You Are Here – Český Krumlov

This is the third and the last (for now) mug from a recent trio release from the Czech Republic.

The You Are Here Český Krumlov mug takes us to one of the best-preserved historic towns in Czechia. Český Krumlov developed around a castle established in the 13th century on a bend of the Vltava River and flourished under the powerful Rosenberg family for several centuries. Its remarkably intact medieval and Renaissance center, together with the castle complex overlooking it, earned Český Krumlov a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.… Read more

Discovery Series – Hiroshima

The Discovery Series Hiroshima mug tells the story of a city with a long history and a powerful modern identity. Hiroshima was founded as a castle town in 1589, when Mori Terumoto began construction of Hiroshima Castle. The city later developed into an important regional center, but its history changed forever on August 6, 1945, when an atomic bomb destroyed much of Hiroshima. Reconstruction began almost immediately, and the city was formally reshaped as a peace memorial city under a special law enacted in 1949.… Read more

Discovery Series – Tokyo

The Discovery Series Tokyo is a mug for one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Originally known as Edo, Tokyo developed from a small fishing village into the political center of Japan after Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate there in 1603. The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning “Eastern Capital,” when Emperor Meiji moved the imperial court there from Kyoto in 1868. Today, Tokyo is a vast metropolis where ancient temples, traditional customs, cutting-edge technology, and an enormous urban population exist side by side.… Read more

You Are Here – Olomouc

The Starbucks You Are Here Olomouc mug introduces one of the Czech Republic’s most historic cities, with roots stretching back to the Great Moravian period. I would like to thank the blog reader for providing the photos of this mug.

Olomouc became an important political and religious center during the Middle Ages, and in 1063 it became the seat of a bishopric. The city prospered as a major center of Moravia, although its history also includes the Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years’ War, when Swedish troops held Olomouc from 1642 to 1650.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Santiago

The Starbucks Discovery Series Ornament Santiago brings together several elements that capture the character of Chile’s capital, from its dramatic mountain setting to traditional food, native wildlife and popular culture. Santiago was founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia on February 12, 1541, in the Mapocho River valley. The city grew into the political and economic center of the Spanish colony of Chile and remained at the heart of the country after Chile declared independence in 1818. Today, Santiago is the country’s largest city, set against the Andes and surrounded by a landscape that is very much part of its identity.… Read more

Discovery Series – São Paulo

The Starbucks Discovery Series São Paulo mug is dedicated to Brazil’s largest city and one of the country’s most important economic and cultural centres. São Paulo was founded on January 25, 1554, when Jesuit priests established a college on the Piratininga plateau. For much of its early history, it remained a relatively small settlement, but the coffee boom of the 19th century transformed the city. The wealth generated by coffee helped bring railways, immigrants and rapid urban development, turning São Paulo into a major industrial and commercial centre.… Read more

Relief – München

While I actually missed adding some other Relief releases when they first appeared in stores and had to catch up later, Relief München seems to be a fresh release. Thanks to a blog reader who gave me a heads-up about it.

It seems the only coloured element in the design is the pair of beer glasses. Beer has been an important part of Munich’s history for centuries, with brewing in the city dating back to the Middle Ages. In 1487, Munich introduced its own beer purity law, which later became part of the famous Bavarian Reinheitsgebot.… Read more

You Are Here – Teplice

I was contacted by some amazing readers of my blog who alerted me to the release of not one, not two, but as many as three new mugs from Czechia. I would like to thank all of them for helping me keep the site up to date. Special thanks go to the reader who provided these photos of the You Are Here Teplice mug, which is where we will start our journey.

Teplice’s history is closely connected with its thermal springs, which were already known in the Middle Ages.… Read more

Been There – Shanghai Limited Edition

The Starbucks Been There Shanghai Limited Edition is one of the most unusual regional releases in the entire Been There collection. It appears to have been created for the opening of the Bearista Town pop-up store and museum in Shanghai, making it much more than a standard city mug. The most striking feature is its elegant chocolate-brown and gold color palette, which gives the mug a premium look unlike any regular Been There release. It even comes packaged in a matching chocolate-brown gift box, the first time Starbucks has used this color for Been There mug packaging, making the presentation just as collectible as the mug itself.… Read more

Discovery Series – Los Cabos

The Starbucks Discovery Series Los Cabos highlights one of Mexico’s premier resort destinations, located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The municipality of Los Cabos is made up primarily of the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, connected by a scenic coastal corridor lined with beaches, luxury resorts, and golf courses. While Cabo San Lucas is known for its vibrant marina and nightlife, San José del Cabo has preserved much of its colonial charm with historic streets and traditional architecture.… Read more

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