Hamburg Archives - Traveling Archive

On the Tracks with Eurail: A Personal Journey of Discovery

Ed Boitano — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 17:11:00 +0000

The sound of the tracks were calming as my railway car glided effortlessly through central Poland’s breathtaking countryside. A nation with a history of great turbulence, Poland’s flat landscape and proximity in the middle of Europe – where east meets west – made it a convenient gateway for a seemingly endless array of past conquerors. From my train window I could see where Hitler’s Wehrmacht blitzkrieged into the countryside, and later where Stalin’s Red Army returned the favor as his troops marched towards the defeat of Nazi Germany. Countless invaders arrived before the Germans and Russians, including the Tartars, the Teutonic Knights and the Slavic tribe, the Plonians, who stayed and made Poland their home. But today, eating lunch in my luxury train compartment, all I could feel was the serenity of the little farms and villages that dotted the terrain. There’s something about physically watching the miles pass from your train window that allows a perspective that is not offered by plane travel. Also, Europe is a relatively small continent, with its major cities close to one another, making it ideal for passages on well-connected train lines.

Cutting through the Polish countryside with Eurail. Photograph by B. Banaszalk.

Planning the trip had initially been a daunting task. But after careful research, I found that a Eurail Global Pass offers travel in 28 European countries, giving me the freedom and flexibility to create my own personal journey of discovery. Owned by over 35 railway companies, I opted for a Eurail Select Pass, which featured a Regional and Three Country Pass. That would mean six cities and three countries in twelve-days without any hassles. Plus, it was also easy on the pocketbook. With my Eurail map in hand, I couldn’t wait to experience the destinations on my schedule.

The Old World charm and romance of Kraków. Photo courtesy of Kraków Tourism.

Kraków (Pron: Kraw-KOOF)

It’s almost a cliché to say that Kraków is poised to be the next Prague, but this remarkably well-preserved medieval city serves as a stunning outdoor museum. Kraków rates fifty-five UNESCO World Heritage Listings, which includes the entire historic town center. Kraków was basically left untouched by the Nazis. Although they had mined the city for complete destruction, they couldn’t follow through due to a surprise Red Army invasion. Today, Poland’s former capital is the nation’s number one tourist destination. The city lends itself to a stroll on the Royal Way Walk or a coffee at an outdoor café in the main market square with Wawel Cathedral, the most visited site in Poland, watching over you. Bask in the vibrant ambiance of street merchants, musicians and Krakóvians, commencing in their daily affairs. Poles may seem to be indifferent to tourist, particularly those of us adorned in shorts, flip flops and t-shirts with billboard logos, but don’t be afraid to engage a local in a few words in Polish – broken, in my case – and you’ll usually find a person who is willing to share their knowledge of the city, history and current events.

And what to eat: ‘Bigos’ is a much-loved Polish stew made from sauerkraut, meat and a variety of vegetables; ‘Pierogi,’ half-circular dumplings usually formed from noodle flour dough; and the definitive Polish comfort food, ‘Zurek,’ a fermented soup made with sour rye flour. Also, ‘Steak Tartare’ — having little time for cooking, the Tartars would put desiccated horse meat under their horses’ saddles while riding, in order to soften it prior to eating — and Viennese ‘Wienerschnitzle’— an Austrian breaded, fried veal cutlet — which originated in northern Italy as ‘costoletta alla Milanese.’

Selected Sites Around Kraków

The birthplace of Pope John Paul ll, Kraków’s favorite son. Photograph by Ed Boitano.

Pope John Paul ll (Karol Wojtyla)

Poland is considered the most devoutly Catholic country in Europe, and it cannot be overstated the effect that Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) – Kraków’s most famous native son, born in nearby in Wadowice – had on the Polish people. A supporter of the anti-communist Solidarity – an independent self-governing trade union – his words to the Polish populace: “Do not be afraid,” gave the Poles courage to stand-up up the Soviet Union, which led to Poland’s break from communism and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. His birthplace is a short drive from the city center, while the John Paul II Center and Sanctuary in Kraków is the most popular destination for pilgrimages.

The horrific slave labor camp of Auschwitz evokes an array of deep emotions.
Photograph by Ed Boitano.

Auschwitz – Birkenau

A solemn tour of the Auschwitz slave labor concentration camp, followed by roughly a 10-minute trek to the Birkenau extermination camp, is a deeply moving personal experience that requires no words. Over 1.5 million died, that included 1.1 million Europeans of Jewish ancestry, Gypsies, Catholic priests, the mentally and physical handicapped, political dissenters and homosexuals at Auschwitz–Birkenau as part of Hitler’s demented plan to build a 1,000-year-long Aryan race.

Oskar Schindler’s office is considered the most popular site at Schindler’s Factory Museum. Photograph by Ed Boitano.

Schindler’s Factory Museum

The industrialist and Nazi Party member, Oskar Schindler became world-famous due to the book, Schindler’s Ark and the later Steve Speilberg film, Schindler’s List. He formed a factory, making pots and pans, using members of Krakow’s Jewish community as slave laborers. As the war progressed, he discovered that his workers would be transferred to a concentration camp, where many would be rubber stamped for extermination. The factory shows Schindler’s office where it is believed an assistant devised a list that saved the lives of 1,200 Jewish prisoners, insisting they were essential to the success of his factory. The workers were then instructed to make war armaments. Mysteriously, many turned out to be defective. The factory has been expanded to showcase a museum that conveys the horrific period of Nazi occupation. Schindler is virtually worshipped in many western nations; but ask a Pole if he was a hero and you might be surprised to hear that the deceased man is still wanted for war crimes in the Poland of today.

Kraków to Wroclaw: Time – 3 hours & 10 minutes. Photograph by B. Banaszak.

Wroclaw (Pron: Vra-SWOOF)

Nestled on the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands, over 80 percent of Wroclaw was destroyed during the Second World War, but this time by Allied bombers due to the fact that Wroclaw was then part of Germany, named Breslau. After the war, the city was given to Poland where the complete replacement of the city’s population gave Wroclaw potential for newcomers to reinvent the city. Today, it is a vibrant, young city with over 122,000 energy-driven students and a forward-thinking city administration. Carefully rebuilt, Wroclaw was the European Capital of Culture in 2016.

A fun way to explore the city is to grab a “dwarf map” which combines sight-seeing with the tracking of over 300 dwarf statues, strategically placed throughout Wroclaw. Photo courtesy of Wroclaw Tourism.

Wroclaw is a city that lends itself to a leisurely walk through the historic city center where you’ll find numerous restaurants, beer gardens and clubs. I was impressed that when ordering a beer during Happy Hour you’re also giving a free sandwich; an example of the progressive nature of Wroclawians, aware that alcohol on an empty stomach should be avoided. As previously noted, Wroclaw’s nationality dramatically changed many times throughout the ages, belonging to Poland and Bohemia, then Hungary, Austria, Prussia, Germany and, in the end, back to Poland. The city’s name in other languages, include Hungarian: Boroszló, Czech: Vratislav, German: Breslau, Hebrew: ורוצלב (Vrotsláv) and Yiddish: Bresloi. Don’t feel bad if you struggle in pronouncing the city’s name; the locals are well used to it. As you wander through this ever-changing city you will see architectural styles influenced by the Bohemians, Austrians and Prussians.

Wroclaw to Warsaw: Time – 3 hours & 36 minutes. Photograph by B. Banaszak

Warsaw (Pron: Var-SHAW-va)

While Kraków offers Old World charm and romance, Warsaw is the electrifying capital city of Poland with a population of 1.7 million. The Polish equivalent of a hybrid New York and Washington DC; it is the place where things happen. The home of the courageous Warsaw Uprising – see film director, Andrzej Wajda’s 1957 masterpiece, ‘Kanal,’ where his images focus on Polish resistance fighters crawling through Warsaw’s sewers to escape the German encirclement – and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising; heart-wrenching suicidal battles where Poles of Jewish ancestry took their final stand, engaging the Wehrmacht in combat, based on the decision that they would die on their own terms, not on the German’s. Later, Hitler brutally punished the citizenry by reducing the city to rubble, destroying 85 percent of Warsaw and killing approximately two out of every three Warsavians. The Soviet Red Army watched the destruction from a distant hill, not bothering to fire a single shot in support of the Poles. They knew that their Nazi enemy was doing part of their work. Shortly later, they would ease into Warsaw as both a liberator and conqueror, aware that Poland itself would soon be a Russian buffer state. For more, stream the 1958 film, ‘Ashes and Diamonds,’ a cornerstone in Wajda’s body of work. After the war and the eventual demise of the Soviet Union, the historic city center was painstakingly rebuilt, brick by brick, to its former glory. Today, Warsaw enjoys a plethora of seemingly endless museums and heartfelt monuments, revitalized wide boulevards and towering skyscrapers.

Warsaw’s historic city center was painstakingly rebuilt after the Second World War to its former glory. Photograph by Ed Boitano.

Łazienki Park, often rendered “Royal Baths Park,” is the largest park in Warsaw.
Photograph by Ed Boitano.

On the top of your list should be a trip to the museum, 1,000 Year History of Polish Jews, and an al fresco Frédéric Chopin concert at Łazienki Park – one of Warsaw’s favorite sons. The park-and-palace complex lies in Warsaw’s central district on the “Royal Route,” linking the Royal Castle with Wilanów Palace.

Warsaw to Berlin – 5 hours & 37 minutes. Photograph by Ed Boitano.

Berlin’s Gendarmenarket is often considered the most beautiful square in Germany.
Photograph by Ed Boitano.

Berlin

It is hard to believe that it has been over well-over 30-years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Known for its remarkable transformations, this enthralling city on the “Prussian Plains” continues to redefine itself as it marches into 2022. For lovers of history, no city has had a greater impact on the 20th Century than Berlin: the centerpiece of two world wars and the epicenter of the Cold War, everything seemed to happen in Berlin. After the Berlin Wall fell, artists poured into the former East Berlin, while the West remained an affluent showplace for the world to see. Today, there still seems to be somewhat of a cultural divide between the cutting edge, artist-driven East and the ultra-hip, modern West, but this dichotomy is one of the reasons that the city is so alive. Quite simply, it is my favorite city on the globe.

Photo courtesy of Berlin Tourism.

