Geneva is world-famous for its collection of international organizations and institutions, the nearby ski slopes and the sleek lifestyle of expats and diplomats. But what about for the younger, student population? When I at the outset moved there to do my Master’s degree, I was faced through this dilemma. With some research, I have scouted some great hangouts for the expats and young Genevois looking for some enjoyable, fun and youth-oriented hangouts in the capital of Switzerland.

Café Art’s

Café Art’s is a real bejewel of the Paquis district of Geneva. A trendy and popular café, it serves traditional food and drinks at reasonable prices.

Read more…

The Houseboat Museum. Photo by means of harry_nl.

By Amy Goemans in Amsterdam—

With its vast number of museums, it is no wonder that Amsterdam is the cultural hub of the Netherlands. It is, of course, the quaint, lesser-known attractions that add color to this image.

The smaller museums in Amsterdam are interesting in their own right, and they also come with a smaller price tag than the more hyped favorites such as the Rijksmuseum.

Houseboat Museum Prinsengracht opposite no. 296 (March-Oct) Tue-Sun 11 AM – 5 PM (Nov – Feb) Fri-Sun 11 AM – 5 PM

You can hardly visit a city famous for its canals and not visit one of the houseboats!

Read more…

Just two months after instituting a reciprocal visa fee on this account that tourists to Argentina (meaning an extra $131 per person for Americans), the government of Argentina seems to be determined to be embittered as many people as possible.

The latest is “the biggest inflation surge to start the year in two decades,” according to the Wall Street Journal, as Argentina Confronts Soaring Inflation. The worst part of this, for locals and tourists alike, is a 25% rise in beef prices. Chronic overspending is to blame, which has led to a big soap opera of the prior head of the central bank being fired for not handing the government the bank’s foreign reserves to spend, his refusing to step down, then his being forced to step down at the time that he was barred from his office.

Read more…

Cape Wine Festivals

Wherever you look during the grape harvest season (late January to April) there is a harvest festival on. More and more wine estates and wine routes jostle for attention during the time of the bounty of the vineyards, and there is a real sense of harvest time as an adventure to remember. Suddenly grape picking, foot stomping and a serious amount of wine tasting is very much a part of the annual social calendar.

Winemaking, also known as vinification, has a science of wine and winemaking attached to it, known as oenology, but it is the gather in that has the most romance associated with it, in no small part due to its relationship with the Greek god Bacchus, and the patron saint of wine-growers, if you’re vaguely Catholic, St Vincent.

Read more…

Meet Lema Peter, a Kilimanjaro Guide who has reached the “Roof of Africa” more than 100 times. Lema grew up at the foot of Mount Meru with never a thought of climbing up Tanzania’s second highest peak. His clan, part of the Meru tribe, believed that God resided up there. If anyone disturbed God, misfortune would likely befall on the clan. Mount Kilimanjaro, a few hours drive away was even more forbidding. If a powerful God lived on top of Mount Meru, then just imagine how powerful the God living on the top of ice-capped Kilimanjaro would be.

Nineteen years later we find a young Lema standing on the top of Kilimanjaro for the first time and worrying about how on earth he’s going to explain this to his mother.

Read more…

Travelodge UK have 200,000 £19 rooms available during stays from 12 March to 31 May 2010. You’ll need to book 21 days in advance and pay the non refundable £19 room price when you book.

Edinburgh West End Travelodge

Travelodge promotions are one of my top Europe travel tips as they offer such fantastic import for money. This one of the best UK travel deals for budget accommodation. So get on the Travelodge site now to book your £19 room before they’re sold out.

Share and Enjoy:

Nothing beats Death Valley during the term of big hiking and amazing views. With elevations down to 300 feet below sea level and up to 11,049, there’s a huge variety of plants, animals, and geologic formations. Check out the Ubehebe Crater, the Badwater Salt Flat, and Dante’s View on our upcoming journey this March.

Geologist Kirt Kempter is our Study Leader again this year.

Read more…