If you have ever been gouged by a shady currency exchange, you will applaud the “Honest Prague Guide”. Along with producing helpful short videos on visiting the Czech capital, this tourism Robin Hood actively confronts Prague’s tourist parasites and tourist traps. Take a look at his video calling out the city’s most egregious currency diddle. You can follow his antics on Facebook and on his Youtube Channel.
Montreal-based Instagramer Olivier Martel Savoie has been traveling the world for the last two years visiting libraries and taking terrific photos with just his trusty iPhone. His series #olive_libraries covers beautiful institutions from Budapest to Boston.
“Without libraries what have we ?” Ray Bradbury
all images ©Olivier Martel Savoie
One of my all-time favorite London bookshops, Heywood Hill in the heart of Mayfair, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, the purveyor of antiquarian, rare, secondhand, and new books has launched “the worlds first major literary prize focused on readers of books, rather than writers.” The winner of the unique contest will receive The Library of a Lifetime : one newly published hardcover book per month for life, delivered anywhere in the world.
To enter the competition, simply fill out the online form and tell Heywood Hill which book published in English since 1936 has meant the most to you.
During the past month, I’ve taken six flights. Three were in Economy and three were upgrades to Business Class. I was able to upgrade on two of those flights with minimal bids on empty seats. The last upgrade was a freebee—thanks Icelandair—for being a loyalty program member. But the question remains: was it worth the cost to upgrade.
Since my upgrades also came with perks such as Business Lounge access and free meals and beverages, I’d say a definitive yes. The infographic below examines the question in detail.
I was so lucky this week to have been in Iceland for what was an almost nightly manifestation of the Aurora Borealis. The amazing light show was even visible from our apartment in the heart of Reykjavik. For those of you who know the city, we were staying on Frakkastigur just two blocks down the hill from the Hallgrimskirkja. The views from the balcony and loft skylights were astonishing.
The video below from Snorri Thor Tryvason and Saeva Helgi Bragason of Iceland Aurora Films captured the Northern Lights from 16 different locations around Reykjavik on two consecutive nights this week.
Norðurljós Reykjavík
After flying in and out of Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport four times during the last month, I have a newfound appreciation for the facility’s many special amenities. I especially love the museum branch, the library, and the outdoors picnic area on the departures level. But my favorite feature is Schiphol’s ongoing commitment to public art projects.
The latest project is a stunning work by light artist Daan Roosegaarde in Depature Hall. “Beyond” was inspired by the 17th century landscape paintings from Dutch masters. Just 10 centimeters thick, the 112 meter-long installation provides an ethereal 3D impression of clouds and movement. Take a look:
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