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Cicada Books presents Graphic USA, an alternative guidebook to 25 American cities written and illustrated by graphic designers. Graphic USA gives you an insider’s view of the best (and occasionally weird) restaurants, hotels, galleries, bars and coffee shops, all with quirky illustrations/graphics by the artists that live in each city. It’s quite like reading a friend’s notes on interesting places that you should see, with tidbits and paragraphs to help you along your way.

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I’ve recently come back around to the idea of Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic islands off the coast of Spain. Long derided as package holiday resort and eclipsed by its clubby neighbour Ibiza, Mallorca and especially its very funky capital, Palma, are back.

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I’ve only been lucky enough to do it a couple of times but there is something incredibly nice about boarding a plane and turning ‘left’. It feels like you’ve made it, it feels like where I belong but at £4,854.00 for a single fair to New York from London, I don’t think I’ll be back there any time soon.

For some people though, it’s a drop in the ocean, and for those people the lovely team at British Airways has, bucking the industry trend, reinvented their First Class cabin.

Inspired by classic British Cars Aston Martin and Jaguar, the hand-stitched leather bound seats now boast a writing desk that doubles as a dining table, a 15″ screen, a USB port for your iPod or iPhone, electronic window blinds and a personal wardrobe.

The only way to fly?

This is another Asian city where you can easily find amazing hotels at a price. It’s also another city where the Peninsula chain provide with you a top option for accommodation. If however your budget is more constrained or you’re trying to meet a slightly tighter expenses budget this beautiful new business hotel could be for you.

Doubles from HK$988
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I cannot wait to go to Beirut. It’s rapidly emerging from its war-torn days and is becoming a multicultural east meets west venue in the Mediterranean, a new Istanbul. What was always an exotic destination is regaining its former glory before our eyes.

A key sign of this transformation is the slew of luxury hotels that have started opening. Along with the luxury standard bearer Four Seasons, this hotel, from the people that brought you One Aldwych in London and Carlisle Bay in Antigua, signals Beirut is more than just safe to go back to, it’s the next ‘it’ resort.

Doubles from $345.00

Wow. So if someone were to ask me how I’d like my ideal hotel designed they could do a lot worse than this. Old, classic building, minimal in it’s raw materials with stunning yet simple, luxurious furnishings.

This place looks amazing and starting at €220 per night it won’t break the bank either. Located on Lake Garda in Italy you too could be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Mr Clooney in no time.
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This restaurant offers fine, seafood dining and is situated on the Pacific coast overlooking Seal Rocks. There has been a building here for more than a century, including Sutro Baths, and the latest incarnation, post-fire and post-earthquake, has stunningly simple design with large glass walls that allow you to see the stunning view.

Mains form $19.00

I’ve always loved the idea of going to Zanzibar. Just off the coast off Tanzania, both these countries have always sounded so exotic.

My image of Zanzibar has always been rough and ready though and perhaps not for the faint-hearted but with this new property even the most dainty of travellers can find a home here.

Located on the island’s North Shore, each of the 15 pavilions has an upstairs and a downstairs, a plunge pool and views of the Indian Ocean. Ecologically sound too, the domed rooves collect rainwater to irrigate their own vegetable patch, a lot of the property runs off solar power and there is a waste water recycling plant.

Doubles from £600

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Like the post on Malmaison hotels, this is another stylish chain if you’re visiting the UK. (Actually they are sister companies.)

Hotels du Vin are styled a little more classically and located in smaller, more traditional cities in the UK, as well as a couple in major cities. The emphasis is very much on cuisine and you will find excellent cooking in all of their hotels. Between these and Malmaison hotels, you should have your visit to the UK sewn up.

Hotels du Vin have hotels in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Harrogate, Henley-on-Thames, Newcastle, Poole, St Andrews, Tunbridge Wells, Winchester and York and rooms start at £175.00 per night.

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One of my favourite cities in the world, I don’t need much persuasion to go back to this city that spans two continents. If I was in need of a little push this 17 room boutique hotel could just do it.

Set in the Cinhangir district of Istanbul, with views overlooking the picturesque Golden Horn and Galata Tower, this has quickly become the place to stay when visiting this historic city.

Doubles from £170

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This petite, no-reservations Tapas bar in London’s soho is worth braving the nightly queue for. With a distinct New York vibe, fast service and close proximity to the kitchen, there is an excitement and a buzz to this restaurant not found in other Tapas venues in the city.

OK so it’s kind of obvious but as I’ve mentioned The Wolseley in London and Brenner in Munich, this is the New York equivalent. Vintage-styling, great service and a classic menu make this a must visit when in New York.

Mains from $16.00.

This pair of boutique hotels in the Greek Islands have recently become the hottest destinations in their respective resorts. Browsing through their websites you can understand why.

The graceful coexistence of traditional architectural elements and local craftsmanship with modern facilities and simple but elegant design touches is apparent throughout the properties.

Doubles from €190 per night.

If you’re visiting the UK regions and are looking for a dependable hotel chain you could do a lot worse than Malmaison.

Often located in quirky buildings, one is a former prison, this stylish chain boasts attractive rooms, central locations and good food.

Look into them if you’re travelling to Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford, or Reading

With a number of stateside locations already, this Spring sees this luxury boutique hotel chain open their first international branch in Toronto.

Thompson Hotels are contemporary and elegant with an element of edge and surprise. At Thompson Hotels we believe there’s a place for refined, innate style in a world of overly dressed-up mega brands. We are not trendy boutique hotels. Our style is simultaneously timeless and avant-garde.

Dare we hope Europe is next? Doubles from US $219.00