Some of my favorite attractions include a visit to the East Side Gallery, which is the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, decorated by 118 artists from 21 countries. Cycling the Trail of the Wall is a guided bicycle tour along the path of the Wall with Berlin on Bikes. The Palace of Tears, a museum situated at a former border crossing station, which helps visitors understand the border experience and the steps toward reunification. The Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie offers an insight into the Cold War, construction of the Wall, and the fight for human rights. The Black Box, also located at Checkpoint Charlie, touches on the history of the famous former border crossing point during the Cold War. This is the crossing where U.S. and Soviet tanks faced off for 16 hours in 1961, almost creating a third world war. The STASI Museum is situated on the former grounds of the headquarters of the communist German Democratic Republic. The Stasi was the GDR’s infamous secret police, modeled after the Soviet’s own KGB, itself modeled on the Nazi’s Gestapo. The terrifying former central complex of the Ministry of State Security showcases original offices, as well as the diverse aspects of the political system and the opposition against it. The GDR Museum offers an interactive look of daily life in the former communist East before reunification. Visitors can experience everything from the bugging equipment of the Stasi; displays of the sluggish two-cylinder Trabant car, the GDR’s answer to West Germany’s Volkswagen; and an attempt to emulate denims, adolescents’ most sought after product. Museum Island, the original settlement of Berlin on the River Spree, consists of five epic museums which collectively are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museums feature everything from classical antiquities to collections belonging to King Frederick William IV of Prussia. What can’t be missed is Museum Island’s Pergamon Museum, which hosts stunning reconstructions of massive archaeological structures. It is the most visited museum in Germany.

Berlin to Hamburg – 1 hour & 37 minutes. Photo courtesy of Berlin Tourism.

Hamburg

Are the residents of Hamburg referred to as ‘Hamburgers,’ ‘Hamburgites’ or ‘Hamburgtonians’? Even the Hamburg PR had different answer, but it has been confirmed that this booming, northern port town is the actual birthplace of the hamburger (circa 1861), which was a popular snack for sailors and dock workers’ Christened, ‘rundstück warm,’ the proto-type burger consisted of day-old pork topped with either beet root, pickles, tomato slices, sandwiched between two round Kaiser rolls and doused with pork gravy. Sailors returning to Hamburg’s port would request what they referred to as a ‘hamburger.’ As the Hamburg gastronomic invention went out to the world, it returned back to the city, similar to a meatloaf. Many U.S. establishments lay claim to its invention, but Hamburg is the place.

Hamburg has more canals than Amsterdam and Venice combined.
Photograph by Ed Boitano.

As Germany’s second largest city, Hamburg is endowed with hundreds of picture-perfect canals that serve as a gateway to both the North and Baltic Seas. Like Berlin, Hamburg is blessed with expansive green areas and striking architecture, many of which is new. During WW ll, the city had suffered from strategic Allied bombings, which created horrific firestorms, killing an estimated 37,000 civilians and wounding 180,000 more, virtually destroying most of the city. Hamburg was rebuilt and regained its position as an affluent port city that is both creative and open to innovation. It serves as an important transportation hub, with a strong media industry and financial and industrial center.

For Beatle fans, a stroll through the Reeperbahn, once a seedy sailor’s haunt and red-light district, showcases a number of venues where the mop-tops played off and on for two years. This is where they perfected their ‘beat-sound’ before they became world-famous; and, of course, a fame still in the limelight today with the ‘Get Back’ documentary. Highly recommended is Stefanie Hempel’s Beatle tour. A walking encyclopedia on all things the Beatles, Ms. Hempel shares her insight about the lads which will dazzle even the most well-versed fan of the lads. Upon the Beatles’ arrival, they sported greased-up, slicked-back haircuts, but after meeting German photographer, Astrid Kirchherr, they transition to their world-famous coiffure, in which Kirchherr used Jean Cocteau’s 1950 film ‘Orpheus’ as her main inspiration.

Another important point of interest is Miniatur Wunderland, the largest model railway exhibition in the world. The world-famous model train and miniature exhibition is Hamburg’s number one tourist attraction, a must-to-be-seen to be believed.

Hamburg to Amsterdam – 5 hours & 23 minutes.

Photograph by Matthew Wexler.

Amsterdam

Less than a full day is never enough time spent in this dynamic city of pristine canals, world-famous museums and remarkably preserved merchant and shipping magnate homes. Akin to a 24-hour party town, everyone in seemed to be out and about, which included plenty of tourists like me. Dinner was at Café Hoppe (circa 1670), a wildly popular Brown Café’ – no, not one of those – but a historic venue defined by its wooden interior, blemished by years of tobacco smoke. A quick stroll through Amsterdam’s Red Light District revealed that the once quiet district with women in the windows had been transformed into a rowdy hot spot, popular for British bachelor parties. My evening ended with a tranquil evening canal cruise with the lights and stars of Amsterdam above me. My journey back home began with stepping over a drunken bicyclist who had just collapsed on the ground next to my 6 a.m. waiting taxi.

WHEN YOU GO

For further information, www.eurail.com

The post On the Tracks with Eurail: A Personal Journey of Discovery appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Protecting Yourself from Disinformation

Ed Boitano — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 17:26:08 +0000

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Disinformation

Courtesy Elizabeth Stoycheff

Even the most well-intentioned news consumers can find today’s avalanche of political information difficult to navigate. With so much news available, many people consume media in an automatic, unconscious state – similar to knowing you drove home but not being able to recall the trip.

Coronavirus and COVID-19

How can we be more direct in battling this national crisis? America is facing an unprecedented medical crisis. Throughout this challenging time, your health and safety remain our top priority. Protect yourself and your loved ones with the help of this important information on COVID-19. Together, we can keep our communities healthy and strong.

Tom Hanks Has ‘No Respect’ for People that Don’t Wear Masks

Tom Hanks: Shame on you if you’re not wearing a mask! PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN BAULD VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

Tom Hanks has “no respect” for people that don’t wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic, he told the Associated Press. Though the CDC recommends all Americans wear masks in public, many people refuse to use face coverings. I don’t get it. I simply do not get it. It is literally the least you can do, Hanks said. If you can’t wear a mask and wash your hands and social distance, I got no respect for you, man. Hanks recently on CNN compared C-19 with WWII: Do your part, we’re all in this together!

Racism by Scott Woods

“The problem is that white people see racism as conscious hate, when racism is bigger than that. Racism is a complex system of social and political levers and pulleys set up generations ago to continue working on the behalf of whites at other people’s expense, whether whites know/like it or not. Racism is an insidious cultural disease. It is so insidious that it doesn’t care if you are a white person who likes black people; it’s still going to find a way to infect how you deal with people who don’t look like you…”

This Sculpture Takes the Great Barrier Reef’s Temperature

By Alex Fox; Courtesy smithsonianmag.com

‘Ocean Siren’ changes colors in real time to reflect ocean temperatures at Davies Reef, part of Australia’s ailing Great Barrier Reef

PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

Standing more than 12 feet tall above the water in Townsville, Australia, an illuminated outdoor sculpture transforms the planet’s rising ocean temperatures into a colorful display, reports Katie Dundas for Atlas Obscura.

The sculpture is modelled after Takoda Johnson, a local student and descendent of Australia’s indigenous Wulgurukaba people. The sculpture looks out across the water, holding a shell high above her head.

14 Airbnbs Within an Hour of a National Park

Courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler

National parks were among the first destinations to reopen to the public — if they closed at all — as coronavirus stay-at-home orders loosened. Now, Americans are flocking to the most stunning natural areas in the U.S., and filling up the campsites and on-site hotels in the process. But you’re not too late to find accommodations near your favorite national park: There are treehouses just outside Montana’s Glacier National Park, cozy studios near South Carolina’s Congaree National Park, and A-frames, of course, adjacent to Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. Below, you’ll find Airbnbs within an hour radius of some of the country’s most famous parks — and a few lesser-known (read: less-crowded) parks as well. Note: All of these scenic Airbnbs are run by Superhosts, who each have a rating of 4.8 or above, a record of zero cancellations, and at least a 90 percent response rate, meaning they’ll get back to you ASAP.

What Life Looks Like in Countries Coming Out of Lockdown

By Terry Ward; Afar

PHOTO BY ARTHUR YEH/UNSPLASH

As some regions open up from COVID-19 restrictions, we ask citizens what the post-quarantine world looks like.

(This is a developing story.)

Which European Countries are a Go for this Summer?

A handful of European countries may be open to international travelers this summer, including Italy and Portugal. Iceland, Sweden, Greece and others also look promising.

16 Immersive Ways to (Virtually) Experience Asia

Asia’s natural beauty, rich history and fascinating culture makes it undeniably popular. Don’t miss out on travelling through Asia during the pandemic. Simply take these virtual tours, instead… With natural beauty, incredible wildlife and a wealth of cultural and historical sites, Asia makes for an enriching travel experience. While you can’t physically go there now due to the coronavirus outbreak, you can experience some of the continent’s great wonders from the comfort of your home. Whether you want to see elephants in Thailand, walk the Great Wall of China, kayak between mangrove forests or get a taste of Vietnam, our virtual travel guide to Asia will give you plenty of armchair wanderlust.

Flying: What You Need to Know

By Tariro Mzezewa via The New York Times

Airplane travel is inching back, but staying safe remains a concern. Here’s how to think about approaching a trip.

For people who are thinking of flying this summer, or in the months after, air travel will be a far different experience than it was before the coronavirus. The days of casually hopping in a cab or Uber to the airport, then jostling for space in the overhead, are over, at least for the moment. From the curb to the plane, each portion of the journey has new rules and new things to think about.

Here’s what we know about navigating air travel safely now.

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Start Meditating — Here’s Expert Advice to Get Started

If you’ve ever considered learning how to meditate, now is the perfect time. It’s completely normal to feel stressed out or overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but taking care of yourself is important. Daily meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, and with countless meditation apps at your fingertips, it has never been easier to start.

Hotels Continually Improving with More Automation

Automation is finding its way into hotels in several ways, from smart energy efficiency that shuts off a room’s electricity when no one is present to smart blinds that provide voice control and built-in light sensors.

Airports Eye Touchless Tech, New Cleaning Systems

PHOTO COURTESY OF SITA

Touchless technologies, prearranged security screenings and new sterilization systems are among anticipated technologies airports will bring on line in response to the coronavirus pandemic. More spacious terminals and health threat detection are also anticipated trends.

Smart City Solutions for the Public Service Landscape

Imagine a seamless drive to work, a streamlined waste management system, and data-driven energy usage. Yes, technology has the power to transform the places in which we live – with the potential for integrated, connected, and sustainable communities. But what challenges, obstacles, and risks do we face along the path to building smart cities of the future?

American Allows Passengers to Rebook Crowded Flights

American Airlines will notify passengers when a flight becomes relatively full and allow them to rebook on another flight, a policy United has also adopted. American also extended complimentary rebooking for travel through Sept. 30, and adopted policies giving passengers more flexibility to change seats and create more distance between them.

Airplane Reverse Seating Plan Designed to Enhance Safety

PHOTO COURTESY OF AVIO INTERIORS

An Italian company has developed a ‘three-seater’ design for airplanes in which the middle seat faces backward while the other seats face forward, with all three seats protected by a transparent shield. Avio Interiors says the shields and seats would be comprised of safe, hygienic materials and that the design would help protect passengers from potential virus transmission.

Maritimes

Maria Deligianni, Regional Representative in Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Associaition) talked about the unprecedented situation cruise shipping faces due to the coronavirus pandemic, during a recent interview with maritimes.gr. Unprecedented crises require similar reaction, she said.

Coronavirus & the Generational Divide

The pandemic is revealing an unexpected, dangerous attitude among older Americans and their behavior during the outbreak. “Coronavirus & the Generational Divide” by Anna Christensen is now available.

Ms. Christensen is a wilderness first aid expert and author, explains that the demographic at the greatest statistical risk for death by the virus are precisely the people who are the least concerned, most apt to break voluntary quarantine, and unlikely to use telemedecine. See Ms.Christensen’s bio and books.

Contact Bill McIntyre for a copy of “Coronavirus & the Generational Divide” a 500-word column. There is no fee to publish the column.

Corona Virus Travel Updates – Live Blog

Courtesy Big 7 Travel Team

As the coronavirus situation is ongoing, we will be updating this live blog with current travel advice, quarantines, flight cancellations and travel industry news. Check back daily for new updates and send any coronavirus travel news tips to

sa***@bi***********.com

LIVE BLOG

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

Experience Berlin and Its Natural Side, When You Can Visit Again

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIERRE ADENIS via VISITBERLIN

New tourism campaign is putting the focus on Berlin’s “other, slower side”: Lakes and rivers, an abundance of parks, lesser-known districts and the city’s rural surroundings.

Berlin is nine times the size of Paris, with 60 percent of the city consisting of green spaces filled with 440,000 trees, and bodies of water that cover close to 37 square miles. The city‘s unique layout makes social distancing and responsible travel less challenging than in other world cities.

What are We Experimenting With?

By Dr. Kathleen Allen

Dr. Kathleen Allen recently hosted a call with three colleagues as part of their Leading Through Disruption series. The participants and hosts discussed the experiments many are launching as collectively we attempt to evolve and adapt to the massive disruptions that life is forcing upon us right now. Dr. Allen’s blog summarizes the themes from that call. From rebirth to change, and ultimate transformation, this group of leaders identified many ways we’re all trying to imagine something better through the dual lens of hope and intelligent optimism.

Covid-19 Direct Relief

And remember Covid-19 Direct Relief, who addresses the courage of health workers on the front lines, honoring them with meaningful support, and the people most at risk in this pandemic are cared for — regardless of politics, religion, or ability to pay.

DONATE to DIRECT RELIEF

Bruce Springsteen to Donald Trump: *Put on a F***ing Mask*

US president: Put on a f***ing mask

Bruce Springsteen has criticized Donald Trump‘s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, telling the US president: Put on a f***ing mask. With Americans dying over the last few months and the empty, shamed response from our leaders, I’ve been simply pissed off, he said. Those lives deserve better than being simply inconvenient statistics for our president’s re-election efforts. It’s a national disgrace.

He continued: Instead of celebrating the joys of summer today, we will be contemplating our current circumstances with the coronavirus and the cost it has drawn from our nation. We will be calculating what we’ve lost, sending prayers for the deceased and the families they have left behind.

Although the coronavirus has claimed the lives of over 140,000 people in the US, Trump has often refused to wear a protective face mask during public appearances, which sends a polarizing message to a nation, desperately in need of some cohesive form of leadership. Today our Executive Office boasts of saving millions of lives, but if the White House had not been so dismissive at the first outbreak of C-19, our statistics of those infected would have flattened like the E.U.

Springsteen dedicated a song to Trump on his radio broadcast, saying: If you are ready for a rock & roll requiem, stay tuned. I’m going to start out by sending one to the man sitting behind the resolute desk. With all respect, sir, show some consideration and care for your countrymen and your country, he added. Put on a f***ing mask.

United States Not on EU’s ‘Safe’ Travel list, Diplomats Say

Courtesy Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS, June 30 (Reuters) – The United States is not on a “safe list” of destinations for non-essential travel due to be unveiled by European Union governments later on Tuesday, three diplomats said.

The 27-member bloc is expected to give outline approval to leisure or business travel from Wednesday to 14 countries beyond its borders when they vote on the list by midday Brussels time (1000 GMT), the diplomats said.

The countries are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay, they said.

Russia and Brazil, along with the United States, are among countries that do not make the initial “safe list.”

The Maya Ruins at Uxmal Still Have More Stories to Tell

By Elizabeth Landau; Courtesy smithsonianmag.com

The remains of a provincial capital on the Yucatan Peninsula attest to a people trying to fortify their place in the world

View of Uxmal ruins from the Great Pyramid. PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH LANDAU

As the sun sets over the Yucatan jungle, its fading light falls on the western staircase of the Pyramid of the Magician, just as it has for more than a millennium. In pre-Hispanic times, on Maya religious holidays, a priest or ruler might ascend these stairs to pass through the gateway to a holy temple — or, as historian Jeff Kowalski writes in Encyclopedia of the Ancient Maya, “a cave portal to a sacred creation mountain.”

Take These Steps If You’re Renting a Vacation Home During the Pandemic

Courtesy of Consumer Reports

Traveling this summer has risks. Here’s how to vacation responsibly and minimize your exposure to the coronavirus. Summer is almost upon us. But while the heat and humidity will be familiar, “this is going to be a very different type of summer,” says Amira Roess, Ph.D., M.P.H., a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. The country may be reopening, but the risk of COVID-19 remains. Until a vaccine is developed, this is a reality Americans will “have to contend with every time they step outside,” says Amesh Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease physician and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Maintaining Tourist Sites During COVID-19

Courtesy of Smithsonian

READ HERE

How to Stay Safe While Traveling

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG ARAGON

With travel set to resume as coronavirus restrictions ease, travelers should inform themselves about the cleaning procedures at hotels and Airbnb properties before choosing the best option for them. Ask about cleaning protocols, be on the lookout for red flags such as accumulations of dirt and grime, and inspect surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen, recommends Brian Sansoni of the American Cleaning Institute.

New TSA Rules

As travelers return to airports, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced new rules and precautions to reduce the spread of coronavirus or any kind of germs amongst travelers and employees.

Exploring Japan’s Wellbeing Traditions to Inspire Post-Lockdown Restorative Travel

Beppu Onsen has several hot springs varying in color and clarity for different ailments (© JNTO)

Recreate Japan’s onsens, find mindfulness through zen meditation and shakyo, and practice the technique of kintsugi from home

For would-be travelers dreaming of an escape to Japan post-lockdown, there are a variety of fun, interactive ways to recreate some of the country’s ancient wellbeing and mindfulness practices from afar. The below methods and products highlight how some of Japan’s oldest traditions, from onsens to the art of kintsugi, will help to inspire travelers to start planning their next restorative journey to Japan.

One of Japan’s most iconic wellness attractions, the onsen (or hot spring), is naturally enriched with vitamins and minerals from subterranean volcanic activity beneath the archipelago. There are a variety of products travelers can buy to enhance their own Japanese-style bath at home; the Japanese brand Kracie has created a variety of bath salts, allowing people to bring the magic of the onsen into their homes. These bath salts mimic the vitamin and mineral composition of some of Japan’s most popular onsens. Each packet of salts has a specific purpose…

Dream-Worthy Destinations to Start Planning For

The Royal Mansour Marrakech in Morocco is on travel writer Angelina Villa-Clarke’s list of places to stay soon after travel restrictions are lifted. She also has her sights on AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado, a 28-room townhouse hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, as well as a few other destinations.

Exploring These Lost Cities Is The Closest You’ll Get to Time Travel

PHOTO CREDIT: SEBASTIEN GOLDBERG via UNSPLASH

Lost cities offer glimpses into ancient civilizations that, either suddenly or over time, collapsed, often leaving artifacts intact and architecture fully preserved. Machu Pichuu might be the most famous, and we have yet to discover Atlantis, but the cities below are rife for discovery. You’ll find accessible ruins to easily place on your bucket list and kingdoms so lost and isolated you never knew they existed. Some were decimated by disaster, others simply faded away. But all are worthy of exploring once our civilization’s gears turn back on.

Businesses Prepare to Reopen with New Methods of Liability Waiver Collection

Handshakes, hugs and sharing pens and pencils may become things of the past. Physical contact with anyone or anything can now set off alarm bells.

COVID-19 is changing the world of customer relations, from contactless point-of-sale purchases to online ordering. WaiverSign, a digital liability waiver application, is helping companies get liability waivers signed electronically, eliminating the need to pass pens, paper, clipboards and keypads back and forth.

As officials like to say, “statistics don’t lie.” New sales figures are up 121% in April 2020 compared to April 2019, say officials from WaiverSign.

“Utilizing WaiverSign is yet another tool for companies preparing to welcome patrons as virus-driven lockdowns begin to lift,” said Brandon Lake, CEO of Resmark Systems and WaiverSign. “In addition to getting waivers signed without the use of paper and pens, many companies are now seeing the myriad of other benefits that come with collecting and storing liability waivers online.”

WaiverSign, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, also anticipates signing on new clients who choose to augment and fine-tune their risk management plans by implementing waivers and related documents to ensure that participants understand and accept the inherent risks of COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

Working Remotely? This Webinar is for You

Whether you work remotely 100% of the time or find yourself navigating this situation for the very first time, working at a physical distance can pose a unique set of challenges. Slack is here to help. This 30-minute webinar will provide tips and tactics within Slack that you can put into action right away.

How to Redesign Government Work for the Future

In this article, Deloitte explores the opportunity for government orgs to intentionally redesign work to both accommodate the role of technology and machines, and to design for new needs and activities, including those resulting from broader economic, workforce, and societal shifts.

The New York Times Will Pause Printing of Sports & Travel Sections

With no major sporting events and barely any travel happening due to the coronavirus, The New York Times plans to stop printing hard copies of those sections in the storied newspaper’s Sunday edition.

