of Marlow, 21 West St. Marlow, +44 1628 483134, www.panacheshoes.co.uk
Manzana, 18B Spittal St., Marlow, +44 1628 485415.

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Enjoy a spot of cream tea at quaint confectioners Burgers of Marlow. This old-fashioned tearoom serves up pots of Yorkshire brew with handmade scones, preserves and clotted cream (£3.95). On your way out, pick up a box of their fine chocolates and some bread for the ducks at nearby Higginson Park.

Burgers of Marlow, The Causeway, Marlow, +44 1628 483389, www.burgersofmarlow.co.uk

Hourly trains from London’s Paddington Station (£11 return), www.nationalrail.co.uk

A silver charm bracelet from Tiffany is lovely, but when everyone else is wearing the same, one starts to feel lost in the crowd.

You’ll never be bland sporting jewellery from Tilly Dóro. Inspired by her grandmother, designer Nogah Rotstein’s necklaces and earrings are made from treasures she’s collected at estate sales and antique shows.

Each piece is an elegant mix of old and new: vintage pearl earrings with 80's pink plastic chains or sea shells and vintage brooches reborn into long and layered pendants ($40 - $100).

Rotstein describes her line as “funky girlie," we call it simply gorgeous.

Available at Glam Salon Boutique, 364 St. Paul St. W., Montreal, 514-499-0601 and General 54, 54 St. Viateur St. W., Montreal, 514-271-2129.

www.tillydoro.com

Why wait for spring? We like Paris anytime.

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For an affordable room steps from the Seine, we suggest Hotel Esmerelda. A listed monument, this 17th-century building is a little lopsided but oozes charm. Unfortunately there is no elevator, but the higher you go the better the views of the Notre Dame. From CDN$140/night, 4 rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre, 5th, metro St-Michel +33 1 4354 1920.

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Romantic, ethereal and edgy, Moon Younghee is one of our favourite designers working in Paris. She only makes one of each piece and the shop is next to the atelier so you can pop next door to try on your clothes and see the patterns being cut. 62, Rue Charlot, +33 1 48 04 39 78.

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For the most decadent patisserie in Paris head to Ladurée. The orange flower macaroons coupled with thé Marie Antoinette (a blend of citrus, rose and jasmine) is hard to resist. www.laduree.fr

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Rising above the rooflines of the royal palace, Sainte Chapelle is one of the most exquisite churches in the world. On a sunny day, the colours of the floor-to-ceiling stained glass will take your breath away. http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/en/