Thoughts and Tips #47 - June 20, 2015

In this issue:

Should holidaymakers to Greece be worried about a Grexit?
A literary stroll through Paris - Lonely Planet

It's Time To Get Away: 9 Signs Your Wanderlust Is Calling

13 Things Every Tourist Should Do In Toronto
Top 10 Island Cities - National Geographic Travel
Don't Throw Momma From the Boat: How I Survived a Danube River Cruise
World's Most Bizarre Food Etiquette Rules
McDonald's restaurant has a golden facade and spiral staircase


Should holidaymakers to Greece be worried about a Grexit?

Will it happen?

The dramatic game of brinkmanship over Greece's debts, reforms, and bail out funds has been dragging for months. But the rhetoric has intensified to a disconcerting extent over the last few days, and it does finally look as though we are nearing an endgame. What the result will be remains to be seen....
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A literary stroll through Paris - Lonely Planet

Image by Cultura Travel/UBACH/DELA/Photostock Getty

Paris is loaded with literary sights and stories. Over the centuries numerous brilliant writers, French and foreign, have used the City of Light as their setting. In the 1920s the city sparkled as a centre of avant-garde; and post WWII, the literati hung out in St-Germain des Pres. Take a day or two to transport yourself back in time with this stroll through Paris' literary history.
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It's Time To Get Away: 9 Signs Your Wanderlust Is Calling

Life can get pretty damn monotonous. On the road to figuring out who we are, we find ourselves becoming victims of routine. Our lives become about habits and schedules and we stop seeing the world in front of us. We live for the days, weeks and months ahead. We let the stress of our jobs, homes and...
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13 Things Every Tourist Should Do In Toronto

Cafe Diplimatico / © Alexia Wulff

Toronto, a thriving and magical city that resides on the shore of Lake Ontario, is a top destination in North America that brings in traveler from all over the world. This melting-pot booms with shops, nightlife and a restaurant scene that will satisfy any food lover's appetite. With an endless list of possibilities, here are 13 options that no visitor should miss.
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Top 10 Island Cities - National Geographic Travel

Photo Matthew Williams-Ellis, Getty Images

This list was first published in the National Geographic book The World's Best Cities.

Trogir, Croatia
Take an afternoon stroll with gelato in hand through the medieval maze of streets. Blessed with stunning nature and an easygoing pace of life, this immaculately preserved Adriatic fort may be just the perfect microcosm of Croatia.
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Don't Throw Momma From the Boat: How I Survive

Photo credit: Kathy Compagno

I am watching the season finale of "Downton Abbey" when my Mom calls to say that she wants to go on a Danube river cruise. Of course she does. It's Pavlovian, the Viking Cruises ad runs before each episode and the bells ring for the servants to attend to the aristocrats of the manor. "Ding, ding," Lady Mary calls for Anna and viewers hypnotically buy cruise tickets. After five seasons the image of the elegant ship sailing past the majestic...
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World's Most Bizarre Food Etiquette Rules

Illustration: Edwin Fotheringham

You have good manners, right? After all, you (usually) keep your elbows off the table and say "Please pass the salt," right? But when you head abroad, things get a little more complicated. Case in point: Rest your chopsticks the wrong way, and you might remind a Japanese friend of their grandfather's funeral...
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McDonald's restaurant has a golden facade and spiral staircase

This McDonald's restaurant featuring a perforated golden facade and a grand spiral staircase was designed by Dutch firm Mei Architects to replace "the ugliest building in Rotterdam" (+slideshow).

Located on Coolsingel, one of the city's most popular shopping streets, the two-storey structure was conceived by Rotterdam-based...

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The Path Less Travelled...

Sometimes you can see and learn so much by checking out of the way places in cities or rural areas.

On my most recent visit to Paris, I was staying in the 18th arrondissement.  This was a new area for me.  I loved the vibrant mix of cultures so evident as you walked the area.  The street market set up 3 days a week was a visual array of fruit, vegetables, fish, seafood and meat.

One day I was out exploring and making my way to Sacre Coeur.  I decided to approach it directly  by the streets of the 'backside' where I was located.  It was interesting to take another approach, rather than the usual one off the Boulevard Rochechouart, to this icon of Paris.

