Tagged With "European Union"
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Re: EU Parliament Ends Cell Phone Roaming Charges in 2017
I'm guessing this is going to affect pre paid plans and sim cards for travelers. Anybody else know more, please comment.
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Re: EU Parliament Ends Cell Phone Roaming Charges in 2017
Yes, it will apply to prepaid plans, which many Europeans as well as visitors use, but it's not as happily absolute as some of the celebrators make it sound. The final June 2017 step depends on a reform of the European wholesale roaming market in which carriers pay each other for roaming use, and is also subject to limits for those who roam "too much." Here's a quote from one of the Parliament members who was a leading proponent of the law (which also originally included provisions for net...
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Re: Italian Competition Authority fines TripAdvisor €500,000
I know TripAdvisor has had some problems with a minority of people posting false reviews so I can kind of understand in 2012 the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK telling TripAdvisor not claim the reviews were from real travelers or use the word trusted describing reviews. As far as the Italian Competition Authority goes, below is their Press Release when the investigation started in May. It seems like it would be very difficult for TripAdvisor to prevent fake reviews , so I'm not...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#39)
I know it says Union Pacific, so might this be a west coast picture?
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#39)
Ah ha! Either an interesting camera technique or it is indeed a wonderfully detailed model train set, I suspect the latter. Oh, but where?? There are many big boys out there in the world who would love to have a Union Pacific loco running around in the loft. I have seen reports of some fantastic layouts in Germany but it could be anywhere methinks.... I tried to take a photo of just such a loco coming towards me in Canada and stood by the track in readiness. Thinking to be friendly, I was...
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Re: France to Send 120 Extra Police to Secure Channel Tunnel
Did the tunnel last Friday - Paris to London and back same day. No trouble, but was very concerned there might be having read about tires being set on fire on the tracks. The migrant issue hadn't occurred yet. That's new. But I wonder why the French government didn't do a damn thing about the tire burning. Ah, it was a union issue - no wonder.
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Re: Brits still in love with long-haul holidays
The current Prime Minister promised to leave the European Union months ago after a Peoples Referendum. But Politicians know what's best for you. That's democracy.
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
Beautiful photos Kirsten!!
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
Bee-eaters are amazing birds. I've never seen more than one or two around, so it must be quite a treat to be at the edge of a migration of them! And they fly so quickly -- amazed you were able to get that last photo framed as well as you did. Thanks for sharing these.
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
Thanks, Marilyn!
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Re: Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Asia, part 3 - European Bee-eaters in Sir Bani Yas Island, United Arab Emirates
It was pretty amazing... a bit dizzying actually to try and keep up with all of them!
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Re: The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland
My darling father-in-law grew up in Falkirk and I've never gone there. But just mention a canal and I want to know about the towpath. A walk through Falkirk may be in my future: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk...de-union-canal.shtml Thanks, Ian.
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Re: 'Uncomfortable memory' tour faces Barcelona slave history
It is good that a people face up to and learn from the past. We must learn from the lessons of history, but I do hope this will not become a "self-flagellation" exercise. At the end of the 18th century, everyone had slaves. Every people, every race, every culture, every country participated in the buying, selling and owning of other people. It was the norm. Fortunately, with a few rare exceptions, modern society has become enlightened and the rights of individuals is now a central focus of...
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Re: 'Uncomfortable memory' tour faces Barcelona slave history
'Presentism' is always a danger for historians, but in this case, there's a real issue of interest based on the late-in-the-day entry into slave-owning by the later Catalan grandees; they went into it when all European countries had already abolished it, and when it had been abolished in many colonial areas. Sadly, not Cuba, Brazil, or, at the beginning of that period, the United States. One of the reasons it's important to consider these past things is because they do enter into the...
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Re: 'Uncomfortable memory' tour faces Barcelona slave history
Slavery is just part of a long cruel history. Wherever there is chance to make money, people of any race or creed will gladly join in. Even the African warlords who sold the "prisoners" to the slave ships played their parts in this piece of history. Even today fortunes are made by sending young men to die in the name of "Defence". Money has no morals.
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Re: France, Britain at swords points over croissants
Sacrebleu!! I'm reading an article about famous French baker, Frédéric Pichard, (best croissant in Paris 2011). I direct readers to the photo of the croissant served to the author in the courtyard of the bakery. http://www.farine-mc.com/2014/...rederic-pichard.html Could this mean M. Pichard, too, should be thrown out of the European Union?
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Re: Union Square NYC
Hi Jonathan, thanks for sharing this info about Union Square. We were in NYC in Oct and had wanted to see this area, but sadly never made it due to time. It is definitely on our list to see the next time we are there - hopefully in the spring so we can sit out and enjoy lunch while people watching We did make it to Battery Park though, and that was pretty interesting. Thanks again for sharing.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? (11/20/13)
A summary of Amazon from on the new Martin Cruz Smith Novel, TATIANA (see latest clues(. " Arkady Renko, one of the iconic investigators of contemporary fiction, has survived the cultural journey from the Soviet Union to the New Russia..... The trail leads to Kaliningrad , a Cold War “secret city”......" TravelandNature, I believe we may have an answer!
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Re: Gumbo's World: The Exiled Statues of Budapest
Altough the Soviet Union liberated Eastern Europe from fascism, it brought along another yoke, that of communism. The implication being that nothing had basically changed because of that liberation. "History is always written by the Victor"
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
What an interesting group of islands. Thanks so much for this article. Wondering - Do people get around mostly by boat ? Is English widely spoken ?
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Hello F-car, people mainly use their cars to get around, which is a pity as the roads are not the best and there are far too many cars for the roads to cope with. There is an extensive bus network which I found more preferable to driving. Boats are used more for leisure but there are many fisherman who make their living from the sea. Although the Maltese have their own language, English is widely spoken and visitors get by without problems. Many locals also speak Italian (them being our...
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Re: The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
Thanks so much Island Man.What a great post! I'll definetly include a visit to Malta in my future travel plans.
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Charleston's Grand Mansions: Middleton Place
On a recent visit to Charleston, South Carolina, I bought a 2-day pass, called the Charleston Heritage Passport , at the North Charleston Visitor Center near the airport, and planned to include as many of the sites it offered of...
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One year into merger, AA is optimistic
American Airlines and USAir merged a year ago this week, forming the world's largest airline, even though it's not quite operating like one. Passengers still book on two different systems, and sometimes use different customer service reps...but the...
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Memphis, Tennessee 3) The rest of the city
There’s a lot more to Memphis than Graceland, although Graceland is by far the city’s most popular attraction (which I’ve previously discussed here ). A city of about 650,000, Memphis has a...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 25, 2014: Macy's Christmas Tree, Union Square, San Francisco
A few years ago I had the pleasure of visiting San Francisco. I had visited this city a few times before, but this was the first time I was there at Christmas time. San Francisco is a beautiful city throughout the year, but...
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Lisbon's Jeronimos Monastery and Tower of Belem
Our first day in Lisbon was awesome. We got to see so much of the city, and watch the sunset from a castle. On our second day in Lisbon we took the train to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Torre de Belém...
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A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
I remember being in Wales several times and looking across the sea to the west, thinking that I needed to get to Ireland. Well I finally made it, completing this journey with my brother on our annual "getaway trip"! It was a trip we really...
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Coming: TG's 'European Capital of Culture' Series
TG Update: These articles are now available -Capital of Culture Series: LiverpoolCapital of Culture Series: Marseilles Each year, the EU designates a special city or cities as the European Capital of...
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New safety rules after crash: No solo pilots
In the wake of the Germanwings crash that killed 150 in an apparent suicide-by-pilot, Lufthansa and many others are quickly adopting rules requiring at least two crew members be present inside the cockpit at all times. Lufthansa's announcement covers...
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Boeing in SC: First 787-9 delivered, union election set
Two milestones for Boeing's plant in North Charleston, SC. This week the plant, which has been building the original 787-8, delivered its first stretch 787-9 version, and the International Association of Machinists, the union representing most Boeing...
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Florida warned: take action against future flooding
17th c. Castillo de San Marcos, guarding America's oldest city, may be endangered by rising waters. With all the jokes about earthquakes in California creating ocean-front lots in Nevada, it's easy to forget that things are changing in numbers...
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Euro airlines: Delays continue in compensation for delays
Passengers waiting for delayed flights Photo: Wikimedia / Tony Hisget Passengers claiming compensation for flight delays under EU rules are finding themselves still delayed or denied in receiving the...
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Nashville, Tennessee.....the Elvis tour continues!
Until I attended my first medical meeting in Nashville, I'd never thought much about visiting this mid-sized city, an oversight on my part. Nashville's a fun destination in many ways, especially if you're a fan of Country music. I...
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A day ago, driverless cars. Are you up for no-pilot jetliners?
Will a robot replace the pilot on your next flight? No, this isn't a late-day April Fools' gag. Both NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration (they started the Internet, remember...) are working on technologies for...
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Brooklyn's Prospect Park Greenmarket
By a quick count, I’ve photographed markets in nearly three dozen cities in the U.S. and Europe; they’ve often appeared here on TravelGumbo. And yet the market I visit most often, and where my wife shops almost weekly, hasn’t found...
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The new 'Love Boat:' Pedaling down the Seine
A French couple with a penchant for unusual travel make their way 'on foot' from Paris to Honfleur.
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A Rambler in Portland, Oregon
A few days in Portland, spending more time wandering the streets than the big sights, but finding plenty to see.
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Crackpot Hall, Yorkshire Dales
Ian Cook shares some great photos and the history of Crackpot Hall.
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What the new Cuba rules will mean
American travelers to Cuba face some re-instated rules and would-be investors face a new hurdle.
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Europe's new car rental rules: simplify, standardize
An agreement between EU officials and leading rental car companies should make renting in Europe a smoother experience.
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James Monroe's Highland, Charlottesville, Virginia
At the end of the week, we arrive at Gumbo's secret location, the former home of one of America's early Presidents.
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French bus drivers at war over heat and pants
Faced with a heat wave and an uncooperative bus company, French drivers turn to skirts to make a point
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Easyjet picks Vienna as its European HQ
In preparation for Brexit and possible loss of European flying rights, UK-based EasyJet has announced it will create an Austrian company to keep its place in Europe.
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Old Town Sacramento: a trip through California's History
Sacramento's Old Town gives JonathanL insights into California's history and an opportunity to visit a great railroad museum.
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July 16, 2017: Spinning the Cube - Greenwich Village
A large public sculpture in New York City inspires many passers-by to give it their best efforts.
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Eastern European Rail Odyssey: Gdansk to Vilnius
Wilbur's Eastern European train journey continues, with travels through Gdansk, Kaliningrad, Minsk and Vilnius.
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Another criticism faced by Uber results in the Delete Uber campaign
Uber, the world’s one of the largest online taxi-hailing networks has faced many criticisms, lawsuits, legal actions and protests from the both Government and its Uber drivers. At the end of January 2017, the campaign called Delete Uber has been trending in the social media and it results in the deletion of nearly two lakhs of Uber accounts. Though the Uber faced a lot of criticism from the people, it is trying to solve the issues in a different manner. Executive order of President Trump The...
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Brexit bringing Britain record visits
In the wake of plans to leave the EU, the British pound has weakened, making British holidays more affordable, and record numbers are taking advantage.