Sexy Scandinavian history: The provocative style of Viking women

by Anna Brones on

If you think today’s Swedish women are hot, take a look at their ancestors. New research shows that Viking women did in fact dress in a provocative manner. The historic Scandinavian beauties combined Nordic with oriental styles, adorning themselves in bright colors, silk ribbons and small glittering mirrors.

Until recently, historians believed that Viking women dressed conservatively. The new findings are based on research headed up by archaeologist Annika Larsson, done in the Russian region of Pskov near Novgorod, an area that Swedish Vikings used as an Eastern trade route.

An exhibition on the new view of clothing and other cultural aspects of the Viking age is now on display at Uppsala University’s Gustavianum Museum, and running through September 14, 2008. If you’re planning on being in Sweden between now and September, it might be worth a stop; what could be hotter than Viking history?

Busabout: another way to tour Europe

by Jamie Rhein on

I’ve done the Eurail pass travel frenzy for a month and similar rail pass travel in Japan–that time for one week. They were great for making a lot of ground without spending the extra money once I paid for the passes, but they weren’t particularly cheap. There’s another way to go city to city in Europe if you’re on a budget and a backpacker.

“I Want Adventure” and “I Want to Hop-On Hop Off” pops up on the Busabout’s splash page. Designed for the “independent traveler,” Busabout bus trips allow riders to tailor trips to what they want to see with 10 country, 30 city options, and in the time frame they want. You can travel to all countries or just a few. Unlike a train where you’re left to your own devices, Busabout trips have tour guides that point out the good stuff along the way and give you tips on what to see when you get off. When you head out for some exploring, you can also leave your gear on the bus, depending on which option you’ve picked.

The Web site is equipped with Lonely Planet online guides to help you plan your journey. You can start anywhere you want in the network and break your trip up into sections. Depending on the trip options, whether you choose from the Busabout Explorer, Eastern Trekker or Busabout Adventures, you could travel for a few days or months. (Go to each one to see what’s offered.) From the pictures of travelers, it also looks like this would be a terrific way to meet folks. One group is clinking beer glasses. Another is on bikes. Busabout recommends that you book as much of your journey ahead, but you can change your booking if needed. Cancellations need to be within 24 hours for a full refund. There is also help with finding accommodations and a system where you can book ahead while you are on the bus.

A technology feature I find interesting, particularly for parents who have high school age students or sons and daughters in college who are heading off alone, the Busabout system keeps track of where people get on and off the bus. If you haven’t heard from Junior or Juniorita for awhile, the company may be able to give a possible location. Last place seen–Paris.

Thanks to Intelligent Travel for pointing this company out. Spend some time poking around Busabout’s Web site and you’ll be imagining all sorts of possibilities. If this company comes up with trips for families, I say they are REALLY onto something.

Love from London: It’s a great city, if you can afford it

by Iva Skoch on

I just made it to London and will be spending a week here. Lucky me! London is one of my favorite cities in the world. To use an overused cliche, London combines the best of Europe with the best of the US. Some people, I am sure, would argue against this statement, but I think it sums up London pretty well.

The biggest problem I have with London is how crazy expensive it is. Just to illustrate my point, one single fare tube ticket is 4GBP. That is about 850 dollars. Just kidding. It is about $8, but still. It is not cheap. The public transportation trick is to purchase an Oyster card, which allows you to add rides for only 1.50GBP.

London is also a very walkable city, which is what I plan on doing. How else am I going to report back on all the great pubs I frequented?

Should pilots have to compete for your business?

by Kent Wien on

You’ve always dreamt of flying out to a remote lodge in the middle of nowhere in Alaska, but you’re a bit concerned about the pilots. Are they really good enough to get you into that 1000-foot strip? Wouldn’t it be nice to know just how these aviators rank?

Well, the May Day Fly-In and Airshow in Valdez, Alaska has a bush pilot competition that ranks pilots and their planes in their ability to takeoff and land in the shortest possible distances. These airplanes are highly modified to handle the tightest gravel bars Alaska has to offer. And their pilots know how to get the most out of them.

If you’re looking for some experienced pilots to take you to a great lodge, you can’t go too wrong with the Claus family. Dad, Paul, accomplished the shortest takeoff at 19 feet, and his 18-year old son Jay scored a 39-foot takeoff, which was good for 4th place in his class. The Claus family own and operate the Ultima Thule Lodge.

Here’s 18 year old Jay’s 39 foot takeoff:


I think I’m ready to go visit the Claus family and see just WHERE they’re taking this airplane!

Join Kent at Cockpit Chronicles which takes you along on each of his trips as a co-pilot on the Boeing 757 and 767 out of Boston.

Czech Republic celebrates an Academy Award. Beer flows for Once

by Iva Skoch on

I was getting teary-eyed last night when Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard received an Academy Award for their song “Falling Slowly,” which they performed in the indie hit “Once.”

Irglova is a 19-year old Czech girl from Valasske Mezirici in Moravia. Needless to say, that town is about ready to call today a national holiday, because the odds of someone from there–and someone so young–receiving an Oscar are slim to none.

I really liked the film, which is set in Dublin and featured a story of him (a struggling guitar player) and her (a struggling immigrant and a piano player). It just happens that they fall in love, which is exactly what happened to Glen and Marketa in real life.

It looks like they are having the time of their lives in LA, as reported by the NY Times today. I couldn’t be happier for them. (Toasting with a glass of Pilsner Urquell, of course)