Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/torture-museums-look-at-the-dark-side-of-history/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/torture-museums-look-at-the-dark-side-of-history/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/13/torture-museums-look-at-the-dark-side-of-history/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Torture Museum
Ah, the Good Old Days, when everyone lived in a perpetual Renaissance Festival quaffing ale and shouting "Huzzah!" It must have been wonderful.

Not!

People died young, the cities were filled with rats and open sewers, and God help you if you ever got arrested. You'd be taken to a torture chamber in order to "confess" while being subjected to various imaginative torture devices, like the rack shown here in a photo courtesy Jan Mehlich. It's from the torture exhibit in the Lubuska Land Museum in Zielona Góra, Poland. A victim would be tied to it and stretched until his limbs popped out of their sockets. The spikes on the cylinder would add an extra level of agony. This museum stands out among torture museums in that many of its objects were used in the local area.

Germany was a pretty rough place back in the Bad Old Days, and this has spawned several good torture museums in the country. The biggest is the Medieval Crime Museum in Rothenburg, with 2,000 square meters of displays on torture, execution and medieval law. Nuremberg has a preserved torture chamber underneath city hall.

Italy was a rough place too, and you can find out more at the Criminal Museum in Rome, the Museo della Tortura housed in the Devil's Tower in San Gimignano and the Museum of Criminal Anthropology in Turin. The latter museum is interesting because it reflects the 19th century belief that a person's physical features, especially the shape of the skull, could show criminal proclivities. Hundreds of skulls, brains and death masks from executed criminals are on display, as well as the weapons they used in their crimes and the instruments of their demise.

Gallery: Torture Museums of the World

The gibbet displayed the rotting bodies of executed criminalsThe skull cracker removed heretical thoughtsEarly waterboarding, Inquisition Museum, LimaMask for gossips, RothenburgChain worn as punishment for cheating at gambling, Rothenburg

Continue reading Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History

Torture Museums Look At The Dark Side Of History originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 13 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimecrime preventionCrimePreventioncriminalcriminal interrogationCriminalInterrogationcriminalscriminologyEuropeEurope tourismEurope travelEuropeTourismEuropeTravelgrosshistoryinstruments of tortureInstrumentsOfTorturemedievalmiddle agesMiddleAgesoddrenaissancescarystrangestrange museumsStrangeMuseumstorturetorture instrumentstorture museumtorture museumsTortureInstrumentsTortureMuseumTortureMuseumsweirdweird museumsWeirdMuseumsSun, 13 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/10/15-palace-hotels-that-will-make-you-feel-like-royalty/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/10/15-palace-hotels-that-will-make-you-feel-like-royalty/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/10/15-palace-hotels-that-will-make-you-feel-like-royalty/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

crown Have you ever wondered what it's like to live like a king or queen? While you may not have been born into royalty, you can still live lavishly, if only for a weekend.

While five-star hotels can offer plush bedding, spacious penthouse suites, and high-class amenities, it's nothing compared to the luxurious living offered at these palace properties. Genuine artifacts from centuries ago adorn the halls, acres of lush gardens, furniture made of gold - no expense is spared at a palace hotel. Not only that, but you'll be sleeping in the same space as kings, queens, and society's most elite members once did, long ago.

Sound like fun? Before you start planning your next royal getaway, check out the gallery below.

[flickr image via CSvBibra]

Gallery: Palace Hotels From Around the World

Umaid Bhawan PalaceTaj Lake PalaceRambagh PalaceTaj Mahal PalaceCiragan Palace

Continue reading 15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty

15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-star hotels5-starHotelsaccommodationscelebritiesgalleriesluxury travelLuxuryTravelpalace hotelsPalaceHotelsphotosroyaltytaj mahalTajMahalunique hotelsUniqueHotelsSat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eight Underground Cities]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/eight-underground-cities/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/eight-underground-cities/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/eight-underground-cities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

As a rule, people generally prefer to live above ground. Whether it's claustrophobia, prohibitive construction costs, or just enjoyment of the sun, people have generally stuck with above-ground structures across the globe. In instances where above-ground cities have subterranean components, they are often public transit systems, municipal works, or just plain old sewers.
Yet every once in a while, some far-fetched city planner or wealthy tycoon will decide that the cheapest real estate is just one floor down. This gallery collects some of the most eye-popping examples of underground zoning - whether it's ancient catacombs repurposed for modern use, a billionaire's dream, or just an organic growth of cities with imposing population density, these underground creations make the Morlocks look downright shabby.

Petra

Continue reading Eight Underground Cities

Eight Underground Cities originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citiescityundergroundunderground citiesUndergroundCitiesFri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Traditional holiday beverages from around the world]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/traditional-holiday-beverages-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/traditional-holiday-beverages-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2011/11/30/traditional-holiday-beverages-from-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

holiday beveragesAmericans aren't very creative when it comes to traditional holiday beverages (do, however, look for my upcoming story on Boulder's banging mixology scene, which includes some killer contemporary winter cocktails). Historically, though, we're more of an eggnog/mulled cider/hot chocolate kind of society.

I'm not knocking our Christmas beverages of choice. Properly made, they're delicious, and certainly festive. But some countries really know how to roll when it comes to holiday imbibing (especially Latin America. One word: rum.).

Below, a compilation of some of the more interesting boozy holiday beverages from around the world that can be easily recreated in your own kitchen. Online recipes abound, and all of these are (almost) as tasty sans alcohol.

Coquito: Puerto Ricans are great because they're not afraid to embrace their love of saturated fats (lard, coconut milk, etc.) or rum. In case you've been living under a rock, coconut is the new fat du jour (read more about its health attributes here). Everything in moderation, including moderation, as I always say.

Coquito recipes vary, but in general, this rich, blended Christmas concoction is a froth of spiced rum, condensed milk, coconut milk or cream of coconut, vanilla, and spices such as cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Some versions may include ginger or ground nuts, but it's always served chilled, in a small glass. Heavy, yes, but both sexy and satisfying. Add some eggs, and you'll have ponche, the Venezuelan or Dominican version of eggnog.

Mulled wine: Variations on this warm, spiced, sugared, and otherwise enhanced wine (usually red) are served throughout Europe. There's Nordic gløgg redolent of cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and bitter orange (and perhaps a helping of aquavit). It's very similar to German glühwein made with lemon, cinnamon sticks, cardamom or ginger, and cloves; in Alsace (the French region bordering Germany), they also add vanilla bean.

In Bulgaria, greyano vino contains honey, peppercorns, and often, apple or citrus. Polish grzane wino is more of a traditional mulled wine, but they also make grzane piwo, in which mulled beer (try a Hefeweizen or Belgian ale which are lighter and sweeter) is substituted for the wine. Na zdrowie ("To your health")!

[Photo credit: Flicker user Akane86]

Continue reading Traditional holiday beverages from around the world

Traditional holiday beverages from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget-travelChristmasChristmas cocktailsChristmasCocktailscocktailscoconutcoconut milkcoconut waterCoconutMilkCoconutWaterdrinkseggnogglogggluhweinhibiscusholiday cocktailsholiday entertainingholiday punchesHolidayCocktailsHolidayEntertainingHolidayPunchesholidaysJamaicajamaica flowersJamaicaFlowerslardmulled wineMulledWinenavidadNordic foodNordicFoodpiscopisco sourPiscoSourpuerto ricoPuertoRicopunchesrosellasaturated fatSaturatedFatScandinaviaspiceswassailwineWed, 30 Nov 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghostscrapers - Top ten post-apocalyptic abandoned skyscrapers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/09/ghostscrapers-top-ten-post-apocalyptic-abandoned-skyscrapers/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/09/ghostscrapers-top-ten-post-apocalyptic-abandoned-skyscrapers/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/09/ghostscrapers-top-ten-post-apocalyptic-abandoned-skyscrapers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

abandoned skyscrapers

When city plans exceed reality, or the money dries up, or people simply leave in a mass exodus, skyscrapers vacate and slowly decay. High winds thrash through broken windows. Rats live undisturbed amongst decades old rubble. Stairways lead to doors that may never open again. The ghost of ambition's past arrives in the present like a howling specter, creating eyesores, dangerous conditions, and free housing for opportunistic urban survivalists.

These abandoned skyscrapers range from forsaken structures aborted long before their doors opened to icons from a bygone era. While a slumper like Detroit has its fair share of empty giants, even cities with tiger cub economic growth like Bangkok are not immune to the plague of creepy abandoned high-rises. South America brings vertical favelas to the list, and Poland has a tower named after a pop-culture villain. And even San Francisco, a city with a high recreational scooter to human ratio and droves of individuals who see the world just beyond the tip of their nose, has its very own abandoned skyscraper.

From North Korea to Venezuela, these structures differ in their stories and circumstance, but each is a fine glimpse at post-apocalyptic urban decay.

Gallery: Abandoned skyscrapers from around the world

Sathorn Unique in BangkokSathorn Unique balconiesSathorn UniqueMichigan Central StationMichigan Central Station

Continue reading Ghostscrapers - Top ten post-apocalyptic abandoned skyscrapers

Ghostscrapers - Top ten post-apocalyptic abandoned skyscrapers originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abandonedabandoned buildingsabandoned skyscrapersAbandonedBuildingsAbandonedSkyscrapersbangokbuffalocaracasDetroitKrakowmemphisPyongyangRyugyong HotelRyugyongHotelsan franciscoSanFranciscosao paolosao pauloSaoPaoloSaoPauloTue, 09 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Polish Spa Town That Time Forgot]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/11/the-polish-spa-town-that-time-forgot/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/11/the-polish-spa-town-that-time-forgot/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/11/the-polish-spa-town-that-time-forgot/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Polish spa town that time forgot.Set in the pine-laden Beskid Sadecki mountains in southern Poland and not far from the Slovakian border, Krynica attracts hordes of tourists. The town's long promenade is the center of action: flanked by the usual 19th-century Central European spa town Art Deco and neo-classical architecture, the promenade is frequented by water-sipping strollers, purple-haired geriatrics who like to pass out on park benches, and mustached men trying to convince passersby that they really want a photo-op with a sad-looking monkey on a chain or a depressed miniature horse. There are no backpackers or even flashpackers or jetsetters here.

Nearly all of the hordes of tourists in Krynica come to parade their diseases down the promenade, sipping the apparently healing mineral water that bubbles up from springs, and awaiting their next spa treatment. The reason? This town of 11,000 people is one of Poland's most popular heath resorts. The Polish spa town that time forgot.

How many Poles does it take to make a spa town flourish? In the case of Krynica, the answer is just one. When Jozef Dietl, the father of Polish balneology (the science of the medical application of baths) declared in 1856 that the town's natural mineral springs were curative, Krynica became the center of sanative relief for this Central European country. It's not a place for the young, or even the young at heart. The nightlife scene, for example, is mostly limited to several dancehalls, where visitors party like it's 1949.

Continue reading The Polish Spa Town That Time Forgot

The Polish Spa Town That Time Forgot originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>poland+travelpolandtravelpolish+spapolishspaMon, 11 Jul 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Remember the movie The Terminal? Robert Wladyslaw Parzelski lived it.]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/07/remember-the-terminal-robert-wladyslaw-parzelski-lived-it/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/07/remember-the-terminal-robert-wladyslaw-parzelski-lived-it/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/07/remember-the-terminal-robert-wladyslaw-parzelski-lived-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

robert wladyslaw parzelski File this one under "news of the weird." Robert Wladyslaw Parzelski was sent back to London 18 days after arriving in São Paulo on a one-way ticket ... and never leaving the airport.

The story is still unfolding, but Slate reports that Parzelski, a Polish man, traveled on a British Airways flight from London on June 17 on a one-way ticket purchased by a friend in Poland. He was to return with "two telephone sets." How, when, or why has yet to be determined.

Parleski, who spoke no Portuguese and arrived without any cash, was supposedly meeting a friend in São Paulo, but the friend never arrived, and Parzelski, like Tom Hanks in The Terminal, simply lived in the airport, subsisting on water, yogurt and cigarettes given to him by airport custodians.

When asked what he was doing, he simply replied "I'm Poland."

This story caught the attention of the Folha de São Paulo paper, where reporters began an attempt to figure out Parzelski's story.

Newspaper reporters (not authorities) finally found a doctor in São Paulo who spoke the language and was able to speak to Parleski -- sort of -- and determine that he was, in fact, "lost" inside the airport. The doctor revealed to the media that Parzelski was a father of five from Krakaw, Poland, who moved to London to work as a builder. After he was laid off, he traveled to Brazil at the behest of a Polish friend in London with the mission to return with two telephone sets. Why the telephones? Nobody is sure.

"Before embarking ... [we] spotted Parzelski enjoying a dark ale at a bar inside the departure lounge," the Folha de São Paulo wrote Wednesday.

Parzelski's story has ended, though. He left São Paulo on a Swiss Airways flight on Tuesday, bound for Zurich and then London.

[Flickr via MarkHillary of Sao Paulo airport]

Remember the movie The Terminal? Robert Wladyslaw Parzelski lived it. originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>polandrobert waladyshaw ParzelskiRobertWaladyshawParzelskisao pauloSaoPaulothe terminalTheTerminaltom hanksTomHanksThu, 07 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Incredible video: Thousands of lanterns floating over Poland]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/28/incredible-video-thousands-of-lanterns-floating-over-poland/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/28/incredible-video-thousands-of-lanterns-floating-over-poland/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/28/incredible-video-thousands-of-lanterns-floating-over-poland/#commentsFiled under: ,


11,000 Lanterns Floating Over Poland - Watch more Funny Videos

Although most Break.com videos are of people face planting and other epic fails, this video from Poland will have you staring in awe instead of wincing and turning away.

Thousands of paper lanterns filled the night sky last week in Poznan, Poland to celebrate Midsummer Night, or the shortest night of the year. The event, which was organized on Facebook, took place on a field in the city. Around 1,000 fiery orbs were released en masse around 11:30 at night, easily beating the Polish record for the largest number of lanterns released at one time. With in an hour, some 8,000 lanterns had been sent skyward.

Poland is already planning another event for next year, when they hope to beat the Guinness world record for number of lanterns released in the sky. That record is currently held by Indonesians, a title earned when 10,000 lanterns were sent soaring in Jakarta in 2009.

Incredible video: Thousands of lanterns floating over Poland originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europepaper lanternsPaperLanternspolandvideoTue, 28 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[European Travel Commission launches Facebook contest]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/20/european-travel-commission-launches-facebook-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/20/european-travel-commission-launches-facebook-contest/http://www.gadling.com/2011/06/20/european-travel-commission-launches-facebook-contest/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Facebook contestThe European Travel Commission (ETC) today announced the launch of their new social media Facebook contest entitled I Wish I Were There. Hosted on the ETC's official Facebook page, the contest will encourage fans to photoshop images of themselves in their dream European destination and then post the new photos to the ETC Facebook page to be automatically entered to win a Grand Prize trip for two to Europe.

Choosing to vacation in Austria, Croatia or Poland, the Grand Prize winning photo will be picked from the top five photos that got the greatest number of "Likes" obtained by Visit Europe Facebook fans. The national tourism organizations of Austria, Croatia or Poland are sponsoring the prize which includes hotel stays, ground transportation and cultural activities for the winner and one guest.

Continue reading European Travel Commission launches Facebook contest

European Travel Commission launches Facebook contest originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Europe Facebook contestEuropeFacebookContestFacebook ContestFacebookContestfree travel contestFreeTravelContesttravel contestTravelContestMon, 20 Jun 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Some German airports shut because of Iceland volcano]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/25/some-german-airports-shut-because-of-iceland-volcano/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/25/some-german-airports-shut-because-of-iceland-volcano/http://www.gadling.com/2011/05/25/some-german-airports-shut-because-of-iceland-volcano/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

ash, Iceland volcanoAsh from the Icelandic volcano Grimsvötn that caused hundreds of flight cancellations in the UK, Denmark, and Norway yesterday has now moved over Germany, shutting down airports in the north of the country.

Hamburg and Bremen airports are closed. Berlin airport will probably close this morning as well. At least 600 flights are expected to be affected.

Poland may also be affected today but otherwise flights in, out, and around Europe should be operating. There may be knock-on delays because of the disruption in Germany so check ahead before going to the airport.

In better news, Grimsvötn has stopped erupting. Let's hope it keeps behaving.

Have you been affected by the volcanic ash? Feel free to vent in the comments section!


[Micrograph of volcanic ash courtesy US Geological Survey]

UPDATE: (9:23 EDT) The BBC is reporting that Hamburg, Bremen, and Berlin airports have reopened. About 700 flights were cancelled.

Some German airports shut because of Iceland volcano originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 May 2011 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ariline newsArilineNewsashBerlinBremenEnglandgermanyGrimsvoetnHamburgIcelandiceland volcanoIceland volcano 2011iceland volcano flights cancelledIcelandVolcanoIcelandVolcano2011IcelandVolcanoFlightsCancelledPolandScotlandtravel newsTravelNewsUKvolcanic ashVolcanicAshvolcanovolcanoesWed, 25 May 2011 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Knocked up abroad: second trimester travel]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/27/knocked-up-abroad-second-trimester-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/27/knocked-up-abroad-second-trimester-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/27/knocked-up-abroad-second-trimester-travel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

second trimester travel
Not far along enough for second trimester travel? Read more about pregnancy in a foreign country, Turkish prenatal care, travel in the first trimester,Turkish superstitions, and foreign baby names on Knocked up abroad.

A few years ago, before the word staycation foisted itself into the travel lexicon, babymoons were all the rage. A babymoon typically referred to the last getaway for expecting parents, often a deluxe resort vacation replete with couples' massages, room service, and lots of pampering. I've spent my my pre-baby travel slightly differently, exploring post-Soviet museums before needing a stroller, eating at restaurants that have never heard of kids' menus, and learning what non-alcoholic drinks are on offer in local dive bars. Living abroad in Istanbul has also changed my short-haul destinations considerably. In the first trimester, my husband and I traveled to Kiev and Warsaw, Russia in the dead of winter, and to Frankfurt for the Christmas markets, and I don't regret having gone without the his-and-hers massages. For second trimester travel, I found Singapore to be nearly ideal: the food and shopping are epic, the street food is safe, and the people polite and helpful. Though the hotel prices and high temperatures can be hard to deal with, the Southeast Asian city-state is a nice balance of relaxation and city exploration.

Continue reading Knocked up abroad: second trimester travel

Knocked up abroad: second trimester travel originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babybabymoonbabymoonsexpectantexpectingfoodfrankfurthotinfantistanbulkievknocked up abroadKnockedUpAbroadlocalmalaysiamaternitynew york cityNewYorkCitypenangpregnancypregnantpregnant travelPregnantTravelrussiasecond trimestersecond trimester travelSecondTrimesterSecondTrimesterTravelsingaporesingapore zooSingaporeZoosnackssoutheast asiaSoutheastAsiastaycationtrimestertropicalturkeywarsawwinterzooWed, 27 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bizarre foods: European "delicacies," by country]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/16/bizarre-foods-european-delicacies-by-country/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/16/bizarre-foods-european-delicacies-by-country/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/16/bizarre-foods-european-delicacies-by-country/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

European foodsWhat constitutes "food" is relative, depending upon what part of the world you call home. In Asia, pretty much anything on no (snakes), two, four, six, or eight legs is up for grabs. Europe, however, has its own culinary oddities, as detailed below. Got maggots?

Iceland
Hákarl: Fermented, dried Greenland or basking shark. This tasty treat is prepared by burying the beheaded and gutted shark in a shallow hole in the ground for six to 12 weeks. Unsurprisingly, the end result is considered noxious to pretty much everyone on the planet aside from Icelanders.

Norway
Smalahove: Boiled lamb's head, traditionally served at Christmas. The brain is removed, and the head salted and dried before boiling. Because they're the fattiest bits, the ear and eye are eaten first. More fun than a wishbone.

Sardinia (yes, it's in Italy, but this one deserved its own listing)
Casu marzu: This sheep's milk cheese has maggots added to it during ripening, because their digestive action creates an "advanced level" of fermentation (also known as "decomposition"). Some people prefer to eat the soupy results sans critters, while the stout of heart go for the whole package. Be forewarned: according to Wikipedia, irate maggots can propel themselves for distances up to six inches. Here's fly in your eye.

Northern Sweden or Finland
Lappkok: This charmingly-named concoction consists of blodpalt--a dumpling made with reindeer blood and wheat or rye flour--served with reindeer bone marrow. Well, Santa's herd had to retire sometime.

[Photo credit: Flickr user fjords]

Continue reading Bizarre foods: European "delicacies," by country

Bizarre foods: European "delicacies," by country originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beefbizarre foodsBizarreFoodsblood puddingblood sausageBloodPuddingBloodSausagecalves foot jellyCalvesFootJellyChristmasChristmas foodsChristmasFoodsdelicaciesdonkey meatDonkeyMeatEasterEaster foodsEasterFoodsEastern EuropeEasternEuropeEuropean cuisineEuropean foodEuropeanCuisineEuropeanFoodFrench foodFrenchFoodGreek foodsGreekFoodsholiday foodsHolidayFoodshorse meatHorseMeatItalian foodItalianFoodJewish cuisineJewish foodJewishCuisineJewishFoodlamblutefiskoffalorgan meatsOrganMeatsporkreindeerreindeer meatReindeerMeatsausageScotlandsharkshark meatSharkMeatspeciality meatsSpecialityMeatsspecialty foodsSpecialtyFoodsstrange foodsStrangeFoodsvariety meatsVarietyMeatsvealweird foodsweirdest foodsWeirdestFoodsWeirdFoodsWed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warsaw, Poland: an up-and-coming European museum destination]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/16/warsaw-poland-an-up-and-coming-european-museum-destination/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/16/warsaw-poland-an-up-and-coming-european-museum-destination/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/16/warsaw-poland-an-up-and-coming-european-museum-destination/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

European museum destination
As an EU member with a good exchange rate and low prices, Poland is becoming a popular tourist destination in Eastern Europe. Most of the love goes to Krakow, with its original architecture and "new Prague" charm, but capital city Warsaw has plenty to offer as a European museum destination. While much of the old town was leveled in World War II, the restorations have been painstakingly done and the tumultuous history makes for a great basis for museum exhibitions. Like Berlin, Warsaw has embraced its past and given the visitor plenty to learn from and new investments mean state-of-the-art attractions and exhibitions.

Given all of the places to see, Warsaw could easily fill a week (or two) on a Europe trip. Here's a look at some of Warsaw's best museums.

Continue reading Warsaw, Poland: an up-and-coming European museum destination

Warsaw, Poland: an up-and-coming European museum destination originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalartistattractionattractionsberlincagescaricaturescarscastlechopinchurchescomposercutting edgeCuttingEdgeeastern europeEasternEuropeeuropeeuropeaneuropean museum destinationEuropeanMuseumDestinationexhibitionexhibitionsgardensgestapoghettohi techhigh techHighTechhistorichistoryhitechinnovativeinteractiveinternetjewishkrakowmarie curieMarieCuriemilitarymonumentmuseummuseumsmusicnazinewpraguepalacepanoramicpolandpragueprisonrisingroyalsightssightseeingsovietstalinStateOfTheArttechnologytrainstwitterup and comingUpAndCominguprisingversailleswarsawWorldWarIIzoozookeeperWed, 16 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Schengen and the disappearance of European passport stamps]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/01/old-vs-new-schengen-and-the-decline-of-european-passport-stamp/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/01/old-vs-new-schengen-and-the-decline-of-european-passport-stamp/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/01/old-vs-new-schengen-and-the-decline-of-european-passport-stamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

schengen passport
Creative new use for border crossing posts at German/Austrian border.

In the late 1980s, an American spending a summer traveling across Europe with a Eurailpass would see his or her passport stamped possibly dozens of times. With a few exceptions, every time a border was crossed, an immigration agent would pop his or her head into a train compartment, look at everyone's passports, in most cases stamp them, and move on. Every Eastern Bloc country required visas, some of which could be obtained at the border and others of which had to be applied for in advance.

Today, an American can enter the Schengen zone in Helsinki, fly to Oslo and then on to Amsterdam, proceed by train through Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland, then by bus to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, and then by ferry back to Helsinki before catching a flight to Athens and landing in Greece without once needing to submit a passport to a border guard's scrutiny.

The development of the Schengen agreement across Europe has altered the geopolitical map of the continent in many ways. For tourists, the development of the Schengen zone has simplified travel by drastically reducing the number of times a passport can be checked and stamped as national borders are crossed.

The Schengen Agreement is named after the town of Schengen in Luxembourg. It was here in 1985 that five countries-Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, West Germany, and France-signed an agreement to essentially create borderless travel between them. A model for this agreement had been created years before by the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), which eliminated border controls back in 1948. The Nordic countries also did away with internal border posts, in 1958.

In 1995, the five original Schengen countries plus Portugal and Spain inaugurated the zone. In 1997, Austria and Italy joined. Greece followed in 2000 and the five Nordic countries joined in 2001. In late 2007, nine more countries joined the Schengen zone; most recently, Switzerland signed up in 2008.

Continue reading Schengen and the disappearance of European passport stamps

Schengen and the disappearance of European passport stamps originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andorraAustriabelgiumBulgariacyprusCzech RepublicCzechRepublicdenmarkEstoniaeuropeEuropean unionEuropeanUnionfinlandfrancegermanygreeceHungaryIcelandirelanditalylatviaLiechtensteinlithuanialuxembourgmaltamonacoNetherlandsnorwaypassportsPolandportugalRomaniaSan marinoSanMarinoschengenschengen agreementSchengenAgreementSlovakiasloveniaspainswedenswitzerlandtraveloldandnewunited kingdomUnitedKingdomvaticanvisasTue, 01 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Knocked up abroad: getting pregnant in a foreign country]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/knocked-up-abroad-getting-pregnant-in-a-foreign-country/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/knocked-up-abroad-getting-pregnant-in-a-foreign-country/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/knocked-up-abroad-getting-pregnant-in-a-foreign-country/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


pregnant in a foreign country My first clue that something was different came when I woke up one night on vacation in Kiev at 3am, proceeded to eat 3 slices of toast with caviar spread, went back to bed and woke up a few hours later wondering if they made blueberry muffins in Ukraine (tragicially, they do not). That "time of the month" hadn't happened but flying tends to always mess with your body, so I didn't give it much of a thought. Since moving to Istanbul from New York in May 2010 for a work project, my husband and I take frequent trips around Eastern Europe (see my Weekending posts) and that week we spent exploring Kiev and Warsaw while Turkey celebrated Kurban Bayramı (the Muslim festival of sacrifice).

When we arrived back home in Istanbul a few days later, I dug out the Turkish pregnancy test I had purchased a few months earlier after a previous false alarm. Though the instructions were in Turkish, peeing on a stick is fairly universal, and the "POZITIF" results were hard to misinterpret. Excited and nervous to be pregnant in a foreign country, my husband and I wondered what a mountain of paperwork we'd have to provide U.S. Customs in 9 months, what the medical system in Istanbul would be like, and if we could get away with having a baby in Turkey not named in some way for Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, father of modern Turkey and namesake for millions of Turks. Being pregnant in a foreign country is the ultimate way of "going native," the most "authentic" travel experience you can have. It's also challenging, sometimes scary, and limits where you can travel, but can be a great way to discover a culture, their hospitality, and traditions.

Continue reading Knocked up abroad: getting pregnant in a foreign country

Knocked up abroad: getting pregnant in a foreign country originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abroadataturkbabybayramc-sectionchildbirthcitizencravingsculturecustomsdr. ozdr.ozenglishexpatexpectingforeignhospitalityistanbulkievKnocked UpKnockedUpknockedupabroadkurbanmaternitymuslimoprahpaperworkpolandpre-natalpregnancypregnantpregnant travelPregnantTravelPreNatalrespectsacrificesuperstitiontraditionsturkeyturkishukrainevaccinationswarsawweekendingWed, 16 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stunt cyclist climbs to top of tallest hotel in Europe in 19 minutes]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/stunt-cyclist-climbs-to-top-of-tallest-hotel-in-europe-in-19-min/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/stunt-cyclist-climbs-to-top-of-tallest-hotel-in-europe-in-19-min/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/stunt-cyclist-climbs-to-top-of-tallest-hotel-in-europe-in-19-min/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

stunt cyclist climgs hotel
It took him 19 minutes and 27 seconds today to climb to the top of the 614 foot-tall Grand Hotel Bali in the eastern Spanish resort city of Benidorm in Madrid.

Young Polish stunt cyclist Krystian Herba did not pedal but hopped up the hotel in 921 steps.

"I'm tired but very happy" Herba told the Associated Press.



Continue reading Stunt cyclist climbs to top of tallest hotel in Europe in 19 minutes

Stunt cyclist climbs to top of tallest hotel in Europe in 19 minutes originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EuropeKrystian HerbaKrystianHerbastunt cyclistStuntCyclistWed, 16 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bartender charged in murder of crew member from Allure of the Seas]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/12/bartender-charged-in-murder-of-crew-member-from-allure-of-the-se/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/12/bartender-charged-in-murder-of-crew-member-from-allure-of-the-se/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/12/bartender-charged-in-murder-of-crew-member-from-allure-of-the-se/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Bartender charged in murder of crew memberMexican authorities have charged a 24-year old national with the murder of Monika Markiewicz, a crew member aboard the Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

Ms. Markiewicz did not report back to the ship before it departed Cozumel on February 4. Her body was discovered the next day in the water off of a remote beach in Cozumel, Mexico.

Reports indicate that Markiewicz was casually acquainted with the bartender, Nelson Perez Torres, for several months and that he followed her for a period of time before killing her along the roadway on her way back to the ship.

Royal Caribbean's Global Security Department fully supported and assisted Mexican officials in their investigation.

"We thank the Mexican authorities for their commitment to quickly solving the murder of our crew member, Monika Markiewicz. Her untimely death is tragic and has saddened all of us at Royal Caribbean. We have informed Monika's family in Poland of today's news update and we will continue to be in contact with them and to support them during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Flickr photo by Mangrove Mike

Bartender charged in murder of crew member from Allure of the Seas originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cozumel MexicoCozumelMexicocruisecruise crew membercruise safetycruise vacationCruiseCrewMemberCruiseSafetyCruiseVacationMexicoRoyal Caribbean InternationalRoyalCaribbeanInternationalsafety ashoreSafetyAshoreSat, 12 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The sushi invasion of Eastern Europe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/15/the-sushi-invasion-of-eastern-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/15/the-sushi-invasion-of-eastern-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/15/the-sushi-invasion-of-eastern-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

sushi in eastern europeTraveling through Eastern Europe recently, what stood out to me the most (aside from ultra low prices and varying success with capitalism) is the extreme popularity of sushi. Particularly in Kiev and Warsaw, sushi restaurants are nearly as prolific as the national cuisine and if you find yourself in a fashionable restaurant, odds are raw fish will be on the menu.

My husband and I had differing theories as to the sushi invasion. I figured it was popular as it is the exact opposite of most Eastern European food. After many years of boiled meat, heavy sauces, and pickled vegetables, sushi must make a refreshing palate cleanser and a delicious novelty. My husband, who was born in what was then Leningrad, USSR, had a more subjective theory. He maintains it has to do with a way of thinking that is particular to post-Soviet and developing countries: after the oppression of communism, wealth and status are held in high regard; imported goods once impossible to obtain exemplify status and wealth. In other words, nothing says how far you've come from bread lines more than eating fish flown in from another country while wearing Louis Vuitton and texting on your iPhone.

In order to delve deeper into the sushi explosion, I consulted a few expats familiar with the former Eastern bloc to get their insights and found both of our theories supported.

Continue reading The sushi invasion of Eastern Europe

The sushi invasion of Eastern Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CzechRepubliceastern europeEasternEuropefoodforeign foodForeignFoodFormer Soviet UnionFormerSovietUnionfsuglobalizationkievleningradnew moneyNewMoneyoligarchoysterspolandpost sovietPostSovietpragueseafoodsoviet unionSovietUnionstatussushithaiukrainevietnamesevietnamese foodVietnameseFoodwarsawwealthWed, 15 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Q & A with Grantourismo round-the-world slow travel bloggers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/24/q-and-a-with-grantourismo-round-the-world-slow-travel-bloggers/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/24/q-and-a-with-grantourismo-round-the-world-slow-travel-bloggers/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/24/q-and-a-with-grantourismo-round-the-world-slow-travel-bloggers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lara Dunston Grantourismo travel round the world bloggersWith all the holiday travel madness just beginning, sometimes it's nice to take a breath and think about taking travel more slowly. I recently had a chance to meet up with blogger Lara Dunston and her photographer-writer husband, Terence Carter, of the round-the-world travel project and blog, Grantourismo while they were traveling through Istanbul. Lara and Terence hosted me at their fabulous terraced apartment with glasses of Turkish wine, travel chat, and views of nearby Taksim Square and the nostalgic tram.

Grantourismo is a yearlong grand tour of the globe to explore more enriching and 'authentic' (and they get how those words have been debated and abused by travel bloggers!) ways of traveling, which began in Dubai this February and will wrap up in Scotland in January. In order to slow down and immerse themselves in each place, they are staying in vacation rentals (rather than hotels) in one place for two weeks at a time.

Read on for more about their slow travel philosophy, tips about renting a holiday apartment, and how they found Austin's best tacos.

Continue reading Q & A with Grantourismo round-the-world slow travel bloggers

Q & A with Grantourismo round-the-world slow travel bloggers originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>afarapartmentartaustinaustriaauthenticbeachberlinbloggersbudapestbudgetcape townCapeTownchristmascontextcosta ricaCostaRicaculturedavid farleyDavidFarleydubaiedinburghenrichingfashionfavelafoodfrancegrand tourGrandTourgrantourismoistanbulitalyjunglekrakowlanguagelearnlearninglocalmanhattanmarketsMexicoCityMike BarishMikeBarishmonkeysmusicpenthouseportoportugalpugliarentalriosardiniascotlandskislow travelSlowTravelsnowsocial mediaSocialMediasportstreet artStreetArtsustainabletacostaksim squareTaksimSquaretokyotourstrouristtrullotwittervacation apartmentvacation rentalvacation rentalsVacationApartmentVacationRentalVacationRentalswineWed, 24 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Top ten hostels in Europe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/top-ten-hostels-in-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/top-ten-hostels-in-europe/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/25/top-ten-hostels-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



Staying in a hostel in Europe is a rite of passage for budget-conscious travelers making their way around the continent. This is particularly the case for budget-conscious younger travelers. Here are ten hostels across Europe that either receive particularly high user-review grades or are notorious enough in one or another way to be noteworthy.

St. Christopher's at the Winston, Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Winston presents itself as "an interactive museum of modern art." However it refers to itself, it is without question one of the most dynamic budget hotels in Europe, with a few hostel-style dormitory rooms on offer. It's got a restaurant on the premises and a nearby nightclub, and is aesthetically far more exciting that your average hostel.

Långholmen, Stockholm, Sweden. Ever wanted to spend the night in a prison? OK, a former prison? Långholmen is a rehabbed prison located just a stone's throw from Stockholm's supercool Södermalm nabe. Fantastic, and not as austere as you might expect.

Good Bye Lenin, Krakow, Poland. Tucked away in a corner of Krakow's history-rich Kazimierz neighborhood, Good Bye Lenin replays the aesthetics of Polish socialism in a cheery, friendly space. Very atmospheric and fun.

Balmers, Interlaken, Switzerland. In operation for over a century now, family-run Balmers is Switzerland's oldest hostel. Balmers offers dormitory rooms, private rooms, and tent accommodations. And lots of fresh air, obviously.

Meininger, London, United Kingdom. The Meininger chain of hostels can be found mostly in big cities across Germany and Austria. The London outpost, though not particularly British in spirit, is a welcome, well-scrubbed addition to London's dreary hostel scene.

Continue reading Top ten hostels in Europe

Top ten hostels in Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amsterdamAntalyaberlinCorfuflorencefrancegermanygreecehostelhostelsinterlakenitalyKrakowlondonNetherlandsolymposparisPolandStockholmswedenswitzerlandtop ten listTopTenListturkeyunited kingdomUnitedKingdomMon, 25 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST