Europe
September 10th, 2007 at 07:40pm
Under Europe
I was reading an article on how to make your European vacation more affordable and thought I’d share it with you.
A snippet from the article:
“Whatever country you’re in, the locals are usually too smart to buy into the internationally-known, high-priced hot spots such as Capri or Provence. You’ll get a better bang for your buck if you find out where countrymen take their vacations. Just be sure to go at a different time of year!
“For example, in Italy several years ago, a friend rented a villa just south of the Amalfi Coast, along the lesser-known Cilento Coast of the Mediterranean. There we found lovely low-priced fishing villages such as Maria Di Castellabate, and Acciaroli, where Hemingway once visited. Prices were much lower, we were the only Americans there, and we could easily drive up the coast to see the hilltop towns such as Positano without paying the sky-high prices. Since Italians vacation in August, we went in June and skipped the crowds.”
By admin
July 14th, 2007 at 08:55pm
Under Europe
The early days
Amsterdam was founded as a fishing village around the thirteenth century. During the 14th, but especially the 15th century, Amsterdam underwent a rapid development, which laid the foundation for the Golden Age, when the city became the staple market of the world. The year 1672 was a year of disaster for the Dutch Republic with the French and English attacking simultaneously. Nevertheless, Amsterdam managed to consolidate its prosperity during the period 1672-1795 and managed to retain its position as the financial center of Europe. During the French occupation (1795-1813), Amsterdam suffered badly from the economic recession, a state of affairs reflected by the stagnation of the demographic development. The period 1813-1940 is marked by economic recovery and, from 1870 onwards, by expansion and a rapid population growth, as result of the Industrial Revolution which triggered off a New Golden Age. Shortly before the First World War the city began expanding and new suburbs were built, but in 1940 Germans installed a Nazi civilian government in Amsterdam that cooperated in the persecution of Jews, throwing again the country in misery.
Any time can be the best time to visit Amsterdam. The peak of the tourist season is around Easter and July-August, when the weather is the finest. Weather, however, is never really extreme, and if you’re one of the growing numbers who favor off-season travel, you’ll find the city every bit as attractive during these months. Not only are airlines, hotels, and restaurants cheaper and less crowded during this time, but there are also some very appealing events going on. Winters are rarely extremely cold, and sheltering in the cosy pubs will give you a chance to meet “real” Dutch. The cultural season is in full swing between September and May.
Streets breathing history and culture
Amsterdam has a broad spectrum of recreational and cultural sights that range from fascinating old buildings, but of all this mosaic, museums are the main tourist attraction. Everyone knows the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum, but there is much, much more.
The pinnacle of sophistication and home to the three major and most important museums in Amsterdam is the Museum quarter (Museumplein), an art lover’s paradise which boasts the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and the Van Gogh Museum. Without doubt, any culture vulture will be in their element in this recently renovated quarter. Also, in amongst the stylish hotels and cafés, lays the majestic Concertgebouw, renowned the world over for its breathtaking acoustics and locally, for its free lunch time classical concerts. The Museum quarter is arguably the cultural hub of the city, offering a kaleidoscope of activities and attractions. A stroll down the exclusive P.C. Hooftstraat, Pieter Cornelisz or Van Baerlestraat will take the you into some of the world’s most chic couture houses.
If you seek the natural beauties of Amsterdam, this botanical garden will surely reveal them to you - Amsterdam’s Hortus has from way back been known as “the town’s pride and joy”, an oasis of peace and beauty at the very centre of the bustling city. Established in 1638 as a herb garden for Amsterdam’s doctors and pharmacists, the garden is almost 400 years old and it has more than 6000 plants, some of them really unique, as 2000 years old agave cactus. The Museum of Life (“Museum van het Leven”) will tell you the history of life on Earth by very attractive means, and after visiting the zoo, the Geological Museum, the Zoological Museum, the Plant Houses, the Aquarium or the Planetarium are ready to reveal you ancient secrets.
As for the events you should not miss if you get to Amsterdam this summer, the 10th annual edition of the “Comedytrain International Festival” features the very finest in English language stand-up comedy, for six weeks in July and August. With the likes of Adam Hills (Australia), Eddie Bannon (Ireland), Adam Bloom (UK), Paul Provenza (US) and Ron Vaudry (Canada), you will leave Toomler in stitches, guaranteed. Beginning with the 11 of August, for five days, special locations in the heart of Amsterdam form the backdrop for more than 80 classical concerts, as the “Grachtenfestival” catches the public attention. The concerts can be enjoyed in houses and gardens of hospitable local inhabitants and in concert halls, historic buildings, museums and out of doors in the area around Prinsengracht.
A hippie heaven
And because shopping is one of the tourists favorite ways of discovering the city, you will find that there are several “shopping corridors” in the city and each one has it’s own charms and specialties. The first one is Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat, a 1km pedestrian area full of shops, with no traffic other than a constant stream of tourists, students, scholars, excursionists and locals. On the other side of the square you will enter the Kalverstraat, the place where all mainstream brand names have one or more stores. In addition to this, flower markets, bicycles, restaurants, everywhere. If you like a little more luxury, the Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat is where you can do some serious damage to your credit card. As the evening falls, Amsterdam starts to sparkle, especially on the nice spring and summer days. While all cinemas and theaters are busy, city clubs, cafés and restaurants are full of joyful, friendly crowd. Between dips into artistic and historical treasures, be sure to take time out to absorb the freewheeling spirit of Europe’s most vibrant city.
By admin
July 14th, 2007 at 12:21pm
Under Europe
Amsterdam and especially Amsterdam hotels may not be known for affordability, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to travel the country on a budget. The experienced thrifty traveler knows how to visit even the most expensive countries for less – you just have to follow the insider secrets.
Luckily, globetrotters follow some pretty simple rules for saving money, so you don’t have to be an expert to travel for less. Anyone can do it!
The first thing you need to know is how to get around town. Fortunately, because Amsterdam is a compact area with beauty everywhere to be seen, getting from place to place isn’t as difficult as you might expect – it can actually be quite fun! Compared to everything else in the city, transportation is relatively inexpensive, especially if you know what to do.
Traveling the city for cheap begins right when you arrive in Amsterdam. Visit the VVV office across from Centraal Station right away. Most people in Amsterdam speak English very well, so you don’t have to worry about communication problems. If you speak to the staff here, they will assist you in finding the cheapest and quickest route to your destination.
Whenever you can, forget about paying for transportation and walk. This is not only free (the best deal you can get) but the best way to take in the city. Again, because Amsterdam is small and easy to travel, follow the locals and walk as much as possible. This is also a lot of fun. You can use the free map from the VVV to find your way – just watch out for the many cyclists traveling through the streets.
In fact, that’s yet another way to get around Amsterdam, just as the locals do. If you really want to have some fun, use a bicycle for your local travels. The city is made for cycling, but you have to keep in mind this doesn’t necessarily mean cycling around the city is a piece of cake. Cyclists move along at high speeds and follow special traffic signals, so having a good amount of previous experience on a bike will be helpful.
For traveling longer distances, the tram system is an economical and efficient way to travel from point A to point B. You can purchase tickets in Stationsplein at the small office beside the VVV or from bus and tram conductors. You’ll need to get a dagkaart, strippenkaart, or sterabonnement depending on how long you’ll be staying in Amsterdam.
Another option: take the bus. Local and regional buses can take you where you want to go, and there is even a night-bus system that can help you get around during the wee hours between midnight and 4 a.m., when other transportation is unavailable.
The railway or metro is another good possibility. To get from Schiphol airport to Centraal Station, the railway is the most direct connection, while the metro can take you to the outlying districts.
The ferry system also takes pedestrians and cyclists across to Amsterdam Noord for free.
For lodging, be sure to book your room in advance as this will no doubt save you a ton of cash.
A person has to eat
In Amsterdam, you’re going to need to eat at some point in time. It’s possible to enjoy some fantastic grub on a budget if you know where to look.
