Traveling
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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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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Accommodation near water – three new experiences in Finland
Mondo picked three excellent choices for accommodation in a beautiful setting in Finland. Visit the luxurious Haasi Mirror House cottages on Lake Päijänne, the historic Carlsro Badhotell on the Åland Islands and The Barö in Ingå tested by Mondo.
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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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Bilbao, the gem of the Bay of Biscay
The port city on the north coast of Spain is once again flourishing, offering bold architecture, distinctive culture and tasty food. Join Mondo on a tour of Bilbao!
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Christianshavn’s time to shine
It seems that everyone in Copenhagen is now talking about Christianshavn, the district of the Danish capital that includes the famous Freetown Christiania. Mondo went to spend a sunny day with the locals.
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Mondo’s picks: 6 excellent alternatives to super-popular destinations
Did you know that the Croatian city of Šibenik is every bit as lovely as Dubrovnik, but without the crowds? In this article, Mondo presents six superb alternatives to some of the world’s most popular travel destinations.
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Traveling on Design Stories
These stories are for the design-aware traveler: the one who plans a city trip around an architecture trail, seeks out the neighborhood that hasn’t made the listicles yet, and considers where to stay as carefully as where to eat. We cover destinations near and far, from a Finnish lakeside hideaway to a 16th-century Roman villa restored with contemporary Finnish design.
In the Traveling category, you’ll find city guides, accommodation picks, and destination features from across the world. Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply dreaming of one, there’s always somewhere worth discovering.
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.
