"O'zapft is! O'zapft is!" (It's tapped! It's tapped!) Come one, come all! The 179th annual Oktoberfest is in full swing in the lively city of Munich! 

Take a wander through a gallery of amazing photos The Atlantic has collected from the opening days of the festival; do you think you could stand the wildness of this celebration?

The Auschwitz complex, situated in the Polish town of  Oświęcim, is an hour west of Krakow, and is easily accessible by rental car or tour bus. The three largest locations, Auschwitz I (the Main Complex), Auschwitz II: Birkenau and Auschwitz III: Buna-Monowitz were accompanied by another 45 sub-camps, factories and mines to make up the entirety of the Auschwitz concentration camp and extermination system. Today, most tour operators only include transport to Auschwitz I and II as these sites were the most inhabited.

Guided by a graveled and dusty path, the infamous "Arbeit Macht Frei" sign welcomes you into Auschwitz I. The atmosphere is still, silent, and solemn. As headsets are given to patrons as an informal guide, there is no trace of a live voice. Everyone is immersed in their imagination seeing shadows of souls long-time passed peering out empty windows, along darkened hallways, through wired fences.  Their hallowed cheeks and sunken eyes follow you with an expressionless gaze. You are retracing their steps, the steps of the dead.

The buildings within this complex were once home to Nazis and prisoners alike. Experimentation, torture and death mixed with plans of extinction and absolute power seep out of the pores of the walls and fill you with feelings of utter emptiness.  Now they house display cases and corridors filled with documents, photographs, and statistics along with hopeful pieces of luggage, prosthetic legs, shoes, eyeglasses, and religious cloth. The Black Wall of execution and Block 11, a place of severe torture, can also be found here.

Auschwitz II: Birkenau is two miles from the Main Complex and is known as being the location where "the Final Solution" was at its highest unrelenting level. The aged iron tracks once dictating the fate of thousands upon thousands of prisoners lead your steps to the back of the camp where the crematoria once stood.  In 1944, a brave group of prisoners
self-titled the Sonderkommando revolted against German forces, burned Crema IV and attempted escape. Astonishingly enough, of those who rebelled there were some survivors, but not many. Before the Allied forces had the chance to arrive in 1945, Crematoria II,
III and V along with "The Little Red House" had been razed to the ground and plowed over in efforts to destroy all evidence. Today, only the ruins of "The Little White House" remain.

Some 67 buildings are scattered throughout barren 400 acres and chimneys that survived the SS burnings stand defiantly into the sky. Entering through the nail-scratched doors, it’s difficult to imagine eight hundred people fitting into a barrack intended for 52 horses.

The Auschwitz tour is a terrifying, bone-chilling experience; however it is sobering and essential for all to see. Years ago, my sixth grade class was visited by a survivor of Auschwitz who recounted his time within the camp. He mentioned George Santayana’s
quote, "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Though we heard these words and listened to his story, as 11 year olds, I don’t think we truly understood what any of it meant. I don’t think I really understood the magnitude of this quote or the remarkable strength and courage of this man until I saw this "hell on earth" with my own eyes.

It is a hard excursion to internalize, but we owe it to the survivors and victims’ alike to learn their stories, to understand their difficulties and pains; it would be shameful not to. In the articles that follow, we must remember that ours and other’s freedoms were not made easily; many fought and died so that we could live in peace. If we cannot remember the darkness of the past, how can we possibly expect to create a brighter future?

Stay tuned for our next article, From Color to  Darkness

Things I know about Denmark: Hans Christian Anderson, author of classics such as The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Ducking, was born here; Shakespeare’s Hamlet famed the existing castle, Kronborg, to become“Elsinore” as the setting in his tragic play; the coast line is a nightmare to draw.

To be frank, I don’t know much. However, this article by Eric Selzer from Just Luxe has me starring at the computer with stars in my eyes, planning out my next trip to this fairy-tale-land. 

Enjoy!

How well do you know world geography? Ever heard of the island of Socotra? Me neither. In an email forwarded to me by my Aunt Gert, I learned about the existence of this wildly unique location. Check out Dark Roasted Blend for a more in-depth look on this seemingly unknown wonder of the world.

My dear dear France. It’s been awhile since we talked about you; in fact, this next article may be the first specifically designated to Bourgogne (boor-GUH’n-(uh)) –Burgundy – and I didn’t even write it!

Written by Dr. Irene S. Levine via the Huffington Post, the article gives the account of a traveler’s voyage through the waterways of Burgundy. With each word, the initial look of concentrated scrutiny quickly lightened and melted into a large grin as memories of picnics, bike rides, long runs and sunsets along the Yonne filtered back into my mind.  I
completely understand the magic and wonder Dr. Levine experienced while touring in this charming wine country and suggest you to do the same. 

For a link to Dr. Levine’s article, click here.

Let’s do an experiment. Close your eyes….wait, open them back up – you’re not
going to know what to do unless you read what comes next. How about we say,
“Imagine;” yes that’s better.

Imagine the toy castel Uncle Drosselmeyer crafted for Clara in the Russian ballet-fairytale,
The Nutcracker. It is a castle of dreams where tall columns are capped off with onion spires blooming into the skies; where delicately crafted stained glass fills each room with a never-ending rainbow of light; where silvered dragons adorn a lavishly glowing chandelier and 18 carat gold plated cockleshells fill the dome of a Music Room. Truly, a castle of magic and a
figment of our imagination; or is it?

The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England, could be the closest embodiment we have of
Drosselmeyer’s castle. Initially built as a humble seaside retreat for George, Prince of Wales, changes were soon put into place after the Prince Regent succeeded the throne in the early 19th c to become king. Sticking out like a sore thumb in the British countryside, the bold exterior was heavily influenced by Indo-Islamic architecture, a style greatly contradicting the boxy characteristics typical of the colonial era. Inside, where photography is not allowed, the chinoiserie the greatest these eyes have seen throughout Europe, with rooms filled to the brim with a balance of gaudy extravagance and ornate décor.

At a price of £10.00, your ticket offers you a free audio guide detailing in-depth explanations of the history of the Pavilion along with its many inhabitants throughout the years. One thing I appreciated about the experience was the fact that I wasn’t rushed from room to room; I was allowed the time to soak in the truly awe-inspiring grandeur of each
room. In addition to touring throughout the Pavilion, restrooms, a gift shop and the Royal Pavilion Tea Room are open to the public at any point during opening hours.

As Brighton is situated along southern coast in East Sussex, it can easily be visited within an hour’s train ride of the country’s capital and therefore makes the perfect day trip. The Royal Pavilion isn’t next to the train station, but it is in decent walking distance and is an absolute must if visiting this charming coast side city.


For more information on The Royal Pavilion, their website.

The title of the article explains it all:  How To Be Prepared For Anything When You Travel, by Matt Kepnes. I couldn’t agree more with his suggestions. Next time you’re planning on going on a trip, be it a few months, two weeks or even a day trip, be sure to be prepared as Matt advises. For more tips, advice and adventures, check out Matt’s website at Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site.  

People have festivals and celebrations for just about anything…and that’s how it should be! From celebrating the sandwich in Sandwich, England, to a Wife-Carrying World Championship Race (yes, you read that correctly) in Sonkajarvi, Finland, to racing bathtubs near Vancouver, Canada, if it means getting people together to have a good time and learn a “skill” in the process, I’ll all about it. Through the Huffington Post, ShermansTravel presents a sample of festivals from around the world that will keep your eyebrows perked up and your travel plans fresh.

Fashion Shows: the epitome of what’s hot and new this fashion season. It’s a place for designers and artists to come together and show off the latest trends on graceful, stunning models. Where an idea becomes reality and beauty, of all kinds, is celebrated.

With this fashion show, there is no difference…well, maybe a couple…

The Pied Piper Duck Fashion Show occurs during the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Australia, a national carnival and country fair.  This particular show has been going on for the past 25 years and it continues to gain popularity with each passing year. In elaborate attire these ducks waddle up and down the runway, shakin’ their tail feathers to and fro.  I’m sure they get a standing ovation each time!

Take a look at the pictures, you’ll find some wild outfits!

For more info on the Sydney Royal Easter Show, click here

Enter into a Parisian apartment that hasn't been touched since before WWII...