Radisson SAS Royal Hotel Photo Credit:seier

To highlight and popularize its modern architecture the city of Copenhagen since 2006 has been annually hosting a festival known as the Copenhagen Architecture and Design Days. This festival which seeks to promote Copenhagen as an architecture destination has been conceptualized and created by Wonderful Copenhagen which is the official tourism organization of Copenhagen. This year the Copenhagen Architecture and Design Days  will be held at various venues in Copenhagen from Wednesday the 2nd of September to Sunday the 6th of September.

This design festival will  feature several  interesting and innovative events some of which are :–

Official Image Photo Credit: Official press image

It’s a Small World at the Dansk Design Center

This exhibition will be held at the world famous Dansk Design Center from the 28th of August 2009 to the 31st of January 2010. The exhibition is a collaborative effort of the most eminent   Danish design institutions namely the Dansk Design Center, Danish Crafts and the Danish Architecture Center. ‘It’s a small world’ will explore the world of Danish design, architecture and crafts and focus on several themes like future design  practice, human scale and sustainability while challenging the traditional role of the designer. The exhibition seeks to showcase Denmark as an intensely creative society which is equipped with a politically conscious design environment. This exhibit which will kick off the architecture festival will also travel to museums in Europe and the USA.

The Danish Design Center Photo Credit :carstenkessler

JDS Out Of Office

Julien de Smedt Architects which is a world famous multidisciplinary architecture firm that is based in Copenhagen will be a major participant of the  Copenhagen Architecture & Design Days festival. The  firm will move its design office out of its location  at Vesterbro out on to Gråbrødre Torv which is one of the busiest and most popular squares in Copenhagen. Here the firm will conduct creative workshops and activities for the entire duration of the festival. These events will give the general public a chance to interact with one of the most avant-garde design firms in the world.

Beer and Peculiar Architecture

All previous festivals have featured walking tours of the various architectural sites of Copenhagen and this time around the festival’s walking tour will focus on industrial monuments and the history of Danish beer making. This tour will be conducted in both Danish and English on two separate days of the festival. Details of these tours are available on the official website of Copenhagen Architecture and Design Days. These tours are don’t require enrollment but are limited to the first 40 people who show up at their starting point at Besøgscenteret which is the home to the Carlsberg Brewery that  produces several Scandinavian beers.

Exhibit at the Danish Architecture Center Photo Credit:gcbb

Architecture to Go

This event will be held for the entire duration of the festivalf at the square that is located in front of the Danish Architecture Center. The  exhibit will feature the open air temporary offices of seven large and small Danish design firms namely Krydsrum, ADEPT, Witraz, MAPT, PK3, Henning Larsen Architects and Vandkunsten. These temporary offices will be housed in containers and will aim highlight the theme of sustainability and green living. The general public and design students will be encouraged to interact and share ideas with these design firms at various workshops and events like a communal breakfast and a barbecue evening.

The famous Egg Chair Photo Credit:theshutterchick

If as a design enthusiast, you are planning to visit the festival then it is fitting that you should plan to stay at one of hotels in Copenhagen that are associated with Danish design and  feature the work of renowned Danish artist Arne Jacobsen. Arne Jacobsen was a world famous Danish architect and designer who designed several landmark buildings not only  in Copenhagen (the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel, the National Bank of Denmark) but  in several other cities  located around the world.

Arne Jacobsen was also well known for his furniture designs, especially his chairs.   In fact his Giraffe and Pot Chairs were designed especially for the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel while his bright crimson Egg chairs can be seen  in the lobby of  another one of  Copenhagen’s iconic city center hotels- the Square hotel.

Photo Credit:aileenspics

The Philadelphia Flower Show- late February to early March

The historic city of Philadelphia which is located on the East Coast of the USA has been associated with flowers and horticultural for ages ever since the  Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was founded here in 1827 and the first Philadelphia Flower Show was  held in 1829. This first flower show however was not held in a city garden but indoors in a building called Masonic Hall on Chestnut Street. The first Philadelphia flower show showcased exotic and native plants like magnolias, peonies from China, an India rubber tree, the Coffee Tree of Arabia, and sugar cane from the West Indies as it captured the imagination of the people and the Philadelphia Flower Show then went on to be annual extravaganza which is held every year at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where it encompasses 33 indoor acres and proudly wears the crown of the largest flower show in the world as it attracts 250,000 people annually.

Photo Credit:geoftheref
Ellerslie Flower Show- early March, Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch, the Garden City of the World which has one eighth of its area devoted to public parks, reserves and recreation grounds hosts a five day annual gardening and lifestyle extravaganza called the Ellerslie International Flower Show every year in the month of March at its huge  459 acre Hagley Park which is located in the heart of the city. This event showcases the horticultural, floral, landscape design and construction businesses of New Zealand in form of show gardens and floral marquees that display innovative garden design trends and new plants. Over the years green issues like ‘sustainability which consists of re-use and recycling and sensitivity to the environment have also featured prominently at this grand flower and garden celebration.

Photo Credit:herry
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show- May, Chelsea, London, England

The Chelsea Flower Show which is held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London is perhaps the worlds most famous and well-known flower show which attracts visitors from all around the globe and much media attention. This flower show is also held over five days and features show gardens which are created by leading international landscape architects and garden designers who apply to participate in the Chelsea Flower Show. The show also features Urban gardens which are created to suit smaller urban landscapes, a Great Pavilion which features gorgeous flower displays created by exhibitors from around the globe and a floral design marquee. Gardening products and innovations also find a place at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Photo Credit:chevrolet
VanDusen Flower and Garden Show, June, Vancouver, Canada

The Van Dusen Botanical Gardens which are a major tourist attraction in the Canadian city of Vancouver host an annual flower and garden show in June every year. This show usually   features more than 250 exhibitors  who create several outdoor theme gardens which extend over 10 acres and feature themes like ‘Passion’, ‘Eden’, ‘a Fern Grotto’ a Victorian Conservatory etc. This flower show is not only limited to flowers but also show cases the talents of many leading Vancouver Chefs in its food and drink pavilion.

Photo Credit:eugeneflores
Australia Floriade, - September to October, Canberra, Australia

Australia Floriade is Australia’s biggest flower festival which is held at the capital city, Canberra’s Commonwealth Park that is located on the shore of Lake Burley-Griffin. This show features more than a million blooms which are arranged in fantastic themed gardens. This year, the  Australia Floriade be held from 12th September to 11th October and will feature innovative garden displays, informative workshops and much regional food and wine

What’s that sound? It’s the shrill cry of Antarctica calling out for an able and willing travel blogger to join Quark Expeditions on a $20,000 Expedition for free! The blogger must have the following in order to win the golden ticket to the icy kingdom of penguins:

* Passion for the polar regions
* Commitment to the environment
* An insatiable urge to photograph those cute little penguins

We see all these characteristics present in one Gary Arndt - whose lust for travelling is only paralleled by his lust for blogging about his adventures. Please support Gary by voting for him here. All it takes is one click of a button that says “Vote For Me” on his page and that’s it! Good luck Gary!

Photo source: Christian Revival Network

Photo Credit:husin.sani

World Mobile Throwing Contest, Savonlinna, Finland

Finland is the home of Nokia , which the world’s largest mobile phone company and it seems fitting then that the   Mobile Phone Throwing World Championships have been held  in the town of  Savonlinna in Finland since 2000. This mobile throwing contest is usually held in August  these championships this year are scheduled to  be held on 22nd August.
The contest will feature many different events namely ‘the Original’ or traditional contest wherein competitors will compete by executing an over the shoulder throw to determine who can chuck the mobile phone the farthest. The freestyle section of the competition where contestants will  score points for  aesthetics and choreography  if they are incorporated into the  routine of throwing  and the team event which will feature teams of 3 members whose throws will be added together to determine the winning team The contest will even  feature a contest for juniors . The mobile phones which are  used during the competition are of various different types and brands but they  are usually supplied by a single company. Perhaps the British supermodel, Naomi Campbell should consider entering these championships as she is a well known ‘chucker’ of mobile phones .

Photo Credit:zionorbi

Cow Festival, Kathmandu ,Nepal

Cows are considered to be scared by Hindus and in Nepal where the majority of the population  belongs to the Hindu faith, cows are celebrated and venerated in Nepal during the annual Gai Jatra festival which features a cow themed parade in Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital city. This cow parade   is held annually  in the month of August.

Hindus believe that the sacred cow is the vehicle that helps you get to heaven but you have to remember to hang onto  a cow’s tail as you breathe your last .If for some reason this doesn’t happen  then your family members can help your soul along by taking part in the Gai Jatra festival. Every family which has suffered a bereavement during the previous year has to send a male child and a cow to take part in the cow parade during the Gai Jatra festival. However  if for some reason a cow is not available then the young child can make do my donning a cow costume for the parade that celebrates this festival.

Photo Credit:nelsonminar
Teddy Bear Festival, Zurich, Switzerland

This beloved soft toy is celebrated at the annual Swiss Teddy Bear festival which is usually held at a medieval building called Schützenhaus Albisgütli  that is located in the heart of Zurich. This year The Teddy Bear festival will be held over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd of August and will feature many interesting and interactive events like doll making, a teddy doctor, an exhibit of antique teddies and even a beauty farm for teddy bears.

Photo Credit:darwinbell
Weird Contest Week, Ocean City , New Jersey , USA

However the prize for the weirdest and wackiest festival will surely go to this week long festival that is held Ocean city, a popular family beach resort which is located in Southern  New Jersey. Ocean City  plans  to again set aside an entire week for outlandish and bizarre contests this summer. The Weird Contest Week will kick off with  the salt water taffy sculpting contest which will be held on August 18th and will  feature participants who will attempt to create works of art with this sticky  but pliable confectionery. This contest will be followed by a french fry sculpting contest on the following day and a pie sculpting contest on the day after that.  Previous competitions  have thrown up some remarkable works of art during these food sculpting contests.
The contest that is scheduled for August 21st will feature wet t-shirts that the contestants will chuck over the sand. Whoever throws the wet t-shirt the farthest will then be declared the winner.
This weird contest week will finally  conclude on the 22nd  of August with beauty pageants of the offbeat kind including the Mister and Miss Miscellaneous Pageant, and  the Little Miss and Little Mister Chaos Pageant during which contestants will be judged on eccentric talent routines and  outlandish costumes rather than  the traditional parameters of beauty, poise and grace.

Photo Credit:atilh

Mercat de La Boqueria, Barcelona

Located near the prime tourist attraction of Las Ramblas , the Mercat de La Boