News

First Mammal Species Recognised As Extinct Due To Climate Change

The government of Australia has officially recognised the Bramble Coy melomys as extinct. The small rodent, found solely on a single island in the Eastern Torres Strait of the Great Barrier Reef, is the world’s first mammal to become a casualty of climate change.

Bramble Cay, the name of both the animal and its home, is at most only 10 feet above sea level. Since 1998, the section of the island that sits above high tide has shrunk from 3.9 hectares to 2.5 hectares – the rodents therefore losing approximatively 97% of their habitat.

The animal was last seen by a fisherman in 2009 and failed attempts to it down in 2014 led scientists to believe it was likely extinct.

“The key factor responsible for the extirpation of this population was almost certainly ocean inundation of the low-lying cay, very likely on multiple occasions, during the last decade, causing dramatic habitat loss and perhaps also direct mortality of individuals,” claimed a state government report.

The loss of an animal little known in the public mind has caused sadness and regret in Australia and abroad.

“The Bramble Cay melomys was a little brown rat,” said Tim Beshara, a spokesman for advocacy group The Wilderness Society.

“But it was our little brown rat and it was our responsibility to make sure it persisted. And we failed.”

By Natarsha Brown

 


Tenerife Gears Up To Host Deep-Sea Themed Carnival For 2019

Tenerife Gears Up To Host Deep-Sea Themed Carnival For 2019

The much-anticipated Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife will return in 2019 with a deep-sea theme that will see the island’s streets flooded with music, dancing and celebration for a month-long calendar of festivities. With vibrant parades, show-stopping costumes and unmissable dance performances that rival Rio, the Carnival promises even more fun and creativity this year, with its main events taking place between the 20th February and 10th March.

The internationally renowned Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the Canary Islands’ largest and most anticipated festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of people of all ages to Tenerife’s capital city every year. Considered the world’s second largest carnival after Rio, visitors fill the city’s squares and streets to dance salsa and view the spectacularly put together parades, which are all free for visitors.

Among the highlights of this year’s Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife are:

  • Carnival Queen Election Gala (20th February, 8pm): Considered by many as the highlight of the Carnival, the spectacular Carnival Queen candidates are often the focus of the stunning iconic images each year. Shimmering sequins, feathers, colours, fabrics and textures – the huge structures that the aspirant queens wear look truly amazing, and every costume seems to have been inspired by a fairy tale. The beauty and flair of the wearers make it even more difficult to choose one favourite design.
  • Opening Parade (1st March): The queen’s costume, her maids of honour and the Carnival groups take on a whole new level when seen close up parading down the streets of Santa Cruz, followed by costumed performers, dance troupes and musical groups.
  • Family-friendly Day Carnival (3rd March): The other face of Carnival: the daytime festivities. Groups of friends, children and families stream by in their finest costumes. Under the bright light of day, people of all ages and origins share the streets looking to have a good time.
  • Coso Apoteosis Parade (5th March): On Carnival Tuesday, when everyone’s muscles ache from Monday night’s dancing and their faces are still speckled with glitter, the city is once again filled with colour to celebrate the Grand Final Parade.
  • The Burial of the Sardine (6th March): The Burial of the Sardine takes place on Ash Wednesday and features a crazy, irreverent procession of weeping “widows” with a huge model fish, which is finally “cremated”.
  • Fireworks (10th March): The Carnival ends with a show-stopping fireworks display.

Together with Santa Cruz, other Tenerife towns will be also celebrating their own carnivals in February and March with lively street parades and parties, including Puerto de la Cruz, Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes.

More information

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 

Travel to the Spanish Islands with Globe Trekker!

 


Alternative Winter City Breaks In 2019

Alternative Winter City Breaks In 2019

While Berlin, Budapest and Barcelona are great destinations for weekend city breaks, it can be tough to escape the crowds in these much-explored locales. This winter, why not learn about Soviet-era architecture in Moscow, try craft beers in Armenian microbreweries, explore ancient Georgian monasteries or shop at vibrant Jordanian bazaars? Here are five alternative city breaks, taking travellers away from the well-trodden path.

For a hipster city break, try Yerevan instead of Berlin

Buzzing Yerevan is an up-and-coming city break destination, with an industrial chic aesthetic, café culture, microbreweries and art galleries to rival the hip German capital. Music lovers can dive into the city’s live music scene with a night at the ultra-cool Kami Club, where jazz and rock bands accompany dinner and cocktails. Design buffs can witness fascinating Soviet-era architecture and modern art all around the city. History enthusiasts can learn about Armenia’s past and culture at the State Museum, the twelfth century monastery of Geghard and the Megerian Carpet Museum.

Yerevan © Travel Local

For rich history and thermal baths, try Tbilisi instead of Budapest

On the banks of the Kura River, close to the Silk Road and awash with rejuvenating hot spring baths, the beautiful cobblestoned Georgian capital, Tbilisi, abounds in similarities to Budapest but offers charms and intrigue all of its own. Learn about the city’s fascinating blend of Russian, Persian, Roman and Byzantine influences, while wandering its winding lanes and leafy squares and exploring its deserted monasteries, secret gardens and historic churches. The remnants of Soviet Georgia are all around, with 1930s bus stations and modernist structures as well as fascinating finds (including Lenin busts, vintage typewriters and iconic posters) on display at the Dry Bridge Flea Market. Fuel your explorations with stop-offs for comforting Georgian cuisine, from Khachapuri – bread and melted cheese – to Khinkali – tasty dumplings, all washed down with excellent, and very reasonably priced, Georgian wines.

Tbilisi © Travel Local

For grand architecture worthy of a Wes Anderson film, try Moscow instead of Vienna

Kick off this snowy getaway with an interactive walking tour around Red Square, stopping off at the imposing building that is Lenin’s Mausoleum, the magnificent neoclassical GUM Department Store, and the stunning red State Historical Museum, which houses a vast collection of Russian artefacts dating back to the Mongol invasion. A cruise along the Moskva River will reveal the old and modern faces of Russia’s capital, from the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral to the iconic Moscow City skyscrapers. Cold weather lovers will delight in an evening performance by Russian figure skaters, an ice-skating lesson in Gorky Park and a visit to a Siberian husky nursery.

Moscow © Travel Local

For delicious cuisine and winter sunshine, try Amman instead of Barcelona

Jordan’s sunlit capital boasts fine winter weather (up to 14 degrees and seven hours of sunshine in February) and excellent cuisine throughout the city’s many great cafés and restaurants, offering a relaxed alternative to over-crowded Barcelona. Learn the skills to recreate traditional Arabic dishes at home and dine on Jordanian dishes such as mansaf (the national dish, with Bedouin roots, containing rice cooked with meat and yogurt), warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) and musakhan (a Levantine-style pizza of sorts). Visit handicraft markets to shop for colourful Jordanian ceramics, straw baskets and herbal remedies; wander around the labyrinthine downtown area; explore the remains of the Islamic Governor’s Palace and Mosque, and much more.

Ammam © Travel Local

For sun-soaked souks, try Muscat instead of Marrakech

The exotic waterside city of Muscat is rich in history, grandeur and friendly Arabian hospitality. With dazzling souks, fantastic food and a stunning mountain backdrop, it rivals Marrakech as a winter sun destination. The city’s many souks boast colourful ceramics, carpets, antiques, spices and fruits – a sight to behold for foodies, photographers and magpies! Meander along characterful streets lined with clean, whitewashed buildings, explore ancient mosques and venture beyond the city for day trips to otherworldly desert oasis Wadi Shab – a rocky ravine full of palms, banana trees and turquoise pools – and Wahiba Sands – the vast sea of red and white sands, traditionally home to the Bedouin tribes.

Muscat © Travel Local

More information

TravelLocal
The ‘buy local’ expert in tailor-made holidays – makes undiscovered gems more accessible to its UK customer base via local know-how. TravelLocal currently showcases local travel companies from 49 countries around the world, across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East, and North Africa. Just added: Russia.

Watch our Globe Trekker episodes below for more information and inspiration!

Globe Trekker – Georgia & Armenia

Globe Trekker – Russia

Globe Trekker – Syria, Jordan & Lebanon

Globe Trekker – Arab Gulf States

Tehran Bans Dog Walking In Public Places

Iran’s capital city has banned city dwellers from walking pet dogs in public places – such as parks – as a next step in its ongoing campaign to discourage dog ownership.Tehran Police Chief Hossein Rahimi reportedly said Tehran’s Prosecutor’s Office had given its stamp of approval for the ban.

Islamic Iranian authorities regard dog-ownership as a symbol of pro-Western policy and ideology. In 2010, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance banned the media from publishing any advertisements for pets or pet-related products and in just five years ago there was a push to fine and flog dog-walkers.

People have also been prohibited from driving a car with a dog inside.

Islamic tradition considers dogs to be “unclean” and traditionally in the past people have avoided having them in the home. However, dog ownership has become increasingly popular in recent years in the country, especially among the middle class.

By Natarsha Brown

Main image © A_Peach, Flickr Creative Commons

 


Most Instagrammable Spots Along The Mediterranean Coastline

Most Instagrammable Spots Along The Mediterranean Coastline

Set along 28,000 miles of beautiful coastline, there’s a magnitude of opportunity for avid photographers to capture scenes of turquoise waters, secluded landscapes and historical sites in the Mediterranean. To help those deciding where on this famous coastline they want to snap next, read on for the most Instagram-worthy locations.

Kassiopi, Greece

Situated on the affluent north coast of Corfu, the popular horseshoe bay of Kassiopi is relaxed by day – perfect for a snorkel in the shallow shingle bay – yet close to the heart of the village, which comes alive at night. The village itself is steeped in history, with Emperor Nero and Cicero some of its ancient visitors. Nowadays, the village has transformed into something of a luxury hotspot, with stunning blue coastal views by day and the twinkling lights of tavernas creating a buzz at night.

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Loviste, Croatia

This little town on the Peljesac peninsula, far away from the light pollution of large cities and tourist hotspots, is the perfect spot to unwind and capture some great snaps. Enjoy the calm, warmer waters of the bay by paddleboard before spending a night stargazing from the beach.

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Fethiye, Turquise Coast, Turkey

Turkey’s Turquoise Coast has quite the history; legend has it that Marc Anthony declared the whole coast as a gift for his lover, Cleopatra. Discover the area both underwater and from the sky; with ancient ruins to snorkel and the famous Oludeniz beach to paraglide above, these glistening turquoise waters are an Instagrammer’s dream.

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Diamond Bay, Croatia

Hidden away on Vis Island, Diamond Bay is home to the crystal clear waters of Stiniva Cove and the ancient Blue Grotto. Paddle into the caves to experience deep blue caverns teeming with sea life. Film buffs may also recognise the island’s quaint villages and golden orchards from Mamma Mia 2.

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Hydra, Greece

Named after the natural springs found across the island, Hydra is a rustic gem. Vehicles are banned on the island, so donkeys remain the most popular method of transport and the pristine forests that line the beaches are not to be missed. With many beaches only accessible by boat, Hydra is the perfect destination to watch the sunset in solitude.

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Cala Junco, Italy

Located on the most beautiful of the Aeolian Islands, Panarea is the home of Cala Junco, a stony shored beach with crystal clear waters, rocky outlets and hidden coves to discover. A short ride away from neighbouring towns that are popular with the yachting elite, Cala Junco gives a taste of Italian luxury, without the matching price tag. Head into town for fashionable Italian boutiques and to rub shoulders with Uma Thurman, Naomi Campbell, The Dolce and Gabanna designers, all famous fans of this beautiful island.

More information

Med Sailors
Offering balanced sailing holidays in the Mediterranean, MedSailors create seven-day trips for 20-35 year olds in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Antigua. Trips are created to offer authentic, memorable experiences while providing holidaymakers the opportunity to relax and, if they want to, learn new skills.

All images © Med Sailors

Want know more about all things Mediterranean? Read our diverse range of articles below.

 


Nashville’s Top 10 Events Not To Be Missed In 2019

Nashville’s Top 10 Events Not To Be Missed In 2019

Merging country roots with popular culture, there’s something for everyone on the vibrant streets of Nashville. Whether looking to be inspired by arts, energised by music or indulged with cuisine, visitors to Music City will find themselves spoilt for choice thanks to an extensive calendar of events throughout the year. Here are just 10 events on Nashville’s calendar not to be missed in 2019.

Tin Pan South Songwriter’s Festival (26th March – 30th March)

Kicking off the line-up of must-see events across the city, the Tin Pan South Songwriter’s Festival is an experience made for every music lover’s bucket list. Entering its 27th year, the festival brings together over 400 songwriters to perform across five nights in various locations around the city, making it the largest event of its kind in the world. While music legends such as Rodney Crowell and Sacha Skarbek are known to frequent the festival, it is the extent and diversity of songs performed which makes the festival truly unique. Festival passes are available to purchase online and officially go on sale on 26th February 2019.

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2019 National Football League (NFL) Draft (25th April – 27th April)

For the first time in history, Music City will be the proud host for the 84th annual NFL Draft. Running from the 25th – 27th April, the Draft is undoubtedly one of America’s most anticipated sporting events of the year, with the 2018 Draft being the highest-rated and most watched in history. The annual draft sees both leading and up-and-coming players await their selection on one of the NFL’s 32 national teams for the season ahead. As part of the event, a three-day football festival, NFL Draft Experience Presented By Oikos Triple Zero®, will provide football fans the opportunity to compete in games, experience interactive exhibits, meet and greet with their favourite players and celebrate the Draft results in Music City. True to the spirit of the city, music will feature heavily in the agenda, with top Nashville artists performing throughout the weekend. Tickets are required for seating within the NFL Draft theatre, with registration times yet to be announced.

CMA Music Fest (6th – 9th June)

Nashville comes to life in June, when the city is home to country music’s premier event of the year, CMA Music Fest. Hosted by the Country Music Association, CMA Music Fest will see country music fans rock out to four days and nights of live music held at various venues across the city including Music City Centre, Riverfront Park Stage and Nissan Stadium. Now in its 48th year, the annual event attracts an all-star line-up of established and up-and-coming country music stars, with meet and greets and Q&A sessions organised at the festival’s Xfinity Fan Fair X. All participating artists play for free, with proceeds from the festival benefitting music education programs through the CMA Foundation. Tickets for the 2019 event are available online.

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Nashville Pride (22nd June – 23rd June)

Entering its 31st year of celebrations, the Nashville Pride festival is the largest LGBTQ event in the state of Tennessee. The Pride Equality Walk is the jewel in the crown of the annual festivities, with the turnout for last year’s parade numbering in the thousands. The festival grounds are located at Public Square Park, and feature multiple live music performances and DJ sets, drag shows and over 200 vendors including local not-for-profit organisations, artists, businesses and food and beverage offerings. The 2019 event is set to be even bigger than before, making it a must for visitors to Music City in June. Tickets will be available for purchase online closer to the event.

2019 Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th celebration and the 12th Annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival (4th July)

Experience a different side to America’s favourite holiday by celebrating 4th July in Music City! Featuring free live music, family entertainment and food stalls, the day’s festivities are topped off with one of the of the largest fireworks displays in the country, set to music from the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. For those feeling more famished than festive, the 12th annual Music City Hot Chicken Festival takes place in East Park at 700 Woodland Street on the same day. A Nashville specialty, Hot Chicken is traditionally served with bread and pickles but can also be used to spice up a salad, pasta, or even with a malted waffle for brunch. Sample some of the city’s best Hot Chicken, or watch home cooks battle it out in the amateur cooking competition for the prestigious title of ‘2019 King or Queen of Hot Chicken’! Admission is free to both events.

Live on the Green Music festival (August – September)

Running throughout August until the Labour Day weekend, Live on the Green is a free outdoor music festival held at Public Square Park in Nashville. The festival showcases the city’s emerging musical talent and highlights well-known national acts. Since it began in 2009, over 590,000 fans have flocked to Nashville to attend the event. The festival has hosted more than 190 performing artists, including Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Sheryl Crow, Alabama Shakes, Ben Folds, The Head And The Heart, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Band of Horses, Cold War Kids, Young The Giant, City and Colour and more!

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Music City Food + Wine festival (September)

Whether you’re a BBQ buff or just worship wine, the Music City Food + Wine festival is the stuff foodie dreams are made of. The brainchild of Grammy award-winning artists (and Nashville residents) Kings of Leon, world-renowned chef Jonathan Waxman, Music City Food + Wine Festival brings together the stars of Nashville’s culinary scene with acclaimed regional and national chefs, wine and spirits experts. The festival features interactive cooking demonstrations, engaging panel discussions, intimate tasting sessions and countless opportunities to sample the wares of a myriad of international restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries.

Nashville 50th Anniversary Film Festival (3rd – 12th October)

Each year, the Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) presents the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. Originally founded in 1969, it is the longest running festival of its kind in the United States, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019. The festival has attracted a wide range of famous faces to its screenings over the years such as Oprah Winfrey, Al Gore and Nicole Kidman. It was also where Craig Brewer – the director of Footloose, Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, won his first award as a novice filmmaker!

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Country Music Association (CMA) Awards (November)

Hailed as the biggest night in country music, the CMA Awards pay homage to the outstanding achievements of artists and broadcasters in the country music industry. Albums and songs released between 1st July 2018 and 30th June 2019 will be eligible for awards, with nominees and winners chosen by more than 7,400 industry professional members of the Country Music Association. The annual event is held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Area and starts in style with a glamourous red-carpet entrance, while the ceremony features live performances and award presentations by the who’s who of country music. Best of all, the event is open to fans as well as stars!

Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: NYE in Nashville (31st December)

Ring in the new year and rock out the old in Music City at Nashville’s spectacular New Year’s Eve party. The show is a free outdoor concert which takes place at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park on New Year’s Eve, with festivities kicking off at 4:00pm. The event is famous for featuring an all-star line-up of live music, and has previously played host to artists such as Keith Urban, The Kings of Leon, Peter Frampton, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton to name a few. Partygoers can count down to the New Year as a 4.5 metre music note drops from a 44 metre height to mark the stroke of midnight. The music note drop then triggers a fantastic firework display and confetti cannons as revellers celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

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More Information

Visit Music City
Official Nashville, TN Visitor and Tourism website that features discount hotels, attractions, things to do, tickets, event listings and more.

All images © Visit Music City

For episodes, articles, short-form content and tips galore about Tennessee, then click here to read our destination guide!

 


Location lovers follow in the footsteps of their TV heroes: Rise in number of people coming to Wales

Location lovers follow in the footsteps of their TV heroes: Rise in number of people coming to Wales

A North Wales hotel says the increasing number of high-profile feature films and TV programmes being made in the principality is proving a real boost for the local tourism industry.

Steve Lee, manager of the Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis, says productions such as Journey’s End, Requiem, Britannia, and Keeping Faith, are providing a stimulus to the local economy.

“We’re getting a lot of ‘first-timers’ who may have seen the region on their favourite TV show and want to come along and experience the landscape,” said Steve. “Places like Snowdonia have always been popular for their dramatic beauty, but there is now a whole new audience coming here and discovering it for themselves.

Steve says location lovers now make up a growing percentage of Royal Victoria guests, alongside the regular hill walkers, triathletes and railway enthusiasts.

South West coach firm, Bakers Dolphin, says it has also seen an increase in the number of people keen to experience wonder of Wales as captured on film and TV.

“You can’t beat North Wales for glorious scenery,” said Amanda Harrington, sales and marketing director of Bakers Dolphin, “and the Royal Victoria’s a big favourite with our guests”.

“Films like Guy Ritchie’s ‘King Arthur’, and the S4C series ‘Hidden’, which was shot at locations in Snowdonia, are attracting a whole new audience of coach trippers.”

In 2017, the Lonely Planet placed North Wales fourth in in the publisher’s annual Best in Travel list as one of the top five places in the world to visit, the only UK destination to be featured in its rankings.

Tourism is estimated to be worth more than £5 billion to Wales as a whole.

For episodes, articles, short-form content and tips galore about Wales, then click here to read our destination guide!

 


Top 5 things to do in Baltimore in 2019

Top 5 things to do in Baltimore in 2019

Planning a holiday in 2019 in the US? Perhaps its time to look towards the bright lights of Charm City and discover an array of world-class art, culinary and cultural experiences across the city’s historic and distinct neighbourhoods. From delicious street food pop-ups, endless crab feasts, to scenic nature trails for an active reawakening, Baltimore shares its top five activities.

Celebrate Baltimore’s festivals

It wouldn’t be a trip to Baltimore without taking part in the city’s local festival scene. In July, thousands of visitors will flock to Artscape, America’s largest free outdoor arts festival featuring 150+ fine artists, craftspeople and fashion designers. With live concerts, sculptures and performance pieces including dance, street theatre, jazz, opera and standup comedy, Artscape embodies the city’s homegrown arts boom. From 1st – 10th November 2019, Light City and Baltimore Book Festival will combine forces for the first time, highlighting the city’s burgeoning arts scene, and award-winning artists, authors and performers from around the world. Famed as America’s first large-scale festival of light art, music and innovation, Light City transforms 1.5 miles of the Inner Harbor waterfront into an interactive playground of large scale light installations, street performers, concerts, an Opening Night Parade and a Closing Night fireworks finale.

© Visit Baltimore

Public markets

The Baltimore Public Market System is the oldest continuously operating public market system in the country – and continues to play a vital role in the city. Four of Baltimore’s six public markets are slated for overhauls, with two reopening in 2019. The city’s oldest existing market building, at more than 230 years old, will unveil a $3 million redevelopment of its north shed in early 2019, with its south shed opening in the summer. The south shed of the market will be converted into, a Maryland crab house and seafood restaurant led by Atlas Restaurant Group. The space, which will offer indoor and outdoor seating for 275 guests, an outdoor bar, live entertainment and a recreational area, is a nod to Broadway Market’s long history of serving local seafood. In addition, the new north shed will house ten local vendors, including: Connie’s Chicken & Waffles, Thai Street, a permanent location for the Thai street food pop-up; The Verandah, serving Indian specialties; Taharka Brothers Ice Cream, and Old Boy, a new Korean restaurant by Phil Han, owner of popular Mount Vernon cafe Dooby’s.

© Visit Baltimore

Mount Vernon neighbourhood renaissance

Just north of downtown rests the city’s cultural heart, Mount Vernon, once home to Baltimore’s Gilded Age elite. Let the impressive architecture and manicured public gardens transport you to a bygone era. The nation’s first monument to George Washington sits proudly at the centre of Mount Vernon Square. What once were grand mansions belonging to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists are now museums, galleries, shops and restaurants. Home to stunning boutique hotels including the new Hotel Revival, Hotel Indigo, and The Ivy, journey to a home away from home and soak up the city’s history.

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Sport past-times and fitness classes

Home to sporting legends like Michael Phelps, Babe Ruth and Johnny Unitas, Baltimore reveals a longstanding love affair with sport. Become inspired by Oriole Park at Camden Yards, frequently ranked as a top baseball stadium in America, to cheer on the Baltimore Orioles or catch the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, two-time Super Bowl champions, whilst you’re in town. For those looking to shed their winter coat and step into a healthier regime, journey to the Movement Lab, an epic space designed to reinvent people’s workout practices with alternative anti-gravity fitness routines. Make sure you also try out Jones Falls Bike Trail, where walkers, runners and bikers journey across a scenic eleven mile trail from the city’s inner harbor to 200 acres of wetlands and picturesque Cylburn Arboretum.

© Visit Baltimore

Tastes from the ocean

A foodies’ Baltimore to-do list should always include crab. Recognised for its awe-inspiring seafood scene, there are a variety of ways seafood lovers can savor the crustaceans besides the traditional crab feast or standalone crab cake. Baltimore restaurants serve crab in quiches, sandwiches, on top of tater tots and waffle fries, and on pizza. The Land of Kush even offers a vegan “crab cake” as a weekend special. Located in the Baltimore Museum of Art and founded by John Shields and John Gilligan in 1998, Gertrude’s has been a brunch neighbourhood staple for 20 years. The restaurant was on the vanguard of the farm-to-table movement and now has decades-long relationships with Maryland farms and fisheries. The crab omelet is an all-time favourite, as is the blue cat eggs, a delicious catfish cake served with maple bacon. During warmer months, visit the museum’s sculpture garden right outside the restaurant and experience its delightful ambience. For new openings in 2019, find The Urban Oyster. Head Chef Jasmine Norton was the first female owner of an oyster bar in Maryland. The fast-casual restaurant and bar will open in February 2019 featuring a full-service raw bar and serving Norton’s signature char-grilled oysters; seasonal seafood dishes such as Maryland crab cakes on homemade potato bread; and brunch items such as a shrimp BLT on a waffle bun, an oyster benedict and a lobster roll croissant.

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All images © Visit Baltimore

More information

Visit Baltimore
Get Baltimore trip ideas from the official travel and tourism website for Baltimore Maryland.

Planning a holiday to the Mid-Atlantic States? Read our destination guide for episodes, articles and tips to help get you started!

50 years since man first stepped foot on the moon

50 years since man first stepped foot on the moon

On July 20th, 2019, it will be 50 years since man first set foot on the moon!

Find out what it was like for astronauts who went there: we interview Alan Bean, the 4th man to walk on the moon who rocketed there with Apollo 12, the second manned moon mission. A former US Navy test pilot, he was selected by Nasa as a trainee in 1963. He went into space twice, the first time in November 1969 as the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 12 Moon-landing mission. In 1973 he was commander of the second crewed flight to Skylab – America’s first space station. He retired from Nasa in 1981 and in later life he became an accomplished artist, producing paintings that were inspired by space. Alan Bean died in 2018.

Check out the interview in our Globe Trekker East Texas episode available on DVD or to download on our online store.

 


Celebrating the centenary of the Bauhaus

Celebrating the centenary of the Bauhaus

2019 is the centenary of the Bauhaus, the revolutionary art school and movement founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 and closed in 1933 after pressure from the Nazis. The architecture, art and design that was created there is still revered around the world to this day, and an illustrious cast of designers and artists such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky bloomed here.

To mark the centenary three new museums will open this year in Germany – in Weimar, Dessau and Berlin. And the Grand Tour of Modernism connects landmark Bauhaus and modernist architecture in 100 locations across Germany.

Find out more at bauhaus100.com.

After the Nazis came to power, many modernists fled abroad. Find out about the buildings they designed in Tel Aviv, in our Globe Trekker Israel episode, and the art they created in the Netherlands, in our Globe Trekker Netherlands episode. Both are available on DVD or to download on our online store.

main image: Teaching scene at the Bauhaus Dessau, photo: unknown, 1925-1932.