Biedermeier, the beauty of simplicity

If you are a big fan of Biedermeier, Vienna has the perfect exhibition for you at Albertina, one of the most important museums in the world. Albertina "is also the largest Hapsburg palace in the centre of the former K.K. Monarchy’s (royal and imperial monarchy) capital Vienna."

You might want to read up on the World of Biedermeier (as I previously posted), but the big fans are loaded with all the necessary documentation.

Tip of the hat to the Economist for the exhibition information. Oh, and if you want to buy the chair in the picture, go here.

The Clueless (American) Tourist

Some people like to blend in. Some like to stand out. If you belong to the former, then you might want to read this Frommer's forum discussion thread on How Not To Look Like A Tourist (in Italy).

If blending in is your thing, here a few ideas I gathered from there:
- don't be clueless/ don't leave your guard down in crowded areas
- do NOT wear your fat wallet in your back pocket
- no matter how hard you try, locals will always be able to pick you as a foreigner
- avoid the baggy jeans/white sneaker/baseball cap combination - it screams 'I am American'
- did I say do NOT wear your fat wallet in your back pocket?
- khaki pants/polo shirts are NOT exactly a fashion statement in Europe (and they are also a dead give-away)
- it's OK to have a guide/map handy - that's NOT the giveaway
- do NOT worry too much about blending in - people like tourists - generally speaking, no matter what they feel about the politics of the country of origin.
- if you're a man and really, really, really want to blend in, ask yourself: are you willing to wear TIGHT jeans/pants? Would that put a dent in your masculinity?
- if you're a woman and really, really, really want to blend in, ask yourself: are you willing to wear really TIGHT jeans/pants and high heels?
- oh, and remember: do NOT wear your fat wallet in your back pocket!

Economics as a Dismal Science

We always knew economics was a dismal science, but The Economist confirms it through its latest annual list of the World's Most Expensive Cities. The top honors go to...no, not Tokyo, not even London. It's Oslo, Norway.

[gasps, followed by What the..?-style questions]

While I am convinced their numbers are right (not sure what they actually picked as criteria for their rankings), I am convinced people will just shrug off the fact that 8/10 most expensive cities in the World are in Europe. One can always go cheap even in the most expensive of the cities.

To illustrate this point (and thumb their noses at The Economist), Gridskipper came out with a Cheap-O Guide to Oslo.

I'd say you could go on a 6-night joy ride that would include air from the US (or Canada), 3-night stays at budget hotels in Reykjavik and Oslo, and the flights to connect the two cities.

Just check it out here: Reykjavik and Oslo by Air from $945