Category Archives: Tourism

Meet Portland

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Even if you have never visited Portland, Oregon, you probably have a notion of the inherent quirkiness of the Pacific Northwest city. The local tourism organization Travel Portland is capitalizing on Portland’s weirdness in it’s latest campaign. The “Go Somewhere … Continue reading →

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Anthony Bourdain : World Travel

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Before his untimely death, Anthony Bourdain was working on a travel guide with his long-time assistant and coauthor Laurie Woolever. The guide was designed  to distill what he learned from his travels as a TV personality and celebrity chef. Based … Continue reading →

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Is it wrong to fly ?

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Due to the constant horrific news about climate change, and the dramatic Extinction Rebellion movement, I have been reflecting more and more about my personal environmental impact and responsibilities. As an aging Boomer, I have to accept my role in … Continue reading →

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It’s Quicker By Rail

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Between 1920 and 1950, the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) was the second largest rail company in Britain. The railway commissioned a wonderful series of posters to advertise its passenger services and to encourage travel to vacation destinations around … Continue reading →

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No Losers In This War

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 1981 the Spanish town of Ibi revived the 200 year-old tradition of the Els Enfarinats Festival. On December 28th each year a mock war takes place around the town hall. A group of local married men, called “els Enfarinats,” … Continue reading →

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Decolonizing the Metropolitan

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is one of my favorite go to places in the city. In fact, I’ve been visiting the Met since before I could walk. The museum’s grand entrance hall never fails to awe. … Continue reading →

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No Need To Fly

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Europeans seem to be taking the lead in the creation of new travel paradigms. In Germany, DB, the German Railway Operator, has taken advantage of new attitudes towards responsible travel by promoting their discounted train tickets. Still, 72% of Germans … Continue reading →

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A Bolder Boulder Travel Guide

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The popular American outdoor clothing company Patagonia commissioned the local design studio Cast Iron to create a city guide to its home town of Boulder, Colorado. The neat little travel guide covers the highlights of America’s “happiest city” from local … Continue reading →

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Charles Dickens and the Marketing of Christmas

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Charles Dickens and his iconic story A Christmas Carol have become synonymous with Christmas celebrations, however a special holiday exhibition at  the Charles Dickens Museum in London demonstrates that his connection to the holiday season is not all candy canes … Continue reading →

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Mark Twain Travel Writer

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When we think about the great 19th century American writer Mark Twain, his lauded Mississippi River novels usually come to mind. However, it was the 1869 travel book The Innocents Abroad, or The New Pilgrim’s Progress  which first brought him prominence. … Continue reading →

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