Tagged With "Europe"
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 15, 2015: Pit Lane, Mdina Grand Prix
One of the highlights on the Maltese events calendar is the Mdina Grand Prix which takes place over 3 days in October. It consists of several group races on a 3 kilometer street circuit around the bastions of the ancient medieval capital of Mdina....
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Top Euro car renters agree to be fair to customers
Just a little nice, that's what they promise. Counters at Lourdes Airport, France Europe's "big 5" car rental companies have pledged to align their policies and contracts more closely with EU consumer policy, and to be more transparent...
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"Swiss Siberia" hits 0° while Europe bakes
Most of Europe has been experiencing a heatwave so far this summer, with sustained temperatures in the high 90s(F, high 30s C), causing discomfort and health issues across the continent. And yet, one village in Switzerland closed out August by falling...
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Norwegian shuffles the deck on U.S. service
Norwegian (we'll call it that before we list its operating parts) has made two moves in the U.S. market this week, both parts of its strategy of opening up long-term discount service between the U.S. and Europe. It's opening service...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jun 16, 2015: Houseboat, Amsterdam
Amsterdam is famous for its canals and picture-postcard setting. You can spend days just wandering up and down and around the many canals and waterways admiring the beautiful tree-lined paths, the classic architecture of the buildings...
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Europe's cost-of-living has wide range
Gorgeous groceries...but can you afford them? Photo: Lyzadanger / Wikimedia Travelers planning vacations in Europe quickly become aware that some countries are more expensive than others; plenty of us have suffered sticker shock...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jul 6, 2015: Fish Market, Catania
The city of Catania is on the south-east coast of Sicily and is known as the "Milan" of the south. Renowned for the its' architecture and Roman history, it's a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. On a recent trip there...
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WOW cranks up the wow! to add California
WOW Air, the Icelandic discounter that got big publicity earlier this year by offering $99 fares from the U.S. to Europe via its homebase in Reykjavik is now planning to add Los Angeles and San Francisco to its network. The 4-day-week LA...
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Scandinavia booms with Europe's fastest-growing cities
Scene in Gamla Stan, Stockholm. Photo: Jurgen Howaldt / Wikipedia Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo, in that order, have been tabbed as Europe's fastest-growing cities in a report compiled for...
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Prague Castle's chief loses job over red underwear
Yes, that's what it says. In addition to being one of Prague's, even Europe's, top tourist attractions, it's also the home of the Czech Republic president and other important offices. And, a week or so ago, the security importance of the...
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Aer Lingus adds 3 U.S. cities to its network
Aer Lingus is expanding its roster of U.S. cities with service to Dublin, adding new routes to Los Angeles, Newark and Hartford, CT. It's Aer Lingus' biggest one-time expansion since it first started flying trans-Atlantic in 1958. Aer Lingus...
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Ryanair, unions at odds in Spain and Denmark
Ryanair, the leading low-cost air carrier in Europe has its hands full on labor issues these days. A continuing strike of ground workers in Spain has left Ryanair without baggage service in Madrid, Danish unions have received court permission to...
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Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Basilica Enters Final Contruction Phase
Photo of La Sagrada Familia Basilica by Karina If you can believe it, Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona is entering...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 17, 2015: Mdina Gates, Malta
The medieval city of Mdina , the ancient capital of Malta, stands proudly on top of a hill in central Malta. Known to be first fortified by the Phoenicians around 700 BC, this walled city has withstood centuries of invasions, battles and...
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June 13, 2018: DC Tower 1 - Vienna, Austria
Samantha shares pictures of the DC Tower 1 from her trip to Vienna, Austria. She found it very interesting and unique.
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June 27, 2018: German Fleckvieh (Simmental) Cows
Samantha shares a few of the many pictures she took of the brown and white German Fleckvieh (Simmental) cows.
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The Memorials of Berlin - Part 2
Jonathan L continues his exploration of the Berlin memorials dedicated to those murdered by the Nazis
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Climate Change and European Tourism
The travel industry site Skift is continuing a series assessing the effects of climate change on travel, and has concluded that changing climate over the next 50 years may shift tourism from southern to northern Europe in the summer, but may have...
