Exploring the cultural city offerings on my staycation. Still inspired and strolling around the city. It’s easy to see why Weimar has appeal. On the second day, I saw the dramatic and elegant.
For my first travel in the New Normal I decided on a staycation. As if I had a choice. Nothing is flying these days. Where to go? The city of Weimar, located in Thuringia, a 3 hour drive from Berlin. I knew little about the city.
Classy, compact, and elegant the former Grand Duchy Capital is a Unesco Heritage Site. A centre for culture for 2 centuries, many German intellectuals called Weimar home. The giants in the city mythology are writer Goethe, poet Schiller and composer Liszt. Each man contributed to the Artistic and Intellectual Movements of the 19thcentury. The Weimar Republic period of Germany started here with a 1918 Congress declaring the country a republic after World War 1.
The uproar the early 20th century produced the Bauhaus Art School headed by Gropius and Kandinsky. (Stay Tuned for the feature on the new Bauhaus Museum).
It is easy to fall for the charm of Weimar form its small square to strolling the parks and small cobblestone streets. Mercifully, the center was spared bombings during World War 2 and the cheap architecture of the Communist regime.
Arriving not expecting much. Sometimes it’s nice to be proven very wrong. Casual, not overloaded, take time to enjoy Weimar. There are many museums and exhibits. Or just take a stroll. On my stroll meter: 8.
More coverage coming.
The first time I visited Prague in 1997, it was a city still waking up from years of Communist rule. I managed to cross The Charles Bridge many times both day and night. Walking up to the Prague Castle to get pictures standing overlooking the River was easy.
My first day I met locals who showed me around, took me to real basement bars. Hanging around, talking to Czechs about everything and how proud they were of the future.
2019, my first visit after 22 years. Reading as a destination, Prague joined the list of “Over-touristed Cities” with Barcelona and Venice. I could not imagine the level of visitors, 8.6 million tourists for a city with a population of 2.6 million. At times I had to wonder if I am a part of the too many tourist problem.
Walking across the same bridge, waiting in line for Space Mountain is simpler. Navigating through the Medieval passages, a tuna in a can has more space. The Old Town Square evolved into a cheap tourist trap selling overpriced souvenirs and hawkers.
If you want to be near the Prague Clock at striking time. If personal space is not an issue, get there early.
A restaurant within a 20 minute walk of the center requires a reservation after 5pm.
My advice: Be Prepared. Be Patient.
I like Prague. A place that retains a very unique charm. Not as Imperial or Grand as other European destinations, the capital city is intimate. After walking around during 3 cloudy days I can understand a bit of Kafka’s melancholy crisis. The city lacks the feeling of optimism, instead an outward feeling of the serious side of life is everywhere.
I took pleasure walking around. I looked up to see a statues on buildings or an ornate facades: Gothic, Romantic, Post Modern, Art Nouveau. Each style is represented along the the streets from District 1 to 5.
Once a part of the Austrian Empire, the coffee culture continues to influence the mid day social life. Stylized cafes in the center still buzz with locales and visitors having cake and drinks. One day we went to 3 houses, each one different.
I recommend visiting Prague. As a travel destination, it is enchanting.
The last days of August and summer. It’s never too late to get the right bathing suit for a last minute trip to the beach. Maybe in September there will be good weather. If not, there is always a pool. We cannot guarantee they are as soothing as the ones at the Aqualux Hotel.
Picture 1. Cautisana Vasile Vladut wears Robinson Les Bains
Picture 2. Simone Clementi wears Robinson Les Bains
Picture 3. Sergio Cavaglieri wears RRD
Picture 3 Sergio Cavaglieri wears RRD
Picture 1. Sergio Cavaglieri wears Ron Dorf
Picture 2. Simone Clement wears Robinson Les Bains
Picture 3. Cautisanu Vasile Vladut wears Ron Dorf
Photographer-Ivan Siggillino, Assistant-Simone Toson, Make Up and Hair by Lorena Palmieri
Shot at the Aqualux Hotel,Bordolino, on the shore of Lake Garda Italy.
What is a holiday in Italy or France without food? Resisting was futile. Good food should be enjoyed! The diet got tossed out the window. Give in to temptation if it tastes good. I guessed I sinned a lot. How many Hail Marys will I have to say is a guess.
While traveling around Italy I learned I am not cooking pasta correctly. Particularly wonderful, a seafood pasta from the Italian Riviera. I usually boil it or over boil it to the point of it being a soggy string. No more of that! I have decided to be more careful. Al Dente is now on the dinner plate with a bit more olive oil.
Lastly, my final plate in Italy shocked me. The best desserts I have EVER HAD! Or at least on the top 5 list. A salty pistachio panna cotta and a White Chocolate cream soup made with balsamic.
In France I had the best baguette of my life. The owner of the hotel said “this is the second best in the area. The best one is a bit more expensive.” Sadly, there was no time to find the “better one”. But there is tomorrow.
