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Design and Art

Design and Art

With ease, the Peloponnese

British author and playwright Patrick Leigh Fermor said of the Peloponnese region of Greece in his novel Mani: Travels in the Southern Peloponnese, “Passing by, you see Mani in three days, walking in three months, and in order to see its soul, you need three lives; one for the sea, one for its mountains and…

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I've suffered for my art.  Now it's your turn. Hope springs eternal when it comes to budding entrepreneurs.  "Build it, and they will buy it." But sometimes, maybe not.  There is a museum in Miami focused on vehicles that, on balance, just did not make it.  And the museum is a rollicking fun-filled afternoon of almost-rans  and…

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No future tense

The European Union is a marvelous thing.  Twenty seven united countries.  Almost as many different languages, customs and levels of advancement. An estimated total population of about 447 million. One of its main tenets is to make all countries equal, with good social health and freedom for all.  Equals among equals.  And it does a good job…

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Tribeca trifecta

Ahhh, New York.  The city that never sleeps.  But fear not, you won't have any sleeping problems whatsoever when you stay at the Walker Hotel Tribeca. An established hotel for decades, the property has had a complete refresh:  clean design, minimalist décor, an excellent location (Tribeca is one of NYC's hippest destinations) and prices that…

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Wild in the streets

Ahh Monaco.  Glamour, money, riches, style, more money, stars, even more money . . . and skids marks. What are we talking about?  The annual Monaco Grand Prix.  International racing in the second smallest country in the world. Drivers come to Monaco from all around the world to battle for to vie for the top…

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São Paulo, let’s go!

Brazil has an undeniable allure for most people:  it almost seems electric.  But, it is also a vast and highly populated country, which can give some people cause when they think about traveling.  But, it doesn't have to be, as this guide from our affiliate friends, Casai, will show you.  We start with São Paulo. For…

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Bored at the airport? Here are five questions for you.

Flight delayed?  Visited every store on the concourse - three times?  No signal on your phone?  Stuck in a specific terminal?  Eaten and drank to the point of explosion?  Or just perennially curious?  Well, here are a few questions that may keep you occupied. How come flight attendants have to pick up the cups they…

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The Unemployed Philosophers Guild

There’s a bad joke: The engineer asks ‘how can I build that?’ the scientist asks ‘how does it work?’ and the philosopher asks ‘do you want fries with that?’ In all fairness to the Philosopher, he’s probably not referring to ontological French fries, but the 18th century thinker Jacob Fries. Anyway, some people think unemployed…

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The Royalty next door

A bleached-out Greek island hangout with a beach-club atmosphere; an 18th-century castle in the Loire Valley already making waves with its vineyard; a slick spa hotel in Italy’s outdoorsy Dolomites; a glossy food-focused hotel in a surprising Polish city – the best new hotels in Europe are better than ever. Read more courtesy of CNTraveller.com…

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Five alternative alternatives in alternative Berlin

For decades, Berlin has been one of the hippest places in Europe - and likely the same - in the rest of the world.   A real alternative the norm. As Germany's capital, and a global city of politics, media, culture and science, Berlin is home to some of the world's most fascinating historic attractions, culturally…

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The Biltmore is now built even more

If you spend any time on our site, you will know of our unabashed love of the architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.  His influence on architecture and design are still preeminent to many designers, architects and builders. When you enter one of his creations, you will never forget it. Sadly, some of his work has been…

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You wear what you eat

Archaeologists and other scientists are beginning to unravel the story of our most intimate technology: clothing. They’re learning when and why our ancestors first started to wear clothes, and how their adoption was crucial to the evolutionary success of our ancestors when they faced climate change on a massive scale during the Pleistocene ice ages.…

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Get your kicks with Harvey Nic’s

If you've been to London, you'll know that it is almost mandatory to visit Harvey Nicols (or Harvey Nic's) as it's known to locals. Since Harvey Nichols first opened in Knightsbridge in 1831, it has led the way in sourcing the most desirable and cutting-edge designer brands. Recognised as the UK's premier luxury fashion retailer,…

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Let’s all sing a song of aerodynamics

If you're a fan of our site, then you'll know that we reciprocate that with you.  Thank you! You'll also know how much we love to travel and how much aircraft factor into this.  Modern planes (and, to be honest, even older planes) are complex beasts, over-engineered to provide that maximum safety for passengers.  They…

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Large home – 414 years old. Six careful owners.

We recently watched a fascinating documentary about Kumamoto Castle on the Curiosity Stream channel. This impressive Japanese dwelling for six generations of Japanese monarchy has survived battles, earthquakes . . and more earthquakes, the most recent by another Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016.  The last quake unearthed unexpected damage to the building, to the point of…

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Emirates are shrinking

Emirates airlines, one of our affiliate partners, are known for their fleet of top-of-the-line aircraft:  one of the youngest fleets in the world made up entirely of Emirates A380 and Boeing 777s.  Emirates fly to over 135 destinations every year.  But, the prevailing winds are blowing, and for a number of reasons.  First, aircraft of…

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This is not a reproduction

Regular readers of this site will know that we are history freaks:  the older, the better - and the more amazing.  In every corner of the world, historical delights can be found around every corner.  But, some locations in the world specialise in history:  their efforts to delight and inform visitors range from the basic…

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