Al Mascaron

A perennial favourite with those 'in the know', Al Mascaron comes into its own during those cold, foggy days. A mouth-watering array of cicchetti snacks line the entrance bar, and the selection of wines and warming winter tonics will satisfy even the pickiest of drinkers. The cosy atmosphere and profusion of steaming locals ensures the temperature is never less than warm, and booking is necessary should you want to sit down for your dinner.

Landscape

Known in Czech as 'Krajina', this new film takes on a topic dear to Czech hearts: the rolling hills, beech stands and valleys of Bohemia. Far from a road movie, however, the landscape in this case is the world of an ancient and seemingly untouched Slovak village during the changes of the 20th-century. While the world reels from war to communism village life goes on as it always has, scarcely aware of the shifting winds. Director Martin Sulik wrings some enchanting performances from some out-of-nowhere Slovak actors like Ivan Gontiko andJana Segesova. In Czech and Slovak with English subtitles.

Navy Pier Ice Skating Rink

With the Chicago skyline and Navy Pier's landmark 25-story-high Ferris wheel as backdrops, ice skaters perform graceful figure eights as others stumble inelegantly. Weather permitting, this free outdoor ice skating rink is open throughout the winter season. A warming hut and skate rental are available on-site. Skate rentals are $3.50 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Many skaters also take advantage of the Pier's many indoor attractions, include the IMAX Theatre, Chicago Children's Museum and a wide range of restaurants and watering holes.

Internet Café Plus

Prague's hippest and cosiest internet café has opened in a space adjoining Bohemia Bagel, long respected as an expat beachhead into the territory of heavy, meaty Czech cuisine. Grab an onion bagel with cream cheese, an arabica coffee - the blend is supplied by local coffee empire Ebel - and log on at one of 20 high-speed PCs. All at a mere 1 Kc per minute. The leather sofas in back are best for composing long missives, while the bank of terminals out front afford views onto busy Ujezd street, good for tracking new arrivals.

Prague Symphony Orchestra

This Easter concert is also the monthly installment of the much-loved Early Music Series of the city's top orchestral ensemble. With atmosphere to burn, the venue is a deconsecrated Old Town church whose pillaging over the centuries has been somewhat compensated for by trompe-l'oeil Baroque frescos throughout. The Kuhn Choir conducts a Mozart arrangement of Handel's 'Messiah'. Some outstanding soloists are onboard, so there aren't any bad seats in the nave.

Modern and Contemporary Galleries Reopen

Following seven months of comprehensive renovations, the Philadelphia Museum of Art reopens its Galleries of Modern and Contemporary Art. One of the foremost public collections to embrace Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art and minimalism, the galleries are home to Marcel Duchamp's paintings on glass and an unparalleled sculpture by Constantin Brancusi, as well as provocative work by American modernists, including Marsden Hartley, Georgia O'Keefe and Charles Sheeler.

Brian Boitano Holiday Skating Spectacular

Join Olympic gold medallist Brian Boitano and a significant selection of other professional ice skaters for this one-night only holiday-themed skating show on the Las Vegas Strip. Celebrating a most traditional time of the year in a most non-traditional city, this year's ice-up features dazzling solo and pair-skating interpretations of the holiday season and coming New Year celebration. Featured performers include Brian Boitano, world champions Brian Orser and Yuka Sato and Cirque du Soleil's Misha Matorin.

Marshall Field's Holiday Displays

Marshall Field meets Harry Potter along State Street in a topical twist to an 80-year-old tradition. The traditional three-story Christmas tree at the flagship department store will be adorned in a Harry Potter theme, with 1,000 hand-carved and painted ornaments including Harry Potter's Nimbus Two Thousand broomstick, a potion bottle, Hedwig the owl and the Mirror of Erised. Meanwhile, the tale of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' unfolds in 11 windows, with scenes that include life with the Dursleys, Hagrid and the Diagon Alley and Harry's arrival at the Christmas feast.

Voci Bianche

Unbroken children's voices have always attracted composers of choral music. And this university concert of 'voci bianche' (literally, white voices) presents some of the most beautiful examples of the genre. Claire Gibault conducts the Rome Voci Bianche Choir in a programme that includes music by Rossini, Milhaud, and Benjamin Britten, whose 'Ceremony of Carols for Treble Voices and Harp' became an instant classic and a fitting inclusion on any pre-Christmas bill.