Category Archives: Europe

Helen Keller was an anti-fascist activist

Posted on May 23, 2017 by

Somehow all of the films and plays about Helen Keller managed to leave out that she was a life-long Socialist and a rabid anti-fascist. She supported groups such as the ACLU and the NAACP. On May 9, 1933, disgusted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Airbnb AMS

Posted on May 22, 2017 by

Earlier this year I rented a terrific Airbnb appartment in the heart of Amsterdam’s Jordaan neighborhood. Before I decided on the flat, I searched dozens of interesting options, but none were as unusual as the “Inkijkbnb”. This unique rental is … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Hotels, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Support Venice

Posted on May 16, 2017 by

Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn has created an enormous pair of hands emerging from the Grand Canal in Venice. The surreal installation, titled “Support”, was built to raise awareness about climate change and rising waters that threat Venice and cities worldwide. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

House of European History

Posted on May 15, 2017 by

After ten years of planning, and a €55 million investment, The House of European History has finally opened in Brussels, Belgium. The new museum hopes to provide visitors with an overview of the history of Europe since the French Revolution and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, History, Maps, Museums, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Into The Unknown

Posted on May 13, 2017 by

Along with the usual summer blockbuster sci-fi flicks, this year we can immerse ourselves in the entire historical genre. London’s Barbican Centre is presenting Into The Unknown: A Journey Through Science Fiction, a huge exhibition, which will take over the entire Brutalist … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, Libraries, movies, Museums, Music, Photography, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye, Columbus

Posted on May 10, 2017 by

My experience of Christopher Columbus’ hometown of Genoa, Italy is tainted by the memories of a cold, windy and rainy autumn day and a night spent in a drafty, unheated pensione. I hopped a train the next morning and crossed … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sweet Travels

Posted on May 8, 2017 by

All of my life I have suffered from what we in the U.S. call a “sweet tooth”. This is not a uniquely North American dental disorder—although it can lead to one. It is simply the ongoing craving for candy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

See Venice And Die (or take a number)

Posted on May 7, 2017 by

I feel very lucky to have visited Venice before the advent of cruise ships and budget airlines. During my earliest trips to La Serenissima, it was possible to enjoy the city without hoards of cruise ship passengers and daytrippers. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Maps, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Unforgivable

Posted on May 5, 2017 by

I’m usually drawn to street art that is amusing, snarky, or lyrical, but I was blown away by Cuban artist Erik Ravelo’s series “Unforgivable”. These heartbreaking images use street art to challenge  the world’s complacency, and the inaction of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Temples of Knowledge

Posted on May 3, 2017 by

I first ran across the exceptional architectural photography of Ahmet Ertug earlier this year when I was at the Hermitage Museum store in Saint Petersburg. His book on the dazzling palace museum was extraordinary. Now he has released his latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Museums, Photography | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment