Category Archives: Tourism

Hemingway the Hoarder

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Ernest Hemingway was one of the 20th century’s greatest writers, but he was also a big time hoarder. A new exhibition, “Ernest Hemingway: Between Two Wars”, at New York City’s grand Morgan Library and Museum is packed with examples of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Hotels, Libraries, Museums, Photography, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Come for the pandas, stay for the bookstores

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Most travelers to China visit the Sichuan Province capital city of Chengdu for the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve, but bibliophiles will want to make time for the amazing Fangsuo Bookstore. With a dramatic entrance way and cavernous interiors, the bookshop … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New York Slice

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Weeping Angels

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Cimetière Père-Lachaise is on everyone’s top ten lists of Paris attractions. Tourist flock to see the stunning funereal architecture, while art and music lovers make solemn pilgrimages to the graves of Chopin, Bizet, Piaf, Proust, Balzac, Delacroix, Oscar Wilde, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Music, Theater, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Seven Reasons

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Air Travel, Museums, Tourism | Tagged | Leave a comment

Tourists Suck

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Last weekend, hundreds of moronic tourists invaded Playa Ostional near Sarara, Costa Rica. They came to “observe” the annual mass migration of sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. Brought to the national wildlife refuge by paid tour guides, … Continue reading →

Posted in South America, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

London’s Secret Map

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

I love a good map, especially a cleverly designed useful transit network map. And, of course one of my favorites is the Harry Beck design classic London Tube map, with its clear cartography, straight lines and 45-degree rounded corners. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Maps, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Heavenly Bookshop

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, while visiting the ancient walled town of Óbidos on the central coast of Portugal I was intrigued by a padlocked church in the heart of the old Roman town. Being the nosy tourist that I am, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

No Surprise

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Air Travel, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Be not inhospitable to strangers

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

For book lovers around the world, Shakespeare and Company in the heart of Paris is emblematic of the ideal independent bookshop. Even bibliophiles who have never been to Paris feel as though they know Shakespeare and Company. After all, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment