Category Archives: Europe

The Last Bookshop of the World

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently directed to a film that is likely to appeal only to bibliophiles, writers, and cinephiles. So, of course, I assumed that it was right up your alley as they say in oldtimey America. Most booklovers that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Film, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Fun With Maps

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I have spent way too much time playing with HoodMaps, which somehow I missed for the last two years. Be that as it may, it’s a cheeky project that annotates city maps with comments from users who have previously visited … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: Happy Birthday to the world’s most famous bookshop

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

When I first visited Paris more than 40 years ago, I immediately stopped by the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore. And, like every other bibliophile, I was smitten. Although it seemed to be an ancient pilgrimage site for booklovers, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Someone in Paris

Posted on August 9, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Someone in Paris, France Is Thinking of You This poem is happening in Paris, France where it’s raining and we’re all so drunk that it’s impossible to keep a secret. Every morning the waiters say bonjour and every morning I … Continue reading →

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Time Travel

Posted on August 7, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In 1842, a French artist and scholar named Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey set out on a tour of the eastern Mediterranean to document sights and architecture via the brand new medium of photography. He started off in what is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, History, Middle East, Photography, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

travel is what you make it

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I’m a sucker for a good travel ad. This short one for Swiss airlines is so well done and on the mark. A good reminder that travel is what we make it.  

Posted in Air Travel, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Expo 58

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I don’t know the difference between an Expo and a World’s Fair and at this point I’m afraid to ask. However, I’ve been to Expo 67 in Montreal and the 1964 New York World’s Fair and thoroughly enjoyed them both. I have long been … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Don’t Visit Faroe Islands

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve wanted to visit the Faroe Islands for years, but refuse to go there until they ban the slaughter of whales and dolphins. A campaign was launched in July to boycott the Faroe Islands over their highly controversial slaughter of … Continue reading →

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A mesmerizing journey

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I ran across the stunning stop-motion video Takrar on a number of websites over the past week and watched each time. Takrar or Repetition is an experimental film that celebrates the timeless and intricate beauty of ancient craftsmanship. Filmed in Istanbul, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Paris: RINGdeLUXE

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Plastique Fantastique (aka Marco Canevacci and Yena Young) created RINGdeLUXE, an exciting in situ installation enveloping the iconic Léopold-Sédar-Senghor footbridge across the Seine for the 2023 Nuit Blanche festival. The monumental ring artwork captures the imagination of its observers with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment