Category Archives: Europe

Scotland Turns Green or Whisky a Go Go

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Some of my friends in Scotland (and elsewhere too) seem to think that whisky solves all problems. Now Scotland’s power needs are being met by Scottish whisky distilleries. So far 16 of Speyside’s 50 distillers, including Macallan, Glenlivet, Famous Gouse and … Continue reading →

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The Art of the Car

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

The Musée des Arts Paris is now presenting “The Art of the Automobile” , which features 17 fabulous cars from Ralph Lauren’s amazing car collection. The cars on display—among them Bentley, Mercedes, Jaguar, Ferrari and Bugatti—provide a visual timeline for … Continue reading →

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Seville the Beautiful

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

I have not been to Seville for a few years, but I’m anxious to get back to see the newly completed Metropol Parosol project. One of the world’s largest wooden buildings, this beautiful series of undulating umbrellas of interlocking wooden … Continue reading →

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Booklovers to SLAM Paris

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

  In June 1984, the Syndicat national de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM) organised the first International Antiquarian Book Fair in Paris at the Conciergerie. In this historic location (once prison to Marie-Antoinette), the success was considerable. Paris became … Continue reading →

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London Is Getting Messy (pt 2)

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

For the last three days, Bompas & Parr candy mongers have presented an astonishing five ton chocolate waterfall in the middle of London’s Whiteleys Centre. The enormous falls,in all its chocolatey glory, cascaded at a rate of 12,000 liters per … Continue reading →

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London Is Getting Messy (pt 1)

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Wednesday artists from art activist group Liberate Tate staged a performance in the Tate Britain on the anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon explosion that killed 11 workers and spilled 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over … Continue reading →

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Taking Liberties with Maps

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Artist/designer Lena Corwin  began illustrating maps for Elle Decor magazine in 2004. Her new book, MAPS: Illustrating Cities (Other Books, April 2011), is a charming collection of forty of her favorite maps. Corwin’s whimsical maps are a clever mix of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Maps, Tourism, Travel Writing | 1 Comment

The English Obsession

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Hat-tip to Simon Wallace for the post idea. If you’ve spent any time in England during the past decade, you will probably agree with London-based photographer Peter Dench that “the English have turned drinking into a national obsession, nearly an … Continue reading →

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Boutique Hotels at “good value”

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

The folks at Butikk hope to become the go-to site for qualitative information on “good value” design/boutique hotels around the world. Their proclaimed aim is “beauty, but not at any cost.” They currently list just a few dozen properties, but … Continue reading →

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Mapping London Underground

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Hat tip to Evan Smythe for this post:

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