Dont overlook Milan. You might just find hidden secrets in a mosaic of old and new. Alessia Algani — the editor and writer behind the all-things-Milan app Milanochemipiace, which launches its new edition on September 22, 2014 — shows us around her home city.MILAN – Milan is a strange place. Considered the ugly duckling among the more famous Italian art cities, it is usually considered no more than a starting point for the Grand

DARA Artisans is one of our trusted resources for beautifully designed, responsibly handcrafted home goods made by artists around the world. On a recent buying trip to Tunisia, director of sourcing and artisan relations, Leigh Millard, fell in love with Sidi Bou Said, a dreamy blue and white village just thirty minutes outside the countrys capital.SIDI BOU SAID, Tunisia – I recently visited one of the most gorgeous places I have ever had th

Dandy Farmer is a Brooklyn-based bonsai studio run by two guys who make yearly pilgrimages to Tokyo. Their list of go-to spots in the city include a mix of small specialty shops, museums, and bonsai gardens (of course). Hakujitsu1-7-7 Torigoe, Taitō-ku The impeccably curated antique studio is off-the-beaten-path and always one of our first stops. Like stumbling into a secret playhouse with old magical artifacts, the concept of Hakujits

Ever considered going to Georgia? Travel trendsetter Ross Belfer just returned from a quick trip to the tiny, beautiful country and thinks it could be the next big thing.GEORGIA – Georgia is the land of the unrestrained. Following years of war, strife, and conflict, the mountainous, coastal, and thriving swathe between Europe and Russia has emerged as one of the hottest destinations of 2017. Its impeccable culinary approach and dining scene

A jewel-toned boutique hotel in Jerusalem pairs modern design details with the glory of old-world architecture.JERUSALEM, Israel – Bleary after two overnight flights from Los Angeles and London and a cab ride from the Tel Aviv airport, I showed up at the brand new Villa Brown Jerusalem very early one morning. So early, in fact, I was the very first guest to ever check into the citys first boutique hotel of this caliber.So many firsts! Hotel

Sixty SoHoNew York City, Modern$$ (from $225)The newly redesigned Sixty SoHo has the same incredible address — on perennially cool Thompson Street — and new, very handsome 21st-century modern stylings to match. For travelers who want to feel every bit as urbane and cultured as the neighborhood, this boutique hotel delivers.At a Glance Vibe: Conspicuously stylish and buzzy, but not too sceney, with masculine decor and object

Fathom founder (and lapsed Catholic) Pavia Rosati had never seen the Sistine Chapel. Heres what happened when she finally made it there. How did that happen?ROME – This story begins and ends with confession.I have never seen the Sistine Chapel.By way of explanation, I should start with a little autobiography: I go to Rome a few times a year, I visit churches everywhere I go, and Im a lapsed Roman Catholic who cant shake her faith no matter

ROME – Rome, Paris, London: Dream destinations for every traveler. But not for me.  Having traveled through Europe as a child, I always put those cities in the been-there-done-that category. Now that my work takes me to Europe several times a year, I often find myself changing planes in these cities, but never stopping. Eiffel Tower? Went up when I was seven. Tower of London? Check. Coliseum? Of course. But wait: What do I really remem

Every other spring, the contemporary art world flocks to Italy to celebrate art, dance, architecture, cinema, and theater at the Venice Biennale. Fathom contributing editor and Biennale regular Erica Firpo gives us a peek at what shes packing in her suitcase.VENICE – Flashback to the 1999 Venice Biennale, a time where I spent many months covered in red powder. Anne Hamilton, an artist representing at the U.S. Pavilion, made a crimson snowfa

Fathom editor Berit Baugher checked into The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong, a luxurious hotel with an incredible view of Chinas most populous city.CHECKING INThanks to 24 million inhabitants and an ever-evolving skyline, Shanghai is a city in constant motion. The frenetic pace is felt immediately upon arrival — its sheer size and speed is exciting and jarring — which is why choosing a hotel that feels like a safe

Fathom editor Berit Baugher ventured over to Long Island City, a hotbed of modern restaurants and contemporary art just across Manhattans East River.LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS – One of my favorite things about living in New York is the abundance of newness. Theres always something different to try, and, for me, sometimes that means an entire neighborhood. Long Island City (LIC) has been developed since the 1800s, of course, but it wasnt exact

Its sunny somewhere. And chances are, Brisbane is that place. Katie McKnoulty, the nomadic freelance marketing strategist and graphic designer behind The Travelling Light, one of our 24 Favorite Travel Blogs and Websites 2015, sums up the city for the sun-craving, outdoor-loving, flip-flopping foodie in all of us. BRISBANE – The sun is always shining in my hometown. The vibe is happy and carefree, probably because the beach, nature, and sum

Two hours south of Berlin, Dresden is renowned for stunning Baroque architecture and cultural riches. Travel editor Linda Cabasin tells us what to see in Saxonys capital city.DRESDEN, Germany – I visited Dresden to reconcile two famous sets of images: The first, captured by the painter Canaletto in the 18th century, was the skyline of art-filled Baroque buildings that earned the city the nickname Florencez on the Elbe. The other images show

Berlin has some of the best museums and architecture in the world, not to mention a steady flow of contemporary artists coming through since the 90s. Heres a hit list of the citys lesser-known-but-still-notable spots for arts and culture.BERLIN — It may not be regarded as the city that never sleeps, but with its underground house, techno and dance clubs, Berlin gives New York a run for its money. Beyond the music scene, Germanys

Cyrena Lee went to Iceland to crash a party and stayed for the fantastic Icelandscapes, bustling nightlife, and very weird food.REYKJAVIK, Iceland – I went to Reykjavik to crash the wedding of a friend of a friend. (Any excuse to travel.) I didnt know much about Iceland before I got there. I had heard about the magically restorative silica mud at Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa and about infamous rotten shark (more about that later). But theyre

Indian, African, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Caribbean cultures mesh together in Trinidad and Tobago. The islands eclectic ancestry can be tasted in unorthodox culinary concoctions and heard and seen in the music and dance of Carnival. Writer and record collector Jonathan Kirby gets off his beach chair to dive into the mix.TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, The Caribbean – Trinidad is the last island in the string of the West Indies. At the clo

CHARLESTON, South Carolina – The beach bum, the adventurer, and every traveler in between will feel at home in Charleston. Have your slice of Southern comfort served four different ways.1. BEACH TOWNSThere are miles of shores to explore. Boho surfer boys and girls convene at Folly Beach for relaxed waves, a swim, and kayaking. Post-beach, the crowd floats to Bowens Island Restaurant for warm fire pits, oysters, and hush puppies. Sullivans I

In 2007, MJ Greene was a 37-year-old Australian blonde who had never worked in the Middle East or Central Asia. Thats when she took a job in Afghanistan working as a general manager for TerraTota, a NATO-contracted multinational that provides alcohol within the strict Muslim country. Her fish-out-of-water memoir, A Conflict of Interest, describes in self-aware, diary-like reflections how she tried to fight the corruption she encountered &md

American expat Erica Firpo has lived in Rome long enough — and shown enough people around — to know how to build the perfect day.1. Wake up with a cappuccino, preferably with a view. Rome has a whole breed of hotels with amazing views. My latest favorite view can be found on the rooftop terrace at St. George Hotel on via Giulia: 360 degrees of Romes 400+ domes.2. Walk down via Giulia to via del Pellegrino, 82, to rent

Its safe to say that Portugal is having a moment. But while everyone was looking at Lisbon, one of 2016s hottest travel destinations, Ross Belfer was touring Porto, the port city of Viana do Castello, and the picturesque Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. Heres why the tapped-in traveler set his sights so far north.PORTUGAL – Over the past few years, Ive developed an unhealthy obsession with Portugal, one that goe