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Paris opens first major Oscar Wilde exhibition at the Petit Palais
Despite being buried in the city for over a century, the first major exhibition to honour the famed Irish playwright, author and poet, Oscar Wilde, is opened its doors in Paris yesterday.<p>Co-curated by Dominique Morel and Wilde’s grandson, Merlin Holland, a number of manuscripts, paintings and …
PlaywrightsSpend a night at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with a new Airbnb competition
Four lucky people will get to soak up musical history as Airbnb launches a competition for a night at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London.<p>A winner and three guests will spend the night of 15 October at Abbey Road Studios, where legendary acts like the Beatles and Pink Floyd recorded. The event …
Abbey Road StudiosBordeaux: a wine drinker’s holiday
There are many reasons to visit the gorgeous city of Bordeaux – walks along the winding Garonne river, superbly grand architecture and a decadent gourmet scene where freshly shucked oysters and succulent steaks take centre stage. But one particular attraction will always reign supreme: wine.<p>The …
TravelLondon’s Trafalgar Square gets a big thumbs-up on the landmark’s fourth plinth
A giant thumbs-up has appeared in London’s Trafalgar Square in the form of a sculpture for the landmark’s “fourth plinth”.<p>Artist David Shrigley created the piece, entitled Really Good, making it the 11th artwork to sit on the plinth since The Mayor of London’s Fourth Plinth Commission was launched …
LondonWhy Portland Oregon is fast becoming the Tiny House Hotel capital of the US
Portland, Oregon, best known for its food carts and quirky characters, is quickly becoming the tiny house capital of the US. As of this week, the city and surrounding region now boasts three tiny house hotels.<p>When Caravan – The Tiny House Hotel opened three years ago, it was the first of its kind …
Portland, ORStaten Island visitors are very confused by this memorial to a giant octopus attack
Tourists and locals alike have been paying their respects at a bronze statue commemorating the attack on the Staten Island Ferry by a giant octopus in 1963. If you’re trying to remember the event, you’re not alone. The maritime disaster never happened and is just the latest urban hoax to confuse …
LifestyleCheck out the incredible Beverly Hills Airbnb where Marnie the Dog stayed
Prepare to be jealous of a pooch – social media sensation Marnie the Dog stayed in an opulent Airbnb in Beverly Hills to promote the home-rental site’s pet-friendly listings.<p>AIRBNB- Marnie the Dog from DKC PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.<p>Marnie – a 14-year-old rescued Shih Tzu who has become an adorable …
Beverly HillsThis woman is driving 2500 miles and spending £2000 to get her dog to Tenerife
A British woman is set to spend £2000 on transporting her pet Great Dane to Tenerife by car.<p>Sam King, from Hereford, wants to take her dog Harold to the volcanic island for three months while she stays with her son, who lives there. However, Monarch Airlines have told her that the three-year-old …
DogsIn Pictures: World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland
Some of the best stone skimmers in the world travelled to the remote island of Easdale in Scotland this week to take part in the World Stone Skimming Championships.<p>First started in 1984 by Albert Baker, this year’s championship saw competitors from places such as Holland, Wales, Switzerland, …
United KingdomMyanmar’s water world: exploring Inle Lake
In the unique watery world of Inle Lake, Intha fisherman row canoes with one leg, gardens float, and wooden homes perch above the water on rickety stilts. Take some time to explore one of Myanmar’s most iconic destinations with an early-morning cruise, a cycle through the countryside, or sojourns …
TravelHawaii tourism campaign uses facial recognition technology as a marketing tool
A tourism campaign in Hawaii is experimenting with facial recognition technology to see what visitors to the Pacific islands really want to see and do.<p>As part of the plan – potential visitors can watch drone footage of Hawaii’s spectacular landscapes, a selection of outdoor activities, and glimpses …
HawaiiParis looks to the air to solve its traffic jams with cable cars
Paris is looking up into the air to solve its biggest problem on the ground – traffic jams.<p>Despite the best efforts of city authorities in offering public transport such as trams and buses, the cable car could be the answer to the city’s snarl-ups. Now the head of the Ile-de-France region, Valerie …
TrafficSee inside the modest three-star hotel William and Kate stayed in while in Canada
Three-star hotels may not quite provide the level of luxury we have come to expect royalty to enjoy, which is why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge staying overnight in a modest inn in Canada came as a surprise. Eyebrows were raised when the down-to-earth William and Kate checked into the Coast …
CanadaAthens’ National Archaeological Museum celebrates 150th anniversary
This year the National Archaeological Museum in Athens is celebrating 150 years since its foundation. While the anniversary is on 3 October, various exhibitions have been held throughout the year including thematic presentations by archaeologists and familiarisation workshops by the museum’s …
MuseumsParis’ hip-hop cultural centre announces its first programme of events
France’s hip-hop cultural centre announced its first programme of events this week with the theme ‘Paris-New York’.<p>New York artists Dynasty and KRS-One will participate in conferences, concerts and DJ sets from 5-9 October. Later on in the season, the focus will shift to French artists, hosting …