JetBlue CEO anticipates improvements to make travel safer

In an interview with CNBC, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said widespread testing will be essential to make passengers feel secure and allow air travel to recover from the coronavirus crisis. “We’ve got to make sure that they’re safe from a health standpoint,” he said, predicting that the epidemic will result in permanent changes in cleaning and screening procedures that will make aircraft and airports safer.

5 Ways to Support Small Businesses from Home During the Pandemic

Courtesy Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

Small businesses are really hurting during this time of isolation. Here are five simple and safe ways you can help support them so that they’ll still be there for you when the pandemic is over. (And remember — the best way you can help small business is by staying home, so that we can end this isolation period faster.)

The post Protecting Yourself from Disinformation appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Ed Boitano on Vancouver’s Our City Tonight

Ed Boitano — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 17:45:03 +0000

T-Boy Chats with Vancouver’s Our City Tonight

By Ed Boitano

I was absolutely thrilled to be contacted by the Vancouver hit TV series, Our City Tonight, with an invitation to appear on their widely acclaimed show. It was flattering that they wanted to cover T-Boy, and even more so in that I’m a big fan of the series. The hosts and producers, Jim Gordon and Leeta Liepins, were beyond cordial, and asked me important questions regarding the genesis of T-Boy and where the site is heading as we attempt to negotiate the madness of the Covid-19 virus, and its effect on travel. The segment will air Sunday Sept 6^th & Sunday Sept 13^th on CityTV Vancouver (also seen in 9 million homes across Canada, check your TV provider). I strongly suggest that all T-Boy readers become subscribers to this remarkable series. You can access Our City Tonight a number of ways: @ourcitytonight for Instagram and FB, as well as @jimgordontv and @lifewithleeta for Instagram. Plus, OurCityTonight on YouTube.”

WATCH THE EPISODE HERE

Coronavirus and COVID-19

Tom Hanks Has ‘No Respect’ for People that Don’t Wear Masks

Tom Hanks: Shame on you if you’re not wearing a mask! PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN BAULD VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS.

Racism by Scott Woods

This Sculpture Takes the Great Barrier Reef’s Temperature

By Alex Fox; Courtesy smithsonianmag.com

‘Ocean Siren’ changes colors in real time to reflect ocean temperatures at Davies Reef, part of Australia’s ailing Great Barrier Reef

PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON DECAIRES TAYLOR

14 Airbnbs Within an Hour of a National Park

Courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler

What Life Looks Like in Countries Coming Out of Lockdown

By Terry Ward; Afar

PHOTO BY ARTHUR YEH/UNSPLASH

As some regions open up from COVID-19 restrictions, we ask citizens what the post-quarantine world looks like.

(This is a developing story.)

Which European Countries are a Go for this Summer?

A handful of European countries may be open to international travelers this summer, including Italy and Portugal. Iceland, Sweden, Greece and others also look promising.

16 Immersive Ways to (Virtually) Experience Asia

Flying: What You Need to Know

By Tariro Mzezewa via The New York Times

Airplane travel is inching back, but staying safe remains a concern. Here’s how to think about approaching a trip.

Here’s what we know about navigating air travel safely now.

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Start Meditating — Here’s Expert Advice to Get Started

Hotels Continually Improving with More Automation

Airports Eye Touchless Tech, New Cleaning Systems

PHOTO COURTESY OF SITA

Smart City Solutions for the Public Service Landscape

American Allows Passengers to Rebook Crowded Flights

Airplane Reverse Seating Plan Designed to Enhance Safety

PHOTO COURTESY OF AVIO INTERIORS

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Disinformation

Courtesy Elizabeth Stoycheff

Maritimes

Coronavirus & the Generational Divide

Contact Bill McIntyre for a copy of “Coronavirus & the Generational Divide” a 500-word column. There is no fee to publish the column.

Corona Virus Travel Updates – Live Blog

Courtesy Big 7 Travel Team

LIVE BLOG

5 Ways to Support Small Businesses from Home During the Pandemic

Courtesy Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

Experience Berlin and Its Natural Side, When You Can Visit Again

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIERRE ADENIS via VISITBERLIN

New tourism campaign is putting the focus on Berlin’s “other, slower side”: Lakes and rivers, an abundance of parks, lesser-known districts and the city’s rural surroundings.

What are We Experimenting With?

By Dr. Kathleen Allen

Covid-19 Direct Relief

DONATE to DIRECT RELIEF

Bruce Springsteen to Donald Trump: *Put on a F***ing Mask*

US president: Put on a f***ing mask

United States Not on EU’s ‘Safe’ Travel list, Diplomats Say

Courtesy Philip Blenkinsop

The countries are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay, they said.

Russia and Brazil, along with the United States, are among countries that do not make the initial “safe list.”

The Maya Ruins at Uxmal Still Have More Stories to Tell

By Elizabeth Landau; Courtesy smithsonianmag.com

The remains of a provincial capital on the Yucatan Peninsula attest to a people trying to fortify their place in the world

View of Uxmal ruins from the Great Pyramid. PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH LANDAU

Take These Steps If You’re Renting a Vacation Home During the Pandemic

Courtesy of Consumer Reports

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Maintaining Tourist Sites During COVID-19

Courtesy of Smithsonian

READ HERE

How to Stay Safe While Traveling

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG ARAGON

New TSA Rules

Exploring Japan’s Wellbeing Traditions to Inspire Post-Lockdown Restorative Travel

Beppu Onsen has several hot springs varying in color and clarity for different ailments (© JNTO)

Recreate Japan’s onsens, find mindfulness through zen meditation and shakyo, and practice the technique of kintsugi from home

Dream-Worthy Destinations to Start Planning For

Exploring These Lost Cities Is The Closest You’ll Get to Time Travel

PHOTO CREDIT: SEBASTIEN GOLDBERG via UNSPLASH

Businesses Prepare to Reopen with New Methods of Liability Waiver Collection

Handshakes, hugs and sharing pens and pencils may become things of the past. Physical contact with anyone or anything can now set off alarm bells.

As officials like to say, “statistics don’t lie.” New sales figures are up 121% in April 2020 compared to April 2019, say officials from WaiverSign.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

Working Remotely? This Webinar is for You

How to Redesign Government Work for the Future

The New York Times Will Pause Printing of Sports & Travel Sections

JetBlue CEO anticipates improvements to make travel safer

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The post Ed Boitano on Vancouver’s Our City Tonight appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Global Travel Rescue, Ruined Travel Destinations

Ed Boitano — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 23:14:21 +0000

Happy February from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated the month of February to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Gender, Age Reveal Travel Safety Concern Differences

By Bill McIntyre, Global Rescue

Gender and age drive the biggest distinction among travelers, according to results of the 2020 Annual Global Rescue Travel Safety Survey. The survey reveals unexpected travel safety concerns between the sexes and among the generations.

Men are about 50% more concerned about family travel than women. Travelers are very concerned about travel to the Middle East, but respondents between the ages of 40-59 are a third more concerned than their younger counterparts. Forty percent of travelers under age 40 believe health/medical issues are the greatest threat while touring and exploring, compared to only 29% of travelers between 40-60 years old.

More Than One Third Of Americans’ February Resolutions Involve More Traveling

Courtesy Calum McCloskey, www.10yetis.co.uk

Image by Viator

Almost two fifths of Americans have set themselves New Year’s resolutions for 2020
Slightly over one third of these cite wanting to travel more as one of their resolutions
26% of Americans not wanting to travel in 2020 say so because they are fearful
Japan, Britain and Canada most popular destinations for those wanting to travel this year

Tips from Rick Steves: Defend Yourself Against 21st-Century Travel Scams:

Courtesy USA Today

Europe is a surprisingly creative place when it comes to travel scams. Many of the most successful gambits require a naively trusting tourist, but seasoned travelers can be taken in, too. We should all be wary of the numerous subtle scams – a cabbie pads your fare, a hotel business-center computer records your password, or a waiter offers a special with a “special” increased price. But if you’re cautious and not overly trusting, you should have no problem. Here are some of the latest travel scams I’ve discovered on my travels, and how to skirt them.

7 Secret Amtrak Tips That Could Save You Money

by Ed Perkins

If you’re considering a trip on Amtrak, you could be eligible for a discount you don’t know about. Amtrak routinely gives up to 30 percent off bookings for an array of reasons, some based on status, some on when you buy, and some on short-term promotions. Here are the Amtrak tips you need to know to save money on a rail journey.

How to Avoid the Worst Seat on the Plane

Courtesy Sarah Schlichter, SmarterTravel

We’ve all been there. Make sure it never happens again with these simple tips.

From Cape Town to Kigali, Nairobi to Arusha, transformative opportunities for travelers to discover culture and connect with locals.

There is more to an African journey than watching wildlife in the wilderness – and much more to Africa as well. Timeless Africa Safaris, the boutique Cape Town, South Africa-based travel designer has made a specialty of curating Urban Safaris for travelers intrigued by the culture of the continent, with transformative opportunities.

I Accidentally Uncovered a Nationwide Scam on Airbnb

Courtesy Allie Conti

While searching for the person who grifted me in Chicago, I discovered just how easy it is for users of the short-term rental platform to get exploited.

The Swiss UNESCO World Heritage sites.

UNESCO World Heritage sites are witness to the history of the earth and humanity. Each one of these places embodies authenticity, quality and diversity across generations.

Thanks to Mother Nature and some eminent masterminds, Switzerland is home to no less than 12 wonders, a constellation of cultural and natural sites with the Biosfera Engiadina Val Müstair, the architectural works by Le Corbusier and the Jungfrau-Aletsch Region among others.

On the anniversary of the convention adopted on 16 November 1972 in Paris at the 17th General Conference of UNESCO we pay tribute in this newsletter to our Swiss wonders.

We begin with a selection of our four favorite sites with the promise of more to come in the next few months…however, if you can’t wait, feel free to visit the exhaustive list available on our website: UNESCO World Heritage sites.

7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising That Might Surprise You

Courtesy Albom Adventures

Are you wondering if a cruise holiday is right for you? While there are all the obvious benefits that come from a nearly all-inclusive vacation with a pre-planned destination itinerary, there are also many hidden benefits of cruising that might surprise you.

