WHAT AILS EUROPE? - On The Road Magazine Website. An ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

European Eccentrics Ewes in brief We’ve had Babe, the movie about a sheep pig. Now meet Champis, the dwarf rabbit who also thinks he’s a sheepdog. Champis learnt to round up sheep by watching border collies on a farm in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, and his skills have been admired by more than 700,000 people in one week on YouTube. “He has learnt these skills himself; we had nothing to do with it,” said farmer Greta Vigren. “He has seen the dogs doing it. Champis thinks he is the king of the farm. He just likes to be in charge.” And it’s all over ewe known! The world’s oldest sheep, Methuselina, has fallen off a cliff on the Scottish island of Lewis. She died a month short of her 26th birthday. Her owner, John Maciver, said “She passed away and I wouldn’t say peacefully.” Scotland’s dimmest thief A teenager has earned the reputation as ‘Scotland’s dimmest thief’. He broke into his neighbour’s house and stole a distinctive stripy top and was seen wearing it at home an hour after committing the crime. Jarnie Alexander, 18, admitted theft. His victim, Jason Rendall, told Stirling sheriff court: “I walked in after work and noticed there was a hole in the window. There were only cables where the television had been. I went into the garden, looked at my neighbour’s house and there he was - wearing my jumper and trying to tune in my TV. He was also wearing my jeans, so I knew he was the thief. I was really angry but I had to laugh at his stupidity!” One sexexpresso please A barista who started serving customers in risqué outfits to increase trade has caused deep divisions in her local town of Bagnolo Mella, Italy. Laura Maggi’s ‘marketing plan’ has proved highly popular with men, who travel from over a 100 kilometres away to get a glimpse of her. As a result, the roads have become so congested that the mayor of Bagnola Mella has threatened to bring in a by-law to limit the traffic. But local women are apparently furious; pointing out that Bagnolo Mella is a respectable town. The mayor laughingly said she has banned her own husband from visiting Laura’s bar, but she would like to know why he wants to go there. Laura herself says she is bemused by the fuss. “It’s not like I’m nude. Sure, I wear short skirts and bra-tops but nothing worse than that. I am a single mother with two children - what do these people expect me to do - sell cocaine?” London’s moved The American news channel CNN has apologised for featuring a map of Britain on which London was placed 100 miles away in Norfolk. “CNN apologises for a map error, which shifted London from its correct location,” said the TV station. And... On-the-job training Dozens of Australian men have applied for a £50,000-a-year job testing brothels. Lyonswood Investigations, a private detective agency, is advertising for single men to expose illegal prostitution. “Some jobs require the offering of sexual services,” said Lachlan Jarvis of Lyonswood. “Some actually require the partaking of sexual services ... because it is considered the most convincing evidence. We had dozens; if not more than that, apply. It was certainly a popular position.” Italians tire of boars The seaside town of Alassio, on Italy’s Ligurian coast, has lost patience with dozens of wild boars that have taken up residence in the town; the authorities have told hunters to shoot to kill. Initially seen as charming visitors, the boars lost their appeal after causing traffic accidents, destroying gardens and scaring children and members of the public. By coincidence, boar meat is a delicacy in Liguria!. Batman or Joker? A former convict is hoping to turn his life around by dressing up as Batman and patrolling the streets of his town. Zoltan Kohari, 26, goes out in Dunajska Streda, Slovakia - dressed in his homemade Batman outfit to tidy up, help old people and alert police to crime. In return, his neighbours give him food. “I have decided to do good for the people,” he said. “I take care of order and help clean up.” And in China you can literally “Shop ‘till you drop” Customer Li Wen walked out of a shop door marked exit and suddenly found herself clinging to the door handle and dangling over a 25ft drop. “I thought it was a quick way out of the shop,” said Li, 26, “but I didn’t realise how quick.” Lu Fen, the owner of the shop in Tianjin, said the door was an emergency exit and ‘Health and Safety’ regulations said it had to stay unlocked. It should have had stairs but the builders had left without providing any. “Their contract said one emergency exit in shop, but it didn’t specify any stairs, so they were never built,” she said. “I try to keep an eye on customers but on a busy day it’s not easy.” No pyjamas A benefits office in Dublin has warned claimants against turning up in pyjamas. ‘Pyjamas are not regarded as appropriate attire when attending Community Welfare Service,’ reads a sign at Damastown social welfare office. UFO!!!!!! A man spotted a UFO hovering above his home and did what anyone else would do, he called 999. “It was coming towards us, at first I thought it was an aeroplane, but now it is just hovering over us with all these lights on, I don’t know what the hell it is” he told officers at the emergency services at Hertfordshire police control office. He called back a couple of minutes later, apologised as he had now identified the frightening object – as the moon No dying - by order Exceeding his authority slightly, the mayor of an Italian town has banned residents from dying. Giulio Cesare Fava said there was no more room in the cemetery of Falciano del Massico, north of Naples, and issued the following order: “It is forbidden for residents to go beyond the boundaries of earthly life and to go into the afterlife”. According to the newspaper La Stampa, two residents are currently in breach of the order. Paw Pamela Pamela Followed in her owner’s footsteps and boarded a train in her Tuscan hometown of Arezzo on Monday, headed towards the Emilia-Romagna capital of Bologna. Unlike previous journeys, she was all on her own. The female pooch walked herself to the train station in the town’s centre, waited on the appropriate platform at the right time, then boarded the regional line towards the home town of her owner’s girlfriend, seated in the carriage she habitually took with her human companion. After the dog disappeared during a walk, Luca, the dog’s owner, plastered his hometown of Arezzo with fliers and posted ‘missing’ bulletins on Twitter and Facebook. Three sleepless nights later, the owner was contacted by an animal shelter in Florence where train staff left Pamela after noticing the unaccompanied dog on the train. The canine was identified thanks to her microchip and the four-day search ended happily when the tawny Labrador mix was returned safely to her owner. “We can finally sleep in peace now that she is back,” said the dog’s elated owner. Classified. Mad These are classified ads, which were actually placed in U.K. Newspapers: • FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER. 8 years old. Hateful little bastard bites! •FREE PUPPIES.1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbour’s dog. •FREE PUPPIES. Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd. Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound. •COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED. Also 1 gay bull for sale. •JOINING NUDIST COLONY! Must sell washer and dryer £100. •WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE . Worn once by mistake. Call Stephanie. And the WINNER is... •FOR SALE BY OWNER. Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition, £200 or best offer. No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything. Italian babe On the Road issue 201 Page 16
GRAZ 2012 Advent is coming! With its normal and to be expected efficiency, Graz has finalised details for the plethora of options for its Advent season. This lovely City really comes alive for the festive season. THE HIGHLIGHTS: Advent Calendar Every evening the Graz City Hall is transformed into a giant Advent calendar. From December 1st, Advent motifs projected onto the façade prepare the way for Christmas. 4.30p.m. to midnight. Christmas Markets The Graz Christmas markets in the picturesque Old Town (Franziskanerviertel, Faerberplatz, Mariahilferplatz, Mehlplatz, Glockenspielplatz and Hauptplatz) all lie within comfortable walking distance of each other. Christmas Market in front of the City Hall - Hauptplatz Each year a small village square iscreated, offering something for every taste: from traditional handicrafts to treats for body and spirit. The children’s carousel has become a much-loved tradition, as is the “Feuerzangenbowle”, a fire tongs punch bowl. 23rd November – 24th December 2012 Traditional Christmas Market in the Franciscan Quarter Here is the oldest Christmas market in Graz. Styrian handicrafts, farm-produced specialities, punch and mulled wine provide heart-warming cheer. At the entrance to the church - a carousel, toys and nativity scene, complete with real sheep, makes kids and adults eyes light up. 23rd November – 24th December 2012 Arts and Crafts Market on Faerberplatz The Styrian Arts and Crafts Initiative has been running this market for over 25 years. - no longer a secret rendezvous. For lovers of genuine handicrafts made from cloth, clay, wood, metal, paper, wax and glass. A great tip for connoisseurs. 30th November – 23rd December 2012 Christmas Stands at the Eiserne Tor (in the centre of the pedestrian zone) The glühwein stands at the Eiserne Tor has become THE place to meet during Advent. Proceeds go to a good cause. Advent-Treff stands are all run by charitable organisations. 23rd November – 23rd December 2012 Crafts from all over the World on Tummelplatz For over 15 years now, Tummelplatz has attracted a colourful gathering of artisans, bohemians and globetrotters selling an equally colourful selection of glassware, silver, candles and wax, pottery, joss-sticks, cloth and much more. Their stands are set up on a daily basis and so the market changes constantly. 19th November – 23rd December 2012 Christmas Market on Glockenspielplatz and Mehlplatz New 2012 - “Wonderlend” on Mariahilferplatz Christmas in Lend, the new creative hub of Graz, adopts art and creativity as its theme for the first time this year. A forest of Christmas trees designed by young artists and light angels are set to create a relaxed atmosphere. Visitors will enjoy the DJ line-ups serving up a chilled-out scene on Mariahilferplatz. The pavilion at the heart of the Christmas tree forest will provide punch, alcohol-free hot drinks and also beer and the Graz lemonade “Makava”. 23rd November – 23rd December 2012 Children’s Christmas Market Kleine Neutorgasse A village of 1,000 lights, with a carousel, a nostalgic big wheel and toys – a little paradise! Every Wednesday: Children’s Day (discounted rides on the carousel, big wheel etc.) 23rd November – 23rd December 2012 Christmas Market at the new Joanneum’s Quarter A new, urban location for modern art and culture in the heart of Graz. During Advent the architecture of the inner courtyard, adds luminous Christmas market stalls and culinary treats. 23rd November – 23rd December 2012 “Aufsteirern” Christmas Market on Schlossberg Yet another Christmas Market in the City Centre. Ride on the Schlossbergbahn funicular railway. Visitors can warm up in the Schlossberg Restaurant, where all manner of tasty treats. Dates tba Ice Nativity Scene in the Landhaus Courtyard The well-known ice sculptor Gert J. Hoedl and his international ice-sculpting team will create a magical Christmas nativity scene out of ice in the Landhaus Graztourismus - Hans Wiesenhofer courtyard again in 2012. Made with about 50 tons of crystal-clear ice, the crib is sure to be an amazing – if short-lived – work of art again this year. Start of work: Fri 22nd Nov / Completion: Sat 1st Dec, 2012 The Office for Christmas Carols... ...A unique service run by the Styrian Center for Folk Music in Graz, offering information on Christmas songs, texts and tunes. Their motto is “really singing again”, because “everyone can sing!” and with this aim they provide a free range of around ten thousand songs, texts, poems, tunes and sayings that are just waiting to be sung, read, listened to and enjoyed by family and friends. Over 1,100 visitors come in person not to mention countless requests by phone and email from Austria and abroad. And if you want to find out how it should really sound you can even have it sung to you, so that you get it just right on Christmas eve! 3rd – 23rd December 2012 – Mon-Sat 10a.m. to 6p.m., Sporgasse 23 Christmas Train Travel through the Graz Old Town in the comfort and warmth of the little Advent train! The ‘track’ runs from the Hauptplatz through the city centre at the familyfriendly price of € 1,50 for adults and € 1,00 for children 23rd November – 24th December 2012, daily 11a.m. –7 p.m. By Karen Kelly-Moore To talk about your group requirements: For detailed information on Christmas Markets and all events around Christmas please visit our website: www.adventingraz.at/en Graz Tourist Office / Incoming Department Tel.: 0043/316-8075-59 Fax: 0043/316-8075-35 e-mail: touristik@graztourismus.at Website: www.incoming.graz.at/en On the Road issue 201 Page 17
Page 1 and 2: Late March 2012 Issue 201 The onlin
Page 3 and 4: People news ...continued Institute
Page 5 and 6: Places news ...continued MOMENTS OF
Page 7 and 8: Transport ...continued MICE news Gr
Page 9 and 10: Cruise news ...continued Flight pla
Page 11 and 12: Hospitality news ...continued Hospi
Page 13 and 14: Options and Attractions news ...con
Page 15: Travel Industry news ECM 2nd editio

WHAT AILS EUROPE? - On The Road Magazine Website. An ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?