We don't know what the weather's like where you are, but we're freezing over here! While we wait for winter to melt into spring, we're warming ourselves up by planning a summer getaway. This year, we'll be heading down to Sayulita, Mexico, a village located about 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. A longtime favorite for surfers (they've been catching waves there since the 1960s,) Sayulita has plenty to offer the casual tourist. To name a few: a tented Sunday market with wares made by local and traveling craftsmen, an amazing selection of street food in the bustling town square, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. Plus Sayulita has one of the lowest crime rates in Mexico and world-famous tacos, too.

Need a stylish spot for your Sayulita getaway? Casa Brava, a stunning house located on one of the area's highest hills, fits the bill perfectly. Comprised of a main house, a guest house, and private studio, Casa Brava was designed by one of Mexico's leading architects and features handcrafted fixtures, onyx walls, polished granite counters, and custom-made furniture. Wake up to the sound of tropical birdsong and spend the day lounging in one of the many hammocks on the property. There's plenty of outdoor space to enjoy 360 degree ocean and jungle views, and if you can drag yourself away from the 12'x124' infinity pool, it's only a 10 minute walk to the beach.

Casa Brava offers a sliding rates scale based on season, number of guests, and which part of the the property is rented. You can also rent nightly and weekly. Full details below.

High tech meets high design in Hi Matic, an "urban eco lodge" from French designer Matali Crasset and hoteliers Philippe Chapelet and Patrick Elouarghi, the same team behind the Hi Hotel in Nice. Located in the lively Parisian neighborhood between the world's hippest cemetary, Père Lachaise, and the trendy Place de la Bastille, one might easily mistake Hi Matic for a hostel. The practical block shapes and twee colors are definitely youthful. But Hi Matic is not a budget hotel or a youth hostel. It's a new sort of technophile bed and breakfast placed square in the urban center of Paris with an eco-friendly ethos to boot.

Designer Crasset has taken the idea of a Japanese Ryokan and given it a modern twist. Instead of rooms, the 5-story Hi Matic has 42 "cabins" that feature transmutable elements and multi-functional furnishings.

The memory-foam mattress at the center of the cabin turns into a lounge for daytime. Pillow and bedding are conveniently stowed overhead.

A pull out desk serves as a place to work, read, or regroup. Guests are encouraged to play with the moveable elements of the cabins and create their own perfect arrangement. And, yes, there's free Wi-Fi.

The communal areas at Hi Matic are just as playful as the cabin rooms, mixing up simple comfort with practical, space-conscious design. Matali has used almost exclusively eco-friendly materials in Hi Matic. All the furnishings are made out of sustainable wood and rubber, the fixtures include low-energy lightbulbs and water saving taps, and the duvets, hangers, bins, and pillows in the cabins are recyclable.

Bold color accents comes courtesy of natural paint. To keep Hi Matic sparkling, the hotel staff (who wear ethically sourced uniforms) use green cleaning products.

Hi Matic makes expansive use use of modern communication technology, allowing visitors to complete all business through a series of interactive screen places throughout the hotel. While there are staff onsite, the middleman is almost completely cut out of the guest's experience, from checking in and out to ordering food. And speaking of food.

In keeping with their emphasis on eco-friendliness and green living, Hi Matic serves a 100% organic breakfast in the hotel restaurant. And in keeping with their high tech approach to hospitality, the restaurant is totally automated.

There are no buffet lines, servers, or even chefs to be seen. Diners make their selection from a dispensary machine and eat breakfast on an airline-style tray while seated around communal tables.

For night owls and non-breakfast eaters, the 24-hour Shop-Matic is stocked with organic foodstuffs as well as maps, guides, hygiene kits, and other oft–forgotten travel essentials.

The coolest thing about Hi Matic is most definitely the inter-hotel social network that's been integrated into every part of the guest's experience. Need tips on cool places to go? No problem! The hotel has its own constantly evolving guide to Paris, created out of suggestions added in by guests. The network is incredibly comprehensive, allowing guests to do everything from choose the music playing in the lobby to sending out a call for chic bar recommendations.

Hi Matic aims to fill the needs of a new kind of traveler, a plugged in young business type who craves the simplicity of an old fashioned pied-à-terre and the convenience of 24/7 social media integration, all wrapped up in practical, colorful design. Hi Matic opened in April of 2011. Rates start at $130 per night. MT

Image Credits: Hi Matic, Design Boom

Folding is an art form, a way of turning a plain piece of paper into an object of beauty. But the art of folding is used throughout the design world for a variety of purposes. We've discovered an exciting group of designers, architects, and artists who have incorporated folding into their designs in fresh and unconventional (yet practical) ways. Once we started researching, we found out that almost everything can fold: houses, bicycles, furniture, tents, trailers, and even boats.

Great design fills our needs before we even know we have them. Case in point: the plethora of folding bikes that have sprung up to fill the need for easy urban transportation. We profiled Yike Bike, an electric folding bicycle seen above, on Been Seen last year. Since then we've been treated to a new set of creative folding bikes designed for different activities.

The Folding Bike Bag by Bergmönch is a nifty design that's both a backpack and a fully spring-mounted downhill cycle. It weighs 9.5kg and folds up into a small pack that hikers carry on their back while ascending the hill or mountain.

Once you're at the top, take two minutes to unfold the bike and then ride back down the trail.

The Folding Bike Bag is like a more a heavy-duty version of Bicycle Backpack, a 2008 entry into Taiwan's International Bike Design Competition. The bike weighs 12 pounds and folds into a 2-foot backpack.

The Locust bike by Josef Cadek may look goofy, but its circular shape enables it to fold up compactly and fit into small spaces.

According to the designer, Locust is made for inhabitants of urban centers who rely on a mix of personal and public transportation. Cadek suggests that the Locusts' small shape and ease of use make it ideal for bike rentals. The bright colors are for safety. 

For all folding bike riders, a folding helmet is a must. This one is by Stashkit.

Granted, not everyone wants to zip about town on a modular bicycle. For gear heads, there's the City Car from MIT. The designers envision these electric, two person stackable cars as a new method of public transportation. 

Folding is often incorporated into architecture. False Bay Writer's Cabin by Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects is a perfect example of this technique. When the cabin is open, a wide deck extends from the glass walls of the cabin.

When the owner is not in residence, the deck folds up towards the home, fitting snugly against the sides of the cabin.

Another cool low-impact cabin: BARK's All Terrain Cabin. It's a 480 sq. foot off-grid pre-fab container home designed for people who want to live off the land.

If you just need some space to get work done, the Tetra-Shed is the place for you. Designed by David Ajasa-Adekunle, the Tetra-Shed is meant function as an outdoor office. The panels fold down when the shed isn't in use to form an alien-ish looking pod. Store it in your backyard and tell the neighbors that it fell from the sky.

For your folding office, a folding lap top with full keyboard.

And a bendable cellphone from Samsung. This is still just a concept, but supposedly the phone is to be released this year.

A folding home should have folding furniture, don't you think? This stylish chair and lamp combo is from Dutch designers NieuweHeren and bears the elegant name The Poets. The lamp shade is half-moon shaped so it lays flat against the wall when you're done reading.

This elegant folding "Pick Chair" from Japan's Studio Dror unfolds into wall art when not serving as a seat.

Folding book lamps are cute and practical.

We also like the retractable Scissor Shelf Unit and Oasis 2-person Folding Table and Chairs. Both pieces snap down into compact, easy-to-carry cases.

Folding has really taken off in kitchenware design as the ability to store bulky items flatly clears up cluttered kitchens. The Joseph Joseph Fold Flat Grater is convenient for two reasons: it's easy to store and it's much easier to clean than a non-folding box grater.

Folding is also great for streamlining bulky outdoor items. Adhoc Folding Canoe collapses down into a simple backpack.

If you're not planning on canoeing down the Colorado, Foldboat is a single-sheet plastic boat that can be used on still water bodies such as canals and lakes. 

Oh, and forget to bring along your foldable hiking shoes!

On the road? No problem! The lightweight Exodus camper-trailer unfolds to reveal an awning and skylight. So now the you've seen all the cool ways things can fold, tell us how does folding make your life easier. MT

Imagine waking up in the morning and gazing across the pristine blue waters of Lake Como to the eastern shore, as the tiny boats ferry tourists and locals alike from picturesque Bellagio to the many gorgeous locales along the lake. This is the view from Pescallo Lake Como, a new addition to the Boutique-Homes.com collection of modern vacation rentals.

Chic Nomads will find a lot to love about Pescallo Lake Como, a historic waterfront building that's been renovated to contain two stylish apartments. The interiors have been decorated with a clean mix of rustic and modern design. Owner Pietro Castagna, architect and furniture maker, is a favorite with guests for his friendly manner and helpfulness in arranging for daily excursions, boat rental (delivered directly to the Pescallo pier house), catering, cooking classes, and more. All the luxury of a small hotel with the privacy of a vacation rental. Accomodates 4-6 per apartment, rates start at $450 per night.

Arranged on a hillside about 40 minutes outside of Ensenada, Mexico, in the heart of Mexico's emerging wine country, are 20 little cabins that make up Eco Hotel Endémico Resguardo Silvestre, a new green hotel from Mexican hospitality company Grupo Habita and Tijuana-based designer Jorge Gracia. 

The little cabins are called EcoLofts and they're everything the eco-conscious traveler could want. From construction to completion, the EcoLofts have been carefully designed and placed to complement the surrounding environment and to give guests the feeling of being secluded in nature.

Although Hotel Endémico is located on 100 hectares of land in the Ecuentro Guadalupe, a modern development that contains a winery and residential area, guests who stay in EcoLofts are in a world of their own.

The EcoLofts are only 20 square feet each, but contain all the necessities (bathroom, bed, closet) and some luxuries, as well.

The interiors are sleek and modern, an interesting contrast to the wild terrain outside. Really, they're like very small suites.

But with views like these, who wants to stay indoors?

Each EcoLoft has been equipped with its own outdoor terrace with a clay fire pit for taking in the panoramic vista of the Valle de Guadalupe.  

Although the EcoLofts are undeniably luxurious, their design is strikingly similar to the cool cabins we've been spotlighting for years here on Been-Seen. In fact, the builders used many of the same methods as Cinco Camp, a small hotel in West Texas made out of shipping containers, to minimize environmental impact. The overall shape of the EcoLofts is similar to that of the Signal Shed, a cabin in Eastern Oregon.

Like the Signal Shed, the EcoLofts are elevated on stilts and constructed out of steel and wood materials, both of which are plentiful in the area. These materials were selected for their durability, as well as for the patina they take on after being weathered by the environment. The idea is that, as time goes by, the EcoLofts will blend even further into the landscape.

The cabins were put together in Mexicali, about three hours north-east of Ensenada, and brought to the hillside fully completed. Once placed on the site, all that needed to be done was to hook up the water and electricity for the EcoLofts to be up and running and ready for guests.

Aside from the cool EcoLofts, the communal areas at Hotel Endémico aren't too shabby. A stunning pool and hot tub have been carved into the hillside for amazing views of the valley. Guests can also tour the nearby winery, run by a Napa Valley enologist, and participate in various events put on by the Culinary Arts School of Tijuana. The hotel's restaurant follows the slow-food ethos and serves dishes cooked from locally sourced ingredients. The hotel is scheduled to open in the next few months and rates will start at $200 per night. We'll be sure to check it out on our next trip to Baja. MT

Images ©Gracia Studio

Spending time in the great outdoors is one of our favorite things, if you couldn't tell from the articles we've written on glamping, tents, and ultra-chic campers. A quick look around the web shows that we're far from the only ones who've fallen in love with all aspects of camping, especially when it comes to tent design. The humble tent has gotten a designer upgrade and now comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. Here are some of our favorites.

A perfect tent for bookworms.

Riddle us this: how many clowns fit into the big top tent?

A cheeky message for peeping toms.

This tent reminds us of the blanket forts we used to make when we were very young.

All of these above tents are the work of FieldCandy. Check out their website for even more cool, creative tent designs.

Here's a classic: the iconic VW Camper Van as a tent. What's not to love?

