Of all the past travel writing contests, this was the most difficult year to narrow down the entries to the top three winners. We initially selected 11 from over 100 entries. One entry stood out from the others and was the unanimous choice for our top spot. After discussion among the three judges - the three top entries are: Bring Adventure Back to Europe, by Richard Bangs Without An Address, You Can’t Go Home, … [Read more...]
On The Cheap – How Expensive Is Japan?
Every traveller and backpacker I’ve ever met who wants to go to Japan only asks me two questions. 1. Is Japan expensive to travel around? 2. Can you travel around Japan cheaply? Although the first answer is ‘Yes’... luckily the second answer is also ‘Yes’! However, I’m not going to begin by lying to you… transportation costs in Japan will make you cry tears the size of October’s cabbages (i.e. make you cry a lot). Although food is … [Read more...]
Viking Voluntourism: Tall Tales of Tallinn
Into the Wild Wild East of “Europe Minor” John M. Edwards becomes a “stringer” and steeps himself in suspense-novel intrigue in the Estonian capital, where a post-communist parable of “The Baltic Dream” seems pegged less to illusory pyrite and more to ubiquitous amber... Of course in Estonia everyone is a spy! Ah yes, so true, and that includes the suspicious-looking mustached man over there, with the Coke-bottle specs and tan Burberry … [Read more...]
Internet Access in Hotels
When I first came to Europe - Internet cafe's were plentiful - seemingly several per block in the more touristy cities. Over the past 6-8 years I've been to Europe many times and have seen the Internet cafe's disappear. Even this afternoon while traveling through the Cote d'Azur in southern France I saw several old Internet cafe's with the name of the business fading above the currently empty location. Friends who don't travel are often … [Read more...]
West Sweden & Skane: Volvo’s Car plus Vacation – Day 1-2 of 14
Introduction Two Weeks: Exploring Western Sweden and Skåne with Volvo's Car + Vacation program One way to see Sweden is to buy a plane ticket, rent a car and explore the countryside. Another way is to buy a new Volvo through the company's Overseas Delivery Program and save up to 8% off the US MSRP. Volvo throws in two complimentary roundtrip tickets to Europe with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), one free hotel night in Gothenburg Sweden … [Read more...]
West Sweden & Skane: Volvo’s Car plus Vacation – Day 3-4 of 14
DAY 3 Volvo Tour, pickup vehicle, drive to Lysekil Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel. A driver will pick you up in the morning and take you to Volvo's headquarters. Volvo offers a unique experience for buyers overseas interested in purchasing a new Volvo. They combine picking up your new car with a personal trip in which you get to test drive your new vehicle. Then when you are finished exploring Sweden, simply drop off your car … [Read more...]
West Sweden & Skane: Volvo’s Car plus Vacation – Day 7-8 of 14
DAY 7 Drive to Helsingborg - explore this city Leave early from Villa Sjotorp and drive to Helsingborg Driving time: approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Check in at the Clarion Grand Hotel - this historic hotel is centrally located - minutes walking from the waterfront and nearby a number of Helsingborg's central attractions. There is a pay for parking garage as well as a select number of parking spots in front of the hotel … [Read more...]
West Sweden & Skane: Volvo’s Car plus Vacation – Day 9-10 of 14
DAY 9 Explore Ystad & Ystad Studios Today is minimal driving day spent exploring beautiful Ystad and or enjoying the pampering amenities of the Ystad Satsjobad Hotel. Ystad is only about 10 minutes from the hotel. For a small town (only 17,000 live in the city limits) Ystad packs a pretty powerful punch when it comes to tourism. This picturesque town is a photographers dream, especially during late spring and summer. If the town was … [Read more...]
Gastronomical wonder at my fingertips
“Chicas! ¡venido a la cena!!!” Quima’s voice travelled through the corridor and my eyes sprung open! Thank goodness - dinner was served. I looked at my watch: 9:23 pm. We’re making progress, at least from the usual 10 o’clock. Sometimes I wondered how my gastric juices could hold out for so long, but maybe I was starting to get accustomed to Spanish standard time. Breakfast at eight AM, a snack at eleven, heavy lunch at two, Tapas or merienda … [Read more...]
Touring Napa Valley: Tasting wine where it’s made
There’s something to be said for having an affordable bottle of rosé on a Friday night – particularly one that is low in calories but still tasty – Blossom Hill is a good example. But to learn more about appreciating wine, the best thing to do is visit the country where it was made – because like olives in Greece, biltong in South Africa or surf and turf in California – it just tastes better! Blossom Hill is made in California (and a bunch of … [Read more...]
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