Author Archives: Qin Xie

Frankfurt Skyscraper Festival: Weekend of highs and highers

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Published on CNN on 25th April 2013:

Frankfurt not only has the most skyscrapers of any European city, they’re also packed together like architectural sardines. And every year the city’s Skyscraper Festival opens up these boisterous buildings to visitors.

From May 25-26, at least 18 buildings open to the general public free of charge, allowing them to explore the architecture and enjoy views across Frankfurt.

Only 80,000 tickets are allocated for high-rise access, but there will be a number of fringe programs too.

Read more at CNN

Luxor balloon flights set to resume

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Published on CNN on 17th April 2013:

Hot air balloon rides at Egypt’s popular tourist destination of Luxor are set to resume Wednesday, according to a statement on the Egyptian Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission’s (CARC) website (Arabic).

President of the CARC, Mohamed Ibrahim Sherif, confirmed balloon flights would restart, the Egypt Independent reported.

Hot air balloon rides were banned in Luxor after a February 26 accident that killed 19 tourists.

Read more at CNN

Margaret Thatcher museum: Good way to spend $23 million?

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Published on CNN on 16th April 2013:

Love or hate her, Margaret Thatcher, who recently passed away at the age of 87, certainly draws a crowd.

One of her legacies, a pressure group she set up in 1991, hopes she’ll continue to do so well after her death.

Conservative Way Forward has unveiled plans for a Margaret Thatcher library and museum that will feature her signature blue Aquascutum suits and handbags, as well as a number of donated and loaned items.

Read more at CNN

London’s dash to ‘toilet restaurants’

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Published on CNN on 15th April 2013:

Also published on CNN Espanol on 24th April 2013

When the first toilet-themed restaurant, Modern Toilet, opened in Taipei in 2004, public reaction was mixed.

Was it weird, funny or just plain unsavory?

Whatever the answer, the concept’s popularity quickly became obvious — the chain now has successful franchises across Asia.

London, however, has put a new spin on the business.

Read more at CNN

Stealing, lying and other outrageous things you do while traveling

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Published on CNN on 12th April 2013:

You walk into your Caribbean resort’s lobby and see a promotional sign: “Free suite upgrade for newlyweds.”

Do you and your mate tell a white lie and snag the cheap trip?

Plenty of travelers would.

According to a recent survey, 5.5% said they’ve pretended to be on honeymoon or celebrating a birthday or anniversary to get a room upgrade while on vacation.

Read more at CNN