July 2009

  • Who Gets to go to Cuba?

    By ecoscott on 7/30/09 5:21pm
    Add Comment

    CubaCubaWant to go to Cuba? Go to Hollywood. 4 U.S. film stars will be visiting Cuba this week as part of a growing trend of easing political and social relations between the United States and Cuba. It has been illegal for anyone to fly to Cuba from the United States for decades, and the fact that there is press about 4 high profile celebrities going there to stay at the Malecon means that there is no international hoops keeping the well-connected from visiting the island nation.

    Read more >

  • Camping: the new American Vacation

    By selecter on 7/24/09 1:24pm
    Add Comment

    Campfires: the original TVCampfires: the original TVWith the end of civilization approaching quickly, money becoming scarce and jobs disappearing like dust in the wind, vacation has become no less important to Americans. Camping, always a time honored tradition for Americans is becoming the vacation style of choice in these tough times.

    Read more >

  • Things to do in Amsterdam: Famous Artists

    By akgoemans on 7/24/09 6:39am
    2 Comments

    RembrandtspleinRembrandtsplein
    Last week I mentioned that delightful cultural good we all know and love about the Netherlands – the tulip. This week, in my little quest to paint a brighter, sunnier and less sensational picture of this idyllic, I will touch upon another popular aspect of this country – the art scene. That's right. As all ardent art lovers will tell you, this tulip-mad nation is renowned for producing some of the world's most famous artists. Of course, the country has countless contemporary artists that it is proud of but for the purpose of this article, I'm simply going to mention three of the most well-known Dutch artists from the past. Photo source: FaceMePLs via Flickr


    Read more >

  • St. Augustine, Florida

    By msarko on 7/20/09 10:47pm
    Add Comment

    Some places have become little more than tourist destinations. This is sad for the locals, but is there anything inherently wrong about being a place for visitors? Sometimes it's a sad affair, like the relentless tourism traffic through the classical city of Venice, Italy. But not all tourist destinations are hopelessly commercialized bits of antiquity. Take St. Augustine, Florida. Though the relatively tiny town sees a huge influx of tourists filtering down from nearby Orlando, it's still a charming center of striking beauty and culture.

    Read more >

  • Looking for Tulips in Netherlands

    By akgoemans on 7/17/09 2:48am
    Add Comment

    Pretty in PinkPretty in Pink

    Last week I mentioned interesting historical spots within Netherlands. This week I want to talk about a few more typically Dutch features – these are aspects of the culture that will tickle the fancy of the eager traveler. So here goes; today, it's about those famous bulbous plants known as tulips.

    Photo Source: jot.punkt via Flickr

     



    Read more >

  • Travel Tips: Learn the Menu

    By selecter on 7/14/09 9:18am
    Add Comment

    MenuMenuHaving backpacked, suitcased and travelled with the wife across Europe, the South Pacific and Mexico, one thing I always do is get blazingly tired and hungry and end up at McDonald’s. I know I know, you should never eat at McDonald’s when you travel, that’s why you must learn the menu of the countries you are visiting.

    Read more >

  • Something Dutch coming your way

    By akgoemans on 7/10/09 8:39am
    Add Comment


    I recently stumbled across a most distressing take on Netherlands. You've probably seen it; it was a rather sensationalist 'there is evil afoot' style depiction of Dutch way of life by a well-known news group. It was quite sad to see a beautiful country with a rich past and culture being reduced to a handful of prejudices and assumptions.  And I am not defending Netherlands simply because I have friends and family based in the Benelux region. My reasons are also spurred by my fondness of the Dutch culture. So this video did ruffle my feathers and, in the end, prompted me to write this article. Here are my reasons why Netherlands is amongst my must-see destinations. This week I want to highlight some of the wonderful historical spots sprinkled throughout Netherlands.

    A slice of the past


    Read more >