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Nova: Building the Great Cathedrals.
Originally aired in 2011, this Nova episode is being rebroadcast on my local PBS station and, presumably others, on Christmas evening. Of interest to most visitors to Europe, if only as an integral part of the skylines, it's worth watching...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sept. 20, 2013: Luxembourg, Old City and Ramparts
One of Europe's smallest countries, it's easy not to visit Luxembourg, neatly tucked in between the cultural and economic giants of Europe -- France and Germany -- and just west of its political capital in Belgium. But its a beautiful...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sept 2, 2014: Luxembourg Gardens, Paris
As I have mentioned in previous posts, whenever we visit a new city, town or village, we always seek out the nearest park or gardens in order to get our bearings and to just soak the atmosphere of the place. Paris was no exception...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 16 2014: Valletta, Malta
The capital city of Malta , Valletta was originally known as "the city built by gentleman for gentleman". That description may have changed somewhat over the years as it is now a World Heritage listed city. One of the first...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, June 3, 2014: British Telepone Box, Malta
The island nation of Malta became part of the British Empire in 1800 after the French were driven out in 1799. They gained their independence in 1964 and the last of the British forces and other personnel left...
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Catching the Tour de France 2014
My husband Hans and I have been Tour de France fans for almost thirty years. In 1992, we caught Miguel Indurain, riding for Banesto , win the Tour in Paris. A classic Tour athlete, Indurain holds the record for the most consecutive (five) Tour...
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Finding Reiner 4: Who Was He?
After a brief holiday, I am back to Finding Reiner. I am writing this family mystery as a travelogue ( and as a graphic book illustrated by the fabulous Maria Lebedeva whose illustrations I include here ) for two reasons. First, war stories mean...
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Replacing iPhone Abroad
My husband dropped his iPhone 5 into the toilet on Day One of his 3 weeks in Europe. We checked at Frankfurt airport phone stores, and they will only sell an iPhone with a phone contract. In Cologne on Day Two, we discovered that Kaufhof will sell...
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One Hundred Years Ago: On the Eve of War
One hundred years ago, July 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, a young Serb nationalist shot and killed Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, which then ruled Bosnia and quite a few other places now independent . Their goal was an...
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Finding Reiner: Taking a Break in Cologne
After spending two separate weeks in Cologne (in January and June), I’ve come to love this walkable city. I’ll take a short pause from “Finding Reiner” to give readers a taste of the town. Accommodations: Cologne...
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Your opinion of Bulgaria
Hey guys, I've been wondering what's other traveler's opinion of Bulgaria? What do you know about the country? What have you heard of it - good and bad things? Have you been here or would you come? Bulgaria is full of...
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Top 7 Hidden Resorts in Europe
Looking for a great resort to visit in Europe? Something a little off the main beaten tourist path? Andrew L has seven excellent suggestions for you.
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Top 4 Rafting Destinations in Europe
The most popular summer vacation destination is definitely the seaside. However, not all people like lying in the sun and just getting tanned. For those who love adrenaline-rush sports and adventures, rafting presents a perfect vacation. Apart from the mesmerizing cities and their architecture, natural beauty of Europe can offer some of the best rafting adventures you can find in the world. Coruh River, Turkey Coruh River flows through stunning canyons and narrow valleys filled with...
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Norwegian and WOW add routes, sale fares
Two low-cost carriers, Norwegian and WOW, are opening new U.S.-to-Europe routes for next summer, at discount prices...and fees.
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EasyJet may make itself a 'dual citizen' after Brexit
Europe's second-biggest no-frills carrier isn't waiting to see how Brexit works out; it's following multiple paths to continued European operations.
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More security for Europe's river cruises
In light of recent events, security is being tightened along the routes of Europe's river cruise ships.
