Category Archives: Europe

Restoring Rome

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

During the past few weeks, I have been pondering a story from the news about a project to restore parts of the ancient Roman Colosseum and open those areas to tourists. The story claimed that for the first time ever, … Continue reading →

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Chill Out

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I have never visited the little fishing village of Polperro in Cornwall, UK, but it has been highly recommended to me over the years. The very chill, hour-long video of the village (below)is incredibly relaxing and meditative. There is no … Continue reading →

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Nemo me impune lacessit

Posted on July 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

In this age of mindless memes, it’s refreshing to run across an unexpected Edgar Allan Poe reference. While not as well known as the Murders in the Rue Morgue or the Tell- Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado is just … Continue reading →

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Always Check Your Bookmarks

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Researchers recently discovered an unassuming bookmark in a 19th century French novel that featured three sketches by Vincent Van Gogh. In 1883,  the artist gave a friend the book and more than a century later, researchers discovered that the novel … Continue reading →

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Bad Bunnies or the World Turned Upside Down

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I have long been intrigued by the variety of marginalia found in medieval European manuscripts. While it’s not uncommon to discover colorful and playful images of mythical creatures, dogs, cats, snakes, snails, or sexualized caricatures or people, I only recently … Continue reading →

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Soon the city fades before your eyes…

Posted on July 6, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

When you have arrived at Phyllis, you rejoice in observing all the bridges over the canals, each different from the others: cambered, covered, on pillars, on barges, suspended, with tracery balustrades. And what a variety of windows looks down on … Continue reading →

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Midnight Train From Paris

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, when I took my first big European trip, I managed to stretch my travel budget by traveling at night by train. More often than not, I simply tried to sleep in a regular compartment, however when the … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: London

Posted on June 27, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I have had the great fortune to spend both quality and quantity time in London’s wonderful bookstores. In fact, I have browsed 15 of the 17 bookshops featured in the video below. Compiled by Abebooks.com, the short film features some … Continue reading →

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Symptoms of Hibernating

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Anais Nin : “You live…sheltered, in a delicate world, and you believe you are living. Then you read a book…or you take a trip…and you discover that you are not living, that you are hibernating. The symptoms of hibernating are … Continue reading →

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Flamboyant Gothic Meets Street Art

Posted on June 22, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I love it when historical and modern art forms come together, so of course this amazing project caught my attention. To celebrate the 800th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa María de Burgos … Continue reading →

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