The last time I was in Moscow, I was there for a soccer tournament. We arrived one day before the coup d’etat against Gorbachev and left one day after the coup collapsed and Yeltsin became a household name. For the time we were there, communication home was shut down, there was little news about what was going on, and we were nervous about our own ability to leave the torn city, country and region. But, we still had soccer. The tournament continued and for the ninety minutes we were on the field everything was normal – even with tanks lining the streets.

There’s something magical about soccer, and there’s something even more magical about the global community’s love for the game. No matter what’s going on, once that whistle blows, the focus is the soccer pitch, the players and the game. On May 21, Manchester United plays Chelsea for the Champions League final in Moscow. The world will be watching and it’s reported that more than 50,000 fans will descend upon the city. If you’re one of the lucky travelers who will be attending the game, The Guardian recently put together a nice travel guide of six things to do while in the city. Be sure to check out the article here.

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As we move from city to city we enjoy visiting the local Apple stores. When we visited the Ginza store in Tokyo we thought that was huge. At the time it was one of their largest retail posts. Then we visited the Manhattan stores – massive. So based on their sizing trend, we weren’t surprised to hear that the upcoming Apple Store in Boston would be the largest to date. Designed as a gigantic glass cube, the four floor structure will surely become a must see destination among visitors and locals alike.

While reading about the Boston store we came across this interesting statistic posted by Gizmodo. “According to a store employee, it’s a good thing Boylston Street is so big: Apple estimates 1,500-2000 customers per hour will visit, which is more than 10 times the 160 per hour that the average store gets.” We’ve rarely seen an empty Apple store. In fact they’re usually packed with enthusiasts. So imagine what 1500 – 2000 customers per hour will look like… The Boston store is opening later this month. Be sure to check it out.

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Alife jumps the pond and opens a new flagship store in Tokyo. Located within the fashion district of Harajuku, it adds to the long list of Tokyo’s distinctive retail destinations. In a short 10 years Alife built a strong brand. Their clean lines, great use of color and timeless creative direction anchored them among the rapidly changing landscape of fashion and streetwear. This recent expansion demonstrates the increasing growth and influence of the Alife brand.

Their minimal sensibilities have translated well within the new retail space. Opting for substance over flash, the store’s clean aesthetic points the consumer to the products with very little distraction. We’re excited for the store’s opening and look forward to the continuing expansion of the brand. Visit Alife next time you’re in Tokyo. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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There are several approaches to architectural design. Some say good design starts with inspiration. Others say it starts with a question. Well known architect, Norman Foster and his team used a little of both when they began working on the Reichstag.

According to Foster, they sought to answer four questions: What is the significance of the Bundestag as a democratic forum? How do we demonstrate Reichstag’s commitment to public accessibility? How do we incorporate a sensitivity to history? And, how do we include a rigorous environmental agenda? One look at the dome and it appears Foster answered these issues by integrating a progressive ethos within the design of the Reichstag. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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This weekend provides a great opportunity to visit Jeff Koons’ exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He currently has three pieces on display at the Met’s Cantor Rooftop Garden. The outdoor exhibit is enjoyable during this spring season. New York City’s sky-scape provides a wonderful backdrop for the works displayed.

Jeff Koons’ art has been displayed at the Moma, Whitney, Guggenheim, Tokyo Met and many others. Noted for his simple, yet thoughtful work, many have analyzed his pieces. Recently the New York Times suggested that there were perverse undertones wrapped in Koons’ simplicity. While others suggest that his works represents a nod to simpler youthful times. Either way, his pieces are interesting and merit visiting. Be sure to check them out – the exhibit runs until October 26, 2008. Click Read More for additional information and details.

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Culture + Travel is a hit here at the office. This new publication takes a refreshing look at how we move and experience life. They bill themselves as the magazine for people who love the arts and travel with a passion. One read through and you’ll quickly see how dedicated they are to this manifesto. From the clean layout and design to the editorial direction, they’ve carved out a neat and artful conversation despite the overwhelming din echoed from thousands of travel publications.

