Before Santiago Farfan Marque moved to Germany, he was an agricultural engineer in Argentina. At his Berlin restaurant Gloria, he now serves up a national specialty of his home country: fresh beef empanadas.

Chancellor Angela Merkel grew up in eastern Germany; her challenger Martin Schulz is from the western part of the country, in the Rhine region. Take a look at the home of the SPD’s candidate.

What faces do politicians like Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz like to show photographers? Marc Darchinger has been a member of the Federal Press Conference for decades. He gives his analysis of photos and election posters.

Saeed Sanatpour cooks typical Persian dishes in Berlin. In his restaurant Saray, the Iranian serves lamb goulash with eggplant, rice, and his secret ingredient: dried limes.

The design classic, Componibili, turns 50. The plastic, stackable chest of drawers was revolutionary in its day. And this furniture system by Italian architect Anna Castelli Ferrieri is still a hot commodity today.

Francesco Ceccarelli, an architect in Bologna, lives in a one-room apartment that used to be a garage. It takes a lot of work and creativity to turn old, seldom-used buildings into modern homes.

Amid a profusion of Asian food in the German capital, Pratina Kross’s restaurant Dao by Meo stands out. Apart from tasty Thai cuisine, she also offers popular cooking classes twice a week.

Wine has been cultivated in Greece for over 4,000 years. Simple wines are traditionally served in taverns here, but now stylish wine bars are competing. And a new generation of vintners is taking over the market.

The oldest gas balloon world championships were held in Gruyère, Switzerland. Internationally acclaimed balloonists were on hand. The goal of this sport is to travel as far as possible before having to land.

At the Chefdays in Berlin, gourmet chefs from all over the world present innovative ideas for restaurants. One of Europe’s most important food symposiums is being held in Germany for the first time.