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Chocolate Capitals of Europe You Should Visit
A few years ago, I got a chance to stay in Europe for 6 months. During that time, I managed to visit all the cities titled as the "capitals" of chocolate. Have you ever been in any of these? Do share your thoughts. (Belgium remains my favourite because Switzerland is expensive as hell). So, anyway, here's a list of my favourites: Brussels, Belgium It's basically a chocolate paradise. Belgium has more than 10 factories of chocolate and around 16 chocolate museums. With Brussels being the...
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Is JetBlue thinking of Europe?
Airbus reports good numbers, and hints it may fly to Europe. Its Airbus order has options for long-range models to do it.
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WOW! NY to Europe for under $300 round trip!
Iceland's WOW Air is adding flights to the NYC area, with tempting $99 one-way to Iceland and $149 to Europe limited fares.
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Silent Skies in Tuscany, Italy
Celebrating Nature on 7 Continents: Europe, part 1. Kirsten Hines nature series moves from Australia to Europe, where we consider a world without songbirds.
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Italy itinarary
I went on a solo trip to Italy and Rome last month. I am sharing my Italy Itinerary to guide first-time visitors to Europe. Make your backpack with this Backpacking Europe Packing List One thing that was common in every place was beautiful churches and Frescos there. In Italy, they always believed in the balance so if a church is beautiful from outside, it's going to be very simple inside and vice versa. 1. Rome - For Rome trip, I think 3 to 4 is enough to make your trip plan . If possible...
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The Prater, Vienna: Austria's Playground for Everyone
While in Vienna, Samantha and her husband spent a few hours checking out Austria's playground, the Prater. The giant Ferris Wheel is the draw to the park, but there is so much to see and do.
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Our Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, Austria - Part One
Samantha and her husband had a wonderful time exploring some of the sights from the Sound of Music. Today she shares Part 1 of their tour.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 18 2013: Milan's Bronze Typist
Soldiers in statues wave swords, lawyers hold statute books, and rulers brandish proclamations: Why not immortalize a journalist working at a typewriter? We were startled when we first saw this on our one-day stopover in Milan. It's probably the...
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Europe's Fastest Growing Airport is on its way out!
Berlin's Tegel Airport (TXL) which was supposed to be replaced two years ago by the new Berlin-Brandenburg complex, is hanging on and growing fast. It's still open because of technical and construction problems with the new field, and Berlin's growth...
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Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
Alighting off the bus at the Floriana terminus, I walk across the small bridge spanning the deep ditch and pass through the city gate. The city immediately opens up before me as I walk down the main thoroughfare of Republic Street. Valletta , the...
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Austin Gets Its First Non-stop to Europe
Austin, TX is getting more connected, this time with a non-stop daily flight to Heathrow on British Airways' new 787 Dreamliner. Five times a week until May, and every day thereafter. Just the thing for Brits looking for good barbecue and country...
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The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
I have an affinity with the Maltese islands . The fact that I was born there may have something to do it, but, as I have lived most of my life in Australia, the distance between the 2 countries has made this affinity more special. I was constantly reading about it and wanted to know more. I returned there many times for short holidays, and my fondness grew with each subsequent visit. Sliema Waterfront I am now a permanent resident of the country, and, while I may seem biased towards it, it’s...
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The Maltese Islands – Underrated gems or best kept secret ?
I have an affinity with the Maltese islands. The fact that I was born there may have something to do it, but, as I have lived most of my life in Australia, the distance between the 2 countries has made this affinity...
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Europe's roaming price caps kick in
As Europe's next round of reduced roaming charges kicks in, some questions remain for non-EU travelers.
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Europe abandons its biggest bill
The European Central Bank will stop printing €500 notes. Rarely seen by ordinary folks, they are believed to be used mainly by criminals.
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Brits told: world situation will mean cheaper holidays
There's always someone to find a silver lining in dark clouds, and this time around it's the travel writers of the Telegraph (UK) who are telling Britons that holidays in Europe and Turkey will be bargains next year because of uncertain times. Nick Trend, in an article posted Nov. 26, points to two factors in particular: Americans made nervous by the Paris attacks and State Department travel warnings, and Russia's ban on "tourist relations" with Turkey. While the State Department...