Europe has many different countries filled with old age history, diverse cultures and vibrant city life. If you’re looking to do some backpacking in Europe there are so many different places for you to explore and experience just make sure to pack all essentials and your EU medical card. Budapest Budapest is considered to be on the most beautiful cities in Europe and for good reason too. Although Hungary’s capital is divided into two by … [Read more...]
5 Affordable Ski Holidays in Europe
Ski season is already under way tempting passionate skiers worldwide to the snowy slopes of the most popular resorts in the Alps. Those of you who have already spent a few seasons skiing in award-winning ski tourist hotspots know that a weekend’s holiday may be financially draining. To those who are planning their first ski trip, the grand total in most ski resorts across Europe may seem daunting and worth giving up on the whole idea. However, … [Read more...]
The Imaginary Kingdom of Belarus
John M. Edwards researches a future trip to a country he suspects doesn’t really exist. . . . I’ve never been there, and neither have you. The imaginary kingdom of Belarus, way off the beaten track, so far away in fact that no one ever seems to find it, belongs more to the world of fictionalized Tintin comics than the grip of postcardy Paid Advertisements. Even asking former communist expats from the various SSRs how to get there usually … [Read more...]
On Location at the Napa Valley Film Festival
Wine, camera, action! Luscious wines and innovative independent movies in enticing venues on a gorgeous fall weekend in the Napa Valley? The Napa Valley Film Festival gets two thumbs up from my husband (“Mr. TWS”) and me! As film buffs and wine enthusiasts with a special affection for Northern California wine country, Mr. TWS and I indulged our senses at the third annual (but our first) Napa Valley Film Festival, which ran from November … [Read more...]
Wieliczka Salt Mine – November 2013
Wieliczka Salt Mine is located nearly 90 minutes from central Krakow in Poland. Take bus number 304 across from the main Krakow Galleria Shopping Center. This mine was the world's longest continuously operated mine - open from about the year 1300 to 1996 when it became no longer economically viable to keep the mine open commercially. Today 3 hour tours are conducted through less than 1% of the total area of the mine (in a variety of languages). … [Read more...]
The Best Artist in Slovakia
John M. Edwards pulls up his proverbial time machine into communist Slovakia (1989), where appearances are illusory and life is lived on a virtual movie set. . . . “I AM THE BEST ARTIST IN SLOVAKIA!” The Best Artist in Slovakia bruited. With a cavalier wave of his hand, curved like a grinning alligator shadow puppet, he added in slow mo, “I paint you a picture you would not believe!” “Oh, really?” I said with a terse forced smile. “I really … [Read more...]
An afternoon with Åsa Orrmell at Wallåkra Stoneware Factory
Wallåkra Stenkärlsfabrik, a stoneware factory, restaurant and garden is located about 30 minutes outside of Helsingborg in Southern Sweden. The property is located within the small village of Vallåkra. Turn off the E4/E6 at the exit Landskrona North (27) and take the road to Vallåkra - look for signs once you are in Vallåkra. This was originally a site where pottery was made with local clay taken from the surrounding land. The original … [Read more...]
A Paranormal Papparazzo Stalks the Ghost of Copernicus
Time Traveling to Copernicus’s “Crib” in Torun (Poland) John M. Edwards stalks the heretical ghost of Polish astronomer Nicholaus Copernicus back to his hometown: Torun, Poland. Here is a question nobody, not even Steven Hawking (A Brief History of Time) nor Erich von Daniken (Chariots of the Gods), can answer: How large is the universe? How can it be infinite if it is at the same time also “expanding”? I decided the only scientist worth … [Read more...]
Matka Canyon, Macedonia
Pulled into Skopje late last night and like many of the cities in the nearby countries - easily found free wifi - a lifesaver when you are winging every hotel or hostel at the last minute. Looking for a break from the fast paced travel of the last few days - I got up Sunday morning and caught the early bus to Matka - which is just on the outskirts of the city. Most cities would kill to have a place like this within spitting distance of its … [Read more...]
German food in Berlin
As Berlin is a multicultural capital, its food has many foreign influences; flavors from Turkey, India, Russia, Czech Republic and Poland are combined with the traditional German essence to make a delicious melting pot of flavors. However, despite the international influences, it is still possible to differentiate the most authentic flavors of the German cuisine. You have been roaming around the city for couple of hours and wonder, why do … [Read more...]