Filed under: Hiking, Australia, Transportation, Budget Travel
Queensland Rail Travel (QR) provides Urban and Interurban rail and bus services throughout South East Queensland in Australia. Looking to deliver a greater number of international tourists to the state's regional tourism hotspots, QR is offering special savings for overseas backpackers who want to travel between multiple locations International visitors who have a valid hostel or backpacker card can save up to 40 per cent off the normal rail travel fare for point-to-point journeys on Queensland Rail Travel's long distance services. "Queensland Rail Travel's network provides the gateway to all the tourism hotspots including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, the Whitsundays, Townsville and Cairns," said Kruse.
Continue reading Australia rail travel a bargain for backpackers Australia rail travel a bargain for backpackers originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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U.S. ski resorts get much needed snow at last
Filed under: Skiing, North America, United States, Ecotourism, News It has been a very tough season so far for many of the ski resorts across the western United States. Warmer than normal temperatures and little snowfall had conspired to make it a challenging start to the winter. But things have started to change out west, and a few big storms over the past few weeks have made now made it possible for skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes at last.The Jackson Hole Ski Resort in Wyoming, for instance, got hit with a massive winter storm last week, resulting in 80 inches (that's 6.5 feet!) in just eight days time. That brought their snow base up to 80 inches on the mountain, and their total seasonal accumulation to 198". As a result, all runs are open and skiers are taking advantage of the great conditions at last. Similarly, Mammoth Mountain in California had a big snow storm in late-January as well, getting more than four feet of accumulation in just a few days time. That brought their total base to 40-60 inches, depending on where you are on the slopes, and they currently have received over 107" of powder so far this year. After a bit of slow start to their season, Mammoth now has all lifts and runs open for business too. In Utah, Alta and Snowbird now have over 165" of snowfall for the year, bringing their bases to 69 and 65 inches respectively. In Colorado, Vail has grown their base to more than 35 inches, with a foot of new snow falling in the past week alone. Montana's Big Sky Resort now has a base between 45 and 69 inches in depth, while Sun Valley, Idaho reports similar numbers. What does all of this mean for skiers? Winter is now officially here! Take advantage of it while you can, as it could be fleeting, but it seems that at long last, there are some excellent snow conditions for those eager to hit the slopes. [Photo courtesy Mammoth Mountain] U.S. ski resorts get much needed snow at last originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet
Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, Russian Federation, France, United States Mardi Gras rolls around about this time every year bringing Fat Tuesday and signaling celebrations held worldwide. In the United States, the focus is on New Orleans and this year the city is sponsoring some special events including a family-friendly focus and a special series of Twitter Chats leading up to the celebration.About a million people will take to the streets of New Orleans for the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Throughout the celebration, the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold can be seen around the city. Purple, green and gold officially became the colors of Carnival back in 1872 when Alexis Romanov, Grand Duke of Russia, visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras. In the Duke's honor, the city adopted the Romanov family colors of purple, green and gold, representing justice, fidelity and power. Also a tradition of Mardi Gras, King Cakes came to New Orleans with the French and began as round, custard-filled pastries decorated with crowns. King Cakes remain extremely popular throughout the city during the carnival season and are often compared to a coffee cake, drizzled in icing and decorated with sugar dyed the traditional colors. Tradition holds that whoever gets the ornamental baby hidden inside the cake at the first party had to give a king cake party the following weekend. Continue reading Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet Mardi Gras is coming, time to review and tweet originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: parties and parades
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, South America, Brazil, Nightlife, Women's Travel What's Carnival in Rio de Janeiro without its lively parties and parades? Now that planning, packing, and logistics are taken care of, it's time to think about the important stuff: your social calendar. In this second installment of the ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio, we'll walk you through some of the main events. Continue reading The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: parties and parades The ultimate guide to Carnival in Rio: parties and parades originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Trails under attack, organization needs our help, today
Filed under: Biking, Climbing, Hiking, North America, United States, Camping, Consumer Activism Rails to Trails, the nonprofit charged with creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines is reminding us that Thursday, February 2 is the day congress begins work on a bill that is bad news for trails, walking and bicycling efforts."We anticipated some of the terrible provisions; others were simply shocking in scope and shortsightedness," says Rails to Trails (RTC) in a statement urging us to contact our representatives now, using an online form, and ask that they speak to colleagues on the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee. "We need those T&I members, in turn, to tell Reps. Petri and Johnson of their support for the amendment. It sounds complicated, but there's no time to waste-we absolutely need all the support we can rally," says Rails to Trails. Rails to Trails say the bill would:
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Number of permits for Yosemite's Half Dome could be cut
Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, North America, United States, News The number of permits available on a daily basis for Yosemite's popular Half Dome hike could be reduced in number starting next year - if a National Park Service proposal goes into effect. The move could be made in an effort to make the hike up the iconic mountain less crowded, and therefore safer, following the death of a hiker this past summer who fell while descending on the steep slopes.The Half Dome hike is amongst the more popular attractions in Yosemite, despite its strenuous and daunting nature. The trail to the summit is 8 miles in length and wanders up the side of the massive rock slab, requiring hikers to use metal cables to help stabilize them both on the way up and down. It can be a treacherous walk, particularly if bad weather sets in, and traffic jams, like those seen in the photo to the right, are not uncommon along the way. Last year, the Park Service began requiring a permit for the hike, limiting the number of people on the trail to just 400 per day. That was way down from the 1200 that it would sometimes see on busier days before the permit system went into effect. Under the new proposal, which is currently open for public comment, the number of permits issued would be reduced to 300, cutting crowds even further. Cutting back on the number of people on Half Dome will have the added benefit of helping to protect the environment there as well. Large crowds can have a adverse effect on any ecosystem, and by reducing the number of visitors, the region is more likely to stay protected and viable for future hikers to enjoy as well. We'll have to wait and see if the number of permits available does indeed get cut for 2013, but it almost seems like a foregone conclusion at this point. All around, I think it's a good move, although travelers will have to plan further ahead if they hope to hike Half Dome. Number of permits for Yosemite's Half Dome could be cut originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Photo of the Day: Falafel, going fast
Filed under: Food and Drink, Photos, Africa, Egypt, Photo of the Day We at Gadling love street food. Whether it's from an upscale Manhattan cart or from a Chinese cannon, you'll find that some of the most satisfying and authentic local food doesn't come from a restaurant. Today's Photo of the Day by Flickr user micke77023 comes from Cairo, Egypt of a falafel man who seems to enjoy his product. You can almost smell the chickpea goodness emanating from his kitchen and tell that whatever he's cooking is bound to be tasty. Send us pictures of your favorite street eats by uploading them to the Gadling Flickr pool for a future Photo of the Day. Photo of the Day: Falafel, going fast originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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TripAdvisor survey reveals WiFi is a traveler's top amenity
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations, News TripAdvisor has released the results of its first-ever 360 degree survey, and the results are in - amenities are king, particularly when those amenities include WiFi and breakfast included with the room rate, but turndown service is of little import.Of the travelers surveyed, 54% said they have canceled a lodging reservation because they found better amenities at a different property. According to travelers, the five most important amenities are: 1. WiFi 2. Breakfast Included 3. Loyalty Points 4. Restaurant 5. Shuttle Service to Local Attractions/ Airport The least important amenities are: 1. Turndown Service 2. Pets Allowed 3. Spa 4. Tours/Excursions/Activities 5. Room Service Internet is king Some fun stats: · 88% of travelers expect Wi-Fi Internet access to be free of charge in all lodging types · 41% of travelers have never paid for Wi-Fi Internet access. · 65% said they have used free Wi-Fi Internet in an accommodation's lobby or common areas to avoid paying for in-room access. · 93% of accommodations report offering some form of free Wi-Fi Internet access to their guests. More than 1,000 U.S. travelers and more than 600 U.S. hotel representatives were polled. TripAdvisor survey reveals WiFi is a traveler's top amenity originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Stand up paddling with stingrays in New Zealand's Murderer's Bay
Filed under: History, Learning, Paddling, Stories, Oceania, New Zealand Though Captain James Cook was the first European to set foot on the islands of New Zealand in 1769, he was not the first European to "discover it". That honor would belong to Dutch explorer Abel Tasman who sailed past the country while navigating the Southern Ocean for the Dutch east India Company in 1642. Blown off course by a strong easterly wind, Abel Tasman first sighted the northwest reaches of the South Island of New Zealand and thought he may have stumbled upon the bottom part of Argentina. Confused but intrigued, Tasman decided to make the most of the discovery and arranged an expedition party to be sent ashore to gather fresh water. Unfortunately, the expedition was met by a band of native Maori people curious of the tall ships which had suddenly appeared off their coast, and after a hostile skirmish which historians have attributed to multiple cultural misunderstandings, Tasman sailed from the area with four fewer men than he had arrived with. As a result of the incident, Tasman saw it fitting to label the area as "Murderer's Bay". 360 years later, I ruminated on this violent turn of events while stand-up paddling above a gray stingray languishing in the tidal shallows of Murderer's Bay. On a brilliantly sunny and calm morning in which it was possible to stare straight through the turquoise waters, I found myself paddling in nearly the exact same spot where Tasman's men had met their fate so many centuries ago. No longer referred to as Murderer's Bay, with the discovery of gold in the region in the 1850's it was prosperously renamed Golden Bay, and the name has stuck ever since. Located in the sunniest region of New Zealand, Golden Bay is still somewhat of a secret when compared to neighboring Abel Tasman National Park. Although the Tata Islands--rocks that sit just offshore of Golden Bay and are covered in fur seals--are technically still part of Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay offers the same South Pacific setting as it's crowded counterpart, yet for some reason there is hardly anybody here. Except, of course, for me and the stingrays. Continue reading Stand up paddling with stingrays in New Zealand's Murderer's Bay Stand up paddling with stingrays in New Zealand's Murderer's Bay originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Food poisoning! What to watch out for in 2012
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Netherlands, United States, Budget Travel, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean For many people--myself included--one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is experiencing how other cultures eat. Even if you're only traveling as far as the other end of the state, chances are there's a regional specialty, street food, farmers market, or restaurant that's a destination in its own right.Sometimes, however, the pickings are slim, or no matter how delicious the food, the odds are just stacked against you. As Anthony Bourdain put it on a recent episode of his new series, The Layover, "...if there's not a 50-percent chance of diarrhea, it's not worth eating." Gross, perhaps, but gluttonous travelers know there's truth in those words. Bourdain happened to be referring to a late-night drunk binge at one of Amsterdam's infamous FEBO fast food automats (above), so with that in mind, I present this photographic homage to the things we eat on the road, despite knowing better. Walk softly, and carry a big bottle of Imodium [Photo credit: Flickr user .waldec] Food poisoning! What to watch out for in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Gangi: The Italian hill town the guidebooks forgot to mention
| Have you ever fallen in love with a place that doesn't merit a mention in most guidebooks and felt conflicted about the its obscurity? On the one hand, you don't want it to be "discovered," but on the other, the snub feels like a bit of an insult, even for you, the newcomer who just fell for the place. This is how I feel about Gangi, an obscure, remote 12th century hill town tucked away near Sicily's Madonie Mountains. Gangi is well off the tourism trail, and only 24 people have bothered to "like it" on Facebook. But in my family, it is our Jerusalem, Mecca, and Athens. My grandfather, Carmelo Seminara, was born in the town in 1880 and lived there until emigrating to the U.S. in the early part of the 20th century. My father talked about Gangi so much during my childhood, that by the time I visited Gangi myself for the first time, I felt like I already knew the place. Gangi's old town hasn't changed much since my grandfather left almost a century ago. You can see the town's pyramid of stone buildings, newer ones on the bottom, older on top from miles away as you approach. The road that leads up into the ancient center is so steep, narrow and intimidating that only those who live in town, have raced the LeMans course