The people of Spain take their olive oil seriously. So much so, many Spaniards refer to oil as oro liquido (liquid gold). Oro Liquido is also the name of an olive oil shop in Barcelona, Spain. Owner, Anna Segovia, wanted to give a fresh perspective on something most take for granted. From Olive tree to Olive oil, the tasty product has become quite the commerce.

Oro Liquido presents olive oil as if it were a perfume, in little bottles. All of the oils are produced in the Mediterranean and represent the best oils found in the towns and villages of Spain.

Furthering the culture behind oil, the shop holds olive oil tastings. Similar to wine tastings, patrons are treated to samples of the latest varieties of olive oil and are encouraged to discover their nuances. Flavors can range from tomato, banana, freshly cut grass or artichoke – depending on the region. Stop by Oro Liquido next time you’re in Barcelona.

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In France there’s the Millau Bridge. In Germany there’s St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel. Both structures are engineering marvels, but Old Elbe demonstrates a unique level of timelessness when it comes to creative engineering.

Built in 1911, the tunnel connected downtown Hamburg with Steinwerder, which improved the commute for thousands of harbor workers. Running 80 feet below the surface, Old Elbe is not your typical tunnel. It uses four huge elevators to cart pedestrians and vehicles from the surface down to the tunnel and back. Functionally, it’s served Hamburg well, but today it is its powerful design that continues to attract visitors. Click Read More for additional photos.

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Today’s travel briefing highlights an increasing interest in budget hotels. Their minimal design, strong customer service and hip touches continue to ignite an expanding industry. Business travelers, tired of the hotel status-quo, are moving toward the independent market in search of value and fresh design.

Also in today’s news – on the heals of Virgin’s bio-fuel announcement, the European Union launched a research program to produce aircrafts that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. It’s an interesting balance for researchers. While the environment is a priority, faster and safer planes are also a focus. For example, scientists announced yesterday that a 5 hour flight from Europe to Sydney may be possible in 25 years. The carbon impact must be huge. If you took the same flight today on a standard plane, it would take you approximately 22 hours. It’s a constant balance between cheaper, greener & faster.

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