1 May 2025
There are so many inspiring destinations to travel to, so to help you choose, I present five design destinations each month, including the new restaurants, cafés, shops, and hotels we shouldn’t miss – and of course, a current (design) angle.
This month: Lisbon, Veneto, Melbourne, Skåne and Mallorca.
Portugal’s capital is celebrating the third edition of Lisbon Design Week this month (from May 28 to June 1), where you can visit local designers’ studios, take part in a Foam Sculpture workshop, or join a talk with, for example, Christian Haas. While you’re there, also visit the newly opened Macam (opened in March), a museum showcasing the private collection of entrepreneur and art afficianado Armando Martins. More? Book and magazine lovers are in for a treat in Lisbon. Salted Books, Under the Cover, and Good Company are must-visits.
Design Stays? I’m going to Lisbon myself on May 25 and can’t wait to check in at Patio do Tijolo, a peaceful city oasis where rooms overlook the green courtyard or the city.
This month marks the opening of the 19th Biennale Architettura in Venice (until November 23), attracting many people interested in architecture to this breathtaking city. Staying at Il Palazzo Experimental is a great option, but so is the family-friendly holiday home Casa Flora. Still, I want to focus on the region around Venice, as the sinking city may have welcomed enough tourists already. This area not only boasts the most romantic city – Verona, anyone? Romeo and Juliet? – but also lies between the mountains, the famous Lake Garda, and the Adriatic Sea. Around Lake Garda, you can combine an active hiking holiday with sunbathing after a classic Italian Vespa tour along stunning bays like Punta San Vigilio.
Design Stays? Borgo Tre is a serenely restored 18th-century farmhouse located on a hill with panoramic views of the lake. Here, you can truly unwind – whether it’s with a book in the shade of an olive tree or a relaxing yoga class. The highlight of slow living? Their outdoor baths with lake views.
More tips for other regions in Italy on the Italy page
Melbourne Design Week (May 15–25) features exciting exhibitions, talks, and tours, but fitness also has a spot in the program. How will the clubhouse of the future be designed? How can we improve the safety of women runners? And how do you meet creative people on the golf course? Meanwhile, you can discover the city’s coolest spots. Like the new Baker Blue in Cremorne, Japanese convenience store Suupaa, or Future Future – a private dining experience for 10 to 60 people.
Design Stays? Melbourne Place opened its doors in late 2024 in the CBD and is a great spot to recharge after a day in the city. It offers a beautiful view, which you can also enjoy at their rooftop restaurant Mid Air (also open to non-guests).
Find more tips on the Melbourne page
Sweden’s southernmost region attracts not only design lovers but also culinary travelers. I previously wrote about Daniel Berlin, who opened a wine bar here in 2023, followed by a hotel and two-Michelin-starred restaurant Vyn. Now all eyes are on Magnus Nilsson, the renowned chef behind Fäviken, who is soon opening Pensionat Furuhem ‘an exceptional inn, with a perfectly ordinary restaurant.’ Visiting now? Don’t miss Malmö, where the Southern Sweden Design Days are happening from May 22 – 25. Pair that with dinner at Aster, located in a former shipyard.
Design Stays? TypeO Loft remains a unique spot in the expansive, hilly Skåne landscape. It’s an apartment where everything is for sale- from the hand soap to the complete kitchen.
Find more tips on the Sweden page
The Spanish island has something for every kind of traveler. Whether you’re into wellbeing, hiking in the Tramuntana mountains, or exploring Palma on a city trip. And there’s a wide range of farm-to-table restaurants and tastings sure to delight culinary enthusiasts. For example, check out Farm to Table (food), SonMo (olive oil), and Can Cavall Blau (wine). Bar Bodega Biniaraix often hosts pop-up dinners and is doing one this month (May 19–23) with Atelier Renata from Marseille. Also worth visiting: La Nouvelle Famille on the other side of the island.
Design Stays? Aethos is opening its doors this summer. Located right on the beach, with a focus on wellbeing, community, and modern interiors. Prefer something smaller in Mallorca’s prettiest village? Check in at Meem Townhouse in Sóller.
Find more tips on the Mallorca page
Credits: all by Petite Passport, except Borgo Tre (via their website), Patio do Tijolo (provided by the hotel), Melbourne Place (Anson Smart)
A monthly note with new addresses and places worth traveling to