Next time you visit your local bookstore be sure to look for them. You won’t be disappointed. Their lastest issue is on newstands now. It’s entitled, “Japan: A Voyage to Art.” Click Read More for additional information.

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International design and furniture collide at this year’s Salone del Mobile trade show. Salone 2008 started earlier this week and runs until April 21. Billed as the world’s largest design trade show, you don’t want to miss this if you’re in the area. It’s a great place to view innovative and upcoming designs within the realm of furniture and accessories.

The show opens up to the general public this Sunday (April 20) and Wallpaper has a great podcast covering the event. It includes information and tips for getting around town. These tips shouldn’t be taken lightly. The popularity of the show draws an enormous amount of tourists to Milan each year. It’s been recorded that an extra 270,000 tourists come to the area during the event, which means crowded streets, hotels and cabs. So go prepared. Click Read More for additional information, photos and links.

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There are many city guides out there, but finding one that best suits your needs can be tricky. For years, one of our favorite online guides has been SuperFuture. Their editorial direction and community-reviews provide great information for those quick trips. And now joining the ranks is unlike – a collective of creatives who’ve pulled together the best of the best for the urban modernist on the go.

The online portion of unlike is really well done. The design is clean. The writing is concise and informative. And, there are tons of pictures. But the site’s true beauty lies in the portability of their information. You can access locations, guides and events via their exclusive mobile version for your cellphone, pda or ipod touch. Be sure to check them out. We’ve dug through the first guide – berlin.unlike – and found quite a few favorites already.

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Are you looking for comfort during your morning commute? If you happen to live in Kobe, Japan you’re in luck. On April 14 Ikea is opening a new store on Port Island. In celebration of the store’s opening, they’ve completely outfitted the Kobe Portliner Monorail with their design ethos and furniture. As PT reports, “The redecorated train, which features a colorful exterior, bright upholstery and fancy curtains, will carry passengers in style until May 6.” Click Read More for additional photos and information.

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Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center is one of our favorite destinations in the Midwest. The building’s hyper-modern aesthetic stands out among the city’s more conservative landscape. For more than 65 years, the center has served as a forum for progressive art installations.

Historically, the center paved the way for a long list of edgy and daring art centers. In 1940 it was one of the first American Institutions to exhibit Picasso’s Guernica and since then the center has housed hundreds of works from artists like Warhol, Jasper Johns, Nam June Paik and others. Also, its current architectural redesign was directed by one of our favorites, Zaha Hadid – a london architect known for her innovative structures. As they describe it, “From the street, the CAC’s jutting concrete reliefs trace the outlines of the galleries inside. Once inside, visitors can’t get lost: The floor is slightly tilted, and following its enforced flow around the lobby leads you to a floating stairway to the mezzanine.” CAC is a must see. If you visit Cincinnati be sure to stop by. Click Read More for additional information and photos.

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Last weekend marked the beginning of Washington DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival. This time of year tourists descend upon the city to take in its natural beauty. The annual tradition celebrates Tokyo’s gift of 3000 cherry trees to the US back in 1926. Ever since then, the cherry tree has become an iconic part of DC’s character.

If you’re in the DC area this week, take some time to swing pass the Tidal Basin. They say the blossoms’ peak period should last until Thursday. But, if the crowds are too thick, you can always view the beauty from alternate locations…

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If you’re looking for stunning places to visit, Conde Nast has seven suggestions. April’s issue of Conde Nast Traveler features their latest picks for the seven architectural wonders of the world. These places include Red Ribbon in Qinhuangdao, China, London’s new Wembley Stadium, and New York’s New Museum.

Globally, there are many examples of exciting and innovative architecture. It’s a feat in itself to narrow it down to seven. Where do you begin? But, overall we’d have to agree with Conde Nast’s selection. All seven are beautiful, and they independently suggest a wonderment that great architecture should produce…

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*Updated [March 29] Serero tells NY Times that there’s no redesign. It was simply a spontaneous design.

The Eiffel Tower is one of Paris’ most popular sites. Each year approximately 6.5 million people wait in line for an hour to travel to the top and take in the Parisian view. For the tower’s 120th birthday (next year) the french are building a temporary observation deck that will increase the quality of access for its many visitors.

Serero – the acclaimed architecture firm that won the competition to design the observation deck – explains the basis of their concept. Per their website, “The project will extend the top floor plate of the tower by grafting a high performance carbon Kevlar structure on it. The structure will be temporarily bolted to the slab without requiring any modification of the existing structure. It will [double the surface area of the viewing platform].” We’re looking forward to the project’s completion. The clever design defies physics. The expanded access will hopefully shrink the waiting lines and add to the experience many look forward to when they visit France’s beautiful city. Click Read More for addition information and photos of the Eiffel Tower Observation Deck.

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Starbucks steps up their WiFi offerings. With their recent switch from T-mobile to AT&T, all Starbucks gift-card holders will receive two hours of free WiFi access daily – no purchase is necessary.

As Upgrade and WiFi Net point out, this is a pretty sweet deal: “Walk in, buy a $5 gift card, activate it and you’re on for two hours a day from then forward. You can also use multiple devices with a single account, within reason.” Perhaps Starbucks is feeling pressure from the many independent coffee shops offering free WiFi. Between Starbucks and Cybercafes, you should be able to score some internet access while you’re on the road.

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One of our favorite artists, José Parlá, is opening an exhibit entitled Memory Documents in Galleria Il Trifoglio Nero located in Genoa, Italy. When we first saw Parla’s work, his striking color balance and effortless motion drew us in. We’ve been a fan ever since.

As Manon Slome from New York’s Chelsea Art Museum writes, “Parlá is fascinated with how the city constructs itself and functions as a palimpsest, upon which the experiences of those who pass through are materially inscribed on decaying walls. He sees the city as a vertical grid, from the bridges, to the streets, down to the subterranean warrens of train tunnels, pipes and wires connecting to people living life inside apartments. The construction of the city and the passing of time find their equivalent in the way he attacks a painting, how he sees the need to layer his surfaces the way the city itself is layered.” Parlá named this installation Memory Documents because his works become fragments of places he’s been. Click Read More for additional information about the exhibit.

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Exciting design and great chocolate make Xocoa a special place among the shops in Barcelona. With the usual flavors – dark, milk and white chocolate – you’ll also find a few eccentric offerings. Have you ever considered Ginseng, Green Tea or Saffron chocolate combinations? Maybe not, but one taste and you’ll be hooked.

Xocoa’s daring efforts don’t end with their flavor selection. Visually, the store’s clean displays and hyper-color packaged products provide stunning distinction and branding. You can’t miss it. We know several cities claim the title of World’s Chocolate Capital, but with stores like Xocoa, it appears Barcelona may be making a run for the top spot. Click Read More for additional information and photos of Xocoa, Barcelona.

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While traveling, finding a strong cup of coffee and a reliable internet connection can prove challenging. That’s where Cybercafes comes in. The online database listing over 4000 internet cafes in 141 countries offers a great solution for those looking for wifi and caffeine. Simply enter your city and the site delivers a listing of locations detailing their address, phone number and homepage. The phone number is especially useful if you want to call ahead to verify that everything is up and running before going. [spotted via]

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Madrid’s new CaixaForum has all the elements we enjoy about progressive art museums. The fine details, the fearless approach to architecture and the innovative applications catch our attention every time. For example, pictured above is a section of the building’s moss covered exterior. The color balance and texture is a great contrast to the rest of the building’s industrial theme.

Designed by Swiss architects, Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron, CaixaForum completes Madrid’s art triangle that includes Prado and Reina Sofia & Thyssen Museums. The Forum will hold cinema screenings, concerts, conferences, debates and other art exhibits. Next time you visit the Spanish capital be sure to stop by. Until then, we have a few photos of the museum below…

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Some of my favorite memories stem from building snow forts with my dad. Chicago winters gave us a lot to work with and we were pretty good. We never knew it could be a profession. ICEHOTEL takes snow architecture to new levels. The Sweden based Art & Design Hotel, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, is one of the most beautiful hotels we’ve seen in recent memory.

