Amid Rising Regional Tensions and Soaring Travel Costs, Gulf Residents Are Choosing Staycations
Gulf residents are increasingly opting for staycations as US‑Israel‑Iran tensions and soaring fuel prices make long‑haul travel riskier and more expensive. Hotels across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain have launched aggressive summer promotions, filling rooms that traditionally sit empty during the June‑August lull. The shift is prompting a re‑evaluation of regional tourism patterns, with more travelers exploring Oman, Ras Al‑Khaimah and other nearby destinations. Industry observers wonder whether this behavioural change will become a lasting habit, especially as rail projects promise faster intra‑Gulf connections.
At the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa, Ukraine Looks Increasingly Like the Leader of the Free World
The Black Sea Security Forum convened in Odesa’s opera house despite recent Russian air strikes that killed civilians and damaged the port. High‑profile guests—including U.S. senators, former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and Georgia’s ex‑president—used the event to underscore Western backing...
Is Lisbon’s Art Market on the Up? Arco Lisboa, the City’s Growing Contemporary Art Fair, Has Put on a Promising...
Arco Lisboa’s ninth edition opened at Lisbon’s Cordoaria Nacional, showcasing more than 80 galleries—a jump from the 45 that debuted in 2016. About 35% of the exhibitors are Portuguese and over half are Iberian, giving the fair a distinctly regional...
Off the Wall: How Frank Bowling Painted His Way to Prominence
Frank Bowling, the 91‑year‑old Guyanese‑British abstract painter, continues to reinvent his practice, from poured canvases to glitter‑laced spray work. In June 2026 his first solo exhibition in Asia opens at Hauser & Wirth in Hong Kong, while the Fitzwilliam Museum...
What Is so Special About ‘Le Petit Prince’?
Antoine de Saint‑Exupéry’s 1942 novella *Le Petit Prince* has become a global cultural icon, selling over 300 million copies and ranking second only to the Bible in translations, with more than 650 language editions. In France the book still moves 200,000‑300,000...
Songtsam: Modern Chinese Hospitality
Songtsam, a boutique hotel group from Yunnan, has opened its latest property designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Wang Shu. The hotel showcases a new wave of Chinese luxury that fuses local traditions, geography, cuisine and contemporary design. As Beijing pushes...
What’s Hot in the World of Coffee? We Spill the Beans on the Global Market
The global coffee market is booming, with boutique brands now valued at over $1 billion (≈€850 m). A third‑wave wave of lighter roasts, design‑centric stores and millennial appeal has attracted venture capital and major food conglomerates. Companies like Aesop, acquired by L’Oréal...
‘We Want to Sell Mexico to Mexicans’: Why Mexico City’s Fashion Boutiques Are Celebrating Native Talent
Mexico City’s boutique scene is undergoing a renaissance as homegrown designers attract both locals and affluent tourists. Shops like Lengua and Chava Studio showcase high‑end jewellery and made‑to‑order shirts, with price points soaring from $300 to $5,000 per piece. The...
What I Learned During New York City Design Week
New York City Design Week concluded, featuring the ICFF trade fair across all five boroughs. The U.S. furniture market is projected to reach $265 billion in 2026, yet American design is often seen as trailing European powerhouses. Designers such as Nidhi...
Want to Know Thailand? Get Behind the Wheel
Monocle has released a 224‑page handbook on Thailand, its first travel guide outside Europe, and the author argues that obtaining a local driving licence unlocks deeper country insight. He recounts personal road trips from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, highlighting stops such...
Thailand: The Monocle Handbook
Monocle has published a new digital handbook titled "Thailand: The Monocle Handbook," offering curated insights on the country’s culture, business climate, and travel destinations. The release is bundled with Monocle's subscription services, newsletters, and an e‑commerce platform for related merchandise....
France’s Next Dining Revolution Might Start Before Lunch
The article reports that the traditional Lyonnais mâchon—a hearty, communal meal served between breakfast and lunch—is being introduced at London’s Bouchon Racine, positioning it as a cultural alternative to the generic brunch. Chefs such as Henry Harris and the La...
How We Made Monocle’s Guide to Helsinki
Monocle has published a new travel guide to Helsinki that emphasizes the city’s authentic cafés, independent shops and distinct neighbourhoods rather than glossy tourist spots. The guide reflects Helsinki’s recent confidence, a maturing hospitality scene, and a surge of design...
Thailand: The Monocle Handbook – Out Now
Monocle has launched the sixth edition of its premium Handbook series, a 224‑page hardcover guide dedicated to Thailand. The book travels from the mountainous north of Chiang Rai to the tropical beaches of Phuket, spotlighting wellness retreats, innovative restaurants, national parks,...
Now Boarding: The Airline Quiz for Frequent Flyers and Terminal Romantics
Monocle’s Faster Lane newsletter launches an airline quiz for frequent flyers, offering a $400 trolley tote to paying subscribers and a cotton Tenugui to free readers. The 10‑question quiz probes airline lounge design, crew aesthetics, safety videos, magazine policies, service...