before, or who have a death wish should consider driving up to the very top of the town. Want to walk up? Better have a damn good pair of shoes, strong calves and a clean pair of lungs. You'd have to be on crack to even try to read a street map of the place- just keep going up, up, up until you reach the town's heart, the Piazza del Popolo, or collapse in exhaustion trying. The first time I tried to drive up the center, I made it about half way and then chickened out. Even when you have the road to yourself, a simple trip is harrowing. When a car tries to come at you going in the opposite direction, one party needs to back up and come to some kind of agreement regarding how the situation will proceed. I would pay good money to see someone try to drive an Escalade up into the Piazza. The modern traveler cannot help but notice what isn't in the old town of Gangi- no restaurants, no internet cafes, art galleries, hotels, wine shops, tourist information offices, souvenir stands, or any other business that caters to those who don't live in the immediate area. What Gangi does have is a tangle of ancient streets and narrow dwellings populated by proud people that all know each other and still buy their bread, milk and veggies from men who drive by in trucks and hawk their wares by broadcasting over makeshift bullhorns. Continue reading Gangi: The Italian hill town the guidebooks forgot to mention Gangi: The Italian hill town the guidebooks forgot to mention originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Photo of the day: Disney silhouette
Filed under: North America, United States, Photo of the Day Images of Disneyworld fall into two categories: personal snaps and images that look like they could be used as marketing collateral. I love this image of the Magic Kingdom's iconic Cinderella Castle towers, taken by Flickr user insEyedout, precisely because it falls into neither camp. It's too pretty to count as a random snap and too sparse to go in a brochure. That said, it certainly achieves the aim of advertisement. What better way to encapsulate the deep thrill that Disney's amusements inspire than to reduce those towers to a silhouette on a horizon? How recognizable is this image to hundreds of millions of people? Upload your photos of Orlando (and Las Vegas, while you're at it) to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. Our favorite images are chosen as Photos of the Day. Photo of the day: Disney silhouette originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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10 luxury hostels from around the world
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, South Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, Italy, Spain, United States, Australia, Argentina, Colombia, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Luxury Travel While many people think of hostels as run down hotels with cramped rooms and few amenities, there are many properties that can actually make you feel as if you're staying at a resort. For those who want comfort on a budget, here are 10 excellent luxury hostels from around the world.Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort Cairns Cairns, Australia Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel and Resort in Cairns is without a doubt one of the best hostels I have ever stayed in. And if you're looking for something a little more luxurious than your average youth hostel, this is an excellent choice. Rooms offered include 4,6,8,10-bed dorms, 4 & 6-bed deluxe dorms, 6-bed all female dorms, and private rooms. The accommodation has a resort-type feel, with balconies, a lagoon-style pool with a waterfall and palm trees, a makeshift beach with volleyball nets, and even gym access. They also have swanky nightclub that often hosts theme parties and hot DJ's. Continue reading 10 luxury hostels from around the world 10 luxury hostels from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Westin rolling out new gyms
Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations It's time to get your workout on. Starwood Hotels and Resorts announced this week that they are revamping the fitness studios at its Westin-branded hotels. WestinWORKOUT fitness facilities at 186 Westin hotels around the world are getting new equipment and blue light therapy throughout the course of the year.New equipment we can understand - after all, people are pounding away on the machines all day long. But the redesign stems from Westin's in-house design team's studies of guest behavior that found Westin guests desired a more well-rounded, holistic fitness experience, including more options for stretching, yoga and fitness classes. To capitalize on this trend, Westin is removing select pieces of equipment that guests were not using as frequently in order to provide more floor space for these types of activities. Don't worry, this won't include the treadmills! Pulley machines are also being added to smaller fitness studios to further maximize space and provide a greater range of workout options. More natural design The custom-created design of Westin's new fitness studio, a departure from the typical gym aesthetic, was also driven by the changing trends of how people work out. Instead of black