Da Vinci Code Tours

by Neil Woodburn on

Another bestseller, another literary tour. 

It really shouldn’t come as a great surprise that tour companies have already jumped on The Da Vinci
Code bandwagon.  The bestselling book practically reads as a travel guide, taking readers deep into
historical sites, churches, and museums across Europe.  And now, for just €20, you can do the same in
person. 

Having just finished the book, but not yet seen the movie, British journalist Ginny McGrath recently embarked on
the two-hour tour which began at the
Place Vendôme just outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris—the same place the book began.  Although, I
won’t bore you with the locations visited (anyone who has read the book can figure out where such a tour might
visit) I will tell you that McGrath seemed to have enjoyed the tour and her witty
guide—although McGrath does express some disdain and mockery for the slightly obnoxious American tourists in the
group. 

I found it interesting to learn that some of the locations, such as St. Sulpice, have posted notices discrediting
the accuracy of the popular book and correcting some of its misguided “facts.” 

McGrath also mentions similar tours and locations that can
be visited in London.  Go and check them out before the 5% of this planet who haven’t read the book, watch
the movie and decide to join the literary tour themselves. 

Roller Coasters, Theme Parks, Cultures & More

by Adrienne Wilson on

Call me out of touch with the whole
amusement park business, but "Dude! Where’s My
Passport?! 2005" doesn’t strike me as a likely film title for theme park reviews. Am I alone on this one?
The new DVD by Don Garrison and Monica Jack showcases 15 parks across Europe like Thrope Park in England, Vidampark in
Hungary and Alpine Coasters out of Austria. Thrill Network does an amazing job
describing each segment of the DVD
and as a whole offers this for any interested other, um, coaster ‘tools’ out there:

"These DVD’s
include amazing footage of not just roller coasters, but cities around Europe. From Thrope Park to Parc Asterix and
back again, these tools are in for a world of fun. From being crazy "gangsta" to touring Europe, Don has a
few run-ins with a certain trampoline that will have you laughing when the trampoline actually beats him!"

Wait  – crazy gangsta? Since when did ‘crazy gangsta’ and theme parks become almost one-in-one? Last time I
went to Disney World or Knotts
Berry Farm I don’t remember Mickey or Snoopy being crazy gangsta. Perhaps I was at the wrong park? If you’re a lover
of coasters worldwide I suggest checking out the DVD.
Furthermore, I welcome you to come back and make some sense of all this for me. I may not know which ride your passport
flew off on, but Dude, I’m sure feeling like I need to trade mine for a lesson in Roller Coaster Cool 101.

To
order the DVD or find out more visit Theme Park Review.

Secret Hotels of Cornwall, England

by Karen Walrond on

My husband,
Marcus, grew up in Cornwall, the southwesternmost area of England.  It’s a beautiful place — not only is there surfing, but the area is chock-full of lovely craggy
coastlines, the "heather and moors" you’ve read in any book by any English author, and little thatched-roof
cottages.  We try to return to visit family every year — however, now that Marcus’ mum has sold the large family
house, it’s likely we’ll be staying in inns for any future visits.

So I was excited to find this article in
Budget Travel
Online:  Secret Hotels of Cornwall, England.  The article features wonderful hotels in famous 
little towns like St. Ives (where you can "meet a man with seven wives"), to inns in smaller villages like
Mousehole (which, contrary to common sense, is pronounced "maw-zel").  If you do make it to England,
it’s worth the 4-5 hour drive from London to Cornwall to check it out.  A tip, however:  avoid the summer
months or other holiday times — Cornwall can get quite crowded.

Rock & Roll London

by Neil Woodburn on

Some might say that London is to Rock & Roll as Nashville is to country music.  When you think of the
great bands that came out of this wonderful city in the 1960’s and 70s, it is truly amazing: The Who, Rolling
Stones, Sex Pistols, Kinks, David Bowie.  The list goes on and on.  The British invasion may have started in
Liverpool, but it quickly shifted its heart to London.

Awash with Rock & Roll history, the capital of England is a must see for music aficionados.  Fortunately,
a short piece in The Times (UK) highlights 15 of London’s best musical
landmarks.  Interested tourists can check out Heddon Street where Bowie shot the cover of Ziggy
Stardust or Berwick Street which graces the cover of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory by
Oasis.  Or how about the Bag ‘O Nails on Kingly Street where Paul McCartney met his wife Linda or the Old
Compton St/Dean Street intersection where Bob Geldof sold hot dogs before making it big.

Many of the suggestions on the list are historic venues where bands like The Who or Rod Stewart played their first
gigs.  Pop in and check them out today; you never know if the scrappy garage band you might catch will be the
world’s next biggest band.

 

Art Not Oil 2006

by Adrienne Wilson on

One last plug for the night on an oil
related story. I know several of you (especially the last minute type who have to fill up that gas guzzling tank first
thing Monday morning before heading to the office space) are trying to avoid thinking about the topic, while the rest
of you eco and money minded individs are finding clever ways to beat the system or speak out against it. For those
fortunate enough to not have to rush-in and punch somebody’s time clock and feel like whipping a little sumthin’
sumthin’ up on canvas, why not paint your petro related frustrations then submit them to the 2006 Art Not Oil exhibition?

It’s not only about high gas prices
though, think corruption and the damage done by seedy companies in the industry. You can see additional details at the
website or by visiting London Rising
Tide. The exhibition will open in London on June 10, 2006. Closing date for entries is May 30, 2006. Sounds like
cool show to check on when in London during your summer holiday, provided the gas doesn’t break your bank beforehand.