Each year artists, architects and designers from all over converge in Jukkasjärvi to make ICEHOTEL. Using water and ice from the River Torne – which produces the clearest ice due to extremely cold temperatures and its unspoiled wilderness – they create a different interpretation of the hotel each winter. For instance, students from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm recently integrated various lighting installations in and around ICEHOTEL. The end result was stunning. Click Read More for additional information and photos from ICEHOTEL.

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Anticipation is building for the summer olympics in Beijing. As we get closer to the final date, the city’s attractions are reaching completion. We’re really impressed. The Olympics serve as a huge opportunity for tourism and it’s clear that China is pulling out all the stops for this one. First the Nest Stadium and now the Water Cube Aquatic Center. It looks beautiful.

Photographer Ben McMillan assembled a photo essay of the Water Cube. As seen on iconeye, “The Water Cube aquatic centre, designed by Australian-based PTW Architects with Arup, is next door to Herzog & de Meuron’s “nest” stadium.” Ben’s photo essay vividly captures the cube’s architectural life.

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Hotel Everland is a work of art and a room with a view – literally. The one bedroom prefab hotel takes boutique hospitality in a new direction. Beyond its fantastic design, its mobility is what makes this endeavor so unique. Perched atop places like Palais de Tokyo France, it offers memorable experiences and new perspectives on some of our favorite destinations.

Designed by swiss duo Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann, the hotel is one of a kind. In 2002 they were commissioned by Gianni Jetzer for an exhibition concept entitled Everland at the Swiss National Exhibition. Since then they’ve taken the structure to Yverdon, Switzerland, Lepzig, Germany and it now sits atop Palais de Tokyo (a modern contemporary museum) in France. It will reside there until the end of the year. Guests are permitted to stay for only one night and room rates range from 333 – 444 Euros. You can book your room online here. Click Read More for additional photos and information.

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Some people go fishing, others go record hunting and if you’re a speed enthusiast you find racetracks to rip. Supercar Life is a car driver’s dream. The touring company takes you to the nation’s most prestigious tracks to race cars like the Aston Martin DB9, Porsche Turbo 997, Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series, Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430. With the assistance of a professional, you’ll be able to roar through turns without traffic laws, road hazards or any unpredictable conditions.

Supercar Life ranks high on our list of experience-driven travel. Beyond their offering of cars and speed, they also provide chauffered transportation to and from the airport, top-notch hotel accommodations, catered meals, and a cocktail reception the night before the event. It may seem a little indulgent, but after working so hard you deserve a personal escape…

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Last week we mentioned Bermuda as a destination for off-season travel. This week we present another great suggestion – Prague. The Czech city offers a slower pace and lower prices during February. For travelers not afraid of the cold, the payoff can be huge. According to the IHT, “Prague’s winter weather gives curious travelers a chance to take in the city’s attractions at a leisurely pace and, this season at least, discover some of the city’s newest developments before they make it into the guidebooks.”

Also, today’s briefing includes the TSA’s latest outreach effort – The Evolution of Security – a blog tackling security questions posed by travelers. The TSA aims to facilitate ongoing dialogue regarding innovations in security, technology and checkpoint screening processes. We look forward to seeing it develop. They’ve already begun tackling some of the more common questions with roaring commentary presented by readers. Be sure to check it out.

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In Tim Ferris’ book, The 4-Hour Workweek, he describes an emerging generation of entrepreneurs as the New Rich. Success for the New Rich is not quantified by traditional wealth standards, instead success has become the amount of day to day freedom they enjoy. Rather than going through the paces of a pre-tracked career, they’re boldly chasing their life’s pursuit. But the big question for this new generation is how do they vacation? What happens when your work becomes your lifestyle? It’s extremely difficult to shut off.

Our recommendation is sports. Combining activities with your vacation is the best way to relax and stay present without your mind wondering back to work. The Cedar House Sport Hotel combines modern design and luxury with outdoor fun. Set in Martis Valley, CA – near Lake Tahoe – Cedar House offers hiking, biking, kayaking, snowshoeing, dog sledding and other guided outdoor activities. Be sure to check them out next time you’re planning a break. Click Read More for additional photos and information.

