यूरोप – आवारा मुसाफिर

Pope’s big Holy Year only aggravates Rome’s overtourism crisis

December 22, 202466 Views

When Pope Francis left the Vatican earlier this month for his traditional Christmastime outing downtown, he acknowledged what many Romans have been complaining about for months: That his big plans for a Holy Year had turned their city into a giant construction pit, with traffic-clogging roadworks tearing up major thoroughfares, scaffolding covering prized monuments and short-term rentals gobbling up apartment blocks. Francis urged Romans to pray for their mayor — “He has a lot to do” — but to nevertheless welcome the upcoming Jubilee as a time of spiritual repair and renewal. “These worksites are fine, but beware: Don’t forget the worksites of the soul!” Francis said. When he formally opens the Holy Year next week, Francis will launch a dizzying 12-month calendar of events that ...

सैर-सपाटास्वीडन

A guide to reindeer stew and floating saunas in Oslo

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 22, 202489 Views

Oslo has been my adopted home for 20 years. I am from Paris originally and have been working at Reuters for 15 years, where I’ve covered news ranging from the Norwegian oil and gas industry to its $1.9 trillion sovereign wealth fund to the annual awarding of the Nobel Prize. The Norwegian capital, which historically played second fiddle to its bigger, more glamorous cousins Copenhagen and Stockholm, now has excellent restaurants and world-class museums, such as a recently opened one dedicated to Edvard Munch and the National Museum, which has moved to a new, larger home. Still, nature is never far. Here are few insider tips: Getting around: Oslo is a compact city, so I walk or cycle everywhere. If I need to go a little further afield, I will jump on a tram, bus...

सैर-सपाटाहंगरी

Why Christmas markets of Hungary should be on your bucket list

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 17, 202493 Views

The whiff of local delicacies, lángos, and chimney cake, fills the air as Hungary gets dressed in Christmas lights. The festive cheer and forralt bor (mulled wine) make the atmosphere heady. So, what is so special about Hungarian Christmas markets that makes them stand apart? For starters, there are many of them in Budapest each with their charm. The stalls selling souvenirs are complemented with ice rinks and decked-up trams winding along the Danube River. Even the towering St. Stephen’s Basilica gets into a breezy holiday mood with its laser show. In addition to the major markets, Budapest is home to several charming fairs, such as Deák Ferenc Street, Erzsébet Square Christmas Market, Christmas Fair at Allee Shopping Centre, Whale (Bálna) Building Advent Festival, and of course the I...

सैर-सपाटास्पेन

Rhythmic Spanish daily life and an affordable fashion ‘temple’ in Madrid

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 15, 202496 Views

I have lived in Madrid with my young family for three years, managing a multimedia team covering everything from politics and economics to Spain’s world-beating fashion companies, its booming tourism industry and its agricultural sector under pressure from climate change. With its many landscaped parks – Retiro being the most famous, Madrid Rio my favourite – this modern and wealthy European capital is legendary for its café, restaurant and nightlife culture. Even a cost-of-living crisis has not dampened Spaniards’ enthusiasm for their “bar de siempre” - their usual watering holes. They just adapt their orders to small beers or glasses of vermouth in these more straitened times. People walk outside "La Fontanilla" tavern in La Latina neighbourhood. REUTERS/Ana Beltran When vis...

इटलीप्रोमोशन

All roads lead to Rome: Ball starts rolling for the Anantara Concorso Roma

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 15, 202494 Views

Anantara Concorso Roma, the new collector car spectacle by Anantara Hotels & Resorts, is gearing up for its glamourous debut on 24-27 April 2025. This exclusive event, which is sponsored by UBS, will take place in the heart of Rome and is now open for registration. The organisers are inviting car owners from around the world to submit a car for application in the hope of gaining one of the limited display places in the Concorso. Car enthusiasts are also welcome to join the party without a car, and join in the packed weekend programme celebrating the best of Italian hospitality, cuisine and craftsmanship. There is a selection of VIP hospitality packages to choose from, each offering privileged experiences at the event and in the historic capital. The top-of-the-range Romul...

खबरनामाघटनाएंस्वीडन

Sweden survey reveals craziest travel mishaps

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 13, 202490 Views

8% admit ending up in the wrong destination Much like the iconic mix-ups in the beloved Christmas film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where characters hilariously find themselves in the wrong places, some travellers have shared their own tales of finding themselves unintentionally at the wrong destination. As we approach the holiday season, these anecdotes serve as both cautionary and comical reminders to double-check those travel details! According to a recent YouGov survey conducted by Visit Sweden, 8% of the respondents admitted to ending up in the wrong destination while travelling. Out of 80 million travellers identified as dreaming of visiting Sweden, nearly 8 million might accidentally find themselves in a different Sweden—not the original one. Oops! He...

इटलीखबरनामाघटनाएं

‘Little Louvre’ gets its modern art addition

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 8, 202485 Views

Will be home to one of the world’s most important collections of 20th century Italian art Milan’s Brera boosts its cultural cachet with an overdue modern art wing and Leonardo’s Last Supper Milan’s Pinacoteca di Brera museum, conceived under Napoleon as a “little Louvre,” is finally getting a modern art addition first envisioned more than 50 years ago with the opening Sunday of Palazzo Citterio, home to one of the world’s most important collections of 20th century Italian art. Completing the project long beset by shifting priorities, periods of neglect and most recently an ill-fated architectural vision was a priority for Brera director Angelo Crespi when he took over in January. Italy’s then-culture minister set Dec. 7 — the feast day for Milan’s patron St. Ambrose — as...

खबरनामाघटनाएंफ्रांस

Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after fire

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 7, 202484 Views

The centuries-old Paris landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens on Saturday, five-and-a-half years after a devastating fire destroyed its spire and roof and brought the entire Gothic masterpiece within minutes of collapsing. The 860-year-old medieval building has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting, its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles returned to their past glory and the white stone and gold decorations shining brighter than ever. View of a light show rehearsal on the facade of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, five-and-a-half years after a fire ravaged the Gothic masterpiece, on the eve of reopening ceremonies in Paris, France, December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a str...

खबरनामाग्रीसघटनाएं

New Greek metro is archaeological window on the past

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

December 1, 2024120 Views

A metro system in Greece's second city Thessaloniki officially opened on Saturday, its stations displaying the same ancient artifacts that nearly derailed the project's completion. During construction, which began in 2006, workers discovered a Byzantine-era market, a Roman cemetery and other treasures of the city's long and varied history. The finds stalled the metro's progress and raised questions about how the city would modernise while protecting its rich past. The answer was to blend the two by displaying the uncovered artefacts for modern-day commuters to enjoy. People view antiquities at Agias Sofias metro station A view of a subway station in Thessaloniki, Greece "This is not just a public works project, which is incredibly important for the city. It is also a mus...

खबरनामाघटनाएंफ्रांस

Excitement in Paris as Notre-Dame prepares to reopen

AWARA MUSAFIR BUREAU

November 29, 202485 Views

French President Emmanuel Macron praised on Friday the more than 1,000 craftspeople who helped rebuild Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral in what he called "the project of the century", five-and-a-half years after fire gutted the Gothic masterpiece. The 12th-century cathedral, one of the French capital's most beloved and visited monuments, will reopen its doors next week to tourists and to the Catholic faithful. "Never before have we seen such a construction site. You all had your share in the project of the century," Macron told a gathering that included carpenters, stonemasons, art restorers, firefighters and donors. French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris, France, 29 November 2024. CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/Pool via REUTERS "The burn...