Barcelona

Taking the most negative of clichés and generalizations about hostels and dropkicking them out of their Barcelonan window is the Generator Hostel.   Here’s how they describe themselves: When is a hostel in Barcelona not a hostel? When it’s a hotel. I’m the best of both worlds. You see I’m a hotel and hostel. How is that possible I hear you...

Arguably Japan's most Internationally recognised architect and designer: Toyo Ito has made a striking, indelible mark on the Spanish design scene, adding his Modern Asian chapter to their multi-faceted design history. Hotel Santos Porta Fira in Barcelona's port district combines conference facilities, a cubist commercial tower and 110m tall hotel in a distinct irregularly shaped building referencing the form...

Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan pretty much takes the crown where design and furniture trade fairs are concerned.  Whether it's your favourite or the most groundbreaking is of course open to much discussion, however, it is undeniably one of the biggest events on the annual design calendar in so far as global pull and breadth of output. That said...