Visiting a market in a new - or favorite - city is one of the best ways to connect with a place and its inhabitants, as well as a way to discover the pulse and flavor of a town or city.  Markets have traditionally been centers of local life and many remain so today, featuring local produce and artisanal foods, and often crafts as well. Here is a guide to some of the world's best and most popular year round food markets.

Tips for Visiting Food Markets

• Go early - the best items are often gone early in the morning, especially in markets frequented by chefs
• Many markets outside the U.S. frown on customers touching produce so let the vendor pick your fruit and vegetables
• Visit markets on weekdays if possible - most are closed on Sundays and many will be extremely busy on Saturdays