Archive for April, 2007

Photo by peter2403
Photo by peter2403

May in France: To Work or Not to Work?

Both finalists in France’s presidential race, Nicholas Sarkozy and Ségolène Royal, have insisted on the urgent need to improve the work ethic as a way to boost growth and jobs. Yet when the month of May arrives, the question on most people’s lips is: “What are you doing for the ‘ponts de mai’?” The “ponts” » Read more

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Posted in France, Local Customs

Geoff Dyer: Hopelessly Transient, Perpetually Readable

Geoff Dyer seems to write his way out of his obsessions. Whether it’s jazz, the Battle of the Somme, or John Berger, Dyer is unconcerned with standard exposition. He appears to type until he’s figured out why he can’t help writing on his chosen subject matter. For the reader, the journey is sometimes manic, but » Read more

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Posted in Book Reviews

Burgenland: Halbturn Castle

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Posted in Austria, Exhibitions
Crazy Cheap Air Fare Sale: Leipzig with TUIfly

Crazy Cheap Air Fare Sale: Leipzig with TUIfly

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Leipzig airport, TUIfly is selling off 8000 tickets for travel between Leipzig-Halle and Klagenfurt, Milan Orio al Serio, Munich, Naples, Rijeka, Salzburg, and Venice for just €8 per one-way ticket. Rather shockingly, these special fares include taxes and other charges. These tickets went on sale within the last » Read more

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Posted in Budget Air Travel, Germany
France: Free Museum Night on May 19

France: Free Museum Night on May 19

Planning to be in France in May? Save your museum outings for Saturday night, May 19. Entrance fees will be waived and visitors will be encouraged to linger at exhibitions past midnight. It’s all part of a European initiative called “La Nuit des Musees” aimed at attracting a younger museum-going audience. This is the initiative’s » Read more

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Posted in France, Free Stuff, Museums
Rome: Free May Day Concert!

Rome: Free May Day Concert!

Photo Festa del Lavoro (or Labor Day)—and the city basically shuts down to party. Starting around 3 p.m. in front of Saint John’s Basilica (Metro A – San Giovanni) a massive outdoor concert, featuring Italian and international musicians (past year’s concert above) will take over the piazza until midnight. Notable crooners this year include Khaled » Read more

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Posted in Rome Sights
Ryanair Flash: Seven New Routes from Bremen

Ryanair Flash: Seven New Routes from Bremen

Ryanair announced today seven new routes in and out of Bremen, bringing the number of destinations to be served from Bremen to 18. The new destinations include Alghero, Bratislava, Malta, Milan Bergamo, Paris Beauvais, Stockholm Skavsta, and Trapani. Bremen-Skavsta will kick off on June 5. All other routes will launch at the end of September. » Read more

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Posted in Budget Air Travel, Germany

Tallinn: More than a “Pissup Party”

Though Riga may be catching up, Tallinn still reigns supreme as Stag Party Capital o’ the Baltics. Since EasyJet opened its Stansted–Ülemiste route in 2004, British bachelor parties have been descending upon the Old Town by the airplaneful, crowding the streets with drunken song and leaving pools of vomit in their wake. (Although it’s been » Read more

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Posted in Estonia

Air Flash: Norwegian Air Shuttle Takes FlyNordic

Yesterday it was announced that Norwegian Air Shuttle would purchase FlyNordic. We’ve been fans of FlyNordic since our intra-Scandinavian night flight adventure in the summer of 2005, replete as it was with friendly flight attendants and a truly low one-way fare. FlyNordic, which is currently owned by Finnair, flies to seven destinations within Sweden and » Read more

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Posted in Budget Air Travel

Ireland: Beaut.ie Bonanza

Irish lasses love to primp and pamper, even with the staggering cost of cosmetics in Ireland. Though an array of Irish women’s magazines provide good tips for living a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget, there’s nonetheless been a huge gap in the market for timely updates on beauty bargains. Enter Beaut.ie. Irish girls in » Read more

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Posted in Ireland, Local Customs, Trend Update