Category Archives: Europe

Hemingway the Hoarder

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Ernest Hemingway was one of the 20th century’s greatest writers, but he was also a big time hoarder. A new exhibition, “Ernest Hemingway: Between Two Wars”, at New York City’s grand Morgan Library and Museum is packed with examples of … Continue reading →

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Literary Cartography

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The Map of Literature is featured in a terrific new book just released by Penguin. Vargic’s Miscellany of Curious Maps: Mapping Out the Modern World is the work of a precocious 17-year-old cartographic genius from Slovakia named Martin Vargic. The … Continue reading →

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A Travel Guide With Heart

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The popular French travel guide publisher Le Guide du Routard has created a wonderful new 90 page graphic guidebook for migrants and refugees in Europe. Titled Hello, and illustrated by French artist Pascal Gauffre, the handbook allows communication by simply … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Middle East, Public Transport, Tech, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Weeping Angels

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Cimetière Père-Lachaise is on everyone’s top ten lists of Paris attractions. Tourist flock to see the stunning funereal architecture, while art and music lovers make solemn pilgrimages to the graves of Chopin, Bizet, Piaf, Proust, Balzac, Delacroix, Oscar Wilde, and … Continue reading →

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London’s Secret Map

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

I love a good map, especially a cleverly designed useful transit network map. And, of course one of my favorites is the Harry Beck design classic London Tube map, with its clear cartography, straight lines and 45-degree rounded corners. But … Continue reading →

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Heavenly Bookshop

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, while visiting the ancient walled town of Óbidos on the central coast of Portugal I was intrigued by a padlocked church in the heart of the old Roman town. Being the nosy tourist that I am, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Who You Calling A Soft Egg (NSFW)

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

If you are easily offended by salty language, please do not watch this video. But if you’re up for a good laugh, enjoy. One benefit of international travel is not understanding when you’re being insulted by a local. Although, I … Continue reading →

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Urban Safari

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The always cutting-edge French multimedia artist Julien Nonnon has created a marvelous new video-mapping street show in Paris. Called “Safari Urbain”, the pop-up projections of animals dressed as hipster poseurs is a wonderful, tongue in cheek commentary on both the … Continue reading →

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Be not inhospitable to strangers

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

For book lovers around the world, Shakespeare and Company in the heart of Paris is emblematic of the ideal independent bookshop. Even bibliophiles who have never been to Paris feel as though they know Shakespeare and Company. After all, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Van Gogh on parade

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The folks in Zundert, Netherlands are crazy about flowers, Vincent Van Gogh and parades. On the first Sunday of every September they put on a wildly colorful festival to celebrate all three. The event honors the region’s horticultural industry, which specializes … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments