It was only a matter of time before we covered a city famous for sex. But Amsterdam is really less about the Red Light District and coffee shops than it is about great Dutch architecture, trendy restaurants, and great vintage shopping.

Last weekend, while some of my friends were off on weekend trips to grand places like the Poconos and St. Louis, I was in the place you can generally find me: home. But, thanks to a little planning, I felt like I had traveled hundreds of miles away from my apartment and had a relaxing, indulgent two days.

Staycations have gotten a lot of hype lately since people have less money to spend on actual trips out of town, but I didn’t believe it was actually possible to have a vacation-like time while remaining in the city I call home. I proved myself wrong. After the jump, the five things I learned about going on a staycation.

After two and half years together and a few short domestic trips, my now-husband and I put our relationship to the test with a two-week jaunt through China. Sure, hiking the Great Wall, braving squatter toilets, and eating breakfast with chopsticks were all an adventure, but the real challenge of vacationing together was spending every minute together for 15 days straight. If you think your relationship is up to the test, do yourself (and him) a favor by following my hard-learned tips after the jump…

Maybe it’s the altitude. Or all the hard-bodied, active, young folks sauntering around. Or maybe it’s the fact that the city is exactly one mile high. Regardless, Denver has come into its own as a city that demands the nation’s attention (perfectly proven by the recent kick-ass DNC event). If you’re lucky enough to visit D-Town, don’t just hotfoot it to the mountains; take a few days to explore the city. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to discover why the natives like to do it at 5,280 feet.

Don’t let the old moniker fool you, what Charlestonians worship the most is a good party. At its busiest during wedding season and the summer months, this tourist town is worth visiting year-round with various festivals, galas, events and shows. The climate is often blessed with bouts of 70-degree weather in the dead of winter, ensuring that there is a party going on somewhere every single night of the week in any given month. 

Only a few hours away from both New York City and Boston, there are always plenty of Americans visiting Montreal for its reputation as Canada’s Sin City, as well as for its fab European influence. With strip clubs and sex shops galore—not to mention the gay-friendly vibe, drag queens, French food, and beer with higher alcohol content—Montreal can easily intoxicate your senses. Here are some of our suggestions for a weekend jaunt to La Belle Ville.

Seattle’s got Starbucks, Microsoft, grunge, and yes, lots of rain. But it’s also got a whole lot more than that. There’s your standard tourist fare in the form of the Space Needle, Seattle Center and Frank Gehry’s monster of a museum, Experience Music Project, among others. But dig in a little deeper and you’ll find some hidden doors, some sultry sweet spots and some spectacular waterways. Here’s our guide to Seattle’s sexier side.

In case you hadn’t noticed, it’s summer. And there’s no time better to load up the car with beef jerky and Red Bull, and take on the American highway system with your best friend. That’s right. It’s ROAD TRIP TIME! But we here at The Frisky didn’t want you to take any old road trip. So we’re sending you to the destinations embedded in your memory since your first slumber party: this will be the official Chick Flick Road Trip. Eleven movies, fifteen states, and approximately 4,193 miles of iconic scenery that will make you proud to own a vagina. And not just because you can get out of speeding tickets.

For 40 years, Americans have been banned from traveling to Cuba. But this week, Barack Obama eased travel restrictions for people with relatives in the communist country. Raul Castro, who took over when little brother Fidel was hospitalized in 2006, said, “We have sent word to the U.S. government…We are willing to discuss everything—human rights, freedom of the press, political prisoners, everything.” [CNN]

Coming down to our nation’s capitol for the Presidential Inauguration next Tuesday? Or considering a pleasure trip in the coming months? Don’t let Washington, D.C.’s buttoned-down reputation turn you off—just below the surface lies an unexpectedly fun city laced with edgy pockets and sexy surprises. After all, power can be the ultimate aphrodisiac (as an ever-growing list of fallen politicians would surely attest). 

As the romance capital of the world, Paris has the authority on many sexy things. After all, they did give the world couture dresses, Catherine Deneuve, and, of course, French kissing. Here are our suggestions for getting down in the city of love.

You’ll be struck by the greenery—Forest Park is the largest wilderness park within city limits in the United States, and Washington Park’s rose garden is worth a visit—and the friendly vibe of Portland, Oregon. Straddling the Willamette River, Portland is home to funky bars, a terrific underground music scene, and restaurants that would delight any foodie. Sure, the area has a reputation for rain, but what’s sexier than snuggling up with your significant other during a rainstorm? Check out these hot spots, and you’ll forget all about the weather. 

London needs little introduction. Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, high tea at four o’ clock: even on the beaten tourist circuit, this city is a charmer. But it’s also a high-energy international center that manages to be old-world classy and cutting-edge trendy all at the same time. English-speaking and cute accents… how can you go wrong? What’s on in Londontown, after the jump…

I grew up in San Diego, so I’ve spent years hearing people say to me, “Oh my GOD, San Diego is the most beautiful city in the United States” and being, like, “Huh? I guess.” Growing up in a place often makes it hard to appreciate it’s natural beauty so after moving away for college and then to New York for post-University work, I’ve finally realized how good I had it with the endless 70-degree days, incredible beaches, irreplaceable Mexican good, and can’t-beat-it access to Mexico and Central America. And now that I’ve learned my lesson, my mom decided to move east, so my excuse to go to SoCal and visit have dwindled. Here are the spots I think about when I’m California dreamin’, after the jump…

A new saying is showing up all over New Orleans these days - Soul is waterproof.  After 10 minutes in this unique city, you’ll see just how true that is.  What keeps the city going post-Hurricane Katrina are its strong roots in family, food and music, as well as the undying belief in another famous New Orleans saying: Laissez les bon temps rouler! Let the good times roll! The one thing you should know about New Orleans is this - nobody is going to let you rest until you’re over fed, a little bit tipsy and dancing down the street in the French Quarter.  So, grab your dancing shoes, your fat jeans and your sense of humor and head on down to N’awlins baby.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota may not be the first place you’d consider to vacay—after all, isn’t the cold basically unbearable for most of the year? Yes—but you know what they say about people who are forced to hibernate inside for nine months out of the year—when the sunshine finally starts to melt the snow off the trees, they come out to play and party with the best of them. That’s why the end of August is one of the best times to visit and coincidentally it’s also the time of year when the Minnesota State Fair is in full effect. Because who doesn’t love a pickle on a stick, don’t cha know?

Boston may no longer be the Hub of the Universe, but there’s a lot to offer everyone.  Whether you’re into the outdoors or prefer your fun indoors, like it upscale or getting’ down and dirty, Boston has it all. 

In the words of the great Will Smith, “Welcome to Miami…” where people really do party “all night on the beach ‘til the break of dawn.” As the sun gloriously beats down, the streets are lined with so many al fresco diners and strolling locals that you start to wonder if anyone actually works in this town. But really, how can they? With its tropical climate, gorgeous inhabitants, fiery cuisine and – Will would be amiss if we didn’t mention them – white-sand beaches, it’s no wonder why Miami clocks in as America’s sexiest city. So grab your sunscreen (extra SPF here!) and hang on while The Frisky shows you how to get a taste of the real Miami heat with these sizzlin’ South Florida hot spots.

Forget Rocky and cheesesteaks! The city of Philadelphia is a haven for all art, music, food, theater, culture and adventure lovers alike. With summer upon us, it makes a great weekend trip with something amazing to discover down each cobble stone road.

Atlanta, the Dirty South, HOTlanta, the ATL—whatever you wanna call it, Atlanta, Georgia has an incredible history. Since the Civil Rights Movement, the city was kinda known as “The City Too Busy To Hate” because it was one of the only Southern cities with a history of fighting for desegregation—as a result, it became a popular city for many African-Americans in the South to relocate to. Atlanta has a vibrant cultural scene, with many amazing restaurants and bars, not to mention a historical side that is not to be missed. After the jump, our Frisky for your next visit to the ATL.