Category Archives: Tourism

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

Van Gogh on parade

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The folks in Zundert, Netherlands are crazy about flowers, Vincent Van Gogh and parades. On the first Sunday of every September they put on a wildly colorful festival to celebrate all three. The event honors the region’s horticultural industry, which specializes … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Gimme an everything, hold the schmear

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Those of us who were fortunate enough to be raised on authentic New York bagels (Google it) understand why artist Hanna Liden is celebrating the doughy gems with her pop-up sculpture project entitled “Everything”. For the next month, the Swedish … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Everything Except The Castles

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Driving around Iceland this Summer, I was struck by how much wide swaths of the country that reminded me of the stark beauty of the Scottish Highlands. The stunning video below of a recent journey through Scotland shows just how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

An Airport For Booklovers

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Bibliophiles may want to consider a stop-over at Tallinn International Airport just to visit the wonderful free library for flyers. Opened two years ago, the library runs entirely on the honor system. There’s no membership requirement, no library card, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Libraries, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Manhattan: A Cynic’s Subway Map

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Maps, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Booklover’s Dream

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

It’s not unusual for bibliophiles to daydream about chucking it all and opening their own bookshop. Now, Airbnb, Scotland’s National Book Town, and The Open Book bookstore are making it possible—if only for a week. Situated in the southwest Scottish … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Day Without Cars

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

On September 27,2015, Paris is going car-free (sort of) for one day. Une Journée Sans Voitures , sponsored by the Paris municipal government, will temporarily pedestrianize streets and boulevards in the 1st through 7th and the 10th,11th and 16th arrondissements. … Continue reading →

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