Art, Design and Creativity Take Over Miami Beach in December

Although it has been years since I’ve traveled in mesmerizing Tokyo, my memories are as vivid as though they had been sparked yesterday—pleasures aswirl in unique flavors and noises, creativity and ingenuity. So when luxury publisher Assouline released the new book Tokyo Chic, I dove into its 312 lush-paper-stock pages, with more than 200 photographs and illustrations, which are bound in an outsize (10-by-13-inches, 6.4-pound) format—a hefty hardcover wrapped in silk. The brainchild of Andrea Fazzari, whose deft imagery and words are love letters to the inimitable capital, Tokyo Chic showcases a massively enthralling—yet strikingly intimate—city. Currently based in Tokyo, Fazzari is a James Beard Award-winning photographer, author and restaurant maven with notable backgrounds in fashion and film. Born in New York City, she has lived in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain and Thailand—and speaks four languages. What a sophisticated guide to have at your armchair traveler’s fingertips! Indeed, this coffee table tome would make a treasured holiday gift for those who have already vacationed in Japan or simply dream of doing so.

One summer, many years ago when I was 17, I met a Dutch girl in a pub who was backpacking around Ireland. She said she was staying in hostels and was off to Doolin in County Clare the next day. Somehow, I hadn’t realised it was that easy to strike out and see the world. The next morning I took the bus to Doolin and began a lifelong love of independent travel and the open road. I never saw the Dutch girl again despite a full search of every pub in the village.

Miami and Orlando are the two most visited cities in Florida. Miami is nicknamed the Magic City and known for its white-sand beaches, pastel-hued tropical Art Deco architecture, dynamic nightlife, and Latin vibes. Orlando is home to the Magic Kingdom and the world’s most famous mouse. Until recently, out-of-towners who wanted to experience both sides of the Sunshine State either had to hop a flight between Orlando and Miami and then take a taxi or ride-share to their destination or rent a car, navigate the oft-congested interstate, and endure the hassle of finding (usually pricey) parking during what’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation.

In some parts of Europe, high prices and Christmas markets go hand in hand. But in others, this year’s soaring costs have come as a shock.

The aroma of a tapas bar is an incongruous sensation when dressed in ski kit, but it’s the end of a long day on the slopes, and plates of grilled squid, spicy patatas bravas and plump green olives are on offer, along with a bargain glass of Rioja (€3.50/£2). It’s 6pm and the lifts have only just shut in Sierra Nevada, Europe’s most southerly ski resort. The mountain town in Andalusia enjoys lots more sunshine than most ski areas in the Alps. This, admittedly, is accompanied by a fairly functional assortment of accommodation spread along a steeply winding road. Unless you’re staying right in town, walking home while carrying your kit takes quite an effort at this altitude. The resort’s hub, Pradollano, sits at 2,100 metres, while the ski area’s 65 miles of pistes extend up to 3,398 metres: the chilly summit of Veleta, Spain’s third-highest mountain. 

Miami Beach is witnessing the rebirth of a legend. The Raleigh, an iconic Art Deco gem since 1949, is set to become the city's most exquisite resort and residential retreat.

The White House is announcing billions of dollars in new funding for train projects from coast to coast.

Dubai’s home-grown hotel group FIVE is looking at potentially expanding beyond the emirate into the world’s largest hospitality markets. This includes a potential resort in party haven Las Vegas and in the conservative Gulf kingdom Saudi Arabia.

Each December, visitors from around the world descend upon South Florida for the annual Miami Art Week. Over the past few years, the region has also had an influx of new residents. An array of restaurants, boutiques and other businesses have opened alongside the community’s longtime favorites, with both the new and the old appealing as much to out-of-towners as they do to Miamians.

Rockefeller Center has launched a vertigo-inducing experience recreating the famous 1932 photograph of construction workers eating lunch perched high above the city while working on 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

New partnership to strengthen Exhibition World Bahrain’s position as a leading international exhibition and convention venue.

Served at everything from weddings to funerals, and found in bakeries and supermarkets across Sweden, layered Smörgåstårta ‘cakes’ are a celebration of the savoury. They come in all shapes and sizes and can combine pretty much anything the appetite desires – as long as you include some spreadable elements. Fish pâté, horse radish, crème fraîche and cream cheese are favourites, which are layered with everything from avocado and smoked fish, to cooked prawns and ham — with such classic Scandi garnishes as radish, dill and cucumber as fresh decorative flourishes. Grab your mandolin and get creative.