“Monocle 24 – The Urbanist” Fernando Augusto Pacheco takes the plunge into one of Zürich’s lakeside public baths.
Badis are essentially public “baths” or “swimming areas”, where you can come to swim in the lake or the river, and then cool off on the wooden docks or grass, grab something to eat or drink, socialize and pass the hours reading, sleeping, tanning or just enjoying the sun. Most badis in Zürich cost 8 Francs to enter, though some are free.
Few experiences can beat diving into a pool in the fresh air, swimming with blue skies above you. Whether it’s a dip into a busy and bustling city pool on a sweltering summer day, or taking the plunge in icy waters, the lido provides a place of peace in a frenetic world.
The book begins with a history of outdoor pools – their grand beginnings after the buttoned-up Victorian era, their falling popularity in the 20th century, and the newfound appreciation for the outdoor pool, or lido, and outdoor swimming in the 21st century.
Journalist and architectural historian Christopher Beanland picks the very best of the outdoor pools around the world, including the Icebergs Pool on Bondi Beach, Australia; the 137m seawater pool in Vancouver, Canada; Siza’s concrete sea pools in Porto, Portugal; the restored art deco pool in Saltdean, UK, and the pool at the Zollverein Coal Mines in Essen, Germany. The book also features lost lidos and the fascinating history behind the architecture of the pools, along with essays on swimming pools in art, and the importance of pools in Australia. In addition there are interviews with pool users around the globe about why they swim. The book is illustrated throughout with beautiful colour photography, as well as archive photography and advertising.
Looking to take a vacation while avoiding COVID? Many families are heading out AND staying home, exploring public spaces while avoiding hotels and public bathrooms, by traveling in an RV. The pandemic is driving up sales of midrange recreational vehicles, which have nearly doubled compared to last summer. And as The New Yorker magazine’s Kelefa Sanneh finds out, some motorhomes have amenities you may not even have in your own home.
In the years that followed the financial crisis, sales of RVs began booming. Once considered a pretty dowdy way to travel, RVs have benefitted from slick industry ad campaigns, low gas prices, and a renewed interest among Americans of all ages. Data indicate first-time buyers are pouring into RV dealerships and shows, looking for their own happy home on the road. But long-timers say new buyers need to do their research before buying, and understand what the RV life is really about.
E-gravel is about escaping your routine. Getting off-grid and back again. Fast. With its powerful Bosch Performance Line CX Gen4 motor, the Grail:ON surges over any terrain, turning day-long outings into hour-long blasts. Take the fastest line to the highest point. Experience Electrified Escape. Experience the Grail:ON.
The Atlas Touring Coach is our most luxurious touring coach to date. It’s a Class B+ RV built on the legendary Mercedes-Benz® Sprinter van chassis and inspired by our trailblazing Airstream Interstate series. In fact, with its power slide-out, richly appointed features and finishes, and understated automotive styling from grill to bumper, we affectionately call it a Class B+. A new standard has arrived for those who believe a well-traveled life begins with the best.
“Houseboats in the ‘Tom Sawyer wooden hut style’ are still widespread in the tourist sector,” architect Chris Finckh explains the idea behind the new development. “We wanted to build a boat that would allow you to experience the changing natural and urban spaces intensively and in a very special way from the water. It should be a powerful touring houseboat with a high standard of aesthetics and functionality.
“The boat-loving architects, Chris Finckh and Tanja Wunderlich-Finckh, teamed up with Haus & Boot Manufaktur Magdeburg, which specializes in advice, planning and building individual houseboats is and implemented the planning of the architects.
The lounge boat is 44 square meters, has four beds and a small bathroom with all the necessary amenities. It is approved for inland waters (category D), but can also sail larger rivers such as the Elbe or Havel as a version with more motorization. As a spatial extension, there is a U-shaped roof terrace, which is designed as a lounge area and is accessible via a ladder at the rear.
“We have already used the noraplan uni rubber flooring more often in residential construction, it is perfectly suited for the high-quality material concept of the lounge boat,” Finckh continues. “With its silky matt surface and pleasant feel, the material looks extremely classy”.
The prototype of the new touring houseboat, which is currently in Werder an der Havel, meets the highest demands in terms of aesthetics and functionality. The color is limited to a minimum, so that there is a lot of space for experiencing nature. The materials also had to match the high-quality ambience and the puristic room concept.
The architect therefore chose the rubber covering noraplan uni from nora systems. The special feature: Not only the floors of the lounge boat, but also the walls were covered with the product. The design classic with its subtle light gray and matt surface ideally underlines the classy, puristic look.
The Scout Yoho is the lightest hardwall camper in the truck camping industry today, weighing a base weight of 913 lbs* dry, sleeping up to 4, and built for mid-size trucks.
It was developed for individuals and families who want an exceptionally lightweight, highly-durable, and versatile adventure vehicle. This camper is like a backpack for your truck – inside it contains all the camping equipment you need for off-grid adventures and the portability to take out and use the components outside.
The Renogy 160W Monocrystalline Solar Panel is capable, durable, and reliable. Built-in standard to every camper, this solar panel can withstand the elements from heavy snow to strong winds. It’s high-quality construction and multi-layered sheet laminations enhance cell performance and ensure a long-lasting solar system.
From McKinsey & Company (June 15, 2020):
As travel companies redesign their traveler experiences to address risks and anxieties related to COVID-19, they should remember that the pain points and trends that existed before the crisis—such as the shift toward a more digital and personalized journey, and an increased emphasis on wellness and sustainability—have not gone away.
Many initiatives can make the travel experience simultaneously better and safer. Housekeeping services, for instance, will need to adjust for safety concerns, but revised protocols can also reduce environmental impact (such as through less-frequent 
laundering of sheets during each stay), decrease cost, and give guests more flexibility (by letting them choose their own housekeeping schedule).
Companies should empower customers to build their own itinerary using smarter, connected digital tools and make it easier for them to modify or cancel their plans. In addition, companies must recognize that the factors that promote customer loyalty may now have shifted; near-term uncertainty may mean, for example, that the ability to cancel a reservation matters more than brand choice or price.
Our expertise in converting buses started with a 39’ school bus named Natasha. Converting a school bus into a home on wheels was part of an ambitious project : the road trip of our life. We converted our bus with the help of some of the best craftsmen in South California.
Once completed, we drove off to South America and traveled around 16 countries, for what was going to be the best road trip ever ! Before we drove a single mile, we had to build Natasha and after doing all the cabinet-making, welding, dovetailing and decking, we became specialist ! The art and craft of building the best home on wheels is now our job ! Every square inch of the skoolies we build is up to convenience, comfort, functionality and aestheticism. We only build skoolies we would live in, and we are pretty demanding. Working with wood and metal experts, we put our heart and passion in every project we have, eager to create something meaningful for our adventure-seeking clients.
Boomers Daily 