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Earlier this week, aerospace designer Burt Rutan and Sir Richard Branson unveiled SpaceShipTwo – the latest spacecraft from Virgin Galactic. With packed attendance and the usual grandeur that follows Sir Richard, many were infected by his enthusiasm. The edge of space may be getting closer. As Branson stated, “2008 will really be the year of the spaceship.”

The New York Times posted a great article covering the event. As they reported: ”’Most people think of going to space as Saturn V or the Space Shuttle,’ said Mr. Whitehorn, the company president. But the Rutan model, a descendant of the record-breaking X-15 experimental craft, shows there is another way, he said. The vehicle is meant to open space to a new generation of spacefarers who are more creative than the classically trained astronauts, Mr. Rutan said. And that will bring with it a new way of looking at space travel, just as personal computing opened up the use of computers from a military and academic tool to something that transformed the world.”

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Architecture is the face of a city and Toronto has a beautiful face. But it’s beauty isn’t superficial. The eclectic mix of styles provides Toronto with plenty of character. Modern versus Traditional; Offbeat versus Conservative; it’s all there.

The Sharp Centre for Design is a perfect example of Toronto’s colliding architectural expression. Located in the heart of the city, British architect WIl Alsop completed his modern structure for the Ontario College of Art and Design. Built in 2004, the structure houses exhibit spaces, offices and art studios. We recommend visiting the Sharp Center next time you’re in Toronto…

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Tony Smyrski has done it again. His ability to mine inspiration is uncanny. We’ve seen his work with Swindle Magazine, Public Wall Writing in Philadelphia and Street World – Urban Art & Culture from 5 Continents. Now you can get a sneak peek at what may be a new project. The evolution of travel guides would be an interesting read. (Hint Hint)

Check out his latest photographic archival on Baedeker Guidebooks. The design layout is creatively inspiring but it also resurrects travel’s old world romance. Click read more for additional information and links…

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Remember the Dewey Decimal System? We loved it in grade school. Author, Subject and Title were our bread and butter. That’s why we took note when we saw the Library Hotel, New York’s hot spot for people in search of literacy rich environments. The concept driven hotel has 10 guest floors, 60 rooms and over 6,000 volumes of books – all organized by the Dewey Decimal System.

They say the best innovations come from cross pollinating ideas. This is definitely true for the Library Hotel. Although you may wonder, hotel and library? It makes perfect sense. Libraries do suggest comfort and peace. We recommend the Library Hotel as a place to stay if you’re in NY. It’s located at 299 Madison Avenue – 41st street. Click read more for additional information and photos.

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Discovering art among the hustle & bustle of a city is one of the best ways to experience a new destination. If you visit NYC over the next few months you have to stop by Fulton Street. You won’t be disappointed.

Construction never looked this good. Fulton Fence is a temporary installation on the corner of Fulton Street and Broadway in New York City. It is on view until spring of 2008. The project is a response to the effects of development; in particular the visual pollution created by the presence of construction sites in small concentrated areas. The beautifying methods used on Fulton Street are something that could easily be replicated in other cities. Click read more for additional photos and information.

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Autopilot is closer than you think. In April 2008, the opening of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 will launch a slue of progressive projects to make travel easier. Our favorite is the Personal Rapid Transport – a driverless travel system that uses its own guideway network to get around.

The debut of this project is a significant step in its history of trial and error. Since 1953 people have worked to implement a networked system of personal transports, but this will be the first time it’s ever been publicly tested. We’re excited to see how things develop. A successful implementation of the project could lead to other benefits for cities, the environment, and traffic safety. Click read more for additional pictures and links.

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Qbic Hotels claim to be no frills, but their hands-off approach and smart design provide exactly what you need and more. These affordable space-conscious hotels have mastered their niche. With a travel industry that is zooming toward the mantra that cheaper is better, many often miss the concept of value. Sometimes we don’t need those extra services if the core ones are done right. That is Qbic’s ethos. They’ve seen growing success in Europe by appealing to the individual who wants a nice place to rest their head, but doesn’t want to pay an arm and a leg for a huge room he or she will never be in.

