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Restored Villa Lante: Contemporary Finnish design in a 16th-century Roman villa
Villa Lante, used by the Finnish Institute in Rome, reopened in autumn 2025 after an extensive renovation. In this story, Helka Parkkinen from the design studio KOKO3 talks about how contemporary Finnish design finds its place within an Italian Renaissance villa.
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Where design meets rest – unique accommodations for design lovers
A memorable place to stay can transform your travel experience – or inspire a staycation right in your own city. Design Stories rounded up a selection of design-driven accommodations, from Finnish hideaways to Mediterranean escapes, from cityscapes to countryside serenity.
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New rise of the urban sauna culture: explore 10 authentic Finnish saunas
In summer and winter, in sickness or in health, alone or together – the Finns will always find a reason to go to the sauna. Design Stories lists some of Finland’s most interesting urban saunas, ranging from the oldest public saunas in the country to stunning feats of contemporary architecture.
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Mondo’s quick city guide: Brussels
The Belgian capital has plenty to offer for architectural aficionados and those who enjoy comics and beer. You might also visit some of the interesting museums in Brussels or take a trip to the neighboring areas by tram.
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Mondo’s picks: 6 enchanting cave adventures
Travelers venturing underground are sure to be greeted by wondrous sights: millions of glowworms, golden pavilions, endless tunnels and stalactites hanging majestically from the ceiling. Take a tour of six fascinating caves with Mondo!
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Mondo’s picks: 6 natural wonders from a bird’s eye view
Some natural attractions look particularly stunning from above. Mondo picked six places also worth seeing from a bird’s-eye perspective.
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Oslo’s maritime experiences – see Mondo’s favourites
The capital of Norway is already competing with Stockholm and Copenhagen for the title of the most interesting city in the Nordics. Mondo chose what’s relevant in Oslo: in addition to the inexpensive restaurants and new cultural and architectural sites, they recommend you to take a fjord cruise and visit the great maritime museums.
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What’s new in Oslo – discover Mondo’s architecture and restaurant picks
The capital of Norway is already competing with Stockholm and Copenhagen for the title of the most interesting city in the Nordics. Mondo picked the most essential spots in Oslo: affordable eateries and new cultural and architectural attractions, such as the largest art museum in the Nordics.
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Mondo’s picks: 6 sister cities of Paris
Many cities have been nicknamed the Paris of their country or the surrounding area. Mondo picked six destinations that exude a charmingly Parisian atmosphere.
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Design Stories is the online magazine of Finnish Design Shop, created to inspire and delight design lovers everywhere. We hope you enjoy exploring with us! Have a story tip or thoughts on our content? We’d love to hear from you.