I saw some beautiful Parisian street scenery.  I love the look of the buildings and the apartments.  Sometimes my imagination wandered thinking of what it would be like to live in Paris in one of the apartments I saw.






At one point, I heard the voices of children.  As a former educator I was caught up in the sounds of outdoor play.  Obviously I was near a school or nursery school.  I continued my walk and the voices became louder.  The school was in sight.

Just before I got to the door of the school, I saw a wall plaque.  I quickly scanned it and then stopped, stunned as I read it.  It was in memory of the Jewish children of that school who were deported to the Nazi camps during World War II.  Gulp!  As a human, as a parent, as an educator, I read that plaque over and over.  Yes, I had heard about this happening, but this was a real reminder of the sad events.

I would have missed this experience had I not taken the 'road less travelled'.  Yes, the usual tourist routes are great, and should not be overlooked, but little sojourns like this enrich your travels.

The Beauty of Paris

After the events of this week, this photo gallery will remind you of the beauty of Paris.

Ah, Paris, je t'aime!

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate.  It's a time to close the year that is passed and look forward with hope to the year ahead.

While many people will mark the moment in the quiet of their own home, others will party with friends, and others will celebrate at some special New Years event.

Here is a list of some New Years Eve events around the world.  It will take some planning to get to some, so perhaps it's time to plan for next year.  

The Big Apple - New York City is the probably the best known location for New Year's celebrations.  For years people have been going to Times Square to watch the entertainment, the ball drop, and to bring in the New Year.  Others have been watching the event and entertainment on the television for years.

Sydney - Be among the first to celebrate ringing in the New Year.  Join the crowd down on the Harbour watching the fireworks with the backdrop of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Have a meal or a drink at a bar or restaurant in The Rocks.  It's summertime in Sydney so no need to dress in layers.  Arrive early to claim your viewing spot as the best ones fill quickly.

Rome - The Eternal City can be a great city to ring in 2015.  Fireworks can be observed all over the city.  One of my most memorable travel experiences was the fireworks display at Circo Massimo, the site of the Roman chariot races. With some of the Roman ruins in the background, fireworks went off silhouetting the buildings.  In another part of the city, Villa Borghese befittingly has classical music, fireworks and traditional Italian food.  There is much going on in the city...seemingly everywhere...seemingly endless.

Cape Town - While next day is the beginning of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, plenty happens on New Year's Eve.  The waterfront is the scene of a concert and fireworks display.  As well other concerts and events are held as Cape Town brings in the New Year and parties well beyond midnight.  The Minstrel Festival or "Kaapse clops" keeps the party going.  It has colourful parades, along with dancers, musicians, and minstrels.

Toronto - Nathan Philips Square in the city centre is the main location of Toronto's New Year's Eve celebrations.  There is live entertainment which starts early in the evening.  You can put on skates and blade around the rink at the Square to bring in the New Year.  At midnight fireworks are lit to celebrate the beginning of the New Year.  There are also celebrations in other parts of the city.  A variety of activities are available for the whole family.

Niagara Falls -  Celebrate New Years Eve in Victoria Park, with the backdrop of Niagara Falls.  Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with live music and entertainment.  Included in this year's list of entertainers are Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, Lights, and Shawn Mendes.  There are fireworks at both 9:00 p.m. and midnight.   All of this and more, and it's free.      

New Orleans - To mark the New Year, there is a fireworks display that erupts over the Mississippi River.  In a take-off of New York's famous ball, there is the Fleur de Lis drop from the roof of a building in Jackson Square which is the centre of the festivities.  The French Quarter is alive until the early hours of New Year's Day with music and people.   

Orlando - One could say it's like New Year's Eve every day at Disney World, but on New Year's Eve it is even more so.  The party goes on all day in the park with live entertainment which includes Cirque du Soleil presentations.  There are fireworks 'a la Disney' at midnight, and the celebrations continue until 1:00 a.m.  This is definitely a party for everyone in the family.

