Context Travel Blog

Something old, something new…

5565v00

…on Naples’ via Carbonara. This busy street links Castello Capuano and the southern border of the Sanita’ district. And even though appliance repair and car body shops take up most of the real estate, there are two highlights that make this street a cultural destination. Read more »

Faubourg Saint-Antoine: The Other Marais by Docent Bernard Zirnheld

6a00d83451bb4969e201157024fe1b970b-650wi

While the Marais has grown in popularity with tourists over the past ten years, the Faubourg-Saint Antoine – a little-visited neighborhood just across the Place de la Bastille — remains the province of Parisians. The neighborhood stretches along the boundary of the eleventh and twelfth arrondissements and is bisected by the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine (not to be confused with the rue Saint-Antoine in the Marais). Faubourg Saint-Antoine has long been a district of craftsmen. Woodworkers and furniture makers have concentrated their workshops here since the fifteenth century and the neighborhood is still home to a robust design and artisan community.

Read more »

Heading to Naples on Tuesday….

svagoedintorni_catacombe_affreschi2

And I am excited to…

Read more »

Context Docents Lecture for Smarthistory

Il Gesu

In November I wrote a post about educational websites one can use to help you learn a bit more before you embark on your travels. I’m pleased to announce that one of the sites, Smarthistory, collaborated with us during a recent trip to Rome. Over the course of several days, Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, the creators of Smarthistory, engaged several of our docents in discussions of various monuments and artworks from a range of time periods. Click though to hear the first results of their time with Context docents, just the of many more clips to come. Native Roman and archaeologist Valentina Follo, who is currently completing her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, dissects the Arch of Constantine, while art historian Frank Dabell, who teaches at the Temple University program in Rome, explores the Baroque splendor of the Il Gesu church.

Organic Cooking with Terresa in Paris

orangesalad

French food is not terribly vegetarian friendly. Despite living in this carnivorous environment for almost ten years, I haven’t giving up on my culinary convictions, so it was with great pleasure that I accepted an invitation for lunch with chef and food writer Terresa, certainly the most organic-savy Anglophone in Paris, and I was marveled with probably the best meal I’ve had in a decade’s of Parisian dining.

Read more »

Context Docent Completes Uganda Photo Project

Jennifer Huxta shooting in Northern Uganda

Jennifer Huxta, a photographer who leads some of our photographic workshops and learning experiences in Paris, has just returned from a three-month visit to East Africa where she taught photography at the River Blue Vocational Training Center in Northern Uganda. River Blue, Jennifer relates, is an arts empowerment organization serving young adults who were displaced by the current conflict in the country.

Read more »

Having a Romantique Parisian Valentine’s Day

pr_chocolatehearts

Paris is truly one of the most romantic cities in the world and a perfect destination for Valentine’s day. You don’t have to go to too much fuss to have a romantic getaway to Paris. Simply strolling down its narrow winding streets enjoying a chocolat chaud at a cozy cafe evoke romance. But if you are looking for some Parisian tips here are some ideas for an extra special weekend escape.

Read more »

London Favorites -part 2

park

London may not be the cheapest city to live in, especially in the areas around Chelsea and Kensington, but there are still plenty of places you can enjoy without breaking the bank. Read more »

A Cruise along the Seine, with a chef on board!

eiffel

I am normally not a big fan of cruises and of big places with lots of people. but last week’s experience may have changed my mind.

Read more »

A stroll down rue Mouffetard

mouff1

If you’re coming to Paris, taking a walk on the Rue Mouffetard is a must. Unlike the Grands Boulevards and the small streets of St. Michel, Rue Mouffetard is authentically Parisian with a very Parisian crowd. Historically, the ‘Rue’ connected Ivry to the Roman Arena, L’Arène de Lutece (close to Place Monge) and dates back to the first century. Rue Mouffetard has always served as a petit chemin (little passage way) for those traveling from the bottom of the fifth to the edge of the sixth.

Read more »