Tag: travel tips

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Fashion Feature Travel

Can This Bag Survive?

I travel a lot. Sadly, most of my luggage does not make it. I was fond of a stylish brand, but after several broken zippers, including a trolley bag breaking at the Milan Airport. Done! Rearranging clothing in an airport is not a glamorous look! At that moment, I decided to look for a new travel bag label.  

My criterial: Durability, and of course it has to look nice. But I think I will place an emphasis on strength. Are the bag’s compements able to hold up during travel? Cheap, plastic components could mean trouble somewhere.

My first question to the Thule of Sweden team at Pitti Uomo in Florence, “What is the guarantee for a check in trolley?” When he said 4 years, the state of surprise on my face was noticeable. I scanned the brands website. Luggage is listed as “limited lifetime”. After a quick recovery, he showed me the new product line. (See Video) A number of details distinguish the luggage include,  contrasting interior and the minimal Scandinavian exterior design. The design leans more on the masculine side. The subterra bag duffel bag comes in an unique square but tubular shape.

Interior with Shirt Press feature 
Soft, Semi Hard, and Hard bags

The logo branding on the shell, was something I had to think about. I am not a fan of overt labels but if the quality is in the product, I can live with it.

Along with luggage, available are: Back packs and check in luggage.

I have not tested the Thule brand. I may try it. Can their bag survive flying around from one fashion week to another? Then a bus, then a train? Stay Tuned. 

Images and video sponsored by Canon Deutschland.

Categories
Travel

9.99 Or Bust!

Why do we suffer for a 9.99 ticket from an airline that treats people like more like cattle than customers?  We are cheap.  

I have traveled the low cast airline many times.  Now, I’m inspired to write about why I suffer but still find myself in the terminal waiting.  Stay Tuned. 

Categories
Feature Travel

Montmartre Stroll

Just walk, enjoy.

Montmartre is the romantic Parisian neighborhood on the hill with many local establishments, but what I like are the food stores. The display of goodies of all kinds are heavenly! For me, a casual stroll turns into a wonderland of food spotting, “gastronomic inspiration” through a window S’il vous plait? What is that? I want to try a bit. It looks delicious.

  • Cheese Store
  • Asian Food
  • A small cafe
  • Fish

Even with a throng of tourist making their way up or down the streets, a rewarding time is to be had for those who love gastronomy.

Making the experience more memorable, I stopped in front of a shop window admiring the prepared delights. I was about to walk away when a patron said, “This is the best bakery in the area. Give it try.” Judging by the line in the small space I had to suppose he was right. The problem. What did I want? Hot or cold? Sweet or savory? I decided on sweet for later with coffee, strawberry pastry with whip cream and of course, some macrons. I am not sure how it happened, but,, the pastry managed to make its way back to my hotel for coffee. The delight did not disappoint. The whipped cream had melted, taking away some aesthetic points, but I enjoyed every sweet bite.

  • Strawberry Delight 
  • Quiche
  • Berry, Berry Good

Sadly, I do not know the name of the bakery. If you are on a Rue Lepic, it is on the left side, going down, look for the Moulin Rouge at the bottom on Blvd Clichy. A flower shop and fish store are next door. There is no place to sit, as I said, it is a small, 25 meters, the establishment does not offer cafes, to my shock! Just go in and buy. If you use a credit card, the minimum is 10 euros.

Categories
Travel

All in One Travel Experience

The Franconia region of Southern Germany is worth exploring, offering an array of travel experiences. For the outdoor sports enthusiasts, mountain hiking to the top is rewarded with 100 km landscape vistas.

If history is your passion, top recommendation is exploring the many historical cities of Wurzburg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, and Ansbach.

Wurzburg

Main Bridge to City Centre

Wurzburg is a romantic picturesque city of 120.000 on the river Main with spectacular Catholiccathedrals.While walking over the Old Main Bridge with its lined with statues, I was reminded of an intimate Prague.

