Looking for cool music in Manhattan? You're in the wrong place: the Brooklyn scene is booming. David Peschekcrosses the bridge to find a free-wheeling community of artists
Get some early practice for your first day on skis. Watch Tanya Goldmaster lesson one - the art of staying upright. Tomorrow read our guide to 100 learning holidays in Guardian Travel
Think you've seen it all before in the Big Apple? Step away from the Big Name stores and rediscover a city full of one-off surprises, says David Vincent
You don't have to wait until the New Year to make your resolutions. Start planning now with these ideas - there's no excuse not to learn something new in 2008 and have a holiday while you're at it
By visiting a bear sanctuary in Romania or exploring coral reefs in Honduras you can turn your vacation into a learning experience and do something positive for the wildlife at the same time
