From Colombia to Moldova and a fair few places in between, we take stock of what makes the world go round – and yes, manicures and underwear both feature prominently.

Josh Fehnert reporting from Buffalo: After a post-industrial plummet in its economy, outlook and population, rust-belt city Buffalo is preparing to take flight once again. We find urban renovation, new businesses and positive activism – and independent restaurants that fly without wings.

Andrew Tuck reporting from the Azores: Although rain and rough waters might put a damper on your first impressions of the well-connected Azores, you’ll soon find yourself won over by the islands’ compact capital and tight-knit communities. There’s a reason natives return to these shores.

Trish Lorenz reporting from Portugal: The Portuguese navy is one of the oldest in the world, with a history that ebbs and flows back to the 12th century. As the tides have changed so have its responsibilities, with clever diplomacy and humanitarian missions now as much of a priority as protecting the nation in combat and safeguarding its vast territories. Life on board a submarine, in particular, isn’t easy, but they come complete with a healthy dose of camaraderie – and a commitment to an essential maritime service.

James Chambers reporting from Hanoi: In Vietnam’s fast-paced capital where two wheels still rule the streets, old-world charm and the status quo are being challenged by a rapid social and urban transformation.

Matt Alagiah reporting from Palermo: Sicily’s capital is far from perfect but its revival, thanks to progressive leadership and the return of youthful residents, is a joy to behold.

Christopher Lord reporting from Brno: The Czech Republic’s second city was central to European design before falling into a troubled 20th-century sleep. Revival came thanks to research investment but its future may lie in its design heritage.

Fiona Wilson reporting from Wellington: With its isolated coastal location and stunning sea views, this might be the world’s windiest city but it’s not all hot air. The New Zealand capital is home to incomparable coffee, exceptional seafood and a strong cinematic pedigree that’s enough to see even the most experienced travellers blown away.

Rob Bound reporting from France: What happens when you put Monocle’s Culture editor and a mysterious companion in a Jaguar and launch them on a sojourn through France from Biarritz to Marseille? On reflection it’s probably best not to ask

Ed Stocker reporting from Lima: Centuries of immigration have made Peru’s coastal capital the culinary envy of Latin America. Now designers hope to do the same for the city’s architecture, from restoring colonial landmarks to creating modern marvels.

Megan Gibson reporting from Bad Gastein: Hope springs eternal in this Austrian spa town thanks to enthusiastic newcomers enchanted by its bucolic charms.

With its intriguing mix of grand colonial boulevards, art deco façades and buzzing plazas, Uruguay’s capital is emerging as a beacon of creativity and democracy in Latin America.

The capital of Newfoundland and Labrador blossomed during its oil boom but it will need all the fierce optimism born of a harsh past to weather the slump.

Restaurant listings are too often unpalatably pompous affairs where novelty and pretentiousness are entertained as marks of quality or invention. Not ours. Monocle’s second annual Restaurant Awards commends the places that have been consistently good and the up-and-comers that have the ingredients to be great restaurants for decades to come. You won’t find foam, fuss, emulsion or mist on our dishes – nor steaks served on slates. Instead our itinerant editors and correspondents from London to Tokyo, Sydney to San Francisco (and beyond) have compiled a rundown of the best meals they’ve sampled this year.

We explore three of the most pioneering enterprises in worldwide retail and foretell the future of the physical shopping experience from the perspectives of those who are redefining the mall, freshening up the fashion sector and breathing new life into bookshops.

Our correspondents are particularly observant when they are on assignment, which is very helpful when you want to compile a round-up of some of the best places in the world to eat, sleep and drink. Here we recommend a few you might have missed.

Journeys for our editors and correspondents often start on a train or a plane but we’re also amenable to putting a little rubber to road. In that spirit we have our eyes on a few motors well suited to escaping on our own terms this summer.

From the well-preserved pontoons of small seaplanes to the adaptable offerings of enormous luxury cruise ships, we discover some of the world’s most promising travel and hospitality companies and meet the people making the decisions that keep them afloat.

Unpack what it means to travel and to arrive with our global tour from cab to departure lounge, hotel desk to airborne presidential suite.

Cool cottons, sharp eyewear and bold colours reign supreme this autumn. Layer up to go from poolside to cocktail hour come rain or shine on the Bayerische Riviera.

When in Rome, diplomats and their retired counterparts head here to play tennis, take a dip and cut a few deals.