European Bookstore Guide

by Kelly Amabile on

Bibliophiles headed to Europe may want to bookmark this new website: the Bookstore Guide has only been around for about two months, but they already have over 40 independent shops listed on their site. This growing collection includes bookstores in cities like Tbilisi, Istanbul, Oslo, Liverpool and Graz. I discovered the blog because they referred to some reviews I wrote last year about my own European bookstore browsing days.

The allure of the out-of-town bookstore has been written about before, and I’m sure many travelers would agree with this sentiment. I’ve spent many hours on several continents idling in a variety of bookshops, especially English-language ones, which can offer precious familiarity and comfort during long stretches of time in places far from home. My favorite so far? Still has to be Massolit in Krakow, which is actually run by an American from New Jersey.

But now, thanks to Sonja and Ivan (creators of the new guide) we’ve all got a new and expanding list of shops to refer to on future European book-buying (or browsing) excursions.

Spain almost has lyrics for its national anthem

by Abha Malpani on

Spain is one of the very few countries that doesn’t have lyrics to its national anthem; Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kuwait and San Marino are others. When I first found out, I wasn’t surprised and it made me laugh.

Few locals seem to have strong sentiments about this. When I asked my Spanish friends, reactions were mixed — some laughed about it, others were embarrassed but didn’t really dwell on it. Spain is quite ‘whatever’ when it comes to things like this — I suppose there are more important national issues at stake.

Set to a tune from the 18th Century, its words were unanimously abandoned when Spanish dictator Franco died (1978). Since then, all Spaniards manage to muster is a ‘la la la la’ when they win a national or international championship/trophy. Quite embarrassing when you have to hum from a podium because your national song doesn’t have any words.

So three months ago the government along with the Spanish Olympic Committee (SOC) launched a competition for the lyrics and they have received about 5,000 entries. The decision will be announced on December 19 — I can’t wait to see the country react to the decision. Madrid is bidding for the 2016 Olympics, which is a good excuse to sort itself out as soon as possible,

These random eccentricities of Spain is what makes me love the country.

[Via CNN]

Austria offers therapeutic package holidays for the newly divorced

by Abha Malpani on

If you are on the brink of divorce, you might want to pass by the world’s first Divorce Fair that’s happening in Vienna today and tomorrow. The Fair will later carry on in Austrian cities Linz and Graz.

50% of all marriages in Austria end up in divorce, 65% in Vienna. This Fair is aimed at providing consultation to separated partners on how to overcome the situation with the least possible suffering.

The event seems to be organized quite thoughtfully as days for women and men are separate so as to avoid any sort of possible awkwardness.

Lawyers, mediators, life-crisis consultants, private detectives and DNA laboratories will be participating, and yes therapeutic holiday offers will also be available. Anything to market a holiday huh! I’d really like to know what they include.

Lectures on coping as a single parent, and the effect of divorce on children will also be held and information will be available in German, English, French, Turkish, Croatian and Serbian.

Isn’t that the nicest reasons to have an event!?

[via BBC]

Is it really possible to avoid the tourist trap?

by Abha Malpani on

I went to Rome last weekend, and truth is I didn’t like it.

Yes, everyone I’ve told this to said that I’m crazy — “how could you not like Rome!?” is what they snapped back at me.

This is why:

  • All I heard around me was English, Spanish and French — where were all the Italians!?
  • The Colosseum blew my mind — but outside it there was a 10 piece Brazilian band getting people to samba, a puppet show, two clowns singing some ridiculous song in Spanish, and some break-dancers.
  • A cappuchino cost me €3.50 everywhere in the center.
  • The lines to get into any place of significance like the Vatican or the Colosseum were endless, and it wasn’t even peak season.
  • It felt nothing like an ancient Roman city; it felt more like Disneyland with the odd Bulgarian dressed like a gladiator as opposed to Mickey Mouse.

Maybe it was because I was only there for three days so focused on seeing the main stuff that Rome is known for, rather than going off the beaten path in search of some real Italian culture — something I missed out on even though I was with a friend who has been living there for two years with her Italian boyfriend.

The presence of so many tourists ruined it for me (yes I know even I’m a tourist) and made me mad to the extent that I wondered why I even bothered to go to Rome.

I should have gone to Asciano or Bevagna; I would have missed Fontana di Trevi, but would have eaten some authentic risotto. But then how can you not go to Rome!? It’s one of those Catch 22’s.

There is a good piece on MSNBC that talks about this and recommends how to escape the tourist trap. Funny thing is, there is nothing new in the article, but yet I have no idea how I would have bypassed the tourist blast in Rome.

Budget Travel’s 39 affordable hotel chains

by Catherine Bodry on

Budget Travel has laid out 39 hotel chains to check out when planning your next trip. And before you start naming the most familiar — Motel 6, Days Inn, or Best Western, for example — note that these are international chains. The comprehensive list covers cheap digs in Europe, Africa, Asia and pretty much everywhere else. Nearly all are under $200 per night, and most are under $100.

Sweet spots include Ginger Bangalore, with eight locations in India. For $45 you get a well-equipped gym and flat-screen TV. Another find is Thailand’s Amari Hotels and Resorts — $62 per night for a place that calls itself a “Beach Resort and Spa.” Naturally, the more expensive rooms are in more expensive areas, like Europe, but the article names one hotel in Helsinki at $45 per night. That’s about what I’ve paid for a bunk bed in a crowded dorm before.

Curious about what else is available? Read the complete list here.