rubber floors, the Westin design team chose to use a natural, soft-tone color palette and organic materials including textural woven flooring. Inspired by nature, each fitness studio will also display a full-size art mural entitled "Step Up," a reflective image of people running up a grassy hill. We're not sure it will get us through this extra mile, but hey - it's better than a blank wall. Look for the blue light Westin worked with Philips to introduce ActiViva Lighting, Philips' new energizing fluorescent lighting, into its gym facilities. Supposedly their blue light technology positively influences well-being and will help to make guests feel more alert, awake and energized in target workout areas such as the cardio zone. Additionally, the lighting will be customized in all workout zones to coincide with the type of exercise taking place in each specific area. More guest perks In December 2010, Westin a partnership New Balance. The chain provides footwear, apparel and fitness program content to its guests to borrow. Later this year, the brand will also be expanding its in-room SuperFoodsRX menu items for breakfast to also include lunch and dinner options. The gyms are currently open at Westin Jersey City, Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio, Westin St. Francis in San Francisco and the Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego. Westin rolling out new gyms originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Things I learned in Antigua: Luffas grow on trees
Filed under: Food and Drink, Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean Antigua is a lush, green land of 365 beaches (one for every day of the year!), warm sunshine, and laid-back island culture. It is also the land of the luffa.Beauty junkies the world over are familiar with these excellent exfoliating tools, perfect for sudsing up and washing down in the shower or tub. We may even know them by other names - shower sponges, poofs, etcetera. Today, many are made of plastic and come in a variety of colors and textures. What we might not know: the luffa, also known as a loofah, is a fruit. That's right. Just like that old fooler the tomato, the loofah is part of the fruit family. That's right - we thought it came from the ocean too. Doesn't the little sponge-like apparatus look like it came from the sea? Well, it doesn't. This edible "climbing vine" with beautiful yellow flowers - if one wasn't aware of what they were seeking, the luffa might be mistaken for a beautiful tree. Resembling a cucumber when ripe, luffa is often cooked eaten as a fuit in some Middle Eastern and Indian cultures and sometimes prepared with crushed dried peanuts and bans. Some even use its juices as a natural treatment for jaundice. In Canada, the luffa is known as a Chinese Okra and in India the fruit is called a Sebot. In Paraguay, the fruit is combined with other vegetable matters and recycled plastic to create furniture or construct houses. When dried out, as shown in the gallery below, the luffa can be peeled or chipped away to showcase the mature and dry fibers underneath. Shake out the seeds, which resemble oversized watermelon or sunflower seeds, and viola! The world's only natural bath or kitchen sponge. The coarse network of fibers makes the luffa a perfect exfoliator for both dry and wet skin. These fruits grow in dry, warm climates throughout China, Korea, Japan and Central America as well as my own personal land of discovery, Antigua. I'm proud to say that the phrase "you learn something new every day" stands true - it just turns out that this day was more memorable than most! *A big thanks to Vorn Johnson, an Antiguan nature enthusiast, who accurately pointed out that one of the island's many plants is indeed the luffa fruit. While we can't find data verifying if the plant is native to the island, research shows that the fruit also grows on nearby Barbuda. Things I learned in Antigua: Luffas grow on trees originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Trek the Colombian Andes in El Cocuy National Park with Mountain Madness
Filed under: Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Business, Asia, South America, Colombia, Camping, Ecotourism, News, Luxury Travel Acclaimed Seattle-based adventure travel company and guide service Mountain Madness debuts its newest trip on February 4th: an excursion to Colombia's El Cocuy National Park. Although Colombia is often characterized as being mostly tropical jungle or coastline, the Andean Cordillera Oriental crosses a significant portion of the country. The El Cocuy trip will allow trekkers to explore glaciers, alpine lakes, and remote colonial villages.Mountain Madness owner and president Mark Gunlogson has years of experience as a mountaineering guide all over the world, and the company is renowned for its reputable and distinctive trekking trips and alpine climbing schools, particularly in South America and the Himalayas. For this inaugural El Cocuy adventure, Gunglogson will lead five other trekkers and climbers as they "explore this area's potential for adventure travel. The team hopes to dispel the myth of danger with travel in Colombia and open up a new, cutting-edge trip." Activities will include mountaineering, trekking, rock climbing, and cultural exchange, a Mountain Madness hallmark. Check out the company's blog for dispatches from El Cocuy. Buena suerte, team! Video: How to self-arrest with an ice ax Trek the Colombian Andes in El Cocuy National Park with Mountain Madness originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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Traveler's guide to local and western food in Ghana, Africa
