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Design and Art

Design and Art

The richness of old Europe

How and why did the modern world and its unprecedented prosperity begin? Learned tomes by historians, economists, political scientists and other scholars fill many bookshelves with explanations of how and why the process of modern economic growth or ‘the Great Enrichment’ exploded in western Europe in the 18th century. One of the oldest and most…

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The Scarlet Lady

Sir Richard Branson’s new and unusual cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, is presently heading across the Atlantic to Miami, where it will commence actual sailings with passengers in late March.   After that, Branson’s second of four eventual new ships, to be named the Valiant Lady, will be launched in 2021.   Journalists have now been permitted aboard the Scarlet Lady to…

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The giant shadow of Ikebukuro

HEARTLANDS: ZOSHIGAYA Small winding streets and low-rise houses. Zoshigaya is only a short walk away from the malls, highways and flashing lights of Ikebukuro, but feels like a silent suburb in comparison.  This homely heartland has maintained its Showa-era (1926 – 1989) atmosphere, with winding lanes lined with family homes and small shops selling everyday…

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Sleek, futuristic birdboxes

Norway boasts incredible, unspoilt nature, from sprawling fjords and jagged coastlines to snaking glaciers and green pastures. And now, one company has announced accommodation options that will capitalise on the stunning views, with guests sleeping in sleek, futuristic birdboxes with large windows to take in the surroundings. There are currently two birdboxes placed on the…

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Kyoto thatched-roof dwellings transport you back in time

Located 1 hour 40 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station, the town of Miyama offers a view into Japan's rich agricultural heritage. Designated a semi-national park, the town is home to some 39 thatched farmhouses where people still live today. Miyama spans multiple hamlets that are scattered throughout the mountains and valleys, about 50 kilometers…

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