11 Endangered Bucket List Destinations (And How to Visit Them Responsibly)

Courtesy of Mariana Zapata, SmarterTravel

Climate change and overtourism make daily headlines now and are stark reminders that some of the most beautiful places in the world are at risk of disappearing. For many travelers, the natural response to this is “last chance tourism,” or a rush to see endangered places while they’re still here. But before writing obituaries for these endangered destinations, consider instead taking actionable steps before and during your trip to keep them from disappearing. Here are 11 at-risk destinations and what you can do to help preserve them.

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The 12 Best Places to Travel in 2020

Courtesy Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel

From Egypt to the Arctic, get inspired with this month-by-month guide.

17 Ways Flying has Changed Over the Last Decade

Courtesy Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Insider

Between the stringent security, long lines, packed-to-capacity planes, bland meals, and extra fees, flying can be stressful. However, flying today is cheaper, safer, and faster than it has ever been.

Bored of eggnog? Sick of cider? Here are nine scrumptious winter beverages to sip on from across the globe

Courtesy Lila Thulin, smithsonianmag.com

Cola de mono, or colemono is a coffee-and-cinnamon-laced spiked refreshment Chileans drink for the winter season.

In the United States, the winter months might conjure the image of a crackling fire, wrapping paper, lit candles and the taste of warm cider, eggnog or piping-hot chocolate. These libations — iced, boozy or once-a-year delicacies — reflect the culinary traditions, weather, religion and agriculture of the places they originated. Here are nine beverages that will be served at special occasions around the globe this winter.

22 Destinations that Were Ruined by Tourists Over the Past Decade

Courtesy of Ben Mack, Insider

Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

The 2010s saw more people traveling than ever before, according to The Guardian’s report on recent figures from the World Tourism Organization.
But millions upon millions of people going on adventures has put pressure on numerous destinations.
Some, like Venice, have long been affected by overtourism, but others like Dubrovnik, Croatia, are facing new challenges caused by the popularity of TV shows like “Game of Thrones.”
Here are 22 of the places we’re loving to death.

See Slideshow Here

Why You Should Visit Hamburg in 2020

From Beatles’ Hamburg anniversary, to a new 5-star hotel, to off-beat festivals and culinary stars …. 2020 is the year to visit Germany’s maritime city.

Since the opening of the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg’s new concert hall, the city has become more popular than ever. If you have not visited this northern German city, 2020 will give you even more reasons to explore this maritime city on the Elbe river, as the coming year has plenty of new discoveries in store.

Come Together – The Hamburg Beatles Experience
March 27-29

It was in 1960, when five young musicians from Liverpool first performed at Hamburg’s Indra club in St Pauli as “The Beatles”. Sixty years later, Hamburg is celebrating the world’s most recognizable band, at the sites where their career started. A weekend of concerts at Indra and Kaiserkeller – both authentic venues where the band performed – as well as other locations, will bring back music history. An interactive Beatles’ tour, exhibitions and talks with Beatles’ experts will broaden the experience. Cometogether-experience.

Ancient Jerusalem Maze-of-Tunnels Discovered

Courtesy of National Geographic

A fifth-century church has been uncovered in Jerusalem. Built to commemorate the site where Jesus is said to have cured a blind man, the sanctuary fell out of use, its roof eventually collapsed, and the ancient building over time joined the city’s vast underground realm.Unearthing the 2,000-year-old, 2,000-foot-long street that once conveyed pilgrims, merchants, and other visitors to one of the wonders of ancient Palestine: the Jewish Temple, was one the world’s most expensive archaeological projects. Choked with debris during the fiery destruction of the city by Roman forces in A.D. 70, this monumental path disappeared from view.

How to Survive Sitting on a Long Flight, According to a Physical Therapist

Courtesy Josh Ocampo, Lifehacker

I can never sit comfortably on a flight; I’ve struggled with lower back pain for years. After emerging from a long flight spent in a middle seat, I have been known to collapse on the floor of the airport like an infant that’s learning to walk.

Ancient ‘Lost City’ of the Khmer Empire Discovered in Cambodia

Courtesy Jessie Yeung, CNN

Researchers have identified the elusive ancient “lost city” of Cambodia for the first time.

Photo by Nina Hofer/Courtesy of Antiquity Publications Ltd

Mahendraparvata was one of the first capitals in the Khmer Empire, which lasted from the 9th to 15th centuries AD, but much of what we know come from inscriptions recovered from other sites. Scientists theorized that the city was located on the Phnom Kulen plateau, about 48 kilometers (about 30 miles) north of Siem Reap, but it was difficult to find evidence.

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

Americans Reveal What Makes a ‘Good Tourist’

Going abroad provides the perfect opportunity to relax and get away from the responsibilities/stresses of everyday life. Set in vacation mode, many people sometimes forget that they are a guest in another country and therefore, fail to ensure their behavior as well as actions are always respectful towards the visiting destinations local culture/customs.

12 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Courtesy SmarterTravel

The Plain of Jars, located in Central Laos, gets its name from the 2,100 tubular-shaped megalithic stone jars that were used as tombstones during the Iron Age. Photo courtesy of Jakub Hałun via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0.

This year UNESCO has added 29 new cultural sites to its World Heritage List. Here are 12 wonders to add to your bucket list.

The post Global Travel Rescue, Ruined Travel Destinations appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Travel Resolutions, Rick Steves on Travel Scams

Ed Boitano — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 04:19:11 +0000

Happy New Year from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated the year 2020 to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

More Than One Third Of Americans’ New Year’s Resolutions Involve Travelling More In 2020

Courtesy Calum McCloskey, www.10yetis.co.uk

Image by Viator

Almost two fifths of Americans have set themselves New Year’s resolutions for 2020
Slightly over one third of these cite wanting to travel more as one of their resolutions
26% of Americans not wanting to travel in 2020 say so because they are fearful
Japan, Britain and Canada most popular destinations for those wanting to travel this year

Tips from Rick Steves: Defend Yourself Against 21st-Century Travel Scams:

Courtesy USA Today

7 Secret Amtrak Tips That Could Save You Money

by Ed Perkins

How to Avoid the Worst Seat on the Plane

Courtesy Sarah Schlichter, SmarterTravel

We’ve all been there. Make sure it never happens again with these simple tips.

From Cape Town to Kigali, Nairobi to Arusha, transformative opportunities for travelers to discover culture and connect with locals.

I Accidentally Uncovered a Nationwide Scam on Airbnb

Courtesy Allie Conti

While searching for the person who grifted me in Chicago, I discovered just how easy it is for users of the short-term rental platform to get exploited.

The Swiss UNESCO World Heritage sites.

UNESCO World Heritage sites are witness to the history of the earth and humanity. Each one of these places embodies authenticity, quality and diversity across generations.

On the anniversary of the convention adopted on 16 November 1972 in Paris at the 17th General Conference of UNESCO we pay tribute in this newsletter to our Swiss wonders.

7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising That Might Surprise You

Courtesy Albom Adventures

11 Endangered Bucket List Destinations (And How to Visit Them Responsibly)

Courtesy of Mariana Zapata, SmarterTravel

Americans Reveal What Makes a ‘Good Tourist’

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

The 12 Best Places to Travel in 2020

Courtesy Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel

From Egypt to the Arctic, get inspired with this month-by-month guide.

17 Ways Flying has Changed Over the Last Decade

Courtesy Sophie-Claire Hoeller, Insider

Between the stringent security, long lines, packed-to-capacity planes, bland meals, and extra fees, flying can be stressful. However, flying today is cheaper, safer, and faster than it has ever been.

Bored of eggnog? Sick of cider? Here are nine scrumptious winter beverages to sip on from across the globe

Courtesy Lila Thulin, smithsonianmag.com

Cola de mono, or colemono is a coffee-and-cinnamon-laced spiked refreshment Chileans drink for the winter season.

22 Destinations that Were Ruined by Tourists Over the Past Decade

Courtesy of Ben Mack, Insider

Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

The 2010s saw more people traveling than ever before, according to The Guardian’s report on recent figures from the World Tourism Organization.
But millions upon millions of people going on adventures has put pressure on numerous destinations.
Some, like Venice, have long been affected by overtourism, but others like Dubrovnik, Croatia, are facing new challenges caused by the popularity of TV shows like “Game of Thrones.”
Here are 22 of the places we’re loving to death.

See Slideshow Here

Why You Should Visit Hamburg in 2020

From Beatles’ Hamburg anniversary, to a new 5-star hotel, to off-beat festivals and culinary stars …. 2020 is the year to visit Germany’s maritime city.

Come Together – The Hamburg Beatles Experience
March 27-29

Ancient Jerusalem Maze-of-Tunnels Discovered

Courtesy of National Geographic

How to Survive Sitting on a Long Flight, According to a Physical Therapist

Courtesy Josh Ocampo, Lifehacker

Ancient ‘Lost City’ of the Khmer Empire Discovered in Cambodia

Courtesy Jessie Yeung, CNN

Researchers have identified the elusive ancient “lost city” of Cambodia for the first time.

Photo by Nina Hofer/Courtesy of Antiquity Publications Ltd

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

12 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Courtesy SmarterTravel

This year UNESCO has added 29 new cultural sites to its World Heritage List. Here are 12 wonders to add to your bucket list.

The post Travel Resolutions, Rick Steves on Travel Scams appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Bologna New Year, Global Holiday Drinks

Ed Boitano — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 02:15:22 +0000

Happy Holiday Season from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated this Holiday Season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Bored of eggnog? Sick of cider? Here are nine scrumptious end-of-year beverages to sip on from across the globe

Courtesy Lila Thulin, smithsonianmag.com

Cola de mono, or colemono is a coffee-and-cinnamon-laced spiked refreshment Chileans drink for the winter season.

In the United States, the winter holidays might conjure the image of a crackling fire, wrapping paper, lit candles and the taste of warm cider, eggnog or piping-hot chocolate. These libations — iced, boozy or once-a-year delicacies — reflect the culinary traditions, weather, religion and agriculture of the places they originated. Here are nine beverages that will be served at special occasions around the globe this holiday season.

From Cape Town to Kigali, Nairobi to Arusha, transformative opportunities for travelers to discover culture and connect with locals.

Europeans’ Favourite Flight Destinations and Opinions On The USA For 2019 Revealed

Courtesy Calum McCloskey, 10 Yetis Digital

New York is the most searched-for flight destination from the UK, Germany, France and Spain
Sightseeing, food and culture amongst the top things most enjoyed by Europeans visiting the States
French, German and UK residents cited ‘the people’ as their least favourite part of travelling to America

The data was collated by the team at flight-comparison site www.us.jetcost.com, who looked at flight searches for 2019 conducted by residents of the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and France (an even 25% split amongst the four countries).

I Accidentally Uncovered a Nationwide Scam on Airbnb

Courtesy Allie Conti

While searching for the person who grifted me in Chicago, I discovered just how easy it is for users of the short-term rental platform to get exploited.

The Swiss UNESCO World Heritage sites.

UNESCO World Heritage sites are witness to the history of the earth and humanity. Each one of these places embodies authenticity, quality and diversity across generations.

On the anniversary of the convention adopted on 16 November 1972 in Paris at the 17th General Conference of UNESCO we pay tribute in this newsletter to our Swiss wonders.

7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising That Might Surprise You

Courtesy Albom Adventures

Could Nuclear-Powered Ships Help the Industry Meet the 2050 Emissions Target?

Courtesy Lloyd’s Register

Nuclear power as a fuel for ships is a completely zero-emission solution – it does not emit any SOx, NOx, CO2 or particulates. The technology is also millions of times more power-dense than fossil fuels and alternative fuel options that are currently being considered like methanol, ammonia and hydrogen. In terms of meeting the IMO’s 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction ambition, it’s the only proven solution available today, capable of replacing fossil fuels in all marine applications.

The Middle Seat Is About to Get Wider on Some Planes

(CNN) — It is a truth universally acknowledged that middle seats on airplanes are the worst.Being awkwardly sandwiched in between two people while fighting for elbow room is the bane of most passengers. Now a new design might actually make people want the middle seat — or at least make the travel experience less miserable. The S1 design from the Colorado-based startup, Molon Labe Seating, features three economy seats in a staggered layout, putting the middle seat slightly behind the aisle and window seats, and at a slightly lower height.

11 Endangered Bucket List Destinations (And How to Visit Them Responsibly)

Courtesy of Mariana Zapata, SmarterTravel

How to Survive Sitting on a Long Flight, According to a Physical Therapist

Courtesy Josh Ocampo, Lifehacker

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

The Worst Seats on a Plane (And How to Avoid Them)

Courtesy Sarah Schlichter

You’re crammed into a middle seat at the back of an airplane, with neighbors encroaching on your armrests and an endless chorus of flushing sounds from the lavatory nearby. Alas, you’re stuck in one of the worst seats on a plane, and you have to ask: How did you end up here, and how can you make sure it never happens again?

Seat selection can make a huge difference in how comfortable you are in flight, especially on long international trips. I interviewed an expert to help identify the worst airplane seats and explain how you can land yourself a betterlast-cha spot on your next flight.

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

Global Rescue’s Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers

Courtesy Global Rescue

Photo courtesy of Martin Kosich/Global Rescue

“Shoppers are flooded with holiday promotions,” said Harding Bush, former Navy SEAL and associate manager of operations at Global Rescue. “But the Global Rescue Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers is the only one compiled through the recommendations of our members and staff of travel experts and military special forces veterans all of whom are among the most experienced when it comes to the excitement of travel and necessity for preparation.”

New Year’s Eve in Bologna

Courtesy Alice Brignani, Bologna Welcome

Photo courtesy of Bologna Welcome

“Bologna dances for the festive season” (Bologna Balla per le feste) from dances in the streets to fine-art videomapping on historical buildings featuring the best dance scenes in the history of cinema.

22 Destinations that Were Ruined by Tourists Over the Past Decade

Courtesy of Ben Mack, Insider

Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0

The 2010s saw more people traveling than ever before, according to The Guardian’s report on recent figures from the World Tourism Organization.
But millions upon millions of people going on adventures has put pressure on numerous destinations.
Some, like Venice, have long been affected by overtourism, but others like Dubrovnik, Croatia, are facing new challenges caused by the popularity of TV shows like “Game of Thrones.”
Here are 22 of the places we’re loving to death.

See Slideshow Here

Why You Should Visit Hamburg in 2020

From Beatles’ Hamburg anniversary, to a new 5-star hotel, to off-beat festivals and culinary stars …. 2020 is the year to visit Germany’s maritime city.

Come Together – The Hamburg Beatles Experience
March 27-29

Ancient Jerusalem Maze-of-Tunnels Discovered

Courtesy of National Geographic

Ancient ‘Lost City’ of the Khmer Empire Discovered in Cambodia

Courtesy Jessie Yeung, CNN

Researchers have identified the elusive ancient “lost city” of Cambodia for the first time.

Photo by Nina Hofer/Courtesy of Antiquity Publications Ltd

Americans Reveal What Makes a ‘Good Tourist’

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

Dodging Sticky Fingers: How to Outfox Pickpockets

By Rick Steves, Tribune Content Agency

I don’t give much thought to petty crime when I travel abroad. I’m well aware that it happens: I’ve been preaching about the importance of wearing a money belt for decades. And for decades — probably about a total of 4,000 days of travel — I’ve never been hit by a thief. Well, my happy streak finally ended: I was pickpocketed in Paris this summer.

One in 11 Americans Has Gone On Vacation Without Their Partner Knowing

Photo by Deb Roskamp

9% of Americans have been on vacation without their partner and lied to them about it
Main reasons are to go with friends, drink more heavily and to have a break from each other
More than two fifths got found out by their partner; one in five broke up as a result
One in ten Americans have cheated on their partner whilst on vacation

Number of European 5-star hotels have doubled in three years
Asia’s star is rising with almost 5.000 new star hotels in three years
Falling stars in the United States: decline in 5-star hotels

Half of the world’s star rated hotels are located in Europe.

12 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Courtesy SmarterTravel

This year UNESCO has added 29 new cultural sites to its World Heritage List. Here are 12 wonders to add to your bucket list.

Loro Parque’s World Population Clock

The Loro Parque Foundation warns that the enormous pressure of the growing population is driving animals out of their habitats. For example, it’s estimated that in Africa, before the Europeans arrived, there could have been over 29 million elephants. However, as early as 1935, the population had dropped to 10 million and now stands at less than 440,000, according to a 2012 study conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The post Bologna New Year, Global Holiday Drinks appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Three Things About Hamburg, Germany

Ed Boitano — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 11:55:57 +0000

This installment of Three Things is courtesy of Hamburg Tourist Information

1. Question: What are the fun “things” or activities that people in Hamburg do for fun?

Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Jörg Modrow

Answer:

Stroll along the Reeperbahn, have drinks and see where the Beatles perfected their craft, playing 10,000 hours on this street from 1960-62. During the holidays, you can shop at Hamburg’s many famous Christmas markets.

2. Question: What’s one thing the public probably does NOT know about Hamburg?

Answer:

Hamburg has more bridges than Amsterdam, Venice and London combined!

3. Question: What has Hamburg contributed to the world?

Answer:

The Hamburger: There are more than one theory and none is proven solely. Many believed the theory that the first hamburger originated in Hamburg as a circular cut of solid beef in a Kaiser roll with brown sauce, the so called “Rundstück warm.” Popular with sailors, they would request it upon arriving in Hamburg’s transatlantic port. When they sailed back to other destinations they brought this simple creation with them, introducing it around the glove – which, of course, included the U.S. After it went out into the world, it came back to Hamburg in a modified version, more like a meatloaf – similar to the hamburger today. Proof for this theory would be that in 1842 an American cookbook published a recipe of a ground beef patty under the name Hamburger Steak.

Nivea Crème (Beiersdorf): NIVEA is one of the world’s most trusted skincare brands. It all began in Hamburg in 1911, when the pharmacist and visionary entrepreneur Dr. Oscar Troplowitz recognized the potential in Eucerit, an emulsifier developed by the chemist Dr. Isaac Lifschütz. Eucerit made it possible to bind water and oil into a stable cream, and was first intended for use in the medical field. Dermatologist Prof. Paul Gerson Unna appreciated Dr. Lifschütz’s expertise in his field and introduced him to Dr. Troplowitz, who immediately recognized that the water-in-oil emulsion would make the perfect basis for a cosmetic skin cream. All it needed now was a name. To find it, Dr. Troplowitz didn’t need to look any further than the cream itself. Inspired by its snow-white colour, he called it NIVEA – a name derived from the Latin words nix (snow) and nivis (of snow). Finally, the years of research and creativity had paid off. In December of 1911, NIVEA was launched. Since then, Hamburg has always been the site of the headquarter of Beiersdorf and the biggest production site for the NIVEA crème.

Modern Television: Manfred von Ardenne from Hamburg came up with the idea of using a fast flying spot generated by the Braun tube for scanning images. On Christmas Eve 1930 he achieved the first all-electronic television transmissions with Braun tubes at the transmitter and at the receive. At the 1931 Berlin Broadcasting Trade Fair, Manfred von Ardenne presented his all-electronic television transmissions to the public. According to Walter Bruch, the inventor of colour television, that event was the world premiere of today’s TV technology with electron beams. The year 1931 marks the beginning of today’s electronic television sets.

Cruise Shipping: Hapag-lloyd is one of the largest container shipping companies with strong relations to the Americas. Hapag-Lloyd AG was formed 1970 as a result of the merger of Hamburg-Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft (Hapag) and North German Lloyd (NDL). But the origins of these shipping lines go back much further: Hapag was founded in Hamburg in 1847 by local merchants and NDL in Bremen in 1857. The lines initially carried mainly European emigrants eager to start a new life in America. The relationship between Hapag and NDL was for a long time something special, for while they were competitors, from the 19th century onwards, they both repeatedly established joint ventures. Under its Director-General Albert Ballin (1857-1918), who is also credited with having invented the cruise, Hapag rose to the top of the world shipping sector around the turn of the century in terms of tonnage, while NDL became the shipping line carrying the largest number of passengers.

Tesa Film: Tesa’s success story begins with the unsuccessful development of an adhesive bandage. Paul C. Beiersdorf, a pharmacist, was at work on the bandage when Dr. Oscar Troplowitz took over the lab from the company’s founder in 1890. The bandage adhered excellently, but was irritating to skin. Troplowitz made a virtue of necessity and, in 1896, launched the first technical adhesive tape. Today Tesa is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of self-adhesive product and system solutions for industry, professional craftsmen, and consumers.

Mont Blanc: The start of the “modern” new century had a simulating effect on inventors and craftsmen. Ingenuity and imagination helped the fountain pen to make its technical and commercial breakthrough as a writing instrument. It was a Hamburg banker, Alfred Nehemias, and a Berlin engineer, August Eberstein, together who recognized the signs of time and decided to produce simplicissimus pens. After a short period of time, Wilhelm Dziambor, Christian Lausen and later Claus Johannes Voss took over the business and thus laid the foundation for the future internationally successful company Montblanc based in Hamburg.

