Exploring the world’s cities this winter

They say the world is your oyster, but for many it’s now a refuge from Melbourne’s bitter cold snap…it appears every second person we’ve chatted to is heading abroad to escape winter so we thought we’d show you just what the world has on offer.

…and for those of you who are staying put and wrapping yourself in a blanket at home, we’ve found some beautiful ‘souvenirs’ that you can buy yourself from the comfort of your sofa…you’re welcome!

London

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships

It’s tennis time at Wimbledon where you can soak up the buzzing atmosphere at one of the biggest sporting events of the year, enjoy strawberries and cream, and super polite queuing as you wait for the masters in white to play.

Standing in Line: A Memoir: 30 Years of Obsessive Queuing at Wimbledon by Ben Chatfield

Standing in Line is a humorous memoir, based on a variety of experiences in The Queue, one of sport’s most fascinating traditions. Told through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy becoming a 39-year-old man, it is a love letter both to Wimbledon and to the wonder of British summertime. Watching the Championships is a national pastime, and this book is full of the ups and downs out on court, as well as the memorable pop-cultural moments off it. It is set against the desperate wait for a British Gentlemen’s champion, viewed against the global reality show Wimbledon has become – transcending sport and class, yet still embracing tradition. Illustrated with drawings from renowned artist and author Zebedee Helm, the book observes both the changing world around us and the behaviour of the half-million fans who cram themselves into this leafy corner of London for two weeks every year. Standing in Line is a joyful, gently nostalgic read for anyone who has found themselves gazing for hours on end at coverage of Wimbledon.

New York

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at The Lyric Theatre, New York

This critically acclaimed play has won 22 major theatre awards in the United Kingdom and is the most-awarded production in the history of Britain’s prestigious Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director. Written by Olivier and BAFTA Award winner Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage, bringing together some of the most exciting talent working in the theatre today.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

And if you fancied reading up on the life of Harry prior we know just the thing!

Harry Potter Boxed Set The Complete Collection (Adult Paperback) by J.K. Rowling

When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he’s the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord’s curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts, a wizarding school brimming with ghosts and enchantments, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three-headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers which could be valuable, dangerous – or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Paris

Game of Thrones Touring Exhibition

Okay, so technically this isn’t going to help you escape winter…but rather remind you over and over that it is coming. From 1 June to 2 September, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles will be transformed into Westeros! Enter the world of the Seven Kingdoms with this reconstruction of the sets of the series, including the Kingsroad, The Wall, the House of Black and White, and the Iron Throne Room, you’ll also be able to see Daenerys’s robes, Jon Snow’s fur coat, and plenty of multimedia content.

For the ultimate souvenir you can buy the beautifully bound boxed set here, or even this little treasure…

Game Of Thrones Monopoly Board Game (Collector’s Edition)

When you play the Game of Thrones Monopoly, you win or you die…Wait! It’s not as serious as death but you will have to pay up, as the number 1 property board game meets the hit TV series Game of Thrones! Game of Thrones fans, brace yourselves, Winter is coming and so is the Game of Thrones Monopoly Collector’s Edition! Mr. Monopoly definitely took a wrong turn at Old Kent Road and ended up in Westeros. Get your friends and family together and join him in the world of Game of Thrones to see who will rule the Seven Kingdoms and sit on the Iron Throne.

…but if you wanted something a little more ‘french’ we recommend this beauty…

Veuve Clicquot the colour of excellence by Sixtine Dubly

Since its creation in 1772, Veuve Clicquot has never ceased to create and innovate and has never compromised quality. These high standards were set by Madame Clicquot herself when she took the reins of the company in 1805. Almost 250 years later, Veuve Clicquot has become not only one of the most sought-after champagnes in the world, but also an attitude. Readers will discover the thrilling atmosphere of the brand’s international celebrations, whether in New York at the Polo Classic or in Japan during sakura season. Partnerships with prestigious names like chef Joel Robuchon and designers Pablo Reinoso and Andree Putman have led to limited editions, exclusive design pieces, and unique lifestyle and gastronomical experiences. As they say at Veuve Clicquot, “Let life surprise you”!

Helsinki

Helsinki Day Spa + Bier Bier

Full disclosure…this one made us stop in our tracks purely because of it’s name…and you can go anytime. This is the first day spa in Helsinki and it has a wonderful reputation for premium treatments luxurious atmosphere in the heart of the city. Enjoy massages, facial treatments, manicures, pedicures and many other special treatments including a light impulse treatment that firms up your skin and balances your skin colour…what more could you want in an escape from winter? In between treatments you can relax in the stylish lounge and afterwards cross the road to Bier Bier, a bar with an amazing selection of craft beers and wines! What!! Since when has a day spa recommended the bar across the road!! #bestofbothworlds

And who can go past the ultimate Finnish souvenir…a little something from Marimekko!

Marimekko: In Patterns

Internationally beloved Finnish design brand Marimekko’s iconic patterns grace home decor, apparel and accessories and have informed and influenced tastemakers worldwide for over half a century. Richly illustrated with photographs and prints both classic and new, this vibrant volume (launching along with covetable notebooks and postcards) offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the brand’s creative process. A colourful legacy is revealed, along with the innovative creators, from 1950s pioneers to twenty-first-century masters, who have shaped the company’s heritage and continue to make visual magic today. Rare sketchbook pages, in-depth looks at particular eras and page after page of gorgeous designs make this a book sure to enchant anyone interested in fashion, art, or the patterned and colour-drenched world of Marimekko.

Enjoy!