Outlet shopping in Milan has taken on near mythic proportions. Rumors abound about little hole in the wall shops selling cashmere sweaters direct from the Loro Piana factory, or secret shipments of Ferragamo shoes for sale in the back of an office – without a doorbell, of course. The reality of outlet shopping in Milan is that it does require a great deal of patience and perseverance, as many of the best outlets are indeed located behind gates or hidden away in basements. But with a little digging – or a superb map, or better yet, a driver - you can find Prada, Gucci and Armani at drastically reduced prices. Here is our list of the best outlet shopping in Milan.

Now this is a hotel: It's really the only proper response to entering the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida—and to seeing how this most venerable hotel chain successfully melds its five-star philosophy to Naples' family-friendly environs. I arrived at two in the morning, after an 11:30 a.m. flight from JFK managed to leave a little over nine hours late; the one benefit of my exceptionally delayed arrival was a chance to get a look at the hotel's entrance hall without many distractions—distractions I would observe on following nights in the form of a live-music band and a bustling, mixed crowd of couples, families, wedding parties, conventioneers, and, at one point, the economist and television personality Ben Stein.

The Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro has just become the first and only hotel to receive a Platinum LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Opened in 2007 with an immediate Gold LEED rating, the Proximity Hotel and Print Works Bistro were literally built on green principles. More than 70 environmentally friendly practices are in place at the hotel including recycling 87% of construction debris—more than 1,500 tons, sourcing over 40% of the building materials and 90% of furnishings locally (reducing transport pollution) and  putting 100 solar panels on the roof. The hotel also installed regenerative drive elevators that actually generate their own electricity during descent—the first such elevators in use in North America.

Spending a night at the Fontana Park Hotel is like a one-night stand with a very handsome architect. The fashionable crowd is intrigued by this complicated cad's intelligence, good looks and even wit, to boot. But for some well-seasoned travellers, they will swallow the truth long before climbing onto his firm mattress, swathed in high thread count, and stacked with king-sized pillows: like last season’s architectural shoes, style overrides comfort.

Cult denim favourite Rag and Bone has just opened its first flagship store in (where else?!) New York. The new, serene space has opened just in time for Fashion Week, and is decorated with lots of antiques, polished wooden floors and old trunks. The shop features a wide range of denim – Charlize Theron and Blake Lively are fans of their jeans-  as well as their perfectly tailored clothes for men and women – we like the look of their jodhpurs as well as the crisp safari suits. Rag and Bone, 104 Christopher Street (between Bedford & Bleecker Streets), New York, NY. Phone: (212) 727-2990.

Park Hyatts are taking over the world! But not that we’re complaining. This chain of hotels is always stylishly designed, with great rooms and funky bars and restaurants. The latest and greatest hotel is the Park Hyatt Instanbul, located in the trendy Nisantasi neighbourhood. The hotel, which is slated to open in October, is housed in an Art Deco building where on the ground floor shoppers will find Emporio Armani and Gucci boutiques. There will be 90 rooms, each with huge limestone bathrooms, and 25 of the rooms will feature a Turkish bath. The hotel’s signature scent will be a delicate rose. Rates will start at €350. Park Hyatt Istanbul - Maçka Palas, Bronz Sokak 35, Tesvikiye Istanbul, 34367, Turkey. Phone: + 90 212 368 1234.

Berlin is a city of dualities.  A city formerly divided, there are at least two of everything: three airports, three opera houses, two zoos, and two television towers.  So, it seems somewhat fitting that I had two check-ins and two check-outs for a single night's stay at Hotel de Rome, a sleek hotel with compassionate service in Central Berlin. My first check-in was relaxed.  At 11 o'clock in the morning, my room wasn't ready, so the hotel's front desk attendant suggested that I hang out in the hotel bar and lounge. 

We’re on a bit of a shoe thing today but this news is too juicy to pass up. The super-swanky Liberty, one of our favourite department stores, has unveiled its new Shoe Boutique earlier this month, which is laid out like an opulent boudoir. Shoppers will find a pair of Vivienne Westwood shoes perched on a dining table, or some Alaia shoes suspended from the ceiling. All of the shoes are displayed like works of art in a setting which includes plenty of chaise longues, mirrors and chandeliers- there is also a garden room. Designers carried include YSL, Alexander McQueen, Giuseppe Zannoti, Prada, Stella McCartney, Chloe and more. The Shoe Boutique is on the 2nd Floor, East Gallery and Atrium. Liberty, Regent Street, London W1B 5AH.

Lucky guests of the lauded, exclusive and pricey (funny how those three things so often go together) Little Palm Island Resort & Spa  are welcomed into the elegant Shore Station where bags are whisked away, cars are parked (you won’t need them where you’re going) and hands are filled with a glass of champagne or a refreshing Gumby Slumber—the resort’s signature rum punch—made from coconut rum, spiced rum, pineapple, orange and cranberry juice topped with a “shot" of shredded coconut that’s been marinated in 151 proof rum.

With the Olympics kicking off today in Beijing, the entire world will be focusing on the city, and there is so much to take in. Beijing has been spruced up and now boasts some of the world’s most daring architecture, alongside ancient sites like the Forbidden City. The art scene in Beijing is buzzing as well; check out all the galleries and hip bars in the Dashanzi district. We’ll let everyone else cover the sports while we zero in on the city’s shopping. While Beijing doesn’t have the immediate appeal and buzz of Shanghai, if you dig a little deeper you’ll find the city’s charms, like the myriad of hutongs (the traditional alleys).