Bars and coffee shops also sell food, which usually costs much less than meals in a restaurant. A variety of delicious sandwiches are available in these establishments for a very low price.
Amsterdam is famous for its pancake houses - they are the perfect place to grab a quick bite to eat for a good price. But don’t expect American style pancakes – the Dutch version, called pannekoeken, is made with many different ingredients, and can provide a very satisfying meal to hungry travelers.
Another tip: vegetarian and whole food restaurants offer moderately priced food and a healthy dining experience. If you’re not into vegetarian, check out the Leidseplein district – here you can find Greek, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and Indonesian food in addition to the traditional Dutch delicacies. In this area prices are competitively priced.
While you’re on the move, grab some frites (which are just French fries). This snack is cheap and tasty, and is served in a paper cone with mayonnaise instead of ketchup. Or, if you don’t mind the taste of herring, grab a herring on a bun (haring broodje) almost anywhere in the city for a decent price.
Or, buy your entire meal from a vending machine - in Amsterdam, vending machine meals are sold for low prices! For dessert, try a stroopwafel. You can find this in supermarkets and fresh from street vendors. It’s simply a thin cookie resembling a waffle, filled with yummy caramel.
Finally, avoid the eateries directly in tourist areas. Stray off the beaten path just a little and you’ll find much more affordable food that tastes delicious. Another tip: dine at one restaurant a day, and purchase the rest of your food from markets and grocery stores. This will pare down your food budget considerably and it’s a great way to cut down on vacation costs.
Amsterdam doesn’t have to be expensive, so what are you waiting for? Start planning your next vacation to this wonderful city and you’ll be enjoying a vacation without paying through the nose.
By admin
July 14th, 2007 at 11:19am
Under Europe
Probably you have heard about the Amsterdam Red-Light District as this is a very famous section in the Netherlands. Much to your surprise, what you may have heard is true! Here are some facts about the Amsterdam Red-Light District, a place unlike any place else.
The famous Amsterdam Red-Light District covers a large area in the oldest part of the city. It has been servicing the personal needs and desires of locals and visitors for five centuries, and thanks to the old buildings leaning at odd angles overlooking the tree-enshrouded canals that a certain charm tempts you to linger longer in the area. In this district, music of every genre can be heard along the streets from a dozen or more places late at night. And, it is the classier restaurants, redone streets, and revamped facades that transform what once dark and dingy into one of the most attractive parts of town – the Amsterdam Red-Light District.
Prostitution in the District
Did you know that prostitution is legal in the Netherlands? Yes, it is! It is most concentrated in the Amsterdam Red-Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance. It has been reported that since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. Much to your surprise, the prostitutes in the Netherlands are also taxpayers. However, discrimination is still very much part and parcel in this kind of trade as a number of the prostitutes reported that some banks even refuse to grant mortgages for instance.
Now, as a legal profession, the government ensures that all prostitutes are able to access medical care and work in better conditions by way of regulating and monitoring working practices and standards. Also, it is worth noting that contrary to the popular belief, the Amsterdam Red-Light District is actually the safest area in the city as clusters of policemen and private bodyguards employed by the girls themselves are always on duty.
The Chinatown
The Amsterdam Red-Light District is one of the few places on earthy where you can authentic and really tasty Chinese food. The restaurants in this district are easy to find as cooked Duck is typically hung in the front window. However, Chinatown in itself is misleading as there are also dozens of Malaysian, Indonesian and Thai restaurants and cafés scattered along the beautiful canals. Besides the restaurants, there are other Chinese businesses in the Amsterdam Red-Light District, including a well stocked supermarket across from the Waag, near the Nieuwemarkt.
The Red-Light District Today
Amsterdam now prides itself on its wholly liberal and tolerant attitude. The city embraces, with the Amsterdam Red-Light District, embraces the fact that people may be into prostitution, pornography and soft drugs. So, instead of criminalizing everything, Amsterdam wears its heart on its sleeve. What you see is generally what you get. So, how do you get to it? The answer basically lies on which Amsterdam Red-Light District you are looking for. There are actually three Red-Light Districts in the city: the main area is in the Walletjes area, the Singel, and de Pijp.
