Two impressive new exhibits open in April at the National Automobile Museum, The Harrah Collection, in downtown Reno as the Museum continues its 20th Anniversary Celebration. Debuting in April: A Masterpiece Exhibit focusing on the Motoring Tourist: National Park Adventure opens April 20th. See the incredible role the automobile played in shaping how we play in this new exhibit. Discover the role the 1910s automobile-loving public played … [Read more...]
Me, Myself & Paris
Me, Myself & Paris by Ruth Yunker This book is Ruth's tales of her days in Paris. For three years in a row the stays in Paris for 6 weeks - sort of a pseudo tourist/local. The book is about her day to day life in the city - conquering the metro, dabbling in the language, laundry nightmares and actually getting used to walking everywhere (Ruth hails from Southern California where car is king). Ruth's entertaining prose turns mundane … [Read more...]
Old Quebec: A Tourist Destination par Excellence
Quebec City's magnificent castle-like Le Chateau Frontenac with its medieval stone towers, gables and copper turrets, we surveyed the St. Lawrence River. For a long time, we stood enjoying the enchanting view. From our vantage point, in this symbol of the city, it was easy to dream of the past - the time when Samuel de Champlain, in 1608, established the city, which was to become the cradle of French civilization in the Americas. For … [Read more...]
Amazing Moscow
Amazing Moscow. A visit to Moscow only leaves you wanting to spend more time here. Moscow delivers beautiful architecture including incredible onion domed cathedrals, world class museums, shopping and nightlife. We recently spent a few days in this amazing city. We recommend at least 4-5 full days to experience the highlights of Moscow. First things first; all visitors to Russia must acquire a visa before entering the country and the tourist … [Read more...]
Architecture in Tokyo
From Fishing Village to Ultramodern Metropolis Tokyo began life as an humble fishing village but, having been effectively rebuilt after extensive damage sustained during WWII, today it is a futuristic blend of neon lights and towering skyscrapers. And there's far more to these modern buildings than functionality - from the giant advertising screens in Shinjuku to the technology stores of Akihabara, Tokyo's architecture is a chaotic mix of … [Read more...]
Setubal, Portugal
The Paris Motor Show last September bought a moment of joy to VW owners around the globe, the return of the beloved people's sport car, the Volkswagen Scirocco, which hoped on sale by late 2007. But, for many north American VW enthusiasts, the origin came as a surprise, the VW AutoEuropa outside Setubal, Portugal. AutoEuropa currently builds the European market only the Sharan and Eos models. Beyond the new Scirocco, Setubal has a lot to be … [Read more...]
ALO’s guide to Morocco, Outpost of the Middle East
"Sure," I said, waving goodbye. I hadn't the heart to remind her that the film was shot on a Hollywood sound stage in the 1940s and that Rick's Cafe opened in Casablanca only three years ago. Nine short miles across the Straits of Gibraltar from the Southern Coast of Spain, Morocco, the world's westernmost Arab country, looks both ways'to its ancient roots in the Middle East and north to its European neighbors. Long an outpost of the Roman … [Read more...]
Wheelchair Accessible Travel in Paris
I. INTRODUCTION A passerelle is a pedestrian bridge, of which central Paris has two (see II. Wheeling Around, below). It seems appropriate for an article about being a pedestrian in a city bisected by a vibrant river, centered on a beautiful riverfront and connected by grand, functional and varied bridges. We hope this article will bridge any gaps in access information and inspire disabled travelers to establish connections with this … [Read more...]
Prince Albert of Monaco Goes To The North Pole
More used to Grand Prix cars than dog sleighs, Monaco's Prince Albert's forthcoming trek to the North Pole has been greeted with surprise by many. But the Prince is fairly accustomed to the cold, in contrast to the Mediterranean warmth of Monaco where he became ruler last July following the passing of his father Prince Rainier, who had ruled the tax haven for over 50 years. Albert represented Monaco at the last five Winter Olympic Games in … [Read more...]
The Land of Men with Flaming Orange Beards
As soon as we stepped out of the shiny terminal of Lahore International Airport in Lahore, Pakistan, my uncle Waheed and I were overcome by the smell of kerosene. I thought at first that there must be a spill nearby, because it was so strong. Eventually we found our ride among all the cabbies and rickshaw drivers, who were jostling among themselves for customers. It was a twenty or thirty minute slog to get into the city from the airport. It was … [Read more...]