Dynamite: Even though Alfred Nobel came from Sweden, he did the invention in Hamburg in 1866.

The post Three Things About Hamburg, Germany appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Europeans’ Favourite Flight Destinations in the USA

Ed Boitano — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 07:27:21 +0000

Europeans’ Favourite Flight Destinations and Opinions On The USA For 2019 Revealed

Courtesy Calum McCloskey, 10 Yetis Digital

New York is the most searched-for flight destination from the UK, Germany, France and Spain
Sightseeing, food and culture amongst the top things most enjoyed by Europeans visiting the States
French, German and UK residents cited ‘the people’ as their least favourite part of travelling to America

I Accidentally Uncovered a Nationwide Scam on Airbnb

Courtesy Allie Conti

While searching for the person who grifted me in Chicago, I discovered just how easy it is for users of the short-term rental platform to get exploited.

The Swiss UNESCO World Heritage sites.

UNESCO World Heritage sites are witness to the history of the earth and humanity. Each one of these places embodies authenticity, quality and diversity across generations.

On the anniversary of the convention adopted on 16 November 1972 in Paris at the 17th General Conference of UNESCO we pay tribute in this newsletter to our Swiss wonders.

7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising That Might Surprise You

Courtesy Albom Adventures

Could Nuclear-Powered Ships Help the Industry Meet the 2050 Emissions Target?

Courtesy Lloyd’s Register

The Middle Seat Is About to Get Wider on Some Planes

11 Endangered Bucket List Destinations (And How to Visit Them Responsibly)

Courtesy of Mariana Zapata, SmarterTravel

How to Survive Sitting on a Long Flight, According to a Physical Therapist

Courtesy Josh Ocampo, Lifehacker

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel

The Worst Seats on a Plane (And How to Avoid Them)

Courtesy Sarah Schlichter

Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.

Happy Holiday Season from the Staff at Traveling Boy

We have designated this Holiday Season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.

Why You Should Visit Hamburg in 2020

From Beatles’ Hamburg anniversary, to a new 5-star hotel, to off-beat festivals and culinary stars …. 2020 is the year to visit Germany’s maritime city.

Come Together – The Hamburg Beatles Experience
March 27-29

Ancient Jerusalem Maze-of-Tunnels Discovered

Courtesy of National Geographic

Ancient ‘Lost City’ of the Khmer Empire Discovered in Cambodia

Courtesy Jessie Yeung, CNN

Researchers have identified the elusive ancient “lost city” of Cambodia for the first time.

Photo by Nina Hofer/Courtesy of Antiquity Publications Ltd

Americans Reveal What Makes a ‘Good Tourist’

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.

Dodging Sticky Fingers: How to Outfox Pickpockets

By Rick Steves, Tribune Content Agency

One in 11 Americans Has Gone On Vacation Without Their Partner Knowing

Photograph by Deb Roskamp

9% of Americans have been on vacation without their partner and lied to them about it
Main reasons are to go with friends, drink more heavily and to have a break from each other
More than two fifths got found out by their partner; one in five broke up as a result
One in ten Americans have cheated on their partner whilst on vacation

Number of European 5-star hotels have doubled in three years
Asia’s star is rising with almost 5.000 new star hotels in three years
Falling stars in the United States: decline in 5-star hotels

Half of the world’s star rated hotels are located in Europe.

12 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Courtesy SmarterTravel

This year UNESCO has added 29 new cultural sites to its World Heritage List. Here are 12 wonders to add to your bucket list.

Loro Parque’s World Population Clock

The post Europeans’ Favourite Flight Destinations in the USA appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Splendid Hamburg

Ruth J. Katz — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 05:30:41 +0000

In the 1955 film Daddy Long Legs, the actress Leslie Caron, playing a teenage waif in an orphanage, is plucked out of her drab milieu and introduced to a posh life, where she can have just about anything. What she asks for is an “‘amburger with chocolate sauce,” homing in on the most tasteful delicacy she can imagine. Many would still agree that a hamburger slakes a hunger, any time, any place. And where might that hamburger have come from originally? Why, of course, the city of Hamburg, Germany.

Hamburg rooftops — old warehouses, new high-rises, and solar panels. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Cluster Ern. Energien

But that is not all the remarkably charming city has given us. It is Karl Lagerfeld’s birthplace, the home of Jil Sander, and corporate headquarters for Wempe Jewelers, Nivea face emollients, and Mont Blanc, makers of fine writing implements and luxury goods. The second-largest city in Germany, Hamburg is a verdant (bucolic parks weave through the city) and historic Hanseatic metropolis, and — you may be surprised to learn this — the city can claim more bridges than Venice. Germany’s second-largest and arguably its wealthiest city has countless reasons to be on your bucket list. Here are just eight:

The Elbphilharmonie in the shadow of Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 in the Hamburg harbor. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Jörg Modrow

The Elbphilharmonie, Hafencity, and the warehouse district/Speicherstadt. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Andreas Vallbracht

The Extraordinary Elbphilharmonie: The Elphi, sobriquet of the new, astonishing concert hall, opened January, 2017, after much Sturm und Drang. Originally conceived in the early part of the century, it was to have been finished in 2010 at an estimated cost of €241. Not. Construction concluded in October, 2016, at the cost was €789 million, but for my money (and, yes, I know, I am not a local taxpayer), it was worth every cent. Having visited it twice for two very different concerts, I found the acoustics remarkable, the design mind-boggling, and the experience overwhelming. The undulating, entry “tube” housing the longest escalator in Europe — nearly 300 feet — transports guests to the marvelously asymmetric, organically flowing hallways and tiers of the hall proper. Conceived by Swiss architecture firm Herzog and de Meuron — and with rich sound engineered by acclaimed Japanese acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota — it is perched on the Elbe River, surrounded by a watery perimeter.

The interior of the Elbphilharmonie. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Geheimtipp Hamburg

The lower levels are red brick, vestiges of warehouses that up until 1902 were repositories for cocoa, tea, and tobacco. With both curvilinear and rectilinear lines in its silhouette, the panels of glass on the upper floors reflect the water and skyline. Inside, the main concert hall seats 2,100 (with a 4,765-pipe organ!); a smaller recital hall, 500; additionally, there are countless terraces for viewing the stunning panoramas, several restaurants and bars, and capacious open space. The promenade is open to the public and it’s a wonderful spot to simply sit and contemplate the always busy harbor.

LEFT: The exterior of the Ballettzentrum Hamburg. RIGHT: John Neumeier School and a toe-shoe storeroom in the school. Photos courtesy of author

More Music: Hamburg was a hangout and showcase for the shaggy-haired Liverpudlians in the early 60s (and there is even a Beatles music tour), before their famed Ed Sullivan appearance. Today, it ranks third in the world, after New York and London, for musical theater. “Rocky” previewed here and currently, “Aladdin,” “Kinky Boots,” “The Lion King,” and “Mary Poppins” are huge hits. The musical scene is rife with jazz clubs, alternate performance venues, the Hamburg State Opera, and after-hours boites. And if ballet is your passion, the highly regarded Hamburg Ballet (along with its school, Ballettzentrum Hamburg – John Neumeier) should not be missed.

The Speicherstadt district, with its many canal bridges and picturesque, restored warehouses. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Thomas Hampel

Rooftops of historic warehouses in the Speicherstadt district. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Spahrbier

The Port and Waterways: Hamburg is considered the third-largest port in Europe after Rotterdam and Antwerp, and its waterways, thanks to the Elbe River, are labyrinthine. Not to mention, there is also water, water, everywhere, thanks to both the Inner and Outer Lake Alster, which are both pleasant places for an afternoon sail. Nearly a dozen companies offer boat tours weaving around the harbor and the old warehouse areas, the Speicherstadt, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015; here, 19th-century red-brick warehouses, on the periphery of endless ribbons of canals, have been transformed into trendy boutiques and cafes.

The Blue Port Night (2017) during Cruise Days in the Speicherstadt, the historic warehouse district, with the Elphi in the background. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Lietzmann

An atmospheric “nighttime lights” tour at dusk is a delight. If you are ambitious, the Fischmarkt is a Sunday morning (5 a.m. until about 9 a.m.) experience, featuring much more than fish — souvenirs, clothing, fruit, produce, and tschotschkes; it has been the go-to place for fish since the early 18th-century. And, if you want a local souvenir — a woven market basket — you can buy ten Euros’ worth of fruit and it will be packed up in a handsome basket, with “Hamburg” spelled out on one side.

The Dahlia Garden (Dahliengarten): What a hidden gem, with 14,000 blooms that grace the city from mid-spring until the October frosts. Riots of color have been exploding all over this People’s Park (Volkspark) since 1920. With over 400 species of dahlias, it is a photographer’s and horticulturist’s delight… and entry is free.

The traditional Christmas market in the plaza of the town hall, the Rathaus. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Jörg Modrow

The Majestic Town Hall (Rathaus) and the festive Christmas markets: Hamburg has several holiday markets, and its most charming is the Weihnachtsmarkt, in the shadow of Town Hall; if you have time for one market only, this should be your destination. Germany offers some of the most delightful Christmas markets in Europe, where the tradition of outdoor holiday fairs is more than four hundred years old. Steeped in custom and dazzling in presentation — horse-drawn carriages ambling through cobbled streets, glittering lights, intoxicating aromas, engaging entertainers — Germany’s markets are worth a special trip and they usually start with Advent.

Museums abound in Hamburg: TOP – The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (Arts and Crafts Museum); BOTTOM – the BallinStadt Emigration Museum. Photos courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de

Museums: While the city can boast some 50 museums — including one dedicated to Johannes Brahms, one that showcases erotic art, another known as Spicy’s (a museum chronicling the global space trade), a children’s museum, and several port/maritime/naval/nautical museums — these two are a must: Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (Museum of Art and Crafts) has extensive collections of everything from faïence to fashion, including period rooms, vast photography archives, and a world-renowned collection of musical instruments; Hamburger Kunsthalle is one of the largest museums in Germany, and covers seven centuries of European art with outstanding works represented in every era (including Manet’s Nana), from the Middle Ages (countless, priceless Old Masters) to post-1950 Pop Art. Additionally, the BallinStadt Emigration Museum should also be on your hit list. Starting mid-19th century and lasting nearly a hundred years, some five million emigrants fled Europe from Hamburg. In 1899, Albert Ballin became the CEO of the Hapag company (today Hapag-Lloyd, a freight shipper), and this museum reflects the many buildings he erected as an emigration community, where those departing Europe “killed” time, getting ready for their journeys.