Recognize this beautiful camper? It's Opera, the incredible camper-trailer we wrote about in 2011. This is hands down the most luxurious camper we've come across.

This chic igloo is another classic from our archives. BubbleTree, a French company, delivers and inflates these totally transparent igloos to the camping site of your choice. Learn more here.

Is a plastic igloo a little too flimsy for you? Check out I-gloobox designed by Georgi Djongarski. This super sturdy tent is made of waterproof materials and has thick padding to keep you warm through even the harshest winter.

Not a winter person? Here's a tent that will keep you cool in the heat of the Mojave Desert. Strawn.Sierralta is a mobile structure modeled on the Joshua Tree plant. It's made out of recycled PVC pipes.

Meet the Cave Tent. The frame for this tent is made up of "air beams" that inflate in under a minute.

Tent design has been tending towards the eco-friendly in recent years. Orange's Solar Concept Tent certainly fits the bill. It was designed with the Glastonbury Festival in mind, so it's equipped with WiFi connectivity, photovoltaic fabric panels, and a light-up function should inebriated festival-goers forget how to get back to their tent (it happens!)

This isn't a traditional tent, but a very chic gazebo/canopy by design firm Pircher. This one's called "Fall in Love" and is meant to accomodate 2-people. 

A sporty and portable reef tent designed specifically for surfers.

We're not quite sure of the story behind these tents, but we love the design all the same. Leave a comment below if you've got the scoop! We hope you've enjoyed this short guide to cool tent design. If camping's not your bag, don't forget to check out our collection of modern vacation rentals and small hotels. We're always open. MT

Vacation rental websites were big news in 2011 and, as a result, the web has become glutted with similar sites offering by-owner rentals. Very few websites actually curate their selection like, for example, the modern vacation rentals collection at Boutique-Homes.com Finding the perfect lodging for your vacation is stressful enough without having to scroll through thousands of listings for bland apartments in boring neighborhoods. That's why we like Wimdu.

Wimdu is a relatively new website that has already assembled an impressive array of rentals in Europe, the USA, and especially in Asia (where vacation rentals aren't very common). Wimdu is focused on providing travelers with a truly cultural experience. The site hooks guests up with property owners who can give them local tips and recommendations. Check out this neat video featuring a Wimdu guest meeting his host in Berlin to get an idea about how the website works.

The company is very responsive to client inquiries. When we asked them to recommend a few design-conscious cities for us to write about, they immediately recommended New York and Tokyo, and sent us tons of information and links. Below are a few of the cool rentals we were able to pull up easily by using the site. To start with, let's take a look at Tokyo apartments.

Tokyo is definitely one of the world's most remarkable cities and a hot spot for trend hunters looking for the next cool thing. Wimdu does not disappoint with their offerings. From traditional houses to funky studios in hip neighborhoods, there's something for everyone.

Check out this colorful apartment in the youthful Shibuya area of Tokyo with its welcoming sign and friendly vibe. We especially like the butterfly painted over the door; very hip. 

Or, for traveling musicians, a soundproofed apartment with a recording studio built right in – for $50 per night. The owner even offers to assist in the recording process! So don't forget to pack your guitar before jetting off to Tokyo. Now onto New York.

They say if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. But finding a place to rest your head in the city that never sleeps? That might prove more difficult. Luckily, Wimdu makes it very easy to find New York rentals without issue. The website allows browsers to filter search results by neighborhood, which is ideal for a large and varied city like New York, as well as by amenities and type of accommodation. But even without search filters, Wimdu brought up hundreds of neat New York rentals, all of which are more interesting and character-filled than a tiny shoebox room at the local mega-chain motel.

How about this creative loft in up and coming Mott Haven? The cool blend of color and industrial design plus the personalized message from the owner is very appealing.

We also like this sunny apartment in Little Italy, which has lots of charm and beautiful furnishings. We especially like the owner's message regarding the small size of the kitchen: "While it's not exactly built for chefs or those who like to cook a lot, consider coming to NYC and doing as New Yorkers do… eat out!" Spoken like a true New Yorker.