Rap MusicNew app maps Wi-Fi passwords from airports and lounges around the world
Finding an open wireless internet connection while travelling often poses a major challenge for tourists. Making things a bit easier, a new app has been released that shares a map containing Wi-Fi passwords of airports all over the world that travellers can access. A version of the map can be seen …
MapsSwiss town opts for ex-German policeman as its new hermit in residence
It’s a role cast somewhere between a saintly and solitary existence as the Swiss town of Solothurn welcomes its new hermit into office this weekend.<p>Crossing the border to step into a position first held by St Verena in the 3rd century and most recently by Sister Benedicta who held down the role …
LifestyleBookish bars: 10 literary watering holes in Chicago
Whatever sort of tavern you seek, chances are you’ll find it in Chicago. From taprooms to cocktail lounges, corner dives to speakeasies, there’s something for every imbiber. A lesser-known category of local bar is the book-friendly establishment. Whether featuring an actual literary theme or just a …
LifestyleTop 10 places to de-stress in DC
In a high-octane environment like DC, Washingtonians and visitors alike could always use a little oasis of calm, whether it’s an election year or not. Meditative museum spaces, secret gardens, and spiritual retreats are all tucked away right in the midst of this frenetic city. Here are ten peaceful …
Washington D.C.Six slices of paradise in the Tuamotus
The postcard-perfect allure of French Polynesia has drawn visitors for centuries, and the relatively undiscovered Tuamotus are the jewels in its Pacific island crown. Far from the glitz and glam of iconic Bora Bora, the Tuamotu archipelago feels distinct from the rest of French Polynesia. The 77 …
TravelMuizenberg: Cape Town’s regenerated seaside suburb
It wasn’t long ago that Muizenberg’s beachfront was virtually derelict, with more boarded-up buildings than visitors – it’s early 20th-century heydays as one of South Africa’s most fashionable seaside resorts long behind it. However, residents refused to let it rot and today, thanks to plenty of …
South AfricaWelcome to purridise: Taiwan’s Houtong Cat Village
Tucked away in the hills of northern Taiwan, there is a small village that houses a furry surprise. Set alongside the Keelung River, the former coal mining village of Houtong has been taken over by hundreds of cats. In the 1990s, the village’s mining pits closed and the village thinned out, with …
CatsJourney into the sunset on America’s oldest railway
Road trips might be a rite of passage in the USA but it’s the railroad that built the nation, pushing the frontier all the way west across the continent. And no train plays a more important part in the story of American expansion that the legendary Sunset Limited.<p>Inaugurated in 1894, this …
TravelTownship street art tourism on the rise in Cape Town and Johannesburg
Visits to historic townships and tours of the most famous street art of Johannesburg and Cape Town are among the newest off-the-beaten track attractions for visitors to South Africa.<p>The popular graffiti tours bring tourists around the streets of the country’s two main cities by bicycle, guiding …
ArtNot exactly Jurassic Park – Utah opens a dinosaur theme park with full size reconstructed dinos
If your idea of fun is being surrounded by giant, man-eating dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures then Moab Giants Dinosaur Park could be on your bucket list. With its grand opening this month, this 60-acre dino discovery den has upped the fear factor with its state-of-the art replica life …
DinosaursGlacial lake drained to keep Mt Everest trek routes safe in Nepal
Climate change might not seem an obvious problem when trekking in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, but rising temperatures are swelling the glacial lakes that dot the high valleys of the world’s highest mountains.<p>Nepal Army engineers are now heading to the trekking trails around Mt Everest to drain …
Mount EverestBalli the lost teddy bear enjoyed a VIP stay at a Swedish hotel
A small beige teddy bear had the time of his life recently in Sweden, when he sojourned at a 4-star hotel in Gothenburg after becoming parted from his owner.<p>Balli the bear was found outside the entrance of Avalon Hotel a few days ago, and its kind staff took him in and treated him like a VIP …
SwedenA ‘bring your own cocktail’ pop-up bar is opening in Dublin in time for the party season
The first ‘bring your own cocktail’ pop-up bar is due to open in Ireland next month, bringing the hip concept fresh from London and New York to the Emerald Isle.<p>The bar is called Drop Dead Twice and it will open on Dublin’s Francis Street on 13 October, which is clearly not unlucky for the Irish. …
DublinSan Diego from air and sea
San Diego’s nickname is ‘America’s Finest City’, and with great weather, plenty of attractions and an enviable ocean-side location it’s hard to disagree.<p>But forget the zoo and the themes parks and even Ron Burgundy. The US’ eighth-largest city offers some less conventional opportunities for …
San Diego8 great craft and microbreweries to try in Vancouver
Vancouver’s craft beer scene is frothier than a fast-poured pilsner, with dozens of new craft and microbreweries popping up in recent years. Most also have enticing tasting rooms that operate like neighborhood bars, inviting adventurous swigging alongside the local beer nuts.<p>Here’s a tasty sampling …
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