A replica of the Hamburg docks catering to tourist sightseeing boats in Miniature World. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de

Miniature World (Miniatur Wunderland): Billed as the world’s largest model railway, this attraction (75,000 square feet, spread out on several floors) features nine different, intricate railway systems, including those of Austria, Italy, the States, and diverse German systems. The longest train is nearly 50 feet, and in total, there are 10,000 rail cars on 50,000 feet of track. The topography is dotted with nearly a quarter-million “people.” The craftsmanship is heartbreakingly detailed requiring perspicacious study; periodically the room lights dim, so that the train tableaux can be illuminated with nighttime lights, rendering an entirely different scenic panorama of the models. Expect gaggles of children here, as it is really a museum for the young, but any curious adult, especially a rail aficionado, is likely to be delighted with these models.

The upscale Europa-Passage shopping. Photo courtesy of mediaserver.hamburg.de / Christian Spahrbier

Cafes and Shops: Hamburg has no dearth of high-end luxury designers and internationally celebrated boutiques, but look for local specialty shops, like Läderach Chocolates with sheets of appetizing confections, sprinkled with nuts and fruits. Bethge Stationery has elegant papers, handsome writing implements, and stunning leather goods.

Colln’s and Hilde Leiss Gallery. Photos courtesy of author

The Hilde Leiss Gallery is chockablock with fine crafts — a treasure trove of ceramics, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind wearables. For an afternoon pick-me-up that leaves Starbucks in the dust, Cölln’s is a find — gloriously tiled from floor to ceiling in colorful designs, it offers victuals that measure up to the décor, with a groaning board of patisserie-style sweets.

Where to Stay

The Hospitable Park Hyatt Hamburg

Windows on the City: Westin Hotel Hamburg

Hamburg’s Atlantic Kempinski: A Lakeside Retreat

Additional info: Hamburg Travel

The Hamburg Pass (turbopass.com/hamburg-city-pass and hamburg-card.de) is a valuable tool for visitors, providing free public transport, some museum entries, harbor and lake boat rides, and the hop-on/hop-off bus tour, among other benefits. For information in planning a trip, check out Hamburg Tourist Information

The post Splendid Hamburg appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The Hospitable Park Hyatt Hamburg

Ruth J. Katz — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 00:00:42 +0000

During my second trip to Hamburg (a city, I should parenthetically add, that has captured my heart), I had occasion to drive with a friend into the countryside, skirting decorated, half-timbered homes with elaborate thatched roofs in charming neighborhoods. A highlight of this road trip was our drive through Altes Land, the largest fruit-producing region in Northern Europe, with over 55 square miles committed to fruit; of that vastness, over 75% of the land is devoted to cultivating apple trees alone, and another 12-plus per cent to cherries.

A view of the hotel facade from across the lane. Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Hotel Hamburg

It’s no wonder that the hospitable Park Hyatt Hamburg, tucked away on a slender ribbon of a paved and cobbled lane — the tree-lined Bugenhagenstrasse — has dubbed its fine dining venue Apples. Dedicated to serving seasonal dishes, the menu boasts all manner of fruit worked into the savory and sweet fare.

Some of the delectable fare served in Apples. Photos courtesy of Park Hyatt Hotel Hamburg

And, a bonus for me: I was there during white asparagus season, so the carte was a delight for a vegetarian (I am not) and a beef-guzzler, alike. Under the guidance of chef de cuisine, Max Hohlfeld, the menu reflects local specialties tweaked with the chef’s flare as well as his own original gustatory creations. In the immaculate open kitchen, you are just as likely to watch the preparation of meat from Halligen (an island group in the North Frisan Wadden Sea), as you are to see fish from a family-owned trout farm near Hamburg, being prepared in the wood-burning oven or on the char grill. If you’d rather not have your vision fixated on the show in the kitchen, then try to snag one of the five tables on the raised “stage” along the windowed wall, overlooking Mönckebergstrasse.

The chef’s table and the bar in Apples. Photos courtesy of Park Hyatt Hotel Hamburg

If you have time to spare, savor the five- or seven-course dinner menu, which can be paired with wines; at lunch, there are both two- and three-course specials. The centerpiece of the restaurant is the 13-foot-long chef’s table, under a glamorous burnished-bronze and polished-silvery chandelier that looks like a cacophony of upside-down wine glasses and goblets. The dining room is comfortably modern, cloaked in the patina of polished cherry wood, and accented by sandstone and black granite. Additionally, there is a private dining room that can seat 24, a bucolic outdoor courtyard for drinks and light fare, a stunning bar with noteworthy Champagnes and over 40 vodkas, the library-like Park Lounge, and even a smokers’ suite.

The hotel is located in the Lavantehaus, a classic 1912 warehouse built by architects Franz Bach and Carl Bensel, and after an extensive, two-year renovation, the building’s shopping arcade opened, followed by the April, 1998, opening of the hotel itself. Occupying the top seven floors of the building, the hotel boasts 283 rooms, including 31 apartments, and a presidential suite (the largest in Hamburg, with nearly 2,500 square feet).

A typical guest room in the hotel. Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Hotel Hamburg

All rooms feature muted, soothing décor and all the amenities one would expect in a five-star property. The bathrooms answer a sybarite’s siren call, with two hand-held showers and a rain-head fixture, as well.

The serene pool in Club Olympus, the health club. Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Hotel Hamburg

The spa, Club Olympus, features a 65-foot-long pool, a sauna, a sanarium (a cross between a sauna and a steam room), whirlpool and plunge pools, solarium, gym, workout studios, massage-treatments chambers, and a beauty salon.

What more could a soul weary from “the work” of being a tourist want at the end of the day? Under the watchful eye and artful hand of general manager, Tashi Takang, a seasoned veteran of wide-ranging properties in Serbia, Istanbul, Dubai, and other far-flung destinations, the Park Hyatt Hamburg will unsparingly pamper you — spoiling you, setting the bar quite high for any other hotel. And, so, this will be a haven you’ll want to return to. I know I want to…

An apple-themed and -flavored cocktail. Photo courtesy of Park Hyatt Hotel Hamburg

The Details

Icing on the cake: On Sunday, October 14 (2018), chef de cuisine, Max Hohlfeld, is teaming up with Michelin-starred celebrity chef Achim Schwekendiek to offer an evening of extraordinary dining. The two dear friends will prepare a seven-course meal for a limited number of guests.

The post The Hospitable Park Hyatt Hamburg appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Hamburg Archives - Traveling Archive

On the Tracks with Eurail: A Personal Journey of Discovery

Kraków (Pron: Kraw-KOOF)

Selected Sites Around Kraków

Pope John Paul ll (Karol Wojtyla)

Auschwitz – Birkenau

Schindler’s Factory Museum

Wroclaw (Pron: Vra-SWOOF)

Warsaw (Pron: Var-SHAW-va)

Berlin

Hamburg

Amsterdam

WHEN YOU GO

Protecting Yourself from Disinformation

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Disinformation

Coronavirus and COVID-19

Tom Hanks Has ‘No Respect’ for People that Don’t Wear Masks

Racism by Scott Woods

This Sculpture Takes the Great Barrier Reef’s Temperature

14 Airbnbs Within an Hour of a National Park

What Life Looks Like in Countries Coming Out of Lockdown

Which European Countries are a Go for this Summer?

16 Immersive Ways to (Virtually) Experience Asia

Flying: What You Need to Know

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Start Meditating — Here’s Expert Advice to Get Started

Hotels Continually Improving with More Automation

Airports Eye Touchless Tech, New Cleaning Systems

Smart City Solutions for the Public Service Landscape

American Allows Passengers to Rebook Crowded Flights

Airplane Reverse Seating Plan Designed to Enhance Safety

CLIA: A Redefinition of the Way Cruise Shipping Operates

Maritimes

Coronavirus & the Generational Divide

Corona Virus Travel Updates – Live Blog

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo

Experience Berlin and Its Natural Side, When You Can Visit Again

What are We Experimenting With?

Covid-19 Direct Relief

Bruce Springsteen to Donald Trump: Put on a F***ing Mask

United States Not on EU’s ‘Safe’ Travel list, Diplomats Say

The Maya Ruins at Uxmal Still Have More Stories to Tell

Take These Steps If You’re Renting a Vacation Home During the Pandemic

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Maintaining Tourist Sites During COVID-19

How to Stay Safe While Traveling

New TSA Rules

Exploring Japan’s Wellbeing Traditions to Inspire Post-Lockdown Restorative Travel

Dream-Worthy Destinations to Start Planning For

Exploring These Lost Cities Is The Closest You’ll Get to Time Travel

Businesses Prepare to Reopen with New Methods of Liability Waiver Collection

Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society

Working Remotely? This Webinar is for You

How to Redesign Government Work for the Future

The New York Times Will Pause Printing of Sports & Travel Sections

JetBlue CEO anticipates improvements to make travel safer

5 Ways to Support Small Businesses from Home During the Pandemic

Ed Boitano on Vancouver’s Our City Tonight

T-Boy Chats with Vancouver’s Our City Tonight

Coronavirus and COVID-19

Tom Hanks Has ‘No Respect’ for People that Don’t Wear Masks

Racism by Scott Woods

This Sculpture Takes the Great Barrier Reef’s Temperature

14 Airbnbs Within an Hour of a National Park

What Life Looks Like in Countries Coming Out of Lockdown

Which European Countries are a Go for this Summer?

16 Immersive Ways to (Virtually) Experience Asia

Flying: What You Need to Know

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Start Meditating — Here’s Expert Advice to Get Started

Hotels Continually Improving with More Automation

Airports Eye Touchless Tech, New Cleaning Systems

Smart City Solutions for the Public Service Landscape

American Allows Passengers to Rebook Crowded Flights

Airplane Reverse Seating Plan Designed to Enhance Safety

4 Ways to Protect Yourself from Disinformation

CLIA: A Redefinition of the Way Cruise Shipping Operates

Maritimes

Coronavirus & the Generational Divide

Corona Virus Travel Updates – Live Blog

5 Ways to Support Small Businesses from Home During the Pandemic

Experience Berlin and Its Natural Side, When You Can Visit Again

What are We Experimenting With?

Bruce Springsteen to Donald Trump: *Put on a F***ing Mask*

Bruce Springsteen to Donald Trump: *Put on a F***ing Mask*