Europe String

As this year comes to a close, I’ve started dreaming about the next big trip around Europe…  Where will it be?  Back through France, Italy, or Spain?  Or somewhere new like Norway or Finland.  If you’re anything like me, then you already have a dream list of places in Europe you’d like to go (did I hear someone say everywhere?) and I want to hear about it.
I did a small poll on twitter and here’s the responses:  40% France, 30% Italy and 20% UK.
Clearly this doesn’t cover everyone’s plans so I’d like open it here.
-Where are you planning on going …read more

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The parents of this little girl answered the question with: everywhere.

If you’re curious about the little girl, Mozart (the online name her mom uses for her), you can read the family website, detailing their multi-year journey at SoulTravelers3.

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Money moguls, travelers and game lovers can unite with Hasbro’s new Monopoly version: Monopoly Here and Now: World Edition. Released this past week, world cities have replaced the streets of the original version. The cities in place were nominated by votes from around the world – and based on some of the choices, it seems some cities got their citizens involved. European destinations include some expected ones: Paris, London, Rome as well as Athens and Barcelona. Riga is an up-and-comer so that was nice to see. A few eyebrow raisers? Kyiv, Belgrade and Gdynia (it’s in Poland).
To celebrate the …read more

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There is so much good information out there that sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. Not sure how often you get around to any of these sites, but here are some recent posts I found interesting and thought you may too!
Mary Jo from Fly Away Café is running a poll on how people choose their flights. Check in and share your opinion.
I love the pics posted at Travel Photo Daily. Visit daily and get a dose of travel envy.
I’ve started bringing a travel pillow with me on nearly every trip I take, even if I’m not flying. I find …read more

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Where do you like to eat while on holiday? Local restaurants, cafes, McDonald’s? Are you a picnicker? Pick up some food at a grocery store, open-air market or snack food stand and sit amongst the people to enjoy the vibe of the city? Those visiting Rome may have to re-think that strategy. As of last weekend (July 19) you can no longer snack near the city’s monuments in the historic center. Caught munching, and you face fines of up to $80. The rules are only in effect until the end of October.
Rome’s City Hall says they need to have …read more

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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 …read more

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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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If you can’t make it to Ireland’s festivities, I hope you at least get to enjoy a little green beer and Irish folk music today. I celebrated with a little Irish cheddar and stout fondue myself.
Photo source: personal collection

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I love reading books during my travels that are somehow connected to my destination. I’m not talking about travel guides, but rather pleasure reading to entertain me on planes, trains, or simply while soaking in the atmosphere at a local cafe. Fiction or non-fiction, books set in the city I’m exploring can help enhance my experiences of the location and the book.
One great city-and-leisure-reading combination is the book When in Rome, you guessed it, while vacationing in the Eternal City. When in Rome is actually primarily a history of the Vatican, written in a charming and entertaining voice. The author, …read more

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A glimpse of Venice, complete with tour guide narration.

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