By admin
July 5th, 2007 at 04:30pm
Under Europe
Prague is a well- known old city of Europe that is a host to many tourists all round the year. The aura of the place speaks for itself. Prague is the capital of Czech Republic whose traditional and archaic European ambience is too appealing than ever imagined. Czech is deemed to be the heart of Europe and ahs a population of more than ten million people out of which 1.3 million are nestled peacefully in the city of Prague.
The Sites Worth Gazing
The Charles Bridge at Prague is a host to many visitors all round the year. This bridge was completed and made public in 1400. It displays grotesque architecture and river views that keep the visitors engaged especially during the summer season. There is also the eminent Wenceslas Square hat is deemed to be the heart of Prague and that grounds some of the most wonderful restaurants, shops and pubs in Prague. The Old Town center is also a place worth visiting in Prague. The center has on parade some of the marvelous historical sites like the Old town Hall and the Astronomical clock where the visitors get to see the land from the 60 meter elevated tower.
Getting around in Prague is quite simple and convenient. Besides the natural beauty that the place is blessed with, the human technology does not score less. There are trams, metros and buses to explore the charismatic place.
Prague is the land of wonderful museums. There is the National Technical Museum, which puts to display old cars, bikes, planes, trains, cameras, watches and so forth. The best part is the museum itself that is a historical building of 1930’s. The Mozart Museum is worth appreciating. The music lovers can have a gala time here for the place offers historical music scores, letters and musical instruments that are exclusive and great to enjoy. Specifically for the artists is meant the Museum of Decorative Arts that presents Czech porcelain, crystal and wood -carvings. Not to overlook is the Wax Museum that has proved its worth across the globe. Apart from these there are many good museums and art galleries that are evenly spread across the city.
Pargue also has some of the magnificent castles like the Karlstejn Castle that was redesigned in 19th century and which is one of the most photogenic castles known so far. Close to the castle place, are sold exotic Bohemia crystals that the tourists often love to take back home. The Konopiste Castle is known for its French style architecture from 13th century. It is located about 44 kilometers southeast of Prague and is thrown open for visitors from May to August. The Krivolat is a 13th century castle that boasts a prison, torture chambers and one of the biggest non-church Gothic Halls in the Czech Republic.
Prague is an ideal place for all the music devotees for they can relish the classical concerts at the Sate Opera and at the Rudolfinum or the Municipal House. The Prague Autumn Festival is a big music event that offers lots of classical concerts and music. The Prague Spring festival is famous all over Europe. It is a liked cultural event that goes on from 12th May to 3rd of June every year.
The nightlife of Prague is thrilling and active with music in the air and loads of pubs, discos and bars cuddled in the city. Besides these there are many other attractions that make Prague a perfect holiday destination.
By admin
July 5th, 2007 at 04:22pm
Under Europe
This article gives advice about places to visit, places to stay and places to eat in Scotland. Scotland is a superb country to visit and it is steeped in history. With famous cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland has plenty to offer for everyone.
Places to visit in Scotland
Edinburgh castle has been a focal point of the Edinburgh skyline for over eight hundred years. It includes the Scottish National War Museum which lists all of Scotland’s war dead since 1914. Adult admission to the castle is currently £8 and for children it is only £2.
Loch Ness and the Great Glen is a must. I am sure you have all heard of the loch ness monster, see if you can see him when you visit here. Many people have stated that they could!
The Glasgow science centre is the most recent major museum opened in Glasgow. This is a most impressive place which caters for all age groups. I have only ever heard positive comments from people who have visited this museum.
The National Gallery of Scotland has a wide range of paintings including works from Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Ramsay. Entrance is free apart from for special exhibitions.
Places to stay in Scotland
Edinburgh
Balmoral is probably one of the best hotels in Edinburgh and is situated on Princes Street. It is also one of the most expensive hotels however.
Albany is a Georgian style hotel and is situated on Albany Street.
