Retail special: stationery shops

Athenians have a knack for injecting pockets of greenery and a sense of innovation into their ancient city. Their urban interventions are aimed at cooling down this dense metropolis and safeguarding its sacred sights as much as the neighbourhood life. We climb its seven hills to get a fresh perspective on the city's charms.

Monocle’s picture-perfect November issue is a design special that sketches out the future of concrete and visits a Gio Ponti gem in Paris. Elsewhere, we take to the skies in an airship and tuck in to Berlin’s best ‘Currywurst’. Yum!

At Monocle, we believe in the enduring power of the newsstand as a place to forge relationships, showcase the best of print and, for savvy brands, to create meaningful connections with customers offline.

A short hop from Malé’s international airport, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offers an encounter with age-old Maldivian culture. Chef de cuisine Jameel Ahmed helps us navigate the customs of island life: from ancient signalling techniques to convivial food culture. We mull over the insights on a beachside dinner as the sun sets.