We've had a lot of fun browsing through Wimdu's listings and daydreaming about where to go next. We suggest you do the same. You can check out Wimdu here. MT

Chic nomads always go where the action is, so we've put together our list of 10 handpicked travel hotspots for 2012. From design shows to local festivals to the Olympic games, we've got them all covered. Happy trails, nomads!

Where: London, UK

What: Summer Olympics 2012

When To Go: July 27- August 12

This one's kind of a no-brainer, but our list of hotspots for 2012 would be incomplete without mentioning the Summer Olympics in London this year. The city's poured millions into getting ready for the event, including the construction of a brand new stadium by noted sports architecture firm Populous. But it's not like you need an excuse to visit the historic and fascinating city of London; as Samuel Johnson once wrote, "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

Special nomad tip: Every hotel room in the city has probably been booked by now, so seek alternate lodgings in the form of modern vacation rentals or backyard campgrounds.

Where: Lviv, Ukraine
What: Beer Feast/Euro 2012
When to Go: June 10-12

The Ukraine is emerging from many decades in the shadow of Russia and expects a sharp increase in tourism in 2012 due to the UEFA European Football Championship (known colloquially as Euro 2012). Picturesque, historic Lviv is a city in the Western Ukraine that's been called the "little Paris" of the country because of the European influences that have shaped its unique culture. The Lviv city center is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Along with hosting a few Euro 2012 soccer matches, Lviv is throwing an international beer fest with vendors from all over Europe, special exhibits, theatrical performances, and tasting sessions for beer enthusiasts.

Special nomad tip: The Ukraine is well-known to be the home of some of the most attractive women in the world. Just saying.

Where: San Francisco
What: The Golden Gate Festival
When To Go: May 26-27

The justly adored and famed Golden Gate Bridge is celebrating 75 years of connecting the gorgeous city of San Francisco to the beautiful environs of Marin County with a 2-day festival held right in the city. Live music performances, movie screenings, bike rides, photo exhibitions, and organized tours are all on the schedule for the fest, which will be held along the San Francisco waterfront, stretching from Pier 39 to Fort Point. Check out more at the Golden Gate Festival's website.

Special nomad tip: Consider staying in the East Bay (we recommend the Berkeley hills)  and BARTing into San Francisco to cut down on inevitable parking hassles/tickets.

Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland

What: The Titanic Experience

When To Go: From April 2012 onwards

This Northern Irish city will be catering to the Titanic historians from March 31st onwards with the opening of the Titanic Experience, a brand new educational center and museum dedicated to the ill-fated ocean liner that was built in Belfast. The museum is contained in an architecturally stunning building constructed on the banks of the River Lagan, where the Titanic first set sail. Visitors to the Titanic Experience will get a cohesive experience encompassing the historical and narratives that have sprung up around this storied ship, as well as the chance to see the Titanic as it is now thanks to a state-of-the-art Ocean Exploration Center.

Special Nomad Tip: Those with time to spare should take a daytrip to Giant's Causeway, a natural wonder of balsalt columns caused by an ancient volcanic eruption that figures in Irish mythology.

Where: Venlo, Netherlands
What: Floriade 2012
When To Go: April 5th-October 7th

Floriade is a very cool international gardening and horticulture festival that only happens once every ten years. 2012 is one of those years! This year's Floriade has the theme "Be part of the theatre in nature; get closer to the quality of life." Organizers are busy setting up tons of wonderful events that will appeal to adults and children alike, including live music and performances, film screenings, light shows, and acrobatic displays; and, of course, miles and miles of beautiful flowers. The center of Floriade will be the Floriade Harvest Show, a mix of dance, music, and theater performed by artists from Africa and Latin America, that will run Tuesday through Sunday throughout the duration of the festival.  Floriade 2012 is not to be missed by anyone who just wants to stop and smell the flowers.

Special Nomad Tip: Try and visit from mid-June to August, when you'll be able to enjoy the balmy summer night by visiting the pavilions, shops, and stalls on the Boulevard or hanging out at the Floriade Beach Club. Don't worry about missing any of the action at the Olympics or Euro 2012: the club plans on televising all of the matches.

