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The Essence of Tea in Hangzhou

Mike Shubic October 29th, 2015 Comments Off

If you look just beyond the majestic West Lake in Hangzhou, China, you'll see a mountainous silhouette casting a shadow on the horizon....this is where the famed Longjing Tea (aka Dragon Well) is grown. Longjing Tea is the best-of-the-best when it comes to green tea, this is due in part...

Crossing European Borders: Cheapest places to fuel up

Mike Shubic October 25th, 2015 Comments Off

When heading out on a road trip with friends and family, planning ahead and budgeting for fuel can make quite an impact on the overall cost of your trip. Petrol and diesel prices in Europe have seen a significant drop in the past year, however there are certain destinations whose...

TripFilms article: Twelve Travel Questions with Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic October 23rd, 2015 Comments Off

The travel video website, TripFilms.com recently interviewed me for their "Twelve Travel Questions" travel blogger series. Here are the first few questions. To read the entire article, click here. 1. What are three things you take on every trip? iPad with lots of movies, music and books. Camera/video gear. Computer. 2....

Back to the Future…predictions for 2025

Mike Shubic October 21st, 2015 2 Comments

So, apparently today is "Back to the Future" day, the day in which Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) traveled to October 21, 2015, to save his yet-to-be-born children...the year was 1985 (30 years to the day). What's fascinating, is to look back at all the predictions the writers/director made in...

The Bone Church (Ossuary) in Kutná Hora

Mike Shubic October 16th, 2015 2 Comments

Kutná Hora might be most well known for its creepy and eerie "Bone Church," which is filled with bones and skulls from some 40,000 people, dating back to the 17th Century. One of the reasons for the influx of bodies is that during the 13th century, the abbot of Sedlec...

MIM Music Theater is symphonic nirvana

Mike Shubic October 16th, 2015 3 Comments

The Arizona Phoenix metro area has an outstanding selection of musical venues in which to enjoy concerts and other live performances. From massive stadiums, arenas, outdoor amphitheater, sophisticated performing art theaters, to intimate venues… Phoenix boasts them all. Opened just a few years ago, one of the newest venues in...

Aria Hotel: A symphony of hospitality excellence

Mike Shubic October 10th, 2015 3 Comments

On our last night in the Czech Republic, we stayed at the boutique Aria Hotel in Prague—and to our utter delight, had been upgraded to a suite. This extraordinarily extravagant hotel is but a stones throw from the Prague Castle and the famed Charles Bridge. In 2014 and 2015, Aria...

Changing of the Guards in Athens

Mike Shubic October 6th, 2015 Comments Off

Whether you’ve been to Athens or not, you’re no doubt familiar with the amazing monolithic structures left behind by the Romans some 2000 years ago. What you may not be familiar with is the incredibly unique and entertaining Changing of the Guards in Athens at Syntagma Square. Each hour, on...

Château Mcely: A forest retreat in CZ

Mike Shubic October 2nd, 2015 3 Comments

An amazing hideaway from the city rush of Prague is the picturesque central Bohemian village of Mcely. Resting upon a bluff overlooking Mcely is the five-star Chateau Mcely hotel, owned by James and Inez Cusumano. The Chateau is a perfect destination for romantic getaways, a spa break, weddings and also...

Lobkowicz Palace: Where history and nobility come alive

Terri Campbell September 26th, 2015 Comments Off

While in the Czech Republic we took a tour the Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle, which is the oldest, largest and most intact private art collection in the Czech Republic. The collection represents twenty two beautifully appointed galleries that contain all the aspects of culture and nobility of Central Europe...

Český Krumlov Castle

Mike Shubic September 25th, 2015 2 Comments

Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic is an outstanding example of a small, central European, medieval town whose architectural heritage has remained intact thanks to its peaceful evolution over more than five centuries. It’s a place that is easy to fall in love with, as I certainly did. The town...

Novotel Hotel in Prague

Mike Shubic September 24th, 2015 Comments Off

While in Prague recently I stayed at the Novotel Hotel, which we found to be a very hip and contemporary place to hang our hat for a few days. The location is quite good as well, just a short walk to the famed Wenceslas Square, where the National Museum is...

Plevel Restaurant does Raw in Prague

Mike Shubic September 23rd, 2015 Comments Off

If you're not familiar with traditional Czech cuisine, it typically consists of roast pork (or some sort of beef) with dumplings (more like steamed bread) and sauerkraut, along with thicker soups and stew cooked with vegetables and meats, often with heavy cream. Not the most healthful or gastronomic food in...

Prague Estate Theatre

Mike Shubic September 23rd, 2015 3 Comments

The Prague Estate Theatre is one of the most beautiful and historic theaters in all of Europe. Built by German aristocrat František Antonín Count Nostitz Rieneck, this theater brought charm and culture to the city of Prague. It took nearly two years to construct the opulent venue, which officially opened...

Zizkov Tower: World’s second ugliest structure

Mike Shubic September 22nd, 2015 2 Comments

In the Bohemian capital city of Prague, amid a sea of historic charm, an unsightly landmark stains the horizon like a blob of ink. The Zizkov Television Tower, affectionately known as the “second ugliest building in the world” (first is the Morris A. Mechanic Theater in Baltimore, Maryland), was built...