Rome: August discounts for visitors under 30

During the hot month of August, the Paris art scene sheds pretension almost as fast as les franaçises shed excess clothing. Summer exhibitions are fun, accessible, and delightfully low-brow. They're also one of the few Parisian spaces (along with supermarkets and movie theaters) where you can be assured of air conditioning. As the temperature rises, the following shows are guaranteed to keep you cool. "Kandinksy" through August 10, 2009 This landmark retrospective provides a coherent introduction to the colorful work of Russian painter Wassily Kandisky. Organizers say the exhibition "goes beyond the narrow posthumous conception of him as "inventor of abstraction." Local blogger John Talbott says, "I found the works in the last room from the 1930s and '40s to be almost playful experiments by an assured mature artist—not needing to sell or please anyone, he seems to be just having fun and I did too, just seeing them." Centre Pompidou, 19 rue Beaubourg, 4th arrondissement, €12 $16. "Planète Parr" (Martin Parr) through September 27 I fell in love with photographer Martin Parr the moment I saw his travel-oriented Small World series. The same sense of humor shines in this exhibition at the Jeu de Paume. Along with his photographs that poke fun at luxury, Parr has also put his personal collection of kitsch collectibles on display. As local art blog The Great Exposition writes, "by displaying these photos alongside his collection of cheap souvenirs (Obama flip-flops, special edition Spice Girl chocolate bars, Saddam Hussein watches), the exhibition reveals Parr's interest in global consumer culture and his subtle satire of modern mores." Jeu de Paume, 1 place de la Concorde, 1st arrondissement, €6, $8.50. "Born in the Streets" through November 29 An exhibition dedicated to graffiti and street art? This could only happen at the über-cool Fondation Cartier. Controversially asserting that this illegal activity has become an accepted art form in design and advertising, this contemporary arts museum has dedicated its entire gallery space to celebrating an artistic movement that was born in the streets of New York. They've also given over the building's façade to graffiti artists who are transforming the walls with new images every day. Fondation Cartier, 261 boulevard Raspail, 14th arrondissement, €5, $7. MORE AFFORDABLE PARIS Museums for free (10+ comments) Restaurants and bars to visit pre- or post-Louvre (10+ comments) Top free events this summer

When the temperature climbs, I want a leafy, outdoor café where I can linger without melting into my chair. And for that, these shady spots are where I recommend. La Bellevilloise On the eastern side of Paris, not far from the Pere Lachaise cemetery and Mama Shelter, you'll find my favorite summer café. La Bellevilloise is a neighborhood association, concert hall and restaurant. It also happens to have one of the prettiest rooftop terrasses in town. Filled with flowers and Ménilmontant hipsters, it's a fun place to meet before a concert on site or at the neighboring club La Maroquinerie. 19 rue Boyer, 20th arrondissement. Café A A few steps from the Canal Saint-Martin, this lovely terrasse is tucked inside the walls of a former convent. Few who pass by this building (La Maison de l'architecture) even know about the leafy interior courtyard with its green lawn and shaded tables. Still largely undiscovered, the café is better for sharing a private drink than for people watching. 148 rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, 10th arrondissement. The Café of the Luxembourg Garden Sitting under the shade trees approximately 320 feet northeast of the central pond, the café inside the Luxembourg Garden is one of my regular summer haunts. Service can be brusque, but it's a great place to sip pastis and watch the families, lovers, and tourists stroll by. Be sure to check out the beautiful fontaine de Médicis just a few steps north of the café. Boulevard Saint-Michel (inside the Jardin du Luxembourg) 6th arrondissement. Rosa Bonheur One of the newer terrasses on the scene, Rosa Bonheur opened last summer inside the jaw-dropping Parc des Buttes-Chaumont. Its reputation has soared in recent months as local bobos have begun to make it their summer home à l'extérieur. As local blogger The Paris Notebook explains, you can even linger after the park gates have closed by entering through a special gate after 10 p.m. 2 allée de la Cascade (inside the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont), 19th arrondissement. CLICKABLES Paris: Which bistros are open and worthwhile in August? Best bakery in Paris? Critics agree that it's Du Pain et des Idees Our full Affordable Paris blog series

