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18

Mar

A Monumental Race: The Eiffel Tower Vertical

by Meredith Mullins on March 18, 2019

Night shot of the Eiffel Tower, one of the amazing places on earth, for the Eiffel Tower Vertical race. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

A hint of the moon on the night of the Eiffel Tower Vertical race
© Meredith Mullins

One of the Most Amazing Places in the World Rises to the Challenge

Remember those days as a child when you couldn’t help but run up stairs, two or three at a time.

You often didn’t know (or care) what you would find at the top. You were just excited to get there in a burst of energy, wrapped in the sheer joy of running.

That same exhilaration still exists. In Paris last week, running up stairs (two or three at a time) took center stage—during the 5th annual Eiffel Tower Vertical race.  Read more...

 

Adventure Travel/France/On Foot

07

Jan

In Florence, a Feast of Festivals

by Joyce McGreevy on January 7, 2019

A view of Firenze from across the Arno inspires a writer to reflect on the cultural traditions of New Year in Italy. (Image © Victoria Lyons)

Winter in the city of Dante: Florence invites reflection and revelry in equal measure.
© Victoria Lyons

Savoring the First Week of the Year
Is an Italian Cultural Tradition

Are “the holidays” a faint memory? In some countries, all trace of yuletide is tidied away with alarming efficiency. Trees that inspire ho-ho-ho’s one day, get the heave-ho the next.

Here in Florence, Italy, January’s air is still redolent with balsam. Fairy lights arch over streets, and by Italian cultural tradition, a feast of festivals continues. Long past December, much remains to be savored, so my friend Victoria and I go with the Florentine flow.  Read more...

 

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Italy/On Foot

06

Aug

Take a Fresh Look at Farmers Markets

by Joyce McGreevy on August 6, 2018

People at Monterey Marketplace on Alvarado Street reflect the popularity of farmers markets as an American custom. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Every summer over 10,000 people visit Old Monterey Marketplace on Alvarado Street.
© Joyce McGreevy

How an American Custom Keeps Evolving

 It’s time for a field trip! Today marks the start of National Farmers Market Week, so grab your reusable cloth bags and let’s go see what’s in season. We’ve got energy to spare, thanks to all the organic fruit and vegetables we’ve been enjoying this summer.

People at Monterey Marketplace on Alvarado Street enjoy the American custom of a farmers market. (Image © Joyce McGreevy)

Free samples? Yes, please.
© Joyce McGreevy

Farmers markets in the United States are a time-honored American custom. If you’ve ever visited Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the site that started it all, you probably admired its Romanesque Revival market house. But that’s just the “new” building—added in 1889. The original opened in 1730.  Read more...

 

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Map Points/On Foot/USA

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