It's not necessarily that visit to the Eiffel Tower or a camel ride among the Pyramids that makes for a successful and memorable trip, although these certainly have their place. Instead, it's often someone's suggestion that we stop for lunch at their favorite bistro tucked away on a Parisian side street, or visit their cousin Mohammed's souk for some strong tea and a bit of spirited haggling.

And so, we decided to get some of these inside travel tips and secrets directly from the horse's mouth, so to speak, by going to the concierges and other on-site staff at our partner hotels and resorts in The Hideaways Collection®. Little did we realize what an overwhelming response and what great tips we would get! We heard from so many crackerjack concierges who shared their favorite restaurants, best shopping spots, and little-known beaches that we could have filled a book—much more than these pages, that's for sure!

Because of that response, this is just our first installment of "Cool Concierge Tips," with several more to come in successive issues of Hideaways Life. Here, we're taking you to Europe—excluding Italy, which proved worthy of its own segment—for an inside look at what places the locals love to frequent and hang out in, so you'll enjoy a more authentic, off-the-beaten-track visit. Of course, we've been to most of these destinations ourselves and can offer our own insight, so be sure to give us a call (800-843-4433) when you're ready to book.