Where: Orleans, France

What: Joan of Arc Festival

When To Go: May 1-8

Forget your local Renaissance Faire and get medieval in Orleans in 2012. Every year the city of Orleans commemorates the liberation of Orleans from British forces by Joan of Arc, the peasant girl turned divine warrior and patron saint of France, by throwing a huge festival that recreates the time period of Joan's life. During the first week of May, visitors to Orleans can take in the sights and smells of an authentic medieval marketplace, root for their own knight in several jousting matches, check out battle reenactments, enjoy the antics of clowns and jugglers, and experience a nightly light show. This festival has been going on for over 500 years, so it's safe to assume the people of Orleans know how to get down.

Special Nomad Tip: Orleans is located on the eastern side of the Loire Valley, an area of France that is full of beautiful chateaus built by the French nobility over the centuries. Only a short distance from Orleans is Chateau Sully-sur-Loire, a 14th century castle once visited by Joan of Arc herself.

Where: Helsinki, Finland

What: World Design Capital 2012

When To Go: All year

Scandinavia has been enjoying a reputation for high-class fashion and cutting edge food in recent years. Now Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, has been named World Design Capital for 2012. The city is celebrating its designation with a year-round series of events focusing on the integration of design and community as reflected in the open spaces of Helsinki. Don't look for light shows and beach clubs here; instead, explore the many art exhibits and sign up for seminars that will introduce you to the clean lines and eco-friendly methods of contemporary Finnish design.

Special Nomad Tip: After getting your fill of modern design in Helsinki, head over to Porvoo, a well-preserved and picturesque medieval town on Porvoo River just 50 kilometers east of the capital (go in the cooler months to avoid crowds).

Where: Austin, Texas

What: South by Southwest Music Festival

When to Go: March 9th-18th

The capital city of Texas calls itself the "Live Music Capital of the World" and this is definitely true during South by Southwest, Austin's annual music and film festival. Thousands of people descend upon the city to feast on authentic Tex-Mex food, attend workshops, network with fellow music lovers, and rock out to a huge assortment of bands playing in multiple genres who take up residence daily and nightly in the many venues, bars, and clubs of downtown Austin.

Special Nomad Tip: It's impossible to park or drive in downtown Austin during the festival, so locals advise that visitors look for hotels that are located along the along the Night Bus route. Almost all the buses run until 3am, giving you plenty of time to party down Texas-style.

Where: Havana, Cuba
What: 11th Havana Biennial
When to Go: May 11th – June 11th

Once completely off-limits to Americans, the Obama administration has opened up travel routes to Cuba making it easier than ever to finally enjoy the sultry, sexy city of Havana. Of course there are still some restrictions, the main one being a ban on trips made for leisure purposes. But don't let that stop you! Head over to Havana in the month of May to participate in the 11th Havana Biennial, a month-long conference that will bring over 100 Cuban artists and historians to Havana for an exploration of art and culture. Apply for your credential here.

Special Nomad Tip: Did you know hitch-hiking is not only legal in Cuba, it's the law! (Due to the fact that most people on the island don't own cars.) In fact, government vehicles are obliged to pick up hitchers and there can be consequences if they fail to do so. There are official hitch-hiker stopping points outside of all the major towns and cities. However, always be careful when hitch-hiking and NEVER do it alone. But if you can manage it, hitch-hiking is by far the best and most economical way to get around Cuba.

Where: Puebla, Mexico

What: International Mole Festival

When to Go: May 2nd-3rd

The colonial mountain city of Puebla has been an up and coming destination for many years now, with the San Francisco Chronicle calling it one of the safest places for tourists in Mexico and Lonely Planet giving the city a coveted spot on their "must-go" list for 2012.  Foodies should mark off two dates in early May to attend the 2-day International Mole Festival, during which chefs from all over Mexico and indeed the world will gather to celebrating the iconic (and delicious) Mole Poblano, Puebla's contribution to world cusine.

Special Nomad Tip: While you're in town, why not just stay a few extra days and join in celebrating the 150th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, the day the Poblanos held off French forces despite being vastly outnumbered. No spring-break style celebrations here: the day will be marked with a large parade marshalled by President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and featuring over 50 decorated floats from all over the country. MT