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Hanging in my house as a child was a painting of the Sagrada Familia. I loved it because it looked so differently than any building I’d seen and reminded me of the drip sand castles I’d build at the beach down the street. For my parents it was doubtless a work whose power lay in the memories of their trip to Spain early in their marriage. Like countless millions before and after they found the building captivating. However, as I grew older I found myself drifting towards the camp of snobs who sneered at such a “tourist attraction” and its garish additions.

Paul Richardson dives into that divergence between snobs and the general public over the Sagrada Familia better than I ever could. Despite decades in Spain and being one of the preeminent travel writers based there, Paul had never been! You’ll have to read it to find out what he thought upon finally visiting.

Rounding out our stellar selection this week are a handful of great features:Alex Sakalis has a truly fascinating (I kid you not, read it) story about a city split by the Cold War that is filled with more historic curiosities than you might’ve thought possible. Daniel Modlin explores the world of fishermen trying to catch the smallest fish possible. And I’ve written about a new hotel in Paris with a pretty fantastic view.

Enjoy!

— William O’Connor, Travel Editor

Does Hating the Sagrada Familia Make You Cool?

I had been avoiding it all my life. Why? Partly because I was reluctant to join the tourist throng, fearful of being reduced to the level of a humble sightseer.

Skinny Smugglers, a French King’s Body, and the Odd European City Home to the Other Cold War Wall

Have you heard about the ‘other wall’ in the Cold War?

The People Traveling the World in Search of the Smallest Fish They Can Reel In

You won’t see these folks posting photos to dating apps with giant fish they’ve hauled in.

This Is the Weird Reason Why California Sea Lions Are Getting So Thicc

Conservation is causing these marine mammals to balloon in population and size.

“With its height, the SO/ Paris is an island of sorts on the right bank, which is fitting since it sits on the former Île Louviers, one of the many islands that once dotted the Seine in Paris.”

– A new hotel has some of Paris’ best views and a slick retro-futuristic look.

Streamline Your Travel Gear With This Vertical Tote Bag in Leather & Canvas

Rimowa’s premium travel accessories and luggage make travel feel more like a luxury experience rather than a necessary hassle, and its newly-launched Still Vertical Tote Bag is no exception. Designed with Italian-made full-grain leather and durable canvas, this vertical tote bag is designed to streamline your travel experience, whether you’re commuting by subway to the office or jetting off to a vacation abroad. The tote bag also features a slew of thoughtful design specs, including a designated passport holder, sturdy leather straps that stay put on your shoulder or your suitcase handle, and a roomy pouch to protect larger electronics.

—Scouted by Mia Maguire

BUY AT RIMOWA >>>

Travel the World with the King of Minimalism

There are bold-faced names in the world of design, and then there’s a level above that–the bold-faced names that other bold-faced names turn to. Such is the status of John Pawson, the self-taught architectural designer who has created works for some of the most famous people in the world. Now, a new monograph from Phaidon, John Pawson: Making Life Simpler, dives into the talented man’s vision and work. It is the latest for our series on gorgeous new coffee table books, Just Booked.

The book is equal parts biography and photography. Pawson’s personal life is discussed, as is the course of his unusual career path. The book isn’t an instruction manual, but it is instructive. A reader browsing its pages comes to understand how Pawson’s path took the shape it did. Perhaps, for the young, idiosyncratic creative, it offers the possibility of inspiration for forging their own.

Don’t miss our other selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked.

BUY ON AMAZON >>

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