It seems that none of the elements were removed from the design of the large mug when creating the Been There Ornament – Sydney. This city mini mug is paired with the country ornament in a set, so if you want to collect all the cities, you’ll end up with a few extra country ones.
– The front of the ornament shows Sydney’s famous harbor view with the Opera House‘s sails standing out against the sky and the Harbour Bridge curving behind it.… Read more
Been There – Cambodia is a mug for a country with a rich history that stretches back over a millennium, with the mighty Khmer Empire reaching its zenith between the 9th and 15th centuries. The kingdom’s golden age saw the construction of magnificent temple complexes and the development of sophisticated irrigation systems that supported thriving cities. Ancient Khmer rulers established a powerful civilization that controlled much of Southeast Asia, leaving behind architectural marvels that still inspire awe today. The empire’s influence extended far beyond its borders, spreading Khmer culture, art, and Hindu-Buddhist traditions throughout the region.… Read more
Been There – Honduras is a mug for a country located in the heart of Central America, that has a rich history shaped by ancient civilizations, colonial influence, and cultural diversity. The land was once home to the great Maya civilization, whose impressive ruins still stand today as a testament to their achievements. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived, bringing new traditions, architecture, and governance to the region. Over the centuries, Honduras evolved into a nation known for its cultural fusion and breathtaking natural landscapes.… Read more
Ironically, just two days after I said I was adding the last mug from the Royal Caribbean series to the site, Starbucks released a new one: Been There – Star of the Seas. This makes it the eleventh mug dedicated to this cruise ship line, and now I’m not so sure there won’t be more.
Star of the Seas, the second vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class lineup, is set to debut in August 2025 after construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.… Read more
Been There Ornament Guangzhou is using the following symbols and points of interest that we saw in the design of the larger mug: Pearl River Cruise, Yuexiu Park, Baiyun Mountain, and Canton Tower.
Experiencing Guangzhou means savoring its exceptional culinary heritage. Dim sum forms the heart of local dining culture, featuring delicate morsels such as har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and char siu bao (barbecued pork buns) traditionally paired with tea. The city’s beloved white cut chicken showcases Cantonese simplicity—tender poached chicken accompanied by ginger and scallion sauce.… Read more
Starbucks Been There – Belo Horizonte is a mug for the capital of Minas Gerais state in southeastern Brazil, which stands as one of the country’s first planned cities, founded in 1897 to replace Ouro Preto as the state capital. The city’s name translates to “Beautiful Horizon” in Portuguese, a fitting tribute to its stunning location surrounded by mountains and hills that create a natural amphitheatre. Designed by engineer Aarão Reis, the city was conceived during Brazil’s Republican era as a modern administrative center that could accommodate the growing needs of Minas Gerais.… Read more
Been There Ornament – Nanjing comes from China’s eastern Jiangsu province and shares some of the symbols with the large mug: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, Jiming Temple, old city walls, Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge, and folding fans. Not to forget the local cuisine specialties: Duck Blood Soup and Pan-fried beef dumplings.… Read more
Been There Ornament – Kunming, together with the China country ornament, accompanies the large mug that we’ve reviewed earlier. The symbols of the city we identified were: Stone Forest (Shilin National Park), Western Hills and Dragon Gate, Yuantong Temple, and Golden Temple (Jindian Park). Local dishes to try: Crossing the Bridge Noodles (Guo Qiao Mi Xian), Yunnan Rice Noodles (Mi Xian), and Steam Pot Chicken (Chengdu Ji).… Read more
Interestingly, the Been There – Laos country mug was released after the Vientiane city mug. Starbucks often takes this approach, so I was not too surprised.
Laos, a landlocked nation in Southeast Asia, has a history that stretches back thousands of years. Once part of the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang, known as the “Land of a Million Elephants,” it flourished as a major regional power from the 14th to the 18th century. Its strategic location along the Mekong River made it an important trade hub and cultural crossroads.… Read more
Similar to other countries, Australia had quite a few mugs released for its cities and even two versions of the country mug and ornament.
Been There – Gold Coast is a mug for a city located in Queensland, which has grown from a quiet coastal area into one of Australia’s most famous cities. Originally inhabited by the Yugambeh people, the region’s rich culture and traditions date back thousands of years. European settlement began in the 19th century, first as a timber and farming hub before tourism took over in the mid-20th century.… Read more
