Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

European Heritage Days in Eastern Europe

Aleksandr Shatskih

Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Macedonia will be sharing their heritage with the rest of Europe this year. The other 15 countries haven’t announced their programmes yet.

Eliza Dushku Promoting Albanian Tourism

Aleksandr Shatskih

Eliza Dushku, an American actress of Albanian and Danish descent, has visited her father’s country of origin, to film a documentary that will promote the tourism and culture of Albania.

Hear the Golden Strings of Slavonia in Požega

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Požeški Golden Strings festival (01 September 2011 – 04 September 2011) is considered a leader of tambura music and this year’s program will combine the tradition of the popular music with more modern music, songs that never leave the top of the radio charts in Croatia.

Tallinn Celebrates Chamber Music this September

Mihaela Lica Butler

Tallinn will be hosting the 7th edition of the Chamber Music Festival this Fall, from 11-25 September 2011 at Tallinn Town Hall, Hopner House, St John’s Church and St Michael’s Swedish church.

Musical Invitation to Liepāja This Fall

Mihaela Lica Butler

The awe-inspiring city of Liepāja at the Baltic Sea will host the 10th International Organ Festival this Fall, September 3 – October 1.

Cyprus Villages and the Harvest

Aleksandr Shatskih

Autumn is a very important season of the year on Cyprus. It is the time of the olive and other harvests. As in most other Mediterranean countries, the olive plays a significant role in the lives of the people here on the Island, as does the harvest season in general. And, while olives are but one small part of the worldly diet, they are an important one.

Moonlit Marble: Greece’s Full August Moon

Aleksandr Shatskih

In our history, the moon has always been present in our minds and imaginations; from goddess in ancient times, to a decade long rallying call at the height of the Cold War. We have always been mystified, enchanted, and even frightened by its powers.

Albanian Prime Minister Heads Investment Forum Delegation

Phil Butler

Albania tourism has seen a significant growth spurt this year, as opposed to last, with an over 400 thousand more travelers visiting from January to August, compared to 2010 figures. A statement from Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha last week spotlights the dramatic growth in Albania arrivals.

Hidden Balkans Hotel Gems: Grand Hotel Tirana

Phil Butler

In our efforts scouring the web for information on the Balkans, we often run across all kinds of attractions, great and small. Not the least important people, places, and things having to do with travel, hotels can often be obscured from view – at least online, that is. The other day we ran across just such a hotel gem presented itself. The Grand Hotel Tirana, while a bit hard to find online, offers a hospitality value worth mention.

Cyprus Travel Gems: Out of Our Gourds

Aleksandr Shatskih

Travel writers always talk about Cyprus as if the Island is some kind of Las Vegas, or Miami Beach, mindless romp through shallow vacation bliss. Well, I suppose it can be that too, if the visitor wants it to be. But, for most travelers, Cyprus can be a little treasure filled jewelry box, or even a lush, artsy craft market – a very large one at that. Here in Cyprus, we’re out of our gourds over arts and crafts, let me explain.