When Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008, the fashion world mourned. Now many devotees make the journey to the Pierre Bergé - YSL Foundation in memory of the late genius of haute couture. The foundation is located in the designer’s old atelier. When it shut upon his retirement in 2002, Yves Saint Laurent, together with his business and romantic partner Pierre Bergé, decided to convert it into a foundation-museum dedicated to his life, work and the way he revolutionized the way women dress. More than 5,000 pieces of apparel are stored here, many of which have been donated from his long-standing clients, such as the French acting legend Catherine Deneuve and Loulou de la Falaise, his long-time muse. They are kept on the upper floors in museum-like conditions which involves careful monitoring of hygrometric (or atmospheric humidity) levels and acid-resistant archive containers; all designed to keep these artifacts of high fashion for prosperity. The pieces are rotated twice yearly, and other objects on display include numerous sketches, videos of his shows, press clippings and books. There are also collections of photographs and paintings that were inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s collections, which were themselves often influenced by traditional forms ...

Not far from Centraal Station, on the Eastern Dock and in the area of Nieuwe Zijde is Amsterdam's NEMO museum - no, not a museum dedicated to a little clown fish (!) but a very interesting place to learn about science and technology. Most of the displays deal with scientific topics like energy, medicine and communication, and there is even an educational display on money. We can guarantee your kids will love it. Fun games include playing Sherlock Holmes and finding the murderer through DNA comparisons, the workings of a giant robot, a water exhibit showing how water in Amsterdam is purified... and more! All the displays are explained both in English and in Dutch. As for us big people make the effort to climb the stairs or ramp to the top. There are some marvelous views of the buildings and canals of Amsterdam from the deck of NEMO. There is usually no charge to visit the rooftop, but in the summertime the deck becomes a "beach" so there is a cost then. NEMO's website: http://www.e-nemo.nl/ Because the walk from the station to the museum is not well sign posted we include here the Google map of the location. View Larger Map Photo Credit: ...

Did you that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived 2 years in Rome between 1786 and 1788? The German poet wrote a book about his experiences during that time; the book is called "Italienische Reise" (Italian Journey). After a visit to the Pantheon and St Peters he writes "The Pantheon, so great within and without, has overwhelmed me with admiration. St Peter's has made me realize that Art, like Nature, can abolish all standards of measurement." The apartment where Goethe used to live on Via del Corso, in the Spanish Steps area, is today a lesser known museum in Rome dedicated to his Italian journey. La Casa di Goethe is well worth a visit - it contains Goethe's sketches, precious first editions of Goethe's books and Andy Warhol's Goethe portrait (1982). Casa di Goethe Via del Corso, 18, 00186 Rome (map location) Daily from 10.00-18.00. Admission until 17.30. Closed on Mondays. A statue of the poet can be found in the Villa Borghese. It was given to the city by the German emperor William II to symbolise the deep bonds between Rome and Germany. Recommended Rome Tour: Rome Angels & Demons Half-Day Tour Holiday Velvet specializes in Rome vacation rentals and Spanish Steps apartments.