Main Bridge

The Wurzburg Residence in the city center is a splendid example of German Baroque style. For eye sweeping views of the city, climb the hill where the Marienberg Fortress is located.

Bamberg

Bamberg is a smaller city of 70.000 centered around a hill on the banks of the river Regnitz. A large portion of the historic community is a UNESCO heritage site. City Hall sits on an island in the middle of the river. The 13thcentury religious monument, Bamberg Cathedral overlooks the city from the hilltop.

Rothenburg

The animated city of Rothenburg, founded in 1535, is a living Disneyland of  preserved history. Behind medievalwalls sits buildings resembling an American amusement park. I have no doubt the Universal Studios team was here. Walking along the cobble stone roads, looking into shops in the historic center made me feel a bit “touristic”.

Kathe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas shop is a “must go”. An Ikea type labyrinth of Christmas decorations of every shape, size, and color topped by a 4 meter high Christmas tree, then an equally high Christmas Pyramid. The store is enchanting while beyond kitsch, especially in July!

Ansbach

The best reason to visit Baroque city of Ansbach is the joy of the Ansbacher Garden. Simply Gorgeous! The Middle Evil is small, 40,000 inhabitants, but punches above its size with many beautiful monuments, start exploring from the Martin Luther Square.

Beer or Wine?

The Franconia area of Bavaria is split in two parts: Uppper Beer lands, Lower Wine lands. During the warm months there are many local festivals and tastings.  A blessing but make sure you have a designated driver.

Ansbach and Bamberg are situated in Beer territory, look for Kellers serving .5 liter ceremic beer mugs.

Bocksbeutel Bootle

Wurzburg and Rothenburg are located in Wine country along with the unique Bocksbeutel bottle.

Sidenote:  I forgot my camera for part of the journey. Why?  I was a bit hungover from the wine and beer tastings, so I for got to charge the battery.  Even after the 600 meter hike, the first stop was a beer keller. When in ROME! 

Categories
Travel

ITB Berlin

Indian dancers. ITB 2017 (International Travel). Berlin 09.03.2017.

Where to go for a holiday in 2017? A obscure beach in South America.  A new museum opening.   Black and Paper covered the ITB, the world’s largest travel fair,  in Berlin to gain insight on the latest travel and holiday trends.   Stay tuned for all the news and tips on vacation destinations that can turn your next holiday into an experience of a lifetime.

Images by Vladimir Sichov. 

Categories
Travel

Travel Tips 2017 from the ITB

Full length shot of a rhinoceros in the wildhttp://195.154.178.81/DATA/i_collage/pi/shoots/806309.jpg

Looking for your next travel destination, ITB Berlin 2017 opens on Wednesday.  Black and Paper will report on latest trends in travel, whether you are looking for the best beaches, the most romantic hotels, or the coolest city festivals, and newest cultural offerings.

The official partner country this year is Botswana. The Southern African country introduces itself to global tourist as a country instituting sustainable, eco-tourism.  With its bio-diversity, Botswana new conversation activities include a new Defense Force for countering poachers and an active wildlife preservation programs.  Botswana is celebrating its 50th anniversary, welcoming tourist from all walks to experience a trip of a lifetime.

Highlights in Botswana:

Okavango Delta

Moremi Game Reserve

Tuli Block

The Makgadikgadi

Nata River Delta December to April for the flamingos.

For more information go to:

www.botswanatourism.co.bw

Stay tuned for updates from the ITB.

Categories
Travel

Surf’s Up

The Baltic Coast of Germany is known for the historic trade of the Hansa League, a federation of shipping states that controlled commerce from Russia to England, historical references are everywhere.

However, the past is not the only thing on offer in the region, if you are searching for something more modern, sexy, and active like a bit of surfing this is the place. Kitsurfing is a popular recreation because of the strong wind conditions with young and old hitting the surf in the afternoons.  These guys and ladies move over the water at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.

Many schools, rental shops, and clubs dot the coastline.