Category Archives: Tourism

Ye Old Transit Map

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Londoners think that I’m mad, but I’m a big fan of the London Tube system and an even bigger fan of Tube maps. I get a kick out of the clever boots who create their own versions of the iconic … Continue reading →

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A Holiday Trip To The Moon

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

This year’s holiday light display in central Madrid is designed to take spectators on a visual trip to the moon as they walk or ride along the Gran Via. Created by Brut Deluxe Studio, the repeating motif is a sequence … Continue reading →

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Budapest Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

For the second year, Hello Wood, an art/architecture/design project, has built a special Christmas tree in the heart of Budapest near Deák tér. Constructed of 5,000 pieces of firewood, and illuminated by specially designed lighting from Philips Hungary, the impressive … Continue reading →

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Get On Board The Holiday Train

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

The Chicago Transit Authority is getting into the holiday spirit again this year with the wildly popular Holiday Train!.  Santa and his elves  ride the train passing out candy canes and season’s greetings. The spectacular train is an amazing sight – during … Continue reading →

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In Praise of Rarity

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

In case you needed another reason to visit Paris this holiday season, the Bibliothèque Nationale has opened a special exhibition to showcase treasures from its enormous collection. E’loge de la rareté: Cent trésors de la Réserve des livres presents one … Continue reading →

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Don’t Forget The Duct Tape

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Brian D. Butler
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The End of an Era

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Yesterday the German rail company Deutsche Bahn ended sleeper train service between Berlin and Paris. Once a mainstay of continental travel, the overnight route ran for nearly eighty years. Demand for the night train, which took 12 hours on the … Continue reading →

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London on a Sugar High

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Most visitors to London are interested in historic pubs, trendy bars or hipster coffeehouses, but for those seeking a sugar high head over to the new Cereal Killer Café. Located on brick lane in uber hip Shoreditch, the brand new … Continue reading →

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Paris Underground

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Spanish artist Pablo Valbuena took advantage of the ongoing renovations at Paris’ historic Gare d”Austerlitz train station to create this very impressive sound and light installation. The “Kinematope” covers more than half a kilometer of the underground construction site with … Continue reading →

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Two Lands

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

In September, I spent two weeks in Alaska hoping for a peek at the aurora borealis. After staying up late (I mean really late) every night, not a glimmer. So, I guess I’ll have to settle for fantastic videos like … Continue reading →

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