Category — Culture
Travel to Europe for Christmas: Winter Wonderland
One of the most picturesque times of the year to be in Europe is during the pre-Christmas season; especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Many of these regions are snow-covered and lit brightly for the holidays.
Austria has some particular traditions around Christmas times. Advent wreaths are a very important one in the country. They are usually decorated with ribbons and four candles to signify the four weeks leading to Christmas Eve. Innsbruck, and old town in Austria bustles with busy Christmas markets and the “sound of music” fills the air in Salzburg and Vienna.
Around Christmas time, Switzerland is a fabulous place for children. Numerous markets open in the streets with handmade treasures and activities for little ones. On December 6, St. Nicolas day, children set out their shoes in hope that Santa Claus will fill them with nuts, chocolates, tangerines and homemade cookies. Swiss children also look forward to receiving a graetimaa — man-shaped bread decorated with raisins and spun sugar.
In Germany, Christmas markets reign throughout the country, in towns small and large. Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Stollen breads are popular foods during the holiday season. Nurnberg, famous for packaging its delightful gingerbread in countless ways, has one of Germany’s best Christmas bazaars. Hand-carved wooden ornaments and nativity scenes, festive wreaths, and aromatic candles line the booths, when you stroll by cradling a cup of hot, spiced wine.
In the alpine areas of all three countries, winter festivals are spectacular. Running from November through February, these areas offer horse and carriage racing, hot air ballooning, ice-skating and more. This could make for a very romantic getaway or a family vacation. Germany’s “Viva winter Fun — Party at the Zugspitze” was one of last year’s most sensational.
December 6, 2006 3 Comments
Battle of the Year- The International Breakdance Competition
Every single year since 1990, the annual tradition of Battle of the Year has taken place. More familiarly called BOTY by breakdance and hip-hop enthusiasts, the competition is best explained as the “Olympics” of breakdancing.
Maintaining its international focus, each country that wishes to participate sends one crew to the competition. Certain countries that are known to be home to the best dancers in the world, such as Germany, France, and South Korea, have their own preliminaries in which battles are intense as well. In addition, the reigning champion crew from the prior year is invited back to the competition. The fifteen best crews are selected and invited (along with the past champion) to perform 8-10 minute intense, breakdancing shows.
The judges select the 4 best crews. These groups fight for 3rd/4th and 1st/2nd, in a traditional “battle” setting, similar to the street-style dance-offs that have characterized the dance since its conception.
BOTY attracts tens of thousands of breakdancers and tourists alike each year. Held in Germany every year, it provides a unique opportunity for anyone. A dance that is truly explosive, creative, and innovative as this is always worth watching!
BOTY 2006 just took place several weeks ago. In a spectacular showdown, France’s Vagabonds crew took back its crown from the various Korean crews, such as Gambler, Last for One, and Expression, who have dominated the competition since their first win in 2001.
If you’re interested in attending next year, check out the BOTY homepage! It usually takes place in late summer to mid-autumn. Don’t miss out on this great experience- you’ll surely have a lot more to talk about than art galleries and other potential tourist traps!
December 5, 2006 No Comments
Interactive Map of Oxford University in England
For those of you interested in planning a trip to England, I strongly recommend making a stop in Oxford. It is a beautiful city with lush gardens and fascinating individuals. Below you can see an interactive map of Oxford. University Park and the Christ Church War Memorial Gardens were my personal favorite places to sit and relax.
The bottom of the map shows a map of the city while the top shows a “real-life” 360 degree view. Hit one of the buttons on the bottom and notice how the pictures on the top changes. This interactive map is provided by Panoramic Earth and powered by MAI Technology. Hope you enjoy it.November 27, 2006 No Comments
Picking the Right Souvenir
When travelers go away on vacation, it is very common that they come home with a souvenir to remind them of the trip they just returned from. Most of the time, these small personal gifts are useless. They break, lose value, or simply become boring but, ironically, no one has the heart to throw them away. Below are a few helpful hints for picking the right souvenir on your trip so that you’re not wondering “why did I get that piece of junk” when you get home.
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November 15, 2006 2 Comments
Whale Watching In Maui
December is approaching and as most people are starting to unravel their winter coats from of the depths of their closets, others are choosing to escape the frigid weather and head to a more tropical environment.
Getting to Maui is a five and half hour flight from California or a six and a half hour flight from Tokyo, which makes it a very attractive vacation spot from both areas. United Airlines offers non stop flights from both Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) to Kapalua, Maui. Make sure to plan your trip in advance as November-March are peak travel months and most hotels charge a premium rate for rooms.
If you are planning a vacation to Maui between December-April, not only will you be able to work on your tan, but you might be lucky enough to see Maui’s largest visitors, the humpback whale. Every year, 2,000 humpback whales migrate from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska to the warm and sheltered waters of the Hawaiian Islands. Here the whales mate and nurse their newborn calves, as spectators awe at the size and grace of these mammals. Whale Watch Maui offers a wealth of information on whale watching in Hawaii as well as inexpensive day tours.
November 8, 2006 No Comments
Tips on Proper Japanese Etiquette
Proper etiquette in Japan is dramatically different from what is considered to be etiquette around the rest of the world. If you are planning to visit Japan in the near future, either for business or leisure, below are a few reminders and tips to make you more familiar with Japanese etiquette so that you don’t make a fool of yourself.
1. Inside the house – When entering into someone’s house, it is customary to take off your shoes and change into slippers. These slippers will most likely be provided by the host. Upon entering a room with a tatami floor, be sure to take off your slippers.
2. Table manners – Blowing your nose, leaving food on your plate, and talking about disappetizing topics are considered bad etiquette. Most importantly, unlike other cultures in East Asia, it is considered extremely rude to burp at the table.
3. Eating at a restaurant – Do not leave a tip! When leaving, simply say to your server, “gochisosama deshita” (“thank you for the meal”). In most restaurants, it is common to take the receipt to the cashier and pay at the front.
4. Bowing – If the greeting takes place on a tatami floor, than it is customary to get on your knees in order to bow. If the opposite person is a higher status than yourself, you are supposed to bow deeper or longer than him or her.
November 6, 2006 2 Comments
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