We recommend Qbic Hotels if you’re looking for an inspiring place to stay, that’s brimming with wi-fi, tasteful technology, good service, city access, night life and just the right amount of design touches by folks like Philippe Starck. Click read more to view additional pictures and information.

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Monocle releases their Travel Top 50. Instead of using obvious topics for selecting the best in travel, they’ve stepped off the beaten path and present something slightly different. Compiled by the editors’ top experiences, you’ll find their suggestions dig deeper into the realm of travel. For instance, instead of best hotel, they present the best hotel gym, most complete concierge, bed-linen to look forward to and best high-altitude retreat.

We were happy to see Haneda Airport (also known as Tokyo International Airport) named as the most efficient transit hub. Watching their efficiency is art in motion. Handling 65.3 million passengers in 2006 with the majority of its services dedicated to domestic travel is quite an impressive feat.

View Monocle’s Travel Top 50
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Over the weekend PBS aired Supersonic Dream – a remarkable documentary on the life of the Concorde. Watching this reminded us that just a few decades ago travel was making astonishing advancements – faster speeds, more stations, airports and satellites – then suddenly it slowed down. Instead of using our technological might to develop faster travel techniques, the pendulum swung in favor of more comfortable secure advancements. For example, the Concorde is no more, but the Airbus is right around the corner.

With so many variables to consider it was amazing that the Concorde survived as long as it did. If you love aviation history, this retrospective look at the Concorde is for you. Here’s a brief summary, “Between 1976 and 2003, the fastest, highest flying, and most elegant way to travel between Europe and the U.S. was aboard the British-French Concorde, a marvel of aircraft engineering that had to battle protesters, politicians, and nervous accountants to earn its place in aviation history and also win the hearts of an adoring public, including many who could never afford to fly it. In Supersonic Dream, NOVA explores the mystique of this technological wonder of the world.”

wejetset recommends Supersonic Dream [Info for Viewing]

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When it comes to work, our muse lives on trains and airplanes. It’s a weird phenomenon. You’ve probably experienced it too. For some reason it’s so easy to get focused and finish tons of work in these environments. If only we had the internet. Well, it looks like JetBlue is working on it.

As reported by MSNBC today, “JetBlue Airways Corp. will start offering limited e-mail and instant messaging services for free on one of its planes next week as airlines renew efforts to offer in-flight Internet access.” It’s not the full internet experience (no email attachments and access is limited to email & messaging from Yahoo Inc), but it’s a step in the right direction. We can’t wait to see this spread.

Spotted via MSNBC

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Kozy and Dan are a couple. They’re also very good artists who work hard and travel the world. Some would keep these experiences to themselves, but not these guys. They graciously share them with anyone interested.

We admire their art, which continually inspires us. And there’s more! Their blog and flickr page allow you to enjoy a world they see while traveling to many known and unkown parts. Ironically, as most artists work to have their art curated, there’s something different and more sincere about Kozy and Dan, it appears that these guys work hard to curate their own perfect life, whether it be art, travel or spending time with one another…

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Monocle magazine terrifically covers international affairs, business, culture and design. With a careful eye for detail, the journalistic temperament is sophisticated and knowledgeable while still being inclusive and diverse. This is not a magazine. It’s a book that you get monthly. We have every issue at the office, and we refer to them as coffee table resources. Their design is inspiring and moving, and you can reference it for months and still find new and interesting information each time.

It was no surprise that we weren’t the only fans of Monocle. Arriving as one of the top selling debuts in magazine history, it definitely has its followers. Who could blame them. For example we came across an awesome photo collection by one of its readers. The photos were taken in response to a challenge posed by Tyler Brûlé, the editor.

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Put art everywhere. That’s what we say. Why not? As we travel to various cities, the best destinations fuse art, functionality and public space in unusual and thoughtful ways. That’s why when we came across these pictures of Stockholm’s Underground, we had to share them with you. At the intersection of modern and prehistoric, they’ve created a cool underground experience. Being both inspiring and refreshing, we imagine the atmosphere makes the daily commute a bit more enjoyable.

View pics from the Stockholm Metro [Here]

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