MONTANA MAGICA LODGE: CHILE

It's not every day that you can sleep inside a volcano, but at Montana Magica Lodge it's possible. The lodge is located in Huilo Huilo, a biological reserve in the Andes Patagonian region of southern Chile. The waters in these parts are said to have great purity, thus the desire to incorporate it into the design of the lodge.

(found via Wall To Watch / images via Montana Magica Lodge)

MARILYN MONROE IN BANFF: JOHN VACHON

I just love these playful portraits of Marilyn Monroe circa 1953. They were shot by acclaimed photographer John Vachon in Alberta, Canada while Monroe was filming River of No Return. The photos were published last year in Marilyn - August 1953: The Lost LOOK Photos by Brian Wallis. I have long wanted to visit Banff National Park, ever since my father showed me photos from a motorcycle trip he took through the park when I was child. You can view more photos from Monroe's visit to Banff in the collection shared on The Telegraph.

(images REUTERS/The Estate of John Vachon/Dover Publications, Inc)

ONE CITY, FIVE HOURS: HEMISPHERES MAGAZINE

I recently stumbled on these wonderful map illustrations by Oliver Jeffers for United Airlines' inflight magazine Hemispheres. They accompany articles in the magazine's One City, Five Hours series, which gives a step by step (sometimes literally) guide to spending a 5 hour layover (presumably) in cities all over the world. One of my dream jobs is to write/blog for an inflight magazine (try and forget my whole fear of flying thing). It's work like this, by publications like Hemispheres that give me that desire. 

(found via Rachel (of Black Eiffel) on Pinterest / images via Oliver Jeffers)

ATLAS OF REMOTE ISLANDS

Yet another book I must own for my armchair travel. Atlas of Remote Islands is an illustrated book by German author Judith Schalansky. As described by Penguin Books:

On one page are perfect maps, on the other unfold bizarre stories from the history of the islands themselves. Rare animals and strange people abound: from marooned slaves to lonely scientists, lost explorers to confused lighthouse keepers, mutinous sailors to forgotten castaways; a collection of Robinson Crusoes of all kinds.

While the original illustrations (also by Schalansky) are superb, I adore Christina Hart's re-illustrations. There are so many nooks and crannies of this world unknown and unexplored.

(found via designworklife / images vial Christina Hart)

AIRCRAFT - THE JET AS ART: JEFFREY MILSTEIN

Through his photography, Jeffrey Milstein turns aircraft into art. His favorite way to capture the planes is from the end of a runway, just as they're about to land. My usual feelings regarding airplanes involve white-knuckles and bouts of terror. Next time I fly, I think I'm going to try and remember these photographs and the art in which I'm riding. I've mentioned Milstein's photography here before, but they are currently on display through November 25th at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

(found via 2modern / images via Jeffrey Milstein)

ROLLING HOMES: HANDMADE HOUSES ON WHEELS

I basically want to live inside Jane Lidz's 1979 book Rolling Homes: Handmade Houses on Wheels. I used to think I wanted a vintage airstream trailer, but maybe it's a rolling home I'm really after. This would be the perfect home to fit my nomadic tendencies.

(found via All The Mountains / images via Amy Merrick)

INFRARED HONG KONG: YIU YU HOI

Happy Lunar New Year from Korea. I ushered in the year of the dragon by visiting the doctor and getting up to date on my vaccines. Lots of upcoming travel = fun. Getting five shots in one day = not fun.

I celebrated last year's Lunar New Year with a trip to Hong Kong. For five days I walked around that city mesmerized by the incredible architecture, amazed by the bright lights and bold colors of the neon signage, and enchanted by a record-holding giant Buddha and a silted fishing village. All that being said, it was a very different place than pictured in Yiu Yu Hoi's infrared photos of Hong Kong. I didn't think Hong Kong could be any more enchanting until I saw these photos. 

(found via Honestly WTF / images via Yiu Yu Hoi)

WPA POSTERS OF THE U.S. NATIONAL PARKS

National Geographic posted a great collection of U.S. National Park WPA (Works Progress Administration) posters from 1936 to 1938 via the Library of Congress. Seeing these makes me realize I need to visit more the U.S. National Parks.

> images via Library of Congress

CITY SILHOUETTES: JASPER JAMES

British photographer Jasper James creates a compelling juxtaposition in his series City Silhouettes. His photographs feature the city of Beijing, where he is currently based, paired with silhouettes of its citizens. He captures his subjects as a refection, as they appear to be reflecting on the world below them.

> found via Bem Legaus / images via James Jasper

THE MOUNTAIN: TERJE SORGJERD

I don't see the stars much these days. Korea's bright lights and bold colors make that next to impossible within a city's limits. This video, by Terje Sorgjerd both fills the void and leaves me yearning. The Mountain captures breathtaking images of the Milky Way over El Teide, Spain's highest mountain.

NEW YORK CITY'S SECRET SUBWAY STATION

Opened in 1904 and designed by Rafael Guastavino, the City Hall subway station was intended to be the crown jewel of the original New York City subway line. The station was closed in 1945 and has remained that way to date. Originally, commuters were required to disembark at the Brooklyn Bridge station before the train made its way back uptown. In recent years, passengers have been permitted to remain on the train while it passes through this stunning and historic station.

It's been a long while since I rode the New York City subway. My most recent sub-urban travel has been on subway cars in Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. I love exploring the subway stations of foreign rapid transit systems and I typically find that the older the station the more impressive it is.

> found via Pondly / images by John-Paul Palescandolo and Eric Kazmirek

WHERE DO YOU LIVE: GEOF CROWL

A year ago, Geof Crowl posted one of his designs and a question on Dribble, "What state do you live in?" The response has been overwhelming. Over 400 designers have posted their answers in the form of well designed and often stunning postcards. You can view all of the postcards on Dribble.

> image credit: Jory Raphael (Vermont) / Bryan Veloso (Nippon) / Benoît Burgene (Switzerland) / Tyler Thompson (New York) / Brent Jackson (D.C.) / Xande Macedo (California) / Geof Crowl (Utah)

IMAGES DE L'HIMALAYA: VITTORIO SELLA

I would just love to get my hands on a copy of  Images De L'Himalaya by renowned Italian photographer and mountaineer Vittorio Sella, which I spotted over on Wary Meyers Decorative Arts. My current read is the Lonely Planet guide to Nepal. I have quite the year of travel ahead of me, including a Himalaya / Everest base camp trek in my very near future. Sella's photographs are the perfect inspiration.

(images by Vittorio Sella via Wary Meyers Decorative Arts)

MAPS: JENNIFER BRIAL

Jennifer Brial has some outstanding map-themed art pieces. From paintings to mixed-media, there is a little something of everything in her online portfolio.

(found via Today and Tomorrow / images via Jennifer Brial)

SHAOLIN KUNG FU: TOMASZ GUDZOWATY

Tomasz Gudzowaty’s entire portfolio is absolutely stunning. His  photo essay on the Shaolin Temple  in Henan province, China is especially powerful. The essay documents the temple's Kung Fu students.

(found via Photojojo / photos via Tomasz Gudzowaty)