Europe String

May 10th, 2008

Budget European travel links for 10-May-2008

• USA Today: Europe still expensive
• Forbes: traveling on the weak dollar
• Dallas News: Americans going overseas anyway

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May 10th, 2008

Travel the world in photos with the Travel & Culture Channel

Here at the b5 Travel & Culture channel, we occasionally have theme days. This month’s theme is photos, and here’s Mary Jo’s great round-up of the posts. Go check out the lovely views!

• Here at Europe String, I submitted my Back from Italy photo.
• From Grace at Filipina Soul, we have photos of Malacanang of the North, the “White House” of the North, and home to exiled formed President Marcos and his family.  And Grace offers Photos of Manila Ocean Park, a new oceanarium in the Philippines.
• Mary Jo at Flyaway Cafe is still bragging about her recent vacation with Fog Rolls in on the Island of Capri.
• Sherry at Geeky Traveler has a photo review of a tripod with Joby Gorillapod Review.
• Alex at Sirened brings humor to his photo essay with Jackass Amsterdam Photos of the Week.
• Apryl at Southern Byways gives us a taste of the 22nd state with Alabama’s Outdoors in Photos.
• J-Michael at Starked DC creates a little fireworks with b5 Travel & Culture Theme Day.
• Paul at Starked SF includes a few witty barbs along with his photos of The View from My Backyard.
• Matt at The Chicago Traveler shows photos of eight attractions that allow you to  Enjoy Chicago for Free.
• Jon at The DC Traveler has a contest along with his photos at Friday Photo Caption Contest.
• Susan at The Disney Traveler makes things look real in Jungle Cruise at Walt Disney World, a Review in Pictures.
• Jody at The Hawaii Traveler gives us a photo a one of her camping buddies at Resorts Without Walls: Camping in Hawai’i.
• Che at The Kuala Lumpur Traveler shows the fun side of the city with Having Fun at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park.
• Heather at The New York City Traveler shows off a bit of unique architecture with photos of the Flatiron Building.
• Kim at The Paris Traveler offers up Grand Palais and Monumenta 2008 about a showing by sculptor Richard Serra.
• Mary Jo at The Seattle Traveler tries to convince us that it doesn’t rain in Seattle all the time with Blooming Days in Seattle.
• Geoff at The Switzerland Traveler, now back blogging after recovery from his injury, shows the many sides of his country with Swiss Photos of the Week.
• Lauren at The Sydney Traveler shows off a little architecture with her post Sydney’s Stunning Churches.
• Shane at The Tokyo Traveler has photos of Sumo at Yasukuni Shrine along with a bit of explanation about the sport.
• Justin has The Toronto Traveler’s Submission to the b5media Travel & Culture Theme Day.

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May 7th, 2008

Queen’s Day - painting the Netherlands Orange

I had a fabulous time at Queen’s Day in Amsterdam last week, on April 30th. Queen’s Day is a huge celebration of the (former) queen’s birthday, and there is fun to be had all over the country.

In Amsterdam, DJs and bands were set up on stages all over the city on the evening before Queen’s Day, and the city felt like one big outdoor party. The celebrations continued early the next morning, with people getting up extra-early to take part in the free market - anyone is allowed to set up shop and sell items on this day. It’s kind of like a city-wide garage sale. The city and its canals were packed for most of the day, with orange-wearing revelers all over the place.

Queen’s Day offers a whole lot of free fun - the hard part is finding a hotel room. Book well in advance for next year!

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May 7th, 2008

Budget European travel links for 7-May-2008

• Finding an affordable lunch in Italy
• Ryanair increases check-in charges

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May 6th, 2008

Photo of the day: Colmar, France

This charming town in the Alsace region of France is so cute it might make you weep.

Photo source: personal collection

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May 5th, 2008

Travel reading: A Widow for One Year

As I’ve mentioned before, I sometimes like to match my leisure reading to my travel destination. If you’re a fan of John Irving, you might be interested in A Widow for One Year, which is partially set in Amsterdam.

There’s also his classic The World According to Garp, which has several scenes in Vienna. As one reviewer explained, reading Garp before heading to the Austrian capital might lead to fits of laughter at everyday scenes in your pension.

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May 3rd, 2008

Budget European travel links for 4-May-2008

• What do you think about the TSA’s new airport security lanes? I’m skeptical, but have yet to try them in person.
• On Rome and history and expectations.

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April 30th, 2008

Niki de St. Phalle’s Tarot Garden

The highlight (well, one of several) of my recent trip to Italy was a visit to the Giardino dei Tarocchi, a whimsical, creative sculpture-filled garden created by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. The garden is a bit of a drive north from Rome (or south from Siena), making it somewhat out-of-the-way for most tourists. But for fans of the artist’s work, the trip (and the EUR 10.50 entrance fee) are more than worth it. Check the garden’s website for opening hours and days (it is closed for most of the winter).

Photo credit: personal collection.

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April 30th, 2008

Budget European travel links for 1-May-2008

• 12 clever travel uses for your digital camera.
• Budget travel tips in Paris.

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April 30th, 2008

Europe String: Best of April 2008

Some of my favorite posts on Europe String from April:

• I declared my love for my Sigg water bottle, which travels with me everywhere I go.
• I reviewed Air Berlin, now one of my favorite low-cost airlines in Europe.
• A giant snowman predicted the weather in Zurich.
• Red and green beer is the thing to drink in Berlin.
• I loved this fountain in Nuremberg.
• Asparagus season came to Germany.
• Chocolat receives my praise as the best gelato in Milan.

And on my other blogs (Veggie Chic and This non-American Life)… I visited a great (vegetarian) restaurant and a fun bar in Berlin. Plus I managed to procure a German driver’s license with very little pain.

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