One of the things we like to expose and promote here is interesting architecture and its even more interesting usage. With the elastic and durable materials that architects have at their fingertips now, the sky is the limit. In this case - literally. We imagine that many of you were terrified when you…
Europe
The UK monarchy is never short of publicity, whether they like it or not. And notoriety via Netflix and other media giants only fuels the fire. Even though we - to this day - collectively think of the Royals as being an entitled and stuffy bunch, the truth is that's not the case…
If you're the shy type, then you might want to look away now. This article is about naturism. Naturism is a lifestyle of practising non-sexual social nudity in private and in public; the word also refers to the cultural movement which advocates and defends that lifestyle. Both may alternatively be called nudism. Though the two terms are broadly interchangeable, nudism emphasizes…
The United States is the United States. Europe is Europe. Correct? Apparently not, when it comes to flying. If you travel regularly, you'll know about the concept of codeshare. A codeshare agreement, also known as codeshare, is a business arrangement, common in the aviation industry, in which two or more airlines…
If you haven't tries churros yet, then run, don't walk, to your local Latin eatery. You will likely not leave your chair for some time, so wear comfortable clothes. Be prepared to relax after eating them, as they are deceptively "narcotic" in their hedonistic scrumptiousness. But what are churros? A churro…
In ancient Rome, thermae (from Greek θερμός thermos, "hot") and balneae (from Greek βαλανεῖον balaneion) were facilities for bathing. Thermae usually refers to the large imperial bath complexes, while balneae were smaller-scale facilities, public or private, that existed in great numbers throughout Rome.[1] Most Roman cities had at least one – if not many – such buildings, which were centres not only for bathing, but socializing and reading as well.…
We love history. We love trains. We love France. We love you! What a combination, bien sur. OUIGO has been preparing a nice surprise for you for several months now: trains on the classic line, with great prices. SNCF Voyageurs launched its first Ouigo Train Classique low-cost passenger services…
Here's an interesting idea. Get away from car payments. How about having access to dozens of models of automobiles that you can use, swap and refresh as often as you like. A car subscription. And you should see the choice! Meet FINN. Europe-based FINN are revolutionizing conventional car ownership and making driving…
This one is going to be hard to resist, we think. Who doesn't want to rub elbows with the rich and famous, even if we have no idea what to say to them? We watch the movies and see them in the tabloids and all over social media. Nice work if you…
Even Einstein failed... You might be on holiday, and perhaps things are not going the way you wanted them to. You've been waiting for years to get into the Prado or the Louvre. But, on the day, things just start to go south. Maybe it's raining. Maybe the queues are too…
We could be wrong, but it feels like Covid is on the decline and that we can again breath a collective sigh of relief, pun intended. But, to be sure, it's not gone completely so be safe out there, as they say. And, as thanks, we can start to live our lives again but,…
Nothing like walking along a beach and then - hey presto! - finding out that it's for nudists. That happened to us here in Vancouver, of all places. Luckily, our sunglasses were in place and covered our eyes even if they didn't hide our embarassment. We're not prudes, by any stretch -…
Camping is one of those love it / hate it propositions. Most of us are not in love with mosquitos. And, even in the summer, sleeping on the ground in a tent can be a lumpy and cold prospect. But, to be sure, the outdoor locations are usually mind-bogglingly beautiful, and you…
Sweden, like most of the Nordic countries of Europe, is a marvelous place. Clean, progressive, egaliatarian, world-aware and full of smart people whom we could learn a lot from. But one thing that the Swedes don't do is small talk. No chit-chat. Short and sweet. Unlike most other cultures in the…
There are thousands of hotels around the world who will give you what you want. But what if you don't know what you want, or want something completely different? We have a suggestion. Offering rooms and suites set in large caves, Le Grotte della Civita is located in the Matera's Sassi area, a…
You may recall that some time back, we created a post on Tollund Man. In 1950, the Tollund man was found in a peat bog west of Silkeborg. The interesting thing about Tollund man is that he was preserved in peat and was in incredibly good condition when found. He was also accompanied by…
We humans, despite our many flaws, do manage to do a thing or two that more or less redeems us. When we read the news nowadays (and by that nowadays means decades) it feels like there are not many good things to cheer about. Wars, strife, inequity, selfishness (and all of the sub-products…
Despite all that (most) people and companies try to do to save the planet, we're still on the path of no return unless we pull our collective fingers out and get it together. The most bothersome thing is that we have most of the technology and the knowledge. But it's the willpower (or…
As you travel, you're almost always surprised and delighted when, in the least likely of places, a house or an office or some form of public works stuns you with its beauty or originality. In today's world of cookie-cutter homes and offices, we're thankful when an art lover with money collides with designers who…
These kinds of posts are always fun - the birth of a new baby, as it were. In this case, the baby is an Airbus A350 that is now proudly part of ITA. And who is ITA, you may ask? Well, out of the troubled, yet much loved, Alitalia comes new…