Planning your European nightlife

by Anna Brones on

Despite the low dollar, some of us still have European summer adventures on the horizon. And just because the economy is in a rut, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t focus on fabulous things to do across the Atlantic. This weekend, the New York Times put together a set of 10 articles on things to do after midnight in various European cities. I tend to like the New York Times Travel section, but I really enjoyed this compilation of articles which takes us from hip billiards in Paris to 24 hour bookstores in Moscow to a tram-based nightclub in Prague.

The ten cities covered are:
Athens
Barcelona
Berlin
Copenhagen
Lisbon
London
Moscow
Paris
Prague
Venice

Go here to discover more of Europe’s after-midnight adventures, and then start scrounging for euros.

Discount for “poor” Americans at Venice bar

by Anna Brones on

The dollar might be low, but if you make your way to Venice you can count on a discount from Harry’s Bar, the renowned Venetian watering hole said to be the birthplace of the Bellini and Carpaccio, and where Ernest Hemingway himself downed martinis. Offering a discount to “poor” Americans who are suffering from the weak dollar is representative of a growing concern across Europe that a decrease in US tourists will have an effect on the tourism industry.

At the entrance of Harry’s Bar you now find a sign that says, “Harry’s Bar of Venice, in an effort to make the American victims of subprime loans happier, has decided to give them a special 20 percent discount on all items of the menu during the short term of their recovery.”

How bad is the current state of the US dollar? When the euro was first introduced in 2002, one US dollar was worth 1.10 euro. Today the same dollar gets about .64 euro, which makes the price of even a simple meal of nutella and a baguette expensive.

“Since the start of January, we noticed a drop in (American) customers of between five and 10 percent and now that we are in April its looks really frightening,” said Arrigo Cipriani, owner of Harry’s Bar. Then again, what better solution to economic frustration than a refreshing Bellini?

Byzantine style mosaic making: Bring out the artist within

by Jamie Rhein on

Not long ago, I posted about how you could learn how to make your very own Mozart Balls in Salzburg. That was a bring out the cook in you endeavor. Making tile mosaics in Venice is a way to bring out the artist within and enhance an Italian vacation.

The Orsoni Glass Foundry in Venice has been making glass smalti and 24K mosaic tiles since 1880. More than 100 years later the foundry’s great grandson, Maestro Lucio Orsoni is offering three-day, five-day, or ten-day mosaic tile workshops at the studio to teach people this art that has been passed down for generations. You’ll learn to pick out colors, cut the glass and make an art piece in the Byzantine tradition.

Because the class size is limited to six people, you’ll get the attention you need to succeed. The great thing about this workshop is that it can be connected to a stay at the Domus Orsoni, a bed and breakfast decorated with Orsoni mosaic tiles. Here’s to basking in inspiration the entire time. I can see how this would be a terrific thing to do for single folks, couples, or anyone wanting to do something unique with a traveling companion.

From the Web site, I noticed that if you take the longer one to two week classes, you get a certificate of completion and it’s possible to get CEU credits. Anyone who needs credits for teaching certification, this might be another idea. There are still workshop spots left for 2008. The Web site materialicious where I found this photo has reviews by folks who took the course.

Where on Earth? Week 40: Venice, Italy

by Justin Glow on

Congrats to Bubba for correctly guessing the train station above as Santa Lucia in Venice, Italy. I’m consistently amazed that our readers can guess these so quickly! (A hat tip to Ben, too, for narrowing it down to Italy.)

I had this very scene burned into my memory this past October as I waited four hours for an overnighter to Budapest. Nearly 10 border stops (one going in each country, and when coming out) and 16 hours later, we arrived in Hungary. But I’ll never forget those sadistic nurses staring down on me.

See you next week for another Where on Earth!

Residents-Only Service on the Grand Canal in Venice

by Catherine Bodry on

Venice has just 60,000 residents, but hosts 20 million visitors in a year. That’s a lot of tourists for a small population, and the city is beginning to feel a little crowded for its citizens. Vaporettos (water taxis) on Venice’s Grand Canal are just getting too cramped for the city’s residents, and an abundance of private boats are creating waves that weaken building foundations. So Venetians, those same locals who fine tourists who don’t follow the rules and who jack up prices for rude tourists, have solved the crowding problem by starting a locals-only service.

The water taxi, Line 3, will run from Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco on the palace-lined waterway. The cost for residents is 1 euro (or $1.42), compared to the 6 euros tourists pay for their water taxi — even polite tourists.

[via Reuters]