Acid test
Many first-year university students in Portugal are being put through the mill by their peers, taking part in initiation activities that are supposed to be fun – as well as embarrassing. But how far will they go to earn their stripes?Going with the flow
One of life’s smaller but more embarrassing problems – how to disguise the noise we make when we visit the bathroom for a tinkle – has finally been solved by a Japanese company. Now we can all feel relieved.Cosy corner
Ensconced in her regular dressing room, the Greek pop singer likes to while away the time before performances by pampering her voice and avoiding diva-ish cliché.My cabinet
The future of Spain’s Prado Museum lies in the hands of Miguel Falomir – and his formidable team.
Rome improvements
In the face of mismanagement, poor planning and terrible transport, we meet the heroes helping to fix the Italian capital.Desert storm
The Israeli Defense Forces base of Ir Habahadim is at the heart of the government’s vision to settle and develop the Negev desert – but it’s a plan that’s also controversial.Rolling stone
Despite challenges both past and present, canny redevelopments, scrappy fundraising and passionate residents have ensured this city’s regeneration has rock-solid foundations.Flights of fancy
All the latest innovations and ideas for improving your in-flight experience are on show at the Aircraft Interiors Expo. They’re not all good (some are downright terrible) but we hope a few of them will make it to market.Sit back and relax
For most people commuting is boring, expensive and uncomfortable. But does it need to be that way? We just want the basics done right: solid infrastructure, a low-carbon footprint and an experience that doesn’t leave us feeling claustrophobic. For some lucky people, such a commute is a reality. Monocle takes a look at three of the best routes from around the world.Kiss of life
Go to Japan to discover how a small-town train station can help reshape the community and economy – all with a hyper-local vibe.Push the boat out
Despite the predictions of big sales and profits, Asia’s yacht market is spluttering. But market watchers still hope that the habit will take hold.The big spoke
Toronto, against all the odds, is very much a cycling city. We meet the independent bike makers and painters who are keeping the town in the saddle.Connected thinking
The business of getting from A to B has rarely been such a contentious issue, whether the debate is about environmental impact, regional rivalry or the influence of powerful nations. Our round-up of the most exciting transport projects takes in all those things, while also offering a nifty glimpse of how we’ll be travelling in years to come.Case of the vanishing journalists
TV, newspapers and podcasts have made reinvestigating old crimes big news. But who can they turn to for help? Meet two reporters who left their jobs to become media-minded private eyes.Front and centre
The spotlights used in many a film classic were made by a family-run company in a tiny Bavarian town. We meet the German engineers bringing a warm glow to Hollywood.French touch
Gallic pop’s ecstatic renaissance is being driven by electro-tinged – and frankly libidinous – tracks from a new wave of artists. Riding highest on our list is Corine, who joined us in the apt setting of Hotel Grand Amour to talk eroto-disco and the lure of the theatrical.Rework it
Renovation can be a delicate balancing act between modern comforts and maintaining historical charm. We visit three European cities where carefully considered restorations are bringing buildings back to their former glory.Shaping the city
Warsaw’s graphic-design industry has emerged from the 1990s, inspired by a new sense of identity.Get in gear
Once viewed with disdain in Tokyo, food trucks are now transforming disused parts of the city thanks to a canny new firm.Right track
Train station fare is often rushed and unreliable. Not so at this golden-age stop-off at Gare de Lyon.Going east
LA’s Eastside is proving fertile ground for designers who are refining Californian style.Bouncing back
With its new rubber shoe designs, footwear company Moonstar has both rediscovered its manufacturing pride and found a new fan base.Hit the summer sails
Now’s the time we start dreaming of the open water. We’ve found just the right vessels, from the sleekest yacht to the perfect pedalo.Hallowed ground
Designed by Vincent Van Duysen, the August hotel is a sanctuary worth seeking out.
Centre stage
We meet the Norwegian prime minister, whose job is to keep her country on an even keel as it tackles extremism and an over-reliance on fossil fuels.Life in motion
From the infrastructure giant improving quality of life to the railway firm entering the property market, we meet the high-flyers going above and beyond.
Politics briefing
Kazakhstan’s retiring president, Denmark’s Green party leader and Nordic nations feeling postal pressure.Cities Briefing
A multipurpose hospital in Milan, New York’s glass-skyscraper ban and Belgian bicycle taxes.Diplomacy Briefing
Bulgaria’s digital goodwill ambassador, Finland’s happy holiday and a Brazilian change of heart.Defence briefing
New subs for Taiwan, the Egyptian navy’s spending spree, and Greece and North Macedonia make up.Architecture briefing
Raf Simons discusses a new range of furniture fabrics, plus the concrete creation rising from the Jordanian desert.Food and drink briefing
New openings from Lima to London, plus a few saucy table-toppers and something for your bookshelf.Fashion briefing
An all-star Norwegian collaboration between Holzweiler and Snøhetta, plus the top summer T-shirts.
The Ten
Whether you’ve got your eye on a painting at Art Basel, want to watch a thrilling piece of cinema or prefer to spend your summer days relaxing with a good novel, our guide to the best films, series, art, books and exhibitions on offer this month has all the information you’ll need.Happy landings
All the latest news, hotel openings and hospitality happenings you need to hear about from around the world.
Breathe easy
The weather is hotting up but there’s no respite in our hectic schedules. How to cope? Light, breathable fabrics will keep you feeling – and looking – cool.Neon bible
Bold colours are not always the brightest idea. But, with sunny days ahead, now is the time to be brave enough to stand out from the crowd.
Issue 124
June 2019
Editor's letter
The opener
At the front
Acid test
Many first-year university students in Portugal are being put through the mill by their peers, taking part in initiation activities that are supposed to be fun – as well as embarrassing. But how far will they go to earn their stripes?Going with the flow
One of life’s smaller but more embarrassing problems – how to disguise the noise we make when we visit the bathroom for a tinkle – has finally been solved by a Japanese company. Now we can all feel relieved.Cosy corner
Ensconced in her regular dressing room, the Greek pop singer likes to while away the time before performances by pampering her voice and avoiding diva-ish cliché.My cabinet
The future of Spain’s Prado Museum lies in the hands of Miguel Falomir – and his formidable team.
Report
Rome improvements
In the face of mismanagement, poor planning and terrible transport, we meet the heroes helping to fix the Italian capital.Desert storm
The Israeli Defense Forces base of Ir Habahadim is at the heart of the government’s vision to settle and develop the Negev desert – but it’s a plan that’s also controversial.Rolling stone
Despite challenges both past and present, canny redevelopments, scrappy fundraising and passionate residents have ensured this city’s regeneration has rock-solid foundations.Flights of fancy
All the latest innovations and ideas for improving your in-flight experience are on show at the Aircraft Interiors Expo. They’re not all good (some are downright terrible) but we hope a few of them will make it to market.Sit back and relax
For most people commuting is boring, expensive and uncomfortable. But does it need to be that way? We just want the basics done right: solid infrastructure, a low-carbon footprint and an experience that doesn’t leave us feeling claustrophobic. For some lucky people, such a commute is a reality. Monocle takes a look at three of the best routes from around the world.Kiss of life
Go to Japan to discover how a small-town train station can help reshape the community and economy – all with a hyper-local vibe.Push the boat out
Despite the predictions of big sales and profits, Asia’s yacht market is spluttering. But market watchers still hope that the habit will take hold.The big spoke
Toronto, against all the odds, is very much a cycling city. We meet the independent bike makers and painters who are keeping the town in the saddle.Connected thinking
The business of getting from A to B has rarely been such a contentious issue, whether the debate is about environmental impact, regional rivalry or the influence of powerful nations. Our round-up of the most exciting transport projects takes in all those things, while also offering a nifty glimpse of how we’ll be travelling in years to come.Case of the vanishing journalists
TV, newspapers and podcasts have made reinvestigating old crimes big news. But who can they turn to for help? Meet two reporters who left their jobs to become media-minded private eyes.Front and centre
The spotlights used in many a film classic were made by a family-run company in a tiny Bavarian town. We meet the German engineers bringing a warm glow to Hollywood.French touch
Gallic pop’s ecstatic renaissance is being driven by electro-tinged – and frankly libidinous – tracks from a new wave of artists. Riding highest on our list is Corine, who joined us in the apt setting of Hotel Grand Amour to talk eroto-disco and the lure of the theatrical.Rework it
Renovation can be a delicate balancing act between modern comforts and maintaining historical charm. We visit three European cities where carefully considered restorations are bringing buildings back to their former glory.Shaping the city
Warsaw’s graphic-design industry has emerged from the 1990s, inspired by a new sense of identity.Get in gear
Once viewed with disdain in Tokyo, food trucks are now transforming disused parts of the city thanks to a canny new firm.Right track
Train station fare is often rushed and unreliable. Not so at this golden-age stop-off at Gare de Lyon.Going east
LA’s Eastside is proving fertile ground for designers who are refining Californian style.Bouncing back
With its new rubber shoe designs, footwear company Moonstar has both rediscovered its manufacturing pride and found a new fan base.Hit the summer sails
Now’s the time we start dreaming of the open water. We’ve found just the right vessels, from the sleekest yacht to the perfect pedalo.Hallowed ground
Designed by Vincent Van Duysen, the August hotel is a sanctuary worth seeking out.
Interview
Centre stage
We meet the Norwegian prime minister, whose job is to keep her country on an even keel as it tackles extremism and an over-reliance on fossil fuels.Life in motion
From the infrastructure giant improving quality of life to the railway firm entering the property market, we meet the high-flyers going above and beyond.
Briefing
Politics briefing
Kazakhstan’s retiring president, Denmark’s Green party leader and Nordic nations feeling postal pressure.Cities Briefing
A multipurpose hospital in Milan, New York’s glass-skyscraper ban and Belgian bicycle taxes.Diplomacy Briefing
Bulgaria’s digital goodwill ambassador, Finland’s happy holiday and a Brazilian change of heart.Defence briefing
New subs for Taiwan, the Egyptian navy’s spending spree, and Greece and North Macedonia make up.Architecture briefing
Raf Simons discusses a new range of furniture fabrics, plus the concrete creation rising from the Jordanian desert.Food and drink briefing
New openings from Lima to London, plus a few saucy table-toppers and something for your bookshelf.Fashion briefing
An all-star Norwegian collaboration between Holzweiler and Snøhetta, plus the top summer T-shirts.
Other
The Ten
Whether you’ve got your eye on a painting at Art Basel, want to watch a thrilling piece of cinema or prefer to spend your summer days relaxing with a good novel, our guide to the best films, series, art, books and exhibitions on offer this month has all the information you’ll need.Happy landings
All the latest news, hotel openings and hospitality happenings you need to hear about from around the world.
Residence
My Last Meal
Shoot
Breathe easy
The weather is hotting up but there’s no respite in our hectic schedules. How to cope? Light, breathable fabrics will keep you feeling – and looking – cool.Neon bible
Bold colours are not always the brightest idea. But, with sunny days ahead, now is the time to be brave enough to stand out from the crowd.
Retail safari
Shopping
Inventory
Expo