Category Archives: Europe

Looking at a gift horse

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

One of the perks of running this little travel/book/art blog is that I receive lots of free books. Some are advance reader copies, some are uncorrected proofs and others are just pre-release copies. I’ve been sent novels, memoirs, reference books, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Books, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How do you say moose in Suomi

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

There are lots of reasons to envy the lucky citizens of Finland—gorgeous landscapes, crystal clear air and water, the midnight sun all summer-long—and now there’s one more. Finland’s new, updated passports double as an amusing animated flip-book. This Youtube video … Continue reading →

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

Geography Is Always In Fashion

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

We have featured diverse and miscellaneous maps and cartographic forms, but this is probably the most fashionable use of maps to date. London-based artist and designer Elisabeth Lecourt painstakingly created her marvelous series titled “Les robes géographiques” from prints of historical … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Europe, History, Maps, Middle East | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Low Fares and High-Speed

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

One week from today, the French national railway SCNF is scheduled to launch a new low fare, high-speed passenger service between the Paris region and southeastern France. With fares starting as low as €10 ( €5 for children ), the … Continue reading →

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Start Saving Your Pennies

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

VeryFirstTo is a British upscale product and experience website whose motto is “Be the very first to know about and have newly launching luxury products and experiences”. Now they are offering the world’s most expensive vacation package: a £990,000, two-year … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Architecture, Art, Asia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

All Aboard

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Okay, I admit it, I’m just a big old train geek. I love to ride them, to watch films of iconic train jouneys and to read about them too. But you don’t have to be a diehard trainspotter to enjoy … Continue reading →

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

Finding Neverwhere

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

I first discovered Neil Gaiman‘s work through his collaboration with the great Terry Pratchett on the novel Good Omens. Then I found a copy of his novelization of his TV series Neverwhere on a trip to the UK. I’ve been a proselytizing … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Winter Is Coming (back)

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Spring may have officially sprung here in North America, but Winter is about to make a dramatic comeback nonetheless. On March 31st, the new season of George R.R. Martin‘s addictive television spectacle Game of Thrones returns; and not a moment … Continue reading →

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Lost and Found

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

In celebration of its 125th anniversary, the venerable National Geographic has created a wonderful new blog designed to solely showcase never before published photographs from its extensive archive. The Found blog is being built by National Geographic photographic archive curator … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Europe, History, Photography, Travel Writing, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Underground Mission

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Ross Ashmore is on a mission; he plans to finish a painting of every London tube station before the end of 2013. The former graphic designer hope to contribute to the 150th anniversary celebration of the London underground with his … Continue reading →

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