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The Thinking Traveller

The Thinking Traveller

Tornados in Europe!

Even if you're a European whiz, sometimes you might want to retrace your steps to ensure that you've seen it all.  Or maybe you're just in a hurry.   So here's a plan for you.  Be a tornado. Experience three of Europe's iconic capitals in just ten days. If you only have a short stay in…

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Weave got the beat

This might be an odd question, but what do neurons prefer?  They do react to sounds, you know.  And sometimes they gravitate to certain kinds of stimuli. Some even respond to music, like we humans. Why are we talking about this?  Because these are questions that informed neuroscience specialists.  These scientists capture the "spikes" that…

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Yea, verily. Take thee food and drink at The King’s Jail

We jest . . . but only somewhat.  Is this a castle?  Perhaps not.  Is it a jail?  It once was. Now known as the Royal Crown Castle Bar and Grill, it's a rather nice pub in New Westminster on the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada.  With inspiring views over the Fraser River, a delightful staff, good…

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Do I have clearance to ask you out on a date?

WARNING - look away now if you are allergic to bad naughty humour. "After being deprived of two of my favorite activities — travel and sex — over the past year, one thing I’m looking forward to as both become more feasible is that inexplicable wave of horniness that reliably overcomes me when I’m on…

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Find the hidden restaurant

Are you "in" with The In Crowd?  Do you know every latest dance?  When you're in with The In Crowd, it's easy to find a hidden restaurant.*  New York is the place that never sleeps, is sometimes confusing and maybe a bit too artsy, and is certainly in with The In Crowd.  We love it.…

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Ground control to Major Mom

This article is somewhat of a bittersweet tome.  It's about love and separation, being missed and being loved.  Letting go and holding on tight. You see, Elon Musk's SpaceX team are in early conversations with a number of airlines with the aim to provide Starlink satellite internet network to provide travelers with inflight Wi-Fi.  Science…

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Jane, stop this crazy thing!

Plastics.  Carbon fibre. Airloys. Atomic layer deposition. Nano putty. Aerogel. Memory foam.  Metalized polyethylene terephthalate. Your travel future relies on the space-age materials listed above.  They play their part in making planes, trains and automobiles better, lighter, stronger and faster. Why  does this matter to you?  Both American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic recently signed deals…

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Give peace a chance

We live in an age in which – for obvious reasons – it’s vital to understand how to build peace. Nuclear proliferation, inter-state and civil wars, terrorism and insurgencies, rising extremisms and hate crimes, social polarisation and increasingly vituperate online diction mean that learning how to reconcile enemies has never been more important. This importance is…

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You’re worth it, and you know it

Who hasn't - at least once - dreamt of basking in the sun in Saint-Tropez?  Since the 50's, it has always represented the universal ideal in luxury, culture and aspirations. Well, for those in the mood and in the position to do so, you'll be thrilled that the Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière will…

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Rigi – don’t lose that number

Yodele hee hoo!  Now here is a wonderful, simple and unforgettable adventure for you - lovely Rigi mountain in Switzerland -  and its fabulous cog train. The residents of Rigi have not let their wonderful natural resource go to waste.  Above and beyond being a daily mode of transport (since 1871) for its residents, it…

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You got Moxy, kid

It's no surprise to anyone paying attention, but China continues to boom.  They're a powerhouse.  And, like many forward-thinking countries, the look to embrace what's new. One example of this is the new Moxy Hotels group - part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio.  It brings fresh styling, attitude and pizazz to not only the hotel offerings…

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As if you need incentives . . . retire here

Are your "sunset years" approaching?  Do you find yourself longing for something completely different?  Do you wake up at night pondering how you will continue to maintain that 8 bedroom house of yours?  Or, do you simply want to "go off the rails" and take a 180 degree turn in your life? What better time…

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Air Transat. What’s that?

To those of us who live in Canada, there is a well-known name, but it might not be as well known to the rest of the world: Air Transat. Air Transat is Canada’s number one leisure airline. It flies to some 60 international destinations in more than 25 countries in the Americas and Europe, offers…

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Seasons change, and so will we

Home:  there is nothing better than coming home.  A place for everything, everything in its place.  A home, not a house.  There's no place like home.  To know the road ahead, ask those coming back. There are many platitudes that describe home, but the last one, above, is what we're talking about here.  Why is…

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Mood IndiGo

If you haven't travelled to India (even recently,) there is a lot going on when it comes to air travel.  Air India has always been the stalwart, and will likely remain that way.  But, with companies like Vistara and GoAir - and now IndiGo, travelers in India are spoiled for choice.  IndiGo is punching above…

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Sky train

Some of the most striking and beautiful terrain in the world can be found in South America.  In particular, Chile and Argentina possess almost untouched mountains that literally stun you with their immense size and colours. One great way to experience this is to take a train, literally into the clouds, and we can get…

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Can you Canfranc?

War is hell.  There have been too many.  But, humans always find a way to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start again. After the end of the First World War, during the euphoria following one of the most awful periods of world history, the Pau-Somport rail tunnel had been driven beneath the Pyrenees…

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There’s a place

In his documentary, filmmaker Paul Saltzman retraces his journey of 50 years ago when he spent - almost accidentally - a life-changing time with the Beatles at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram on the banks of the Ganges River. In 1968, he discovered his own soul, learned meditation, which changed his life, and hung out with…

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