Extreme Climates: Escaping the Elements
When winter temperatures in Toronto and Montreal plummet to -20°C (-4°F), locals don’t just bundle up—they head underground. The PATH in Toronto and the RÉSO in Montreal are vast subterranean networks where people work, shop, commute, and socialize without ever facing the bitter cold. These underground cities are a lifeline during deep freezes.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Qatar’s summer heat can reach 49°C (120°F). But instead of hiding indoors, residents can now stroll through an air-conditioned “forest” on Gewan Island. The Crystal Walk promenade stretches about 450 meters (a third of a mile) and is shaded by artificial branches adorned with 10 tons of crystals, offering a cool escape from the blazing sun.
Namibia’s Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate proves that even the driest places can produce award-winning wines. Located on the edge of the Namib Desert, the vineyard uses netting to protect grapes from hungry baboons, allowing humans to enjoy the fruits of this innovative approach.
Underground Poland: Sinister and Salty
Beneath the fairy-tale Baroque architecture of Książ Castle in Poland’s Owl Mountains lies a mysterious underground Nazi complex. Tied to one of the Third Reich’s most secret construction projects—and legends of a lost train filled with gold—this site offers a chilling glimpse into history. A four-hour drive southeast, near Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine draws up to 9,000 visitors daily. With over 150 miles of tunnels across nine levels, this UNESCO World Heritage site is part cathedral, part industrial relic, and part theme park—where guests are even encouraged to lick the salt walls.
Luxury Living: Nobu Expands in Europe
Robert De Niro and his partners are rapidly expanding the Nobu hotel chain across Europe, with new openings in Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, and the UK. Their latest property on Rome’s iconic Via Veneto offers a taste of luxury. Meanwhile, Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula is seeing a surge in five-star openings, including Villa Maçakızı, where villas can cost around $50,000 a night. General manager Andrew Jacobs says the team can make “whatever people want, whatever their wildest imagination” a reality.
Dining on the Tube
Eating on the London Underground is typically frowned upon, but a decommissioned train carriage at the northern end of the Victoria line hosts an unusual dining experience. Supperclub.tube seats up to 36 guests for multi-course tasting menus served amid moquette seats and polished chrome fittings.
Quick Hits
- Bikinis have been banned on a Sydney bus after modesty complaints from passengers who found swimwear “off-putting.”
- Italy’s famous “Lovers’ Arch” collapsed on Valentine’s Day—a poetic loss.
- Chinese zodiac predictions for 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, are in.
- A civil rights icon, a massive avalanche, and a royal scandal made headlines this week.
