A Leisure Stroll through Paris – Part I
Known as the City of Light and the City of Love, standing out with its magnificent steel tower that marks it as a landmark, Paris has always been a tourist attraction for travelers of all ages. The young desire it for the romance, the charm, the “je ne sais quoi”; the old crave its culture and art. In each case, Paris has something to offer, something unique, and something that is always different for each and every one of us.
It is an old city dating back to the age of the Roman Empire, a city conquered and liberated, a star among other cities, with great avenues, magnificent bridges, small narrow streets guiding you to some lost corner where an ancient beautiful church sits, or a statue guards some apparently forgotten park. Read more…
US Airports Turn into Art Galleries and Museum Exhibitions
If after a trip to a certain city you feel you have wasted more time in airports than in art museums paying tribute to your more creative, art loving side, you are bound to be taken aback by a new USA trend. More and more airports are either hosting temporary art exhibitions or unveiling permanent displays to please the eyes of travelers while waiting for their next flight.
To enjoy such a cultural adventure while in between flights or before departure, check out one of these newly discovered art galleries highlighted by USA Today. In Atlanta, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is catwalk where couture fashions made from trash are being exhibited by Nancy Judd of Recycle Runway. If you’re traveling to Atlanta from April 18th till April 2012, make sure you check the 18 unique outfits. Read more…
By Popular Demand: Hitler Exhibition in Berlin Extended
The first postwar exhibition inspired by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler organized in Germany has been so popular that it has been extended by three weeks until February 27, said representatives of the museum hosting it, the German Historical Museum (DHM). In the three months it has been opened, the “Hitler and the Germans” exhibition in Berlin attracted over 170,000 visitors. The Hitler exhibition explores the links between German society and Hitler’s rise to power in 1933.
“There has been great interest among Germans and also international tourists,” museum spokesman Rudolf Trabold said. “There have been lots of visitors from all over Europe.”
Given the topic of the exhibition, the German legacy under the Nazis which included World War II and the Holocaust, the museum was pleasantly surprised by the visitor turnout. The exhibition raised concernes among the German media, as they feared it could prove popular among neo-Nazis who idolize Hitler, but so far no problems have been reported. Read more…
UK targets wealthy tourists with luxury “fairytale” vacations
Britain’s national tourism agency will soon launch a major marketing campaign targeting wealthy tourists and trying to get them to spend more on luxury holidays in castles, stately homes and theatres from the UK.
VisitBritain will promote “fairytale” holidays, divided in three tiers of luxury, gold, platinum and black. The new campaign is expected to attract 10 million high net worth individuals with more than USD 1 million. The Gold holiday targets “bling luxury” lovers, Platinum the less overt travelers, and the Black is created for those who want the understated, minimal but substantial holiday, according to Reuters.
“While every country has 5-star hotels, luxurious spas, designer shops and championship golf courses Britain stands out because it has the original world renowned luxury experiences and brands,” Patricia Yates, director of strategy and communications at VisitBritain, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“For example, a stay at Claridge’s, shopping in Selfridges, or eighteen holes at St Andrew’s, have a cachet that can’t be found elsewhere.” Read more…
UNESCO Expands List of Intangible World Heritages
Kirkpinar festival, Turkey
The U.N. culture and education agency has just expended its list of intangible world heritages adding the traditions and 43 other cultural elements from a 11 countries to the protected gems we need to promote and preserve. The announcement was made at a meeting held on Tuesday in Nairobi.
Peking Opera, Spanish Flamenco and the art of French gastronomy made the list, along with other more obscure additions – Luxembourg’s centuries-old annual hopping procession held in the village of Echternach, the blade-twirling of a scissor-dancing ritual dating back to the 16th century in the Chanka region, Peru, Turkey’s 648-year-old Kirkpinar festival when men wrestle in cooking oil. The world heritage nominations, apart from festivals and rituals, also included arts – Chinese acupuncture. Read more…
Museum Dedicated to the Life of Jewish Americans to Open in Philadelphia
A new museum dedicated to Jewish life in America will be opened on November 26. It holds Albert Einstein’s pipe, Irving Berlin’s piano, Jonas Salk’s test tubes and many other items of interest.
Housed in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Independence Mall, the National Museum of American Jewish History traces the history of Jewish Americans starting with 1654 and continuing to the present day. The museum aims to show the freedom that Jews found in America, an integral part of the American history, also relevant to the non-Jews. Read more…
Jordan Magnuson – Travel Games to Depict a Trip Around the World
Travel Tweaks readers met Jordan Magnuson about a month and a half ago, when news of his plan to go on a trip around the world and document it by developing travel inspired games was spread on the Internet. After publishing the news here, I exchanged a few emails with Jordan. While I personally discovered a kind, fun and interesting person, this interview seemed a must, as every person out there interested in travel, games, learning experiences and pushing common boundaries should definitely find out more about Jordan and his courageous project!
Travel Tweaks: Jordan, let’s start with a few things about yourself. How would you describe yourself outside your work?
Jordan Magnuson: Well, most people notice immediately that I’m fairly tall… about 6-foot, 7-inches. For whatever that’s worth. I’m a curious generalist, and interested in far too many things… I changed my major several times in college, and ended up studying a little bit of everything, from physics (the degree I ended up with) to philosophy, computer science, math, history, literature, film, writing, art history, drawing, photography, and more. I’m especially interested in studying things in a holistic way, and understanding how different ideas and fields overlap and interact.
I also enjoy sports, and being out of doors. I need a balance of mental and physical activity to keep me healthy and engaged… at present, I probably spend a bit too much time in front of my computer, making games, and doing web design.
What else? I like good movies, reading aloud, German board games, spicy cuisine, juggling for fun, and long, empty beaches. And I have a rabbit that lives in the house. Read more…
