Barcelona is a buzzing, contemporary city where the accent is on here, now and tomorrow. But at the same time it presents a glorious and colourful history, that survives in some of the most interesting Art Nouveau architecture in Europe. Here it's known as Modernisme. By the mid-19th century, the city of Barcelona was expanding past its mediaeval walls, and as a result, a new city plan had to be drafted. Civil engineer Ildefons Cerdá was chosen for this task. In 1859 he proposed a grid system of intersecting streets, and so the developing Eixample neighborhood began to take shape along these lines. However, this new urban plan...Read more

Nothing can be compared to the splendid way in which the Palais Royal, Paris , with its triple arcades and marvellous garden, bears witness to the past. With both a joyous and tumultuous past, today the Palais Royal has re-established itself as the temple of fashion and good taste. LUXOS invites you to go for a walk and discover this treasure trove of pleasures, where history is just as rich as its abundance of modern creations. Cardinal Richelieu wanted a palace. In 1629 he put his architect, Jacques Lemercier, in charge of building a royal dwelling near Rue Saint Honoré. When considering the early days of the palace’s e...Read more

 If it’s your first time visiting the Borough Market then the choices can be overwhelming. Set amongst maze-like walkways there is so much to see, buy and most importantly…try! An atmospheric haven of international food and drink, the buzzing market sits between the River Thames and Borough High Street in South East London. The easiest way to get there is to catch the above ground or underground train to London Bridge, from there turn left onto Borough High Street and right onto Stoney Street. Now lets begin! To Eat: If it’s a meal you’re after then let me help you narrow down your options. On the corne...Read more

Brace yourself for a colourful burst of fabrics, ceramics, chandeliers, leather, carpets, scarves, jewellery, and really any other sort of souvenir that you would associate with the shopping capital of the East. Istanbul's Grand Bazaar was built by the order of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror and later expanded by Suleiman the Magnificent. It has been a source of inspiration for other indoor shopping centres for centuries. The Grand Bazaar covers 66 labyrinthine streets encased by beautifully decorated domes. It is home to more than 4,000 shops and visited by millions every year. The world’s original shopping mall sprawls over an area o...Read more

Known since the Second Empire as the chicest place in Paris to go stretch your legs, the Champs Elysées is a worldwide symbol of Parisian living. Starting from Louis Vuitton, over the last few years the biggest names in luxury living and fashion have claimed their place on the ‘most beautiful avenue in the world.’ The history of the Champs-Élysées dates back to 1670: the gardener André Le Nôtre, who had been commissioned by Colbert to plan out the ‘Jardins de Tuilerie,’ extended the garden’s central viewpoint by creating a walkway where he planted a double row of elm tre...Read more

Mount Street in London's Mayfair is now fully open again after intensive renovation. It is a favourite location in part due to its lovely neo-French Renaissance architecture, and in part to the many retail brands that have boutiques there, including Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Lanvin, Azzaro, Carolina Herrera, Balenciaga and Stephen Webster. Scottish rainwear specialists Mackintosh and footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood have opened boutiques early in 2011, and other brands soon to be opening here include Loewe, owned by LVMH, and Shizaru, a new gallery concept featuring unusual objects, art and design. The Mount Street renovatio...Read more

Ask anyone who has been to Istanbul just once. They'll have seen the Sultanahmet Mosque, Haghia Sophia, and the Bosphorus, but not Nisantasi. Not because it's far off the beaten track, but because it is known and loved primarily by the local fashionistas and gourmands. Only the best-informed travelers searching for that elusive combination of luxury and authenticity will find their way to this chic neighborhood of aristocrats. Nisantasi is an alluring district with a lively downtown feeling, with many exclusive shops and department stores. Its history dates back to the 18th century. In fact, in the 1780s, going to Nisantasi meant starin...Read more

Visiting Paris without savouring the legendary neighbourhood of Saint Germain-des-Prés is like having dinner without dessert, or a madeleine without the memories. Under the surface, you will find the charm of a neighbourhood true to itself, where publishers and artists chat away for hours at the café de Flore or the Deux Magots. Here at “St Germain”, as the regulars call it, Juliette Gréco fell in love with Miles Davis and Serge Gainsbourg made his cabaret debut. The influence of icons of the French cultural scene, from Boris Vian to Charlotte Gainsbourg, can be seen in the understated shop signs and in th...Read more