The Bonham is a contemporary style hotel with a European style restaurant and is situated in Drumsheugh Gardens.
Ingrams is more of a hotel/bed and breakfast. It is situated on Northumberland Street.
Glasgow
Glasgow Hilton is a top of the range hotel and is very modern. It is situated on William Street.
St Jude’s is a small hotel situated on Bath Street.
Langs has a special feature being a Japanese influenced Oshi spa.
Places to eat in Scotland
Inverlochy Castle has three dining rooms and has won many awards. If you can afford it, this is the one you want to visit.
Other places to eat:
Culloden House
Summer Isles Hotel
Eden Court
Seagreen
I hope this short guide is of use during your trip to Scotland. The above suggestions are only a few of many wonderful places to go.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:25pm
Under England+ Europe
With London being the party capital of the united Kingdom, there is so much to do and so many places to see and an ideal place for any hen or stag party group. Home to our Royal Family, this historical capital is filled with culture, architecture and endless hours of entertainment.
If you are on thinking of booking a Hen or Stag weekend, then London is the place to visit! This party city has everything you could possibly need for an entertaining, hot rocking weekend! Wall to wall Restaurants, and some of the best clubs in Europe exist in this city.
The End club is one of London’s favourite nightlife venues featuring music from hard hitting drum and bass nights to sexy, funky house and there is also the AKA bar upstairs. For the more refined party goer, there is Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club.
Established in 1959, Ronnie Scott’s Club is a world famous venue and the home of British Jazz. Originally based in nearby Gerrard Street, the club moved to its current location in 1965. The roll call of legendary names who have appeared at Ronnie Scott’s is almost endless, including Bill Evans, Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Buddy Rich and Donald Byrd. The club remains a vibrant jazz venue, with nightly gigs suitable for stag and hens or any mixed groups. Also available at the club, a selection of modern English cuisine.
Whatever you are looking for in a weekend break or hen and stag weekend, London has it all! Wall to wall theatres, the home of west end productions is right on your doorstep. The Adelphi, The Dominion and The Lyceum are all but a few to visit if you are looking for a cultured evening of entertainment.
Daytime events are equally as entertaining offering a wide selection of activities for hens and stags. For the ladies, pampering at a luxury hotel is a wonderful way to unwind and take the weight off your feet and for the stags, a full day of karting and paintball is just what you need to get the adrenaline pumping!
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:49pm
Under Europe
‘That one sucks,’ said the little boy next to me as a barely decorated pickup truck rolled by.
He was right of course, like many of the ‘floats’ in this minor-league parade, the truck was merely a marketing tool for a local business - in this case Pimp My Ride, a Limerick car customizer, which if their float was any indication, considered a dangling air freshener to be the full pimp.
On a somewhat stormy day, Ireland’s second city staged a parade that was every bit the reflection of this town’s own checkered reputation: shambolic, merry, mean and ultimately grey - like the streets it traversed, the skies overhead and the complexions of the windblown spectators.
Fortunately we (myself and compatriots Erin and Janine) had our own little peanut gallery of ginger-haired moppets to provide a running commentary on all that passed before us. ‘Shoot!’ they cried to the grey-faced Irish soldiers, who rather disquietingly formed a good portion of the parade.
Amidst the military and shameless self-promotion (’the Sun Warriors are proudly supported by Hickey’s Cleaning Services’) there were the bits of oddball charm that always make a parade worth the effort. A little trailer bearing misshapen lumps on a papier-mache backdrop honored the ‘the Salmon of Knowledge’, a bit of Irish lore in which a man could be king if he ate the right fish.
Another float (really a trailer which, in near ubiquitous commentary on the unreliable weather, was covered) bore a huge, flaccid lump that the over-amped MC assured us was a dragon (verdict of the kids: ’stupid, it looks like shite’).
After an hour, the last batch of hypothermic Girl Guides had passed and the crowd quickly turned to more important matters: getting drunk and watching Ireland play rugby against Italy (the parade time had been moved up to accommodate this - the match that is, as drinking was ongoing).
We repaired to South’s, a pub mentioned in Limerick-set Angela’s Ashes, now an upscale boozer that tips its hat to its literary legacy by naming the toilets Frank and Angela.
While a Scotsman whose name might have been Jock and an Irishman whose name might have been Pat competed to out-do each other in their regurgitations of English atrocities against the good people of the Isles (’It was 300 years ago and they killed everybody!’), we settled back with pints of Guinness that hadn’t been chilled to death and tried to sort out the legacy of the Salmon of Knowledge, although in the end all we could decide was that, yes, the float had sucked.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:47pm
Under Europe
I don’t like parades, and I couldn’t care less about floats or fireworks. Watching Dublin’s St Patrick’s Parade I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell we were all doing. What is St Patrick’s Day really all about?
We’re not celebrating an event in Irish history - nothing tidy like a day of independence or the birth or death of a founding father. We’re not celebrating St Patrick himself - a Welshman who may not have existed at all. Nor are we celebrating Christianity or anything to do with religion - we do plenty of that at Easter and Christmas.
So what’s it all about? Irishness? What the hell is that? Are we celebrating the ‘qualities’ that define us as Irish? If so, What the hell are they? Friendliness, loving a laugh, the craic? Jesus Christ, I hope not. We are, after all, a nation, not a stand-up routine.
Ask any of the other half-million lining the parade route; I wager you wouldn’t get a consistent answer out of them. One thing struck me though: the sheer number of recently arrived immigrants at the parade, most of them totally gung ho for the whole spectacle. Maybe St Patrick’s Day has most meaning for them; a way of celebrating their new home and, in some small way, aiding what must be a pretty tough assimilation.
That’s a pretty good reason to have a parade.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:44pm
Under Europe
It’s Holy Thursday afternoon and I’m standing outside the Virgen de la Candelaria church in Seville, surrounded by people in white cloaks and pointy hats holding large unlit candles in gloved hands. These are the nazarenos, who are to start their 12-or-more hour procession through the streets of Seville, accompanying the floats of Jesus and Mary for the Easter celebrations, and fulfilling their religious vows. Everyone’s silent. This is the annual spiritual peak of the nazarenos, a peak that may yet collapse under a spring shower. This year’s unpredictable spring weather has brought suspense onto the streets of Seville: people are phoning each other to find out what was going on in other parts of town (”Has such-and-such procession come out yet? What? They’re hiding from the rain in another church?!”) and bursting into tears when it was announced that some of the floats wouldn’t be allowed out for the rain.
Semana Santa (Easter week) in Seville is the most exciting time to be in the city, with thousands of people in the street all day and night during the madruga, the night before Good Friday. Everyone is dressed in their best outfits - men in white suits and slicked back hair, women in traditional black dresses with black lace crowning their hair. Hundreds of nazarenos walk in silence, some barefoot, the most morbid with crosses on their shoulders.
I braved this year’s cold madruga and stayed in the street until 8am. The first part of the night I watched the El Silencio procession, and had the float of the Virgin stop right next to me. I could hear the sigh of the costaleros, the unseen men who carry the floats on their shoulders, as they lifted the heavy burden in unison. Then I rushed to the Jesus de los Gitanos route, which was made even more exciting by impromptu flamenco singing and dancing.
When the Virgin float appeared, the street filled with adoring shouts: “Oh Virgin, you are so beautiful!”, followed by a saeta, a spiritual flamenco song. And again, like last year, and despite my lack of religious belief, I am in love with Seville’s Semana Santa.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:43pm
Under Europe
Jim Flannery, skipper of the Lady Avalon II, gazes across the still water of Dingle Harbour as his grandson Colm drones towards us in a motorboat, hood up like Charon crossing the River Styx. “What are our chances of seeing Fungi?” I ask. “Like all of us, it depends what humour he’s in” says Jim. “He feels energised when the sun’s out and he’s had a good feed of salmon.”
Fungi is an oversized dolphin who has been a special friend to the town of Dingle in County Kerry, Ireland for over twenty years. In the early Eighties, vague reports that the same dolphin was swimming alongside fishing trawlers, all year round, led to an American tourist paying a local fisherman three punts (Irish pounds) to take him out. Eleven boats now head out every day in the summer, packed with crowds that have a high chance of snapping the sociable dolphin swimming or even jumping alongside their vessel.
I’ve opted for the full-on ’swim with Fungi’ experience and I’m hoping this dolphin is all he’s cracked up to be as I pull on my wetsuit. I’m accompanied by four New Yorkers, whose upbeat attitude makes them the perfect companions as we hurl ourselves into the icy Atlantic. Fungi soon appears, but he plays a trick whereby he swims up close, then when we’re in the water, reappears half a mile away. Jim says he’s focused on feeding, but I think he’s a mischievous dolphin.
We have our most memorable encounter in the motorboat, when Fungi leaps across the stern then bobs from port to starboard. It’s amazing that he greets most boats in this manner, but I have to ask Jim about the conspiracy theories I’ve heard. One newspaper article claimed the original Fungi died and was replaced by an impostor shipped from Florida. Jim dismisses such heresy, and tells tales of Fungi cheering young girls suffering from leukaemia or cancer, and repeatedly pointing his nose at the chest of a woman later diagnosed with breast cancer. The sharp wind is bringing tears to our eyes as we head back to the pier.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:42pm
Under Europe
If you’re heading to Amsterdam for the Queen’s birthday (30th April) and you haven’t already booked a place to stay, you’d better hurry. Somewhere between 500,000 and 2 million visitors are expected to descend on the city and online booking agencies show a dearth of available beds. In stark contrast to the stoic English who go to work on their Queen’s birthday the Dutch celebrate with their Queen and the day has become one big party in orange. All of Amsterdam takes to the streets and it seems to be law that if you own a boat you must fill it with as many people as possible and cruise the waterways. The wearing of orange is encouraged and a significant amount of people get about wearing decorative carrots. Originally when carrots came to Europe they were red and yellow. However those colours disappeared as the Dutch cultivated only the orange carrot which came to symbolise the House of Orange and the struggle for Dutch independence. Happy Birthday Queen Beatrix.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:40pm
Under Europe
With hefty fare rises, overcrowding and frustrating delays it’s easier said than done ditching the plane for the train, however much you want to travel with a clean conscience. But the deal got a little sweeter today when Greenpeace volunteers turned up at airports across the UK offering British Airways passengers the chance to exchange their domestic tickets for a seat on a climate-friendly train.
The proliferation of short haul flights in the UK - there’s over 30 a day flying the 320km between London and Manchester - is the main cause of the massive growth of emissions in the country. With flying causing 10 times more damage to the climate than taking the train, the volunteers (decked out in fetching flight attendant attire) were encouraging passengers to stand up to BA who have, according to Greenpeace, proved to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to restricting greenhouse gas emissions.
Would you swap your air ticket for an equivalent train ticket?
By admin
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:02am
Under Africa+ Europe
What happened: Flight headaches continued to plague teams this week’s double-leg race from Zanzibar, Tanzania, to Warsaw, Poland. Delays, communication problems and missed connections meant that some teams began the next leg of the race before others even arrived in…
Scotland
Original post by colleenclark For All Your Travel Needs Best Travel Rates Online
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December 5th, 2006 at 08:59am
Under Europe
Memorable moment: Color in Paris is distinctly absent for large swaths of autumn and winter. The sky fills with grey. The streets film over with rain. The people march around donning black knee-high boots with matching coats. But on every street there is a café, and that is what added color to my otherwise dark week in the City of Light.
I signed up for a French course at a school in the 16th arrondissement –- a posh area on the west end of the right bank. Seven hours a day I tried to hear and then respond to the slur of sounds called French. I was the only American, but every other student spoke English. Some of us were in Paris for a week, and some for months. But we were all there alone, which meant fast friends.
After one day of lessons, I found myself in a café on […]
Original post by Joni Alexander For All Your Travel Needs Best Travel Rates Online
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