Families looking to get away can take advantage of four kid-friendly programs and promotions in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and elsewhere. Azul Hotels by Karisma has two properties in the Riviera Maya, Mexico: Azul Beach Hotel and Azul Sensatori Hotel. Why parents will love it: Before you even arrive, the all-inclusive resort can set up your room with strollers, cribs, monitors, bottle warmers, and baby bathrobes. The all-inclusive rate also covers Gerber baby food and free childcare at the Kid's Club one night a week. Kids under 3 stay free and children ages 3-12 get half off when sharing a room with their parents. At Azul Sensatori Hotel, a 35 percent off promotion gets you a night in a family Jacuzzi suite. If booked by Oct. 31, a family of four would pay $453 per night, compared to the regular price of $699. Connecting rooms are guaranteed if you book more than one room. Why kids will love it, too: The toy lending library has all the latest Fisher-Price toys, enough to entertain even the shortest attention span (karismahotels.com). JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz., has partnered with Nickelodeon for a series of weekend retreats through Thanksgiving weekend.Why parents will love it: For $378, the Nick Getaway weekend package in Tucson includes two nights' hotel, kids' activities, and a free character breakfast for two adults and two kids. (Each child receives a special SpongeBob Squarepants or Dora The Explorer sleepover kit with pillowcase and Nickelodeon themed gifts.) Similar packages are available at four other Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance properties in the U.S. (nickelodeongetaway.com)Why kids will love it, too: Instead of just watching the cartoons, kids can start off their Saturday morning by dining with SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. During the day, there are relay races and other contests, followed by a classic Nickelodeon sliming. At night, kids can float on inner tubes and watch the free dive-in movies that are projected on a wall near the pool. As souvenirs, the kids can also take home the SpongeBob or Dora pillowcases in the rooms. Aston Hotels & Resorts can be found at 25 locations on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. Why parents will love it: This year's Vacation Bailout room rates are up to 40 percent off the regular price. Try the Aston Waikiki Sunset condo resort, from $124 per night for two adults and up to the three kids. The one-bedroom suite has a full kitchen, and the resort has on-site washers and dryers. Until Dec. 21, kids 17 years and younger stay free and children 12 and under eat for free at participating restaurants. Why kids will love it, too: With a paying adult, kids also get in free at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Honolulu Zoo, and other island attractions. Cayman Islands Why parents will love it: Cayman Airways lets kids 11 and younger fly free with a paying adult. The Cayman Islands' Summer Splash promotion also lets kids stay and eat for free at nine participating hotels and 24 condo/villa properties. You have to book a four-night package by Sept. 2, but you get the fifth night free. This deal is valid until Sept. 7. Why kids will love it, too: Kids ages 12 to 18 can learn to scuba dive for 50 percent off the regular rate when diving with a paying adult. MORE REAL DEALS FOR FAMILIES Budget Travel editors have hand-picked today's best family-friendly vacation packages, starting from $69 a night

Curious about how baseball was played in the 1860s? This weekend's World Tournament of Historic Base Ball in Dearborn, Mich., gives you a chance to see what our national pastime was originally like. Set on the grounds of Greenfield Village, an 80-acre historic community established by Henry Ford in 1929, the competition pays homage to the first World's Base Ball Tournament held in 1867 in Detroit, with teams playing by the rules, and with the same equipment and uniforms, as their 19th-century counterparts. The tournament, in its seventh year, will pit 16 vintage ball clubs from Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana—including Greenfield Village's own Nationals and Lah-De-Dahs—against each other in a series of 28 games over two days, starting at 9:30 a.m. on August 8 and culminating in the championship August 9 at 2:30 p.m. The prize for the winning team: $300, same as it was in 1867. And the team with the fewest wins doesn't go home empty-handed. That ball club scores a sack of peanuts. Don't be surprised if you notice a few differences in the game: According to the rules in effect in 1867, pitchers must throw "fairly" (i.e., hittable pitches) underhand, and a foul ball caught after one bounce is still considered an out. The umpire (there's just one!) warns the hitter before he starts calling strikes—foul balls don't count—and, likewise, warns the pitcher before he starts calling balls—but after the warning, only three balls get the batter a base. At the time, gloves were becoming more common, but they were fingerless and made of leather, mainly meant to protect the palm. Players wore them on both hands, making throwing a bit of a challenge, and possibly explaining why games often ended with scores of 61–34 or 41–40. Between games, you can take part in a Massachusetts Rules Game, a pre-Civil War stick-and-ball game; participate in the 1867 Base Ball Skill Test, where you can try your hand at pitching, yes, underhand and see how fast you can run the bases; watch the Players' Skills Competition, to see which team has the most accurate thrower, the fastest runner, and who can throw the ball the farthest; play another version of a stick-and-ball game, cricket; and enjoy a George Gershwin-inspired music and comedy revue. Saturday's events culminate with a 7 p.m. concert by 19th-century brass band the Dodworth Saxhorn Band and a fireworks finale. World Tournament of Historic Base Ball events are free with Greenfield Village admission ($22 for adults, $16 for kids 5–12). The fields have "hillside seating," so bring a blanket to sit in the grass or, if you don't mind carrying them around, lawn chairs. If you can't make it this weekend, the Nationals and Lah-De-Dahs host home games the following two weekends at Greenfield Village. While you're there: Check out the rest of Greenfield Village, which is home to 83 authentic historic structures, many of them moved to the area from their original sites, including Noah Webster's Connecticut home, Thomas Edison's Menlo Park, N.J., laboratory, the Wright Brothers' Dayton, Ohio, bicycle shop and house, the Illinois courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, and, of course, Henry Ford's birthplace. You can also dine on 1850s fare, take a ride in a Model T or a steam locomotive, and watch artisans pull glass using traditional methods from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Greenfield Village is part of The Henry Ford, an educational and historical complex that also includes the Henry Ford Museum (admission is additional). Hotel and attraction packages are available here.