Mill Valley has always drawn creative types. Smith & Hawken opened their first store here, as did Banana Republic and Tyler Florence. Here's how to see the best of it.
This three-time, “America’s Best City” award-winner has gained international renown not only for its historic charm, but also for its phenomenal food scene.
This vibrant capital embodies quaint New England charm as a world-class city that’s filled with cultural neighborhoods, exciting museums and classic architecture.
Boston is a city filled with historic districts nestled beside modern skyscrapers; tourists and locals alike find themselves wandering through Boston Common, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the cobblestone streets of the city’s oldest neighborhood in the North End.
Here’s how you, too, can enjoy some of the most beautiful sights Boston has to offer.
Three-and-a-half hours north of Los Angeles, the Happiest City in America — dubbed so by The Oprah Winfrey Show in January 2011 — is tucked away on California’s Central Coast, with sprawling Pacific coastline to the south and rolling green hills to the north. This eclectic town, with a population just under 50,000, is made up of a variation of folks, including long-time locals, families, retirees, young professionals and Cal Poly SLO and Cuesta college students.
“If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.” – Napoleon Bonaparte
My hometown of Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents; it’s the perfect blend of both Asia and Europe, with an Asian side that’s full of ethnic vibes and exotic, colorful bazaars and a European side that’s newer, more modern and hip.
During its more than 2,000-year history, Istanbul has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Now Turkey’s most important city from a cultural and economic perspective, it’s also the fifth-largest city in the world by population. It’s a city that offers something unlike anything I’ve experienced anywhere else in the world, and I’m excited to share my favorite places and bits of travel wisdom with you, below.
Most have heard about Amsterdam as the crazy European destination where travelers stop to explore and indulge in the liberties of the city. But this beautiful Dutch city filled with canals has so much more to offer its tourists than a trip down to the Red Light District.
With over one million residents, Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ largest city and a creative and cultural hub. Known as the “Venice of the North,” there are over 1,500 bridges that cross this charming European City. Amsterdam is also one of the largest registered historic city centers in Europe with over 7,000 registered historic buildings, a collection of eight windmills in the city center and numerous streets lined with their iconic narrow houses.
At just 31 miles long and 16 miles wide, it’s hard to believe such a small island can contain such a vast array of smells, colors, sights, and sounds.
Singapore is home to such a variety of cultures and people groups that it’s created a culture of it’s own, making it one of the most unique and fascinating stops in Asia. From the rainbow painted colonial buildings of Little India to the high-rise glass sky scrapers in the Financial district, Singapore is a history of old and yet-to-be-written, an identity unto itself and still being defined, and a land of beauty and intrigue that is a joy to explore but impossible to completely experience as it continues to grow and create.
We’re only scratching the surface, but hope today’s city guide leads you to amazing places on your next visit to Singapore.
A city marked by ancient history yet bursting with modern innovation, few places have captured my heart like Milan has, and it seems I am not the only one who is smitten. The world, too, has taken notice as Milan will be home to both
Located on the coast of Queensland, Australia, this cluster of 74 islands forms part of the Great Barrier Reef. Known for pristine beaches and incredible coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, the majority of the islands in this region are designated national parks in an effort
The next time you’re planning a trip to Europe, why not venture a bit further north and explore the stunning Scandinavian capital of Finland, Helsinki? Renown for its world-class architecture, Helsinki's busy downtown core is filled with landmark design gems such as the Saarinen-designed Central Railway Station,
This central European city has quickly become one of the “must-see” destinations for tourists both young and old traveling around the continent. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage List for cultural and architectural significance of the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and
From a humble fishing village to a mega city boasting one of the fastest trains in the world, a flourishing fashion scene and marvels of modern architecture, Shanghai’s culture is nearly as diverse as it’s history. The landscape is a tug-of-war between edgy, glass high-rises
Free People’s BLDG 25 Blog is manned by Julie (editorial specialist) and Jana (blog writer). Together they travel, make, style, photograph and produce the inspiring destination that is Free People’s BLDG 25 Blog. When they’re not off exploring something new, the two make their permanent home in
San Diego is best known for its surf culture, stunning beaches, and sunny weather. There are endless activities for the outdoor adventurer, but no one will blame you if your agenda consists solely of getting sand in your toes and salt water in your hair. If
Take Highway 101 north out of Los Angeles and in just under two hours you'll find yourself in Ojai. It's an idyllic setting paired with a charm still untouched by mainstream tourism, yet with a progressive and artistic enough spirit that will have even the
A city of culture and character, London was recently named the best city in the world. For me, it's a magical place. Made up of various boroughs and with one of the most accessible transportation systems, London is a place of endless exploration and discovery.
Copenhagen has been ranked the most livable city on the planet, but, even if you don't plan on spending a lifetime there it's still worth a visit. Copenhagen is a small but large city with an abundance of historical buildings, Danish design, cafés and green
Located between Europe and North America, the Nordic European country of Iceland is a jewel in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its name, only 10 percent of Iceland is covered by glaciers while the rest is filled with luscious landscapes of sand, lava fields and various
Florence has been guide-booked more times than most, yet there still seems to be an ever evolving list of medieval shops and centuries old craftsmen to see. Perhaps that’s the nature of somewhere beautiful: it continues to unveil itself as time continues to age it.
Nestled along the shoreline between Lake Washington and Puget Sound, Seattle is both home and on the travel bucket list of many an individual. Fisherman, coffee fanatic, art enthusiast, rain lover, techy, outdoorsman, and the list goes on, Seattle boasts mass appeal to a smorgasbord
Contrary to those silly Boring Awards held this past May that named Ottawa the most boring city in Canada, it has more than enough trendy neighborhoods and chic restaurants to make it the perfect weekend getaway destination. Winter is often that time of year when
San Francisco is a city of surprise, diversity, and fascinating history. There is an activity for any mood, a restaurant for any taste, and a coffee shop suited to any form of aficionado. Whether you know the city well or are just discovering it for
Some towns have a distinct personality that you can feel rising up from the ground, pouring out of storefronts and homes. Everything feels as if it belongs to this particular place, that it couldn’t exist as comfortably anywhere else. These places are the cities that its
Culver City is a surprise. In recent times, its lackluster blocks have transformed into marvelous canvases by artists, architects, filmmakers, and other creatives persistently pushing boundaries of imagination. A drive through the neighborhood’s more populated through ways yields glances of innovative architecture extending steel appendages in every
I’ve traveled far and wide across this dear country, but I’ve never found a place quite like Boulder in the summer. With the Rocky Mountains towering overhead and the crisp mountain air, the town comes alive this time of year. World-class rock climbing, the breathtaking
It’s a rare destination that conjures up nostalgia when you’ve never even visited, but that’s exactly the kind of spell Lake Tahoe casts. From the moment that first patch of blue breaks forth from the evergreens after a long day’s drive (or even a short