At the height of summer, it seems that nearly everyone is jetting off to Europe or Asia for a well-deserved break. For design lovers, travel doesn’t just provide time for some R&R, but also an opportunity to get inspired by new cultures and perspectives. So, where do those with the most discerning eye choose to stay while visiting the world’s design capitals? And what are the must-see sights? TikTok and Instagram are rife with suggestions, but if living vicariously through your friends’ feeds doesn’t satisfy your wanderlust, start planning your next trip using one of the handy travel guides below:

Manila doesn’t immediately spring to mind as a must-see design destination. Yet, the capital of the Philippines is teeming with architectural gems, many of which stem from the Brutalist era. In this book, Toronto-based author, artist and designer Bianca Weeko Martin reveals the multi-faceted character of Manila’s built environment, while also unpacking her own relationship to it as a Filipina Canadian. “It is my wish that the Filipino diaspora can experience the sense of continuity, curiosity and affirmation that examining our complicated architectural heritage can bring,” she writes in her introduction.

Through building case studies, she recounts Manila’s complex history from the American Colonial era to the contemporary age. While the book covers all the expected inclusions — the Manila Cathedral and the Manila Metropolitan Theatre, for instance — Martin peppers in lesser-known, yet equally spectacular sites like a roadside KFC housed inside an imposing concrete structure, which eschews the copy-and-paste design convention of the fast-food typology.

“Mexico City is an inexhaustible lab of urbanism,” wrote Octavio Paz in The Labyrinth of Solitude. Indeed, it is an apt description of a place where culture permeates every corner. This title by Assouline captures it all, from the fragrant aroma of street vendors to the vivid colours of the buildings. In his introduction, Aleph Molinari looks back at the city’s history, revealing the many permutations it has taken since its Aztec origins; a second intro by Anfisa Vrubel takes a closer look at the city’s architecture through the years.

What follows is a stunning assortment of full-bleed images that jump off the page, highlighting the food, spaces and people that give Mexico City its singular character. They are intertwined with quotes from local artists, directors and architects, which impart their own take on the city: “The design scene in Mexico City has found its voice and distinctive language on a global scale, as the Mexican creative community has reclaimed its heritage with pride, working alongside artisans and understanding the importance of horizontal collaboration,” writes designer and AZ Awards 2024 juror Héctor Esrawe.

For some, a hotel room is just a place to rest one’s weary bones after a long day of sightseeing. But for design lovers, accommodations can be the destination in and of themselves. Featuring 17 unique properties across the continent, this travel guide by The Aficionados offers plenty of fodder for your next Euro trip. More than just an assortment of reviews, each writeup dives into the design details behind each hotel.

The assortment of properties runs the aesthetic gamut, from the mid-century-inspired Pontisella Stampa in the Swiss Alps, to a minimal yet luxe guesthouse in Milan. Even if a vacation isn’t on the agenda (or in the budget) this summer, the residential-inspired spaces highlighted here will offer plenty of inspiration to bring vacation vibes to your own home.  

Among the many things Japan is famous for, its pottery stands out as a testament to the country’s affinity for craft. Yet rather than drawing on this age-old tradition, LA-based ceramics studio OWIU Goods turned to the country’s natural beauty as inspiration for its latest collection, inspired by a team trip in March 2023.

In this book, OWIU co-founder Amanda Gunawan recounts the highlights of this adventure, exploring the places upon which each glaze was based (the delicate light pink Hanami colourway, for instance, was inspired by the wistfulness of watching the sakura, or cherry blossoms, bloom). Whether looking for ramen recommendations or architectural highlights, this guide has everything you need to craft the perfect itinerary.

If a last-minute summer vacation feels like a pipe dream, this title from Monacelli (available in December) can help you get a jump on your travel plans for 2025. Here, you’ll find even more aspirational hotel content, featuring over 70 of the world’s high-design destinations organized geographically (with a foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger and expert travel tips by long-time journalist Cynthia Rosenfeld).

Five long-form stories delve deeper into standout properties like the Ambiente A Landscape Hotel in Sedona, Arizona and The Okura Tokyo. Designed by award-winning firm Pentagram, the book itself is as thoughtful and luxurious as the content it features. It is the first in a multi-volume series with The Leading Hotels of the World, meaning there’s plenty more inspiration where this came from.