This weekend I'm planning a trip up to a friend's cottage, which means no wi-fi and no cellular coverage. Though I appreciate the peace and quiet, I still like to get some work done, especially without the endless distractions of my inbox. Spending too much time away from your desk this summer? Stay productive on your next trip if without a connection by preparing a few offline tasks and feel better about that time spent in the sun by getting things done. More

Just two hours southwest of Washington, D.C., the city of Charlottesville maintains a strong link to the architectural legacy of Thomas Jefferson. Home to his "architectural laboratory," Monticello, this city continues to embrace the sights, sounds, and flavors of its Jeffersonian heritage, while fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation. Full of southern hospitality, Charlottesville welcomes visitors seeking to engage the senses in all that this design destination has to offer.

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As I sit in my hotel room at 4:43 a.m. and contemplate moving into my new apartment in Germany in the morning, I find myself missing a few key items and cursing the gods of forgetfulness (and also jet lag). In case you ever find yourself moving abroad, here's a short list of things I wish I had right now: More

Beijing's skyline changes more often than some cities change weather. One day you might be photographing a centuries-old hutong, the next it'll be a giant hole surrounded by signs announcing an ambitious new project of some kind or other. The capital is continually changing with an eye towards contemporary art and cutting edge design by boldfaced names like Koolhaas and Starck, but old Beijing still has something to offer fans of history and traditional design. And the food is some of the best in the world. So if your travels take you to Beijing, check out our Design Lovers' Guide for some of the best ways to spend your time. More

Houston sometimes gets a bad rap. It's sprawling. It's humid. It's full of mosquitoes. Sometimes, traffic is terrible. But look past all that, and you'll see a city that is diverse, that is multi-faceted and unpredictable, that has a laid-back, uniquely Texas charm that any design lover could love. More

Back in 2005, British designer Tom Dixon bought this water tower in North Kensington, London. Dixon has been working with sustainable architectural firm SUSD to convert the landmark structure, 60 feet tall and capable of holding 5,000 gallons of water, into a townhouse. More

Whether you prefer backpacks or rolling suitcases, airline luggage limits force us to reign in our pack rat tendencies. Plus, there are few things as annoying as getting halfway across the world to realize that you will never wear or use half the stuff you just schlepped from home. So, when I set off for a nearly month long trip along the Trans-Siberian Railway, every item in my luggage had to be vitally important, or be left behind. More

Despite visiting several times, I have dreamed of France for ages. I just can't get enough of the "laissez-nous faire" way of life. I'd pick pretty much any city to vacation in, but if I had my pick of hotel amenities, you can bet that these would be on my dream list. More

Does the thought of tent camping cause you to be, well, less than enthused about braving the great outdoors? Ever crave a really good night's sleep when you're spending the night in the woods? Enter the teardrop camper. I saw these recently and was smitten. More

While Orange County is probably best know for turning out "Laguna Beach" and "The Real Housewives", those who are from the area know it's actually a pretty charming place. The collection of beach cities from Laguna to Sunset have a laid back costal appeal that is a mecca of surf culture and areas like downtown Fullerton, and the Orange Circle are perfect for spending an afternoon browsing antiques. More