Category Archives: Europe

Mind the Gap

Posted on June 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Transport for London (TfL) recently launched an updated Public Transport Safety campaign, developed in partnership with creative agency VCCP to remind travelers of its commitment to maintaining safe travel for all. Featuring vivid primary colors, the posters aim to cut … Continue reading →

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Guided by AI (and cats)

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon meoweler an AI-generated travel guide for cats -made by Vilem Ries. It’s not actually a travel site for cats, but it is heavily cat-oriented and cat themed. I’m still not sure what Zurich-based Google designer Ries … Continue reading →

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Back On Track

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP will be well aware of my fondness for train travel. Those of you who live in regions with comprehensive train services may take your public transit networks for granted, but here in North America the car … Continue reading →

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Train Time

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The new website Chronotrains is a terrific mapping project visualising the question: ‘Where can you go by train in x hours?’ You can narrow your search from 8 down to 1 hour. Playing with the tool can really provide perspective … Continue reading →

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from the pitcher to the bowl

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

 Wisława Szymborska’s epigrammatic poem “Vermeer” (translated by Clare Cavanagh and Stanisław Barańczak from the Polish): So long as that woman from the Rijksmuseum in painted quiet and concentration keeps pouring milk day after day from the pitcher to the bowl … Continue reading →

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They Had No Choice

Posted on June 6, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On the annual anniverary of the D-Day invasion of France by the Allies, it’s customary to focus on the sacrifices of the human members of the military. This year, I thought that it was also time to acknowlege the contributions … Continue reading →

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Pocket Money

Posted on May 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Even with the widespread acceptance of the Euro, these days there are still about thirty currencies in use among the fifty countries of Europe. In the 17th century, things were much more complicated for travelers. This Dutch book offered a … Continue reading →

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Born into churros

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Recently a friend asked me to suggest a good place to get churros in Madrid. I offered a few suggestions, but insisted that she first try the best churros con chocolate Madrid has to offer at Chocolat in the Huertas … Continue reading →

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A very big book

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s The First Folio. The collection of 36 plays by William Shakespeare that was published in London in 1623. Considered to be one of the most influential books ever published, … Continue reading →

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The Poor Man’s Rembrandt

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Visitors to Amsterdam often take home Rembrandt related artwork in the form of posters, postcards, or T-shirts. Now they can also take home  permanent Dutch souvenirs on their own bodies. Travelers searching for that perfect keepsake of their time in the … Continue reading →

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