One for the Road: Don Quixote vs. Donkey Xote

by Kelly Amabile on

Even though this book about Don Quixote was released last year, I thought now was an appropriate time to mention it, since the first animated version of the famous novel will debut in Spain this week. Fighting Windmills – Encounters with Don Quixote takes a closer look at the making of this masterpiece of world literature, tracing its impact on writers and thinkers across the centuries. Authors Manuel Duran and Fay Rodd explore the central themes of Cervantes great work, and follow it up with examples of how the novel influenced generations of other writers.

One thing the book might not touch on is the fact that, although th 17th century story has touched many, few have actually read both volumes cover to cover. Will this week’s release of a first-ever animated rendition inspire more folks to take a stab at actually reading the lengthy tale? Probably not, but beginning this Wednesday, Spaniards will be able to view a condensed 80-minute cartoon version of the classic journey. Donkey Xote, a $20 million film production, took five years to make, and comes complete with a Shrek-like donkey. You can view the English trailer here.

Speaking in tongues; dubbing the Simpsons around the globe

by Neil Woodburn on

One of the more enjoyable aspects of travel is coming across a version of the Simpsons dubbed in the local language.

Most of you reading this website are probably accustomed to the original American English voices of Homer, Bart, and the rest of the crew. Others around the world, however, have grown up hearing an entirely different voice when Chief Wiggums says something stupid or Homer screws up, doh!

The strange experience of hearing the Homer you know so well speak with a different voice in a different language is one of the many wonderful disconnects that make travel so rich and rewarding.

Below is a collection of various languages in which America’s greatest export can be heard around the globe. I just hope I got them all right, doh!

German

Czech
French
Spanish
Turkish
Japanese
Danish

The World’s Top Ten Views

by Brett Atkinson on

Yep, that’s a pretty bold headline, but that’s what a recent list published by www.askmen.com is promising. Here’s the top five from the list and I’ve added a few more I reckon are pretty special.

Askmen’s Top Five

  1. The Acropolis, Athens
  2. Lipu and Yaoshan Mountains, Guilin
  3. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
  4. Eiffel Tower, Paris
  5. Grand Canyon, Arizona

Here’s AskBrett’s Alternative Top Five (OK, it’s a few of my favourite spots)

  1. Sunset on the Bosphurus, Istanbul
  2. The Remarkables, Queenstown
  3. Charles Bridge at dawn, Prague (right)
  4. Wadi Ghul Canyon, Oman
  5. Sydney Harbour. Sydney

Let us know what, where and when I’ve overlooked…

While you’re here, check out our photo galleries of some of the coolest places in the world!

Virgin America hosts in-flight Victoria’s Secret models

Inside Air Force One

Japan’s Ocean Dome

Barcelona Graffiti

China: Mao in Shenyang

Bear Grylls

Tokyo Motor Show

Sexxpresso Erotic Coffee Shop

Hungarian wine on my mind

by Kelly Amabile on

A few weeks ago I enjoyed sampling some Hungarian wines at a New York reception hosted by Perceptive Travel magazine. The folks at Monarchia Winery and Hungarian Tourism were kind enough to provide a collection of regional wines for tasting. I particularly enjoyed sampling two Tokaj varieties. Traditionally known for its sweet dessert wines, the two I tasted were drier, and quite nice. (You want to know what they are called, right? Yeah…well someone has misplaced her notes. Maybe one of my travel writing pals will jump in with an informative comment?!)

It was a pleasant evening, and left me reminiscing about my introduction to Hungarian wines, which began when I arrived in Budapest in spring 2006 on the eve of the country’s national labor holiday. I checked into my room at Grotta Haz, a quiet hostel on Castle Hill that unfortunately no longer operates. The best part of this place, besides the fact that no one else seemed to know about it, was that the owners operated a wine bar in the basement. Eszter, my gracious hostel host, doubled as bartender in the evenings, and welcomed me with an inviting glass of red from the Villany region. Throughout that week, after long days of sightseeing, I’d return to the Grotta, exhausted, but ready to sample whatever Eszter suggested. She introduced me to cuvees and rieslings from the Szekszardi region and also encouraged me to check out the nearby Hungarian House of Wines.
On my last night in Budapest, an American friend and I spent a few hours there, where we sampled at least 15 varieties from around the country, including a 2003 Egri Bikaver “Bulls Blood” from the famous Eger wine region. The House of Wines is an affordable (about $25 to sample up to 50 wines) and enjoyable way to sample Hungary’s vast wine offerings — as you can see from this happy photo of me and my friend with one of the wine house staff near the end of our tasting spree :) But I do wish that I had actually visited a few vineyards while I was traveling through the country. Eszter has invited me back to do some touring…all I have to do now is find the time. Thanks to Perceptive Travel for reminding me to plan that trip!

Art Asks: Are We There Yet?

by Kelly Amabile on

I’m especially drawn to art that is influenced by the travel experience, or aims to make a statement about location, landscape or place. A new exhibit in New York asks the question: Are we all in need of a new frontier? The artists involved in this project all say yes, and seek to demonstrate their concern for our constant need to “expand our boundaries, extend and streamline the form and function of the natural landscape and adapt it to the speed, depth and quality of our daily life.”

This “anti-monumental approach to Land-Art” is a collection of works that show concern for the power, agency and increasing responsibility of humankind for the environment. From the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts:

“Are We There Yet?” the child’s obnoxious road-trip refrain, is a question/statement that implies a mix of excitement and inherent dissatisfaction with whatever place the parents might be driving to. Kids (…and artists?) are constantly expanding their knowledge of the natural world and raising the bar for future experiences. In short, they are perennially one step away from their own personal “frontier,” a place of learning as well as a physical threshold.

The show features the work of six artists and runs through February 2 at the EFA Gallery on W. 39th in NYC.