ABBA SHRINE IN LONDON
Around the world, there is this weird fascination with ABBA. Now, the Swedish musical group from the 1970s has a new museum/theme park in London – ABBAWorld. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

PARIS IN NOVEMBER (TONGUE FIRMLY IN CHEEK)
OK, we know it isn’t exactly about European travel, but it did at least take place in Paris.... The third annual National Stiletto Championship awarded 3,000 euros worth of shoes to the winning team. If we're in Paris in November, we want to see this.

TEN BUDGET EUROPE CITIES
YahooUK recently came out with a story on the “Top 10 Budget City Destinations in Europe.” Included on the list are:

• Prague, Czech Republic
• Budapest, Hungary
• Rome, Italy
• Bratislava, Slovakia
• Riga, Latvia
• Barcelona, Spain
• Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Bucharest, Romania
• Vilnius, Lithuania

WORLD ART EXHIBIT CALENDAR

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
If you’ve already stayed in a Japanese Pod hotel; if the Ice Hotel is old hat; maybe it’s time to try an airplane hotel. Just outside Stockholm’s Arlanda airport is the new Jumbo Hostel, a Boeing 747 jet converted into a 25-room hotel. Room rates run from 350 Swedish Kronas ($43) for a bed in a dorm room, up to 1350 Krona ($165) for private rooms.

PIRAN, SLOVENIA
It’s on the Adriatic, Italian is widely spoken, it has a peaceful harbor and winding 15th-century streets, and the Gelato is fantastic. But this isn’t Italy, it’s Piran, Slovenia. On the tiny strip of Slovenia which touches the Mediterranean Sea, Piran (once ruled by the Venetians) is right across the water from Venice, and is within minutes of Italy on the north and Croatia on the south.

NOTTING HILL, LONDON
Notting Hill, and especially Portobello Road, has some of the best shopping, pubbing, and people watching in London. The Portobello Road market is open daily – to avoid the crowds, arrive early, especially if you’re visiting on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

All photos copyright © Kenneth & Francesca Hulick

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