Tag Archives: Warsaw

Every Metro Needs This

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Metroteka is a concept that is both simple and exciting for readers and book lovers. Warsaw Poland’s Metro now houses more than 16,000 books in an accessible free lending library exclusively for transit passengers. Separated into reading zones for adults … Continue reading →

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Warsaw Old and New

Posted on August 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

It is often said that the best way to get a sense of a city is by walking the streets. The second best route is probably by bike. YouTube creator MrTiuro got on his bike and really got to see … Continue reading →

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Murakami in the Machine or Way back Wednesday

Posted on May 29, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

In the past we’ve covered lots of book vending machine stories, but this one is surreal. The Muzu publishing house in Poland created three vending machines to dispense Polish translations of Haruki Murakami’s newest novel, Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and the Year of … Continue reading →

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The art of travel

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered the marvelous travel poster art created by Polish artist Stefan Norblin (1892-1952). Trained as a painter, Norblin had a diverse career as a portrait painter, muralist, costume designer, illustrator, and interior decorator. When the Germans invaded in … Continue reading →

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Bench Press

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Poland’s Zaczytani Foundation recently completed the installation of a series of benches modeled on open books. The colorful seating, which can be found in the center of Warsaw, Gdansk, Kracow, Poznan, and Wroclaw, references works by famous Polish writers, such … Continue reading →

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Beautiful Poland

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

H/T to our old friend Ula Wolodkowicz for this wonderful aerial tour of beautiful Poland. If you’ve had doubts about ever visiting Poland, this should be the tipping point. The video—via Nokia air copter—is by Artur Gajdzinski of ArtCamBiz.

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Polar Express

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Last weekend a passenger on a Szczecin to Warsaw Poland regional train got a very chilly reception when she visited the train’s lavatory. She was shocked to discover that the toilet was encased in a three-inch thick block of ice. … Continue reading →

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Cartography Can Be Fun

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

You won’t find any of these terrific, one-of-a-kind maps in a typical travel guidebook or in a travel magazine Many of these charming cartographical gems are created by professional artists or illustrators, but some of the most engaging maps are … Continue reading →

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Before Kodachrome There Was Photochrom

Posted on November 3, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

While doing research at the Library of Congress, I stumbled upon this extraordinary collection of richly colored photographs taken in Europe, the Middle East and in North America between 1890 and 1910. The 6000 amazing photolithographs in the catalog come … Continue reading →

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