Category Archives: Europe

Of Giant Peaches, Fantastic Foxes & Chocolate Factories

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

This post was provided by UK correspondent Evan Smythe. I found the captivating, absurdist fiction of Roald Dahl through James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but became a committed Dahl enthusiast through … Continue reading →

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Readers’ Choice: Top Ten Train Trips

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Here’s an unofficial readers’ top ten European train trips and a few extra journeys too. Glacier Express—Switzerland Bernina Express—Switzerland-Italy Cinque Terre—Italy Swiss Cog railways: Rigi,Pilatus,Jungfrau,Rothorn,Lauterbrunnen Lucerne to Interlaken—Switzerland Myrdal-Flåm—Norway Vienna to Venice—Austria-Italy Munich to Innsbruck—Germany-Austria Scottish Highlands—UK Zurich to Vienna—Switzerland-Austria … Continue reading →

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Alone In Berlin…Again

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Topography of Terror Museum Earlier this month, I posted a short review of Hans Fallada’s riveting saga Alone In Berlin (Every Man Dies Alone) which generated some interesting comments and emails. One of these led me back to my travel … Continue reading →

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Reader Rail Favorites

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Readers have been weighing-in on their top European rail routes. Here are a few favorites:   The Inlandsbanan is one of Scandinavia’s most scenic railways. Beginning at Kristinehamn in the south and terminating in Gällivare in the north, the route travels … Continue reading →

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Europe: the Glories of the Rails

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Railway to Heaven  Next month’s issue of National Geographic Traveler has two charming, short articles on the joys of European rail travel that have me longing for the days when I could spend the Summer on the rails with a … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh By The Book

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The hugely popular Edinburgh Book Festival has unveiled its 2010 program. The annual bibliophilic love fest is being held in the beautiful Charlotte Square Gardens from August 14th through the 30th and is expected to draw more tha 250,000 visitors. … Continue reading →

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Pushing the Envelope in Poland

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Art gallery owners in Poznan, Poland are facing jail-time over an enormous banner outside of their gallery advertising an upcoming show titled “Abnormal Nudes”. The huge poster features a nude Minnie Mouse sprawled under a giant Nazi swastika. The banner … Continue reading →

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Nordic Noir

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Philadelphia author Joe Queenan recently visited Sweden for the BBC World Service and recorded a fascinating podcast on the phenomenon of Scandinavian crime fiction. Queenan explores the social stressors that are making the Nordic region such fecund ground for popular … Continue reading →

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Book Town Bredevoort

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Bredevoort Boekenstad started in 1993 as a private initiative to bring the historic centre back to life. Now it has over 30 antiquarian & second-hand bookshops, art galleries and studios. Bredevoort Booktown has been honoured with many national and international awards. … Continue reading →

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Book Town Redux : St.Pierre-de-Clages

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

This post was provided by Jamie Emery.  Situated in the heart of the majestic Swiss Alps, in the Canton Valais, and surrounded by magnificent vineyards, St.Pierre-de-Clages has a colourful history as a Celtic and Roman settlement. In the 11th century … Continue reading →

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