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Food and Drink, Photos, Africa, Ghana, Budget Travel When visiting Ghana, Africa, unless you are at the mall in the capital city of Accra or staying at a resort or hotel, you will most likely find yourself eating food that is far from Western comfort cuisine. Here is a guide to some of the typical foods you will find in Ghana, as well as some surprising favorites from home you'll be able to find in the small shops.Local meals Banku with tilapia Banku is a thick dough ball made from fermented maize. The thick matter is stirred rigorously in a pot and has a similar, gum-like texture to the other main starch staple in Ghana, Fufu (see below), and is usually served with a stew and/or tilapia. The proper way to eat it is to grab a piece of the dough ball, create an indentation with your finger, and scoop up some palm oil or stew, swallowing it without chewing. The dish is very similar to Kenkey, another Ghanian staple, although the preparation and cooking time vary slightly. Many westerners may be a little hesitant to try the tilapia (I know I was), as it still has the head, tail, and scales in tact. Simply use your hands to peel back the scales and pull out chunks of meat with your fingers, being careful not to grab any bones. Continue reading Traveler's guide to local and western food in Ghana, Africa Traveler's guide to local and western food in Ghana, Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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The Acropolis: Greece's most famous monument weathers the crisis
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Europe, Greece, Budget Travel Visiting Greece and not visiting the Acropolis is unthinkable. Set atop a high rock overlooking Athens, the temples here were built primarily to honor the city's patron goddess Athena in all her attributes. The buildings here are some of the best examples of Greek architecture and have had a profound effect on the architecture of all the Western world. While I have a preference for medieval sites like Acrocorinth, and I've visited the Acropolis before, I couldn't help but go back. The last time I was there was 1994, and a lot has changed. There has been a great deal of restoration and the world-class Acropolis Museum has opened up. Here's one attraction that the Greek government needs to preserve as it passes through its worst economic crisis since World War Two. People still flock here and it's a major reason why Greece is an important tourist destination. Tourism accounts for 18 percent of the Greek GDP and tourist numbers went up last year. Several sources told me there were two reasons for this: budget-conscious Europeans are traveling closer to home and people are staying away from North African favorites like Tunisia and Egypt. Even though sites like the Acropolis generate billions of euros a year in revenue, the Ministry of Culture survives on just 0.7 percent of the national budget, and that budget is shrinking faster than the supply of Greek olives I brought back from this trip. In the past year the ministry has seen its budget slashed by almost a third, with warnings of more cuts to come. Museums are already feeling the pinch and now ministers, archaeologists, and site directors are scrambling to find ways to maintain their their heritage. There are even plans to lease the Acropolis for film backdrops and photo shoots to help raise funds. Continue reading The Acropolis: Greece's most famous monument weathers the crisis The Acropolis: Greece's most famous monument weathers the crisis originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments |  |
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A video tour of 1950's London's swingin' coffee bars
Filed under: Food and Drink, Europe, United Kingdom, Video Contrary to popular belief, tea is not the only popular beverage served in London. In fact, ever since the first Italian espresso machine crash landed in England in 1952, London has had a swinging coffee culture. Now thanks to the vintage documentary reel above, you can take your own tour back in time to the beginnings of London's fledgling coffee shop scene. Hit play and enter a time when coffee was the king of cool, inside a smoky, bohemian coffee bar, packed to the rafters with young Londoners gleefully puffing on cigarettes as a lively soundtrack of jazz wafts above them. It's as much a tour of the city's coffee bars as it is an intriguing artifact of a London that has moved on to trendier pursuits and hangouts. This morning, go grab yourself another cup off the pot and settle in for an intriguing cross-section of life in 1950's London. A video tour of 1950's London's swingin' coffee bars originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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