Art tips

Carved out of Washington DC’s former Riggs National Bank, in the city’s Penn Quarter, Riggs Washington DCopened in 2020 and is the first hotel in the US for the hospitality company, Lore Group. As well as paying homage to the building’s unique and grand legacy, the hotel also displays flashes of innovative design, inspired by local history and a desire to root guests in a destination. These quirky touches have become features of the group’s property portfolio, which also counts the award-winning Pulitzer Amsterdam, Sea Containers, London and a second Washington property, Lyle, which opened in 2021, under its belt.

When you travel, keep an eye out for the latest perks and offerings at hotels around the world. From new spas to complimentary gifts at check-in, you’ll need the intel if you want to benefit from what the hospitality world is unveiling this fall. Sustainability is king, too, with many hotel brands rolling out eco-friendly changes like more than 20,000 electric charging outlets at 2,000+ North American hotels. Here’s the latest you need to know for hotel stays in the coming months.

Nicknamed the ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas,’ Manila is quickly becoming a destination city in Southeast Asia. With a population of just under 13 million, the coastal city is brimming with life. From edgy art exhibits and a food scene with serious culinary chops to more traditional cultural gems like jeepneys and open-air markets, the capital of the Philippines has something to offer all kinds of travelers.

Like any big city, there’s plenty to do and see in Chicago. You could come for a weekend, a week or longer and still not do it all. We’ve put together a list of top things to do in the Windy City that combines iconic classics, new attractions and culinary treats.

Despite my love of travel – and travel-planning – organizing a stellar family vacation is a quagmire for me.

Within minutes of meeting Rodney Hines, the founder of Seattle’s Metier Brewing Company, I learn he’s accomplished more in a few decades than most would dream of doing in a lifetime. After attending Bates College in Maine, Philadelphia-born Hines scoped out potential new locations across the country for City Year, the nonprofit supporting students and schools in under-resourced communities.

A historic Ottoman-era shipyard on the shores of the Bosphorus makes a distinctive setting for the 18th edition of the Contemporary Istanbul art fair (on until 1 October 2023). Featuring 67 galleries and 8 art initiatives from 22 countries, with more than 1500 works of art by 591 artists, the fair is international in scope but half of the work here is by Turkish artists. For Turkish people, a celebration of contemporary art is a fitting reflection of modern Turkey and this year’s 100th anniversary of the country becoming a republic. For visitors to Istanbul, the art fair is an excellent way to get better acquainted with the fascinating, contemporary Turkish art scene.

Berlin’s food scene is flourishing as never before. Over the past decade or so, partly thanks to relatively inexpensive rents and the city’s reputation for fostering creativity, local culinary entrepreneurs have been given platforms to experiment and grow, and chefs and restaurateurs have been drawn here from all over the world. Danish-born, Icelandic-trained chef Victoria Eliasdóttir is currently culinary director at vegetable-focused Dóttir; Vancouverite Dylan Watson-Brawn, chef and co-founder of Michelin-starred Ernst and its minimalist ‘little brother’, Julius, was named the top chef in Germany by Gault-Millau in 2022.

Paris might not be the city that never sleeps but when it's awake, it's all go, go, go. This season's no different, with so many events to put on your list that it's hard to decide what to do in Paris right now. While the fall's headliners are Paris Fashion Week and the Rugby World Cup, there's a ton of new art openings, exciting new restaurants, places to stay, and more, to explore off the runway and the field.

On the EU’s frontline, bordering both Ukraine and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, Poland has been much in the news of late.

Some say that Chicago is at its best in the fall. The leaves start their vibrant transformation and the Windy City welcomes the enchanting season of autumn by offering a rich tapestry of colors, flavors, and experiences. From celebrating Halloween in unique ways to taking an architectural boat tour, here are 11 things to do in Chicago this season.

Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is so deeply rooted in the oil industry, it even named its hockey team—the Oilers—after it. But beneath Edmonton’s petroleum-powered reputation is a vibrant city filled with character and offbeat charms.

Norway’s capital city Oslo is known for its modernist architecture and green spaces, but it is also the proud home to the world-renowned painting, The Scream, by Edvard Munch.

From admiring Silk Road architecture to wine-tasting, from heli-skiing in Amirsoy to exploring a graveyard of ships in the Aral Sea, Uzbekistan has something to offer for every type of explorer. To help you plan a trip to this fascinating Central Asian nation, here are our favorite things to do.

In our 5 Shops series, we’ll point you in the direction of our favorite independent shops across some of the world’s best cities. From food markets to bookshops, vintage and homegrown design, we’ve found a diverse and exciting mix of local retailers where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces.

The Danish chef Mads Refslund first began working on Ilis, his new restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, in 2016. After years of high-profile jobs at places like Manhattan’s Acme and Shou Sugi Ban House in the Hamptons, Refslund, a co-founder of Noma, wanted a permanent space where he could create an immersive culinary experience. The open kitchen, and its live fire grill, is at the center of the 4,800-square foot room on Green Street. The space has 17-foot ceilings with wooden beams and exposed brick walls; custom rosewood tables and leather banquettes frame the perimeter (though a few counter seats provide the best vantage of a meal coming together). “This is about transparency,” Refslund says. The name Ilis is a portmanteau of sorts, with meaning “fire” in Danish and meaning “ice.” It’s a nod to the dichotomous spirit of the restaurant — serious cooking with laid-back dinner party vibes. The menu allows guests to choose from a selection of primary ingredients, say New England scallops or Pennsylvania wild duck, and, in some cases, style of preparation (raw or grilled, for example). The seasonal cuisine is informed by Refslund’s Scandinavian upbringing, as well as his travels to Japan and Mexico City. But, the chef says, “hopefully, it will just become a New York restaurant,” a reflection of the city he now calls home.

Whether you prefer wilderness or dense cities, the call of frogs in the rainforest or the beat of samba drums, Brazil has an experience lined up for you.

For decades, authors, artists and presidents have all been drawn to the Hudson Valley in New York.

Experience unparalleled luxury at the Four Seasons Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River—an opulent urban resort nestled in the vibrant heart of Bangkok. Officially unveiled in December 2020, this exquisite five-star gem is one of Southeast Asia's premier luxury destinations and a standout addition to the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel collection. The hotel is a tranquil sanctuary amidst the bustling metropolis, where nearly eleven million residents call home.

Montauk, at the land’s end of Long Island, is where the Atlantic's whispers blend with tales of old mariners, and modernist marvels rub shoulders with mid-century cottages. It's a town where artistic flair coexists with an unvarnished nautical heritage; a place that defies easy categorization. It's also within this iconic landscape that Robert McKinley, the creative force behind Studio Robert McKinley, launched an innovative foray into the sphere of vacation rentals. Known for shaping the interiors of local sensations like The Surf Lodge and Ruschmeyers, McKinley, along with his wife Kate Nauta haven’t just refurbed existing homes to meet the moment, but fashioned ultra-curated sanctuaries where every object is a piece of art, available for purchase. In the waning days of summer 2023, the pair unveiled their latest character in their evolving narrative: Captain Balfour.

Set at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan is famed for its stunning historical architecture and beautiful mosques and madrassas, alongside Soviet modernism, a flourishing arts and crafts scene, a rich traditional culture, and the genuine hospitality of local people.