Paris - The City of Lights throw a big party for New Year's Eve.  Street parties are everywhere.  The Champs-Elysees is the main area for the festivities, as well as around the Eiffel Tower for the fireworks display.  Clubs, restaurants and bars are open quite late to let you celebrate and dance away the first hours of the New Year.  Up in Montmartre there is a more causal street party, and while a distance away from the Champs-Elysees, the plaza around Sacre Coeur allows a great view of the city and the fireworks.  For something more romantic take a cruise along the Seine to bring in the New Year. 

Edinburgh - Hogmanay is the name the Scots give to New Year's celebration which begin on December 30 and last for three to four nights.  A torch procession starts the celebrations.  Street parties take place with the biggest one running the full length of Princes Street on December 31.  To mark the New Year a fireworks display takes place above Edinburgh Castle at midnight.

London - London pulls out all the stops for the biggest party of the year. Over 250,000 people cram along the boats and banks of the River Thames and its surrounding bars and restaurants for a prime view of the night's events. As the epic countdown begins and Big Ben strikes midnight, the city erupts in a dramatic 10-minute light show and firework display, set to a backdrop of the towering London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster.  Festivities don't end on New Year's Eve though -- there's a three-hour parade in central London on New Year's Day, with colourful floats, marching bands, costumed dancers and a procession of the Queen's horses.

Vienna - Vienna provides a cultural and classical theme for New Years with a lot to do in this  city already decorated for the Christmas markets which are now New Years fairs.  The fireworks are at the Wiener Prater.  The Grand Ball is at the Hofburg Palace,  There are other balls and galas, as well as concerts, even dinner cruises along the Danube.  And the party doesn't stop that night.  The next day, a crowd gathers in the square of the City Hall to watch the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra perform their New Year's concert on a large screen TV.

Not enough time to plan for New Years 2015?  There's always Hong Kong and the Lunar New Year.  This year, the Year of the Goat, begins on February 19.  Or start planning now for New Years 2016.

And now to decide....

Bargain Shopping in Paris

For some reason Paris and bargain shopping do not seem to go together; however, it is possible to find shopping at reasonable prices.  This article gives some tips on how to shop in Paris and not blow the budget.  Having been to Paris a few times I would agree with the tips about shopping around Porte de la Clingnancourt and in the Marais.  As well, one of many street markets selling great food produce three or four days of the week is just down Boulevard Ornano from Porte de la Clingnacourt (around Metro:Simplon).

Bargain Shopping in France

Where in the world? Week 6 (December 26)

Where in the world is this?

Enter your answer in the comment box below.

Come back next Friday (January 2) for the answer, and another photo.












Where in the world was last week's photo?

BHV Homme Store, Paris, France
36, rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris

Vertical landscaping is quite popular in Paris.  This example is on the face of the BHV Homme Store in Paris just off rue de Rivoli.
Patrick Blanc is recognized as the leader of the vertical garden.

The Vertical Garden

O Christmas Tree!

We have all seen various types of Christmas trees.  There's the Charlie Brown tree, the tree in Rockefeller Center, and many others.  Trees all around the world are being decorated for the holiday season.  Here are a few of them.

One of the most photographed Christmas trees is probably the tree in Rockefeller Center, New York City.

This one is very different.  It is in Galeries Lafayette a well-known department store in Paris which itself is worth a visit any time of the year.  And you thought decorating your tree was a challenge!  

And for something different, this Lego Christmas tree is in Sydney, Australia.  That represents a lot of Lego sets, and a lot of work to assemble.

The Swarovski Christmas tree in Hong Kong shimmers.

Step out of the Metro station at Colosseo in Rome during the holidays and you will see a decorated tree in front of the Coliseum.

You will usually find lots of snow and cold temperatures in Quebec City.  This tree will be decorated through the holidays and up to Carnaval in February.

Bethlehem, the site of the first Christmas, has its own tree in Manger Square.

In Rio de Janeiro, what is reported to be the largest Christmas tree in the world, floats in Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.

Do you have a picture of a tree somewhere in the world that you would like to share?  Perhaps in your city, or somewhere you have been or would like to be.  Share in the comment box below.  Please identify the location of the tree.