Americans love concocting phrases. For example, how about The middle of nowhere: This is a classic, universally understood to mean a remote, isolated place that is far from any town or city. It implies that the place is desolate and lacks any notable features. When you hear "Tri" something, that means three. "Tri-state area…
Sorry, boss. Does this mean that we need to put in overtime? Three "forgotten" Roman megaprojects include the Tunnel of Claudius, an ambitious drainage project to drain the Fucine Lake through a colossal tunnel; the Iron Gates Highway, a vast network of roads built in the Balkans to facilitate military movement and trade; and the secret harbor of Lake…
Really? Mention Francis Bacon, and you sometimes have to clarify which one you mean: the twentieth-century painter, or the seventeenth-century philosopher? Despite how much time separated their lives, the two men aren’t without their connections. One may actually have been a descendant of the other, if you credit the artist’s father’s claim of relation…
All aboard the Not Creepy, just "previously enjoyed BGVoz Suburban Train System. At least It has one and it works! Did you know that Malta, San Marino and Iceland don't have rail at all. Take that! For a rail fan, Belgrade's rail service is interesting because it represents a fascinating mix of…
. . . and it has a lot for you to see and do. Those in the historical know will have some background or history with Chile. A genuinely fascinating and unforgettable place, and one that sometimes hides shyly in the travel shadows. Given how travel is nowadays, with the hoards of "influencers"…
Nor Squamish, for that matter: Have fun wherever you go! Let's visit Beamish. Beamish is located in County Durham, in the northeast of England. It is a small village situated about halfway between the larger cities of Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne. Beamish is a destination for fun because it is home to Beamish,…
Are you going? Part 1. As we do, we were poking around on the electric interwebs looking for interesting content. Out of nowhere, the phrase and accompanying tune found its way to the forefront of my cranium. Those who are aware of the rather lovely British city will be clued-in. …
Boy, there's a stigma that needs to go away, pronto. Delhi, India is as big, bustling and modern as any world-class city. The old stereotype of crumbled architecture, barefoot residents and non-existent infrastructure is old hat. Delhi has established itself as a top world city by shedding its old stereotypes and embracing modernization, driven…
For those of us who follow this and actually care about the planet and what we leave our families and children, based on current research, development, and industry goals, we are on a path toward having aircraft that don't destroy the atmosphere, but it will be a gradual process rather than a sudden switch. …
Another rail post, but of a different timbre this time: these posts seem to be coming fast and furious now that the planet is making it quite clear that we dim humans are missing the plot. Recent climate data shows that global warming is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, with human activities identified as…
Sit down, calm down and watch this super explainer that, after a few review of the video, will help you be in a much better place, instead of the place where you though you were expecting to be when it comes to Japanese rail. Luckily, we have an expert who will make the magic…
George Harrison's home in the London area was Friar Park, a neo-Gothic mansion in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, which he purchased in 1970 and lived in until his death. While not in central London, Henley is in the wider London area. He also lived in his childhood home at 12 Arnold Grove in Liverpool and later owned Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, which…
“The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” In winding my way through the process of writing content for our site, it usually appears either in an almost dreamy, fully-formed shape, or it's something that I find myself scratching my head for hours just to try…
As of 2008, there are 6.831 billion of us on the planet. And that number is growing. We want all people to have a place to live and to have a good life. But how can we accommodate all of this growth? Build up is one option, but the height of…
We're back on our never-ending sojourn about why leaving the car behind is such a good idea. There are numerous statistics from government and research bodies that show why trains and buses are often a much better choice than driving a car, particularly in terms of safety, environmental impact, and cost. Here are a…
We can't help it. If it's rail, we're there. Those of you who have stuck with us over the years know what we're talking about: rail travel. Do a search and you'll find dozens of posts here about this most intelligent mode of travel. A few years back, we featured…
You know, Japan and the Japanese are a truly unique people. Kindness and politeness are guiding stars for the country. They possess a number of deeply ingrained characteristics that are often described as endearing and admirable. These traits are a direct reflection of a culture that highly values harmony, respect, and meticulous attention…
Sometimes, taking a holiday can be a real drag. Either there is too much to do (most of which doesn't appeal to you, or its so ridiculously expensive that it's just not worth the price.) It's only a room, isn't it? Well, time to trust the Swedes. Home furnishings stalwarts, IKEA,…
A number of years back, a British company called Yotel turned the existing concept of holiday stays upside down, focusing mostly on the existing hotel concept and offering that has existed forever. They describe themselves as YOTEL offers guests a hotel experience that challenges the status quo, with a promise to deliver a different kind…
You may think you have it all, and maybe you do. But can you top this?
As the world heaves and pushes and pulls and demands ever more, what do you do to ensure that you're at the top of the luxury pile? Simple. Build your own Electric Rail system. The…