Following the devastation of World War I, and the loss of income from foreign tourism, the Italian government developed a promotional agency, ENIT, to encourage Italian tourism abroad. An integral component of the campaign was the use of fabulous advertising posters. Some of the best posters have been collected in Manifesti Posters: Traveling Around Italy Through Advertising 1895-1960 (Silvana Editoriale).
In 1699 when author Jonathan Swift was just 32 years old he created this list of personal resolutions that he titled When I come to be Old. Thanks to Lists of Note for the transcript.
“When I come to be old. 1699. Not to marry a young Woman. Not to keep young Company unless they reely desire it. Not to be peevish or morose, or suspicious. Not to scorn present Ways, or Wits, or Fashions, or Men, or War, &c. Not to be fond of Children, or let them come near me hardly. Not to tell the same story over and over to the same People. Not to be covetous. Not to neglect decency, or cleenlyness, for fear of falling into Nastyness. Not to be over severe with young People, but give Allowances for their youthfull follyes and weaknesses. Not to be influenced by, or give ear to knavish tatling servants, or others. Not to be too free of advise, nor trouble any but those that desire it. To desire some good Friends to inform me wch of these Resolutions I break, or neglect, and wherein; and reform accordingly. Not to talk much, nor of my self. Not to boast of my former beauty, or strength, or favor with Ladyes, &c. Not to hearken to Flatteryes, nor conceive I can be beloved by a young woman, et eos qui hereditatem captant, odisse ac vitare. Not to be positive or opiniative. Not to sett up for observing all these Rules; for fear I should observe none.
Last year we posted a story about the first season of thePBS Arts web-original series Off Book, which explores avant-garde, experimental and cutting edge arts and culture. Now they’re back with a new series and the first episode is called Animated GIF: The Birth of a Medium.
“Within the next generation I believe that the world’s rulers will discover that infant conditioning and narco-hypnosis are more efficient, as instruments of government, than clubs and prisons, and that the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging and kicking them into obedience. In other words, I feel that the nightmare of Nineteen Eighty-Four is destined to modulate into the nightmare of a world having more resemblance to that which I imagined in Brave New World. The change will be brought about as a result of a felt need for increased efficiency.” A. Huxley
While we take a little travel break we thought that you might be distracted by some of our favorite bookshops. This sample is completely random and in no order whatsoever. People often ask me to choose a favorite bookstore, but it’s just not possible. In fact, I’ve never even been able to pick a top ten list. Can you?
Shakespeare & Co, Paris
Caen, France
Ross-on-Wye, England
Leakey's Bookshop, Inverness, Scotland
Le Bal Des Ardents, Lyon, France
John Sandoe, London
Keith Fawkes, London
Seville, Spain
Housing Works Book Cafe, NYC
Hatchards, London
Voltaire & Rousseau, Glassgow
Rizzoli Bookstore, NYC
Barter Books, Alnwick, England
Abbey Bookshop Paris
Next month’s issue of Budget Travel magazine (old-school version) will be featuring an excellent short article on Amsterdam’s West neighborhoods by Maria Robertson-Textor. The city’s former industrial area has been undergoing a slow, but inexorable gentrification for the last decade and is now attracting even the lazy tourists who rarely see more than the city center (and the coffeeshops). If you venture to the wild west, check-out the Westgasfabriek culture complex and park; there’s always something interesting going on. And while you’re out west, look for the new book wall.
Finnish conceptual artist Kaarina Kaikkonen creates her flowing, site-specific projects entirely from recycled clothes. Intially she worked only in men’s shirst, ties and jackets, 
but she has now expanded her work to incorpoated all types of clothing. The garments are typically donated by residents in the communities where her work hangs. Kaikkonen has installed her clothing lines in Vancouver, Miami, NYC, Copnehagen, Helsinki, Romeand most recently in Liverpool.
Created in 1933 by cartographer Paul M. Paine, The Booklovers Map of America Showing Certain Landmarks of Literary Geography is a charming guide to many of our favorite literary places. Working during the 1920s and 1930s, Paine designed or co-designed some terrific pictoral maps, including The Booklovers Map of the British Isles and the better known Map History of New York State. While some may disagree with Paine’s designation of Boston as “the Birthplace of American Literature his maps is a creative and entertaining take on our literary heritage.
The Amsterdam City Museum has partnered with PlusOne agency to develop a fascinating series of 3D videos for their department called Amsterdam DNA—a show that provides a journey through Amsterdam’s storied history. The short film below is the introduction to a series of seven films on one of my favorite cities. You can find out more about the project at PlusOne Amsterdam.
Well, here’s an idea whose time has finally come:
“Imagine navigating the waters of Lake Union with sweeping views of the Seattle skyline 
while lounging in a luxurious soaking tub. The boat can accomodate up to six persons…It is powered by an electric motor at approximately 4 to 6 knots.”
Intrigued, you can learn more at Hot Tub Boats.
Travel Between The Pages 