The coast is about sea, especially fish. We skipped the front row establishments for the 3 row streets. Finding a very authentic place turned into a fun outing. It must be good place. The same people were there. The waitress was friendly, if not very familiar with customers.
Of course, while in Provence, making time for buying cheese, wines, and herbs started as a simple task but became an endeavor of fun. In a small village, the local shop introduced me to a rosemary cheese. The market hall in Avignon offered a variety of Olive Oils. Buying two flavors, one spicy, the other sweet, mission accomplished.
It goes without saying, throw a rock while driving you hit a vineyard in France. Of course, we stopped, tasted, then bought a case of Red, and a bootle of Sparkling.
Culinary delights traveling for 3000 kilometers. Delightful!
Staying on Lake Garda with all of its romantic charms offers much to travellers. Walking along the shore, watching the joggers at sunset, made for a perfect setting. It is easy to fall under the charm of this Italian destination. A place to unwind in slow mode.
There is no fun in posting the pictures. What was once sharing experiences has turned into narcissism and greed. A digital feel good pill for those desiring “Z Level” fame. Perhaps it is because I had a life and travelled before the platform existed. Showing “I am living a great fake life” borders on insane. Carefully curated pictures demonstrating fake joy reminds of the 1970’s sitcom “Brady Bunch”. During my college days people like this were called “MGM”. Meaning, they were fake.
My problem, I hate curating perfect experiences. I am a what you see is what you get character, loving faults. On Instagram being yourself means a filter, photoshop, and rehearsing.
Instagram has become a place of Prozac Reality. I cringe at some of poses and postings. The extremes people will do to get attention. A space to give those with no talent, appeal, experience, a chance to find popularity. The past two weeks, there were 3 Instagram Influencer scandals. I looked over the accounts of the three “None Appealing Fame Seekers”.
Lost on me! If I saw any of them on the street I would not look twice. How and why they have thousands of followers escapes me. Most certainly a click farm service in Thailand has their credit card details. Just Saying! Sadly, one of the above Influencer scandal will involve jail time for “Glaming it Up” with a fake credit card.
Still have not returned to the site, I check it, like a few pictures by friends. During a campaign I asked my friends to like an images. But for most I am happy to stay off. Life is too short trying to be a full time Carol Brady. Sharing was once fun but evolved into silly, tragic, exhausting, and horrific.
Black and Paper stopped placing content on Instagram. This article was triggered by the site of an “Influencer” who photoshops pictures menus 8 kilos.
Taking a Ryanair flight is an experience. Just relax, chill out, and got with the flow. How much do you expect for 9.99?
After attending the ITB Travel Fair 2019, I learned the travel field continues to grow. More want to get away, however, questions are being asked of the effects. “Overtourism” is becoming common. As a result, Many cities have become overwhelmed by holiday makers. Town centers have been abandoned for tourist. Barcelona, Venice, and Prague are being hollowed out. Coping with the traveler influx has become political and economic topics.
Apartments used for AirBnB, big hotel chains grabbing any available space. Public spaces flooded with visitors armed with selfie sticks. Locals started rebelling against tourists, weary of the temporary guests. The answers are not easy. Recently, a picturesque Parisian neighbourhood petitioned to place gates on the street to stop the weekend Influencer invasion searching for the the perfect gram.
Can flying economy become human again? Perhaps flying in the back of the plane will improve. Airlines are upgrading their services with new seats offering more leg space. Can the budgets say, “AMEN!” Middle East carrier Qatar Airways ups the game. I checked out their new Airbus livery. I give it top marks. A wide choice of in flight entertainment, bigger food portions, and even Godiva Chocolate for dessert. A good product for those looking for a better travel experience without breaking the wallet.
Africa is rising. The continent offers destinations based on experience: a trek to Victoria Falls or a Safari in Namibia. Many countries are developing tourism infrastructure, upgrading airlines while building hotels. Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone, two places not known as tourist friendly locations, are open for business. Asking adventure seekers to give their countries a try.
Colombia continues to move forward on all tourism fronts. A place once known for drug cartels and civil wars has made great strides to become a travel destination. Blessed with an extensive beach coast, mountains, and an multicultural mix of people, the South American country is rolling out the carpet for every type of visitor. Brimming with a smile, the marketing head told me how his country wants to become a top LGBT holiday spot. Many cities have pride and other gay friendly festivals. The capital city Bogota, has a large gay population with many bars and clubs. Moreover, Cartagena and Medellin have vibrant scenes worth exploring. I placed Colombia on my travel list. Stay Tuned.
Why do we suffer for a 9.99 ticket from an airline that treats people like more like cattle than customers? We are cheap.
After yet another #RyanAir Moment . I'm #inspired to write about the #airline and my experiences. 9.99 Or Bust! #travel #ttotd #travler #TuesdayThoughts #travel #destination #traveling pic.twitter.com/K4EuOXlAKV
— BlackandPaper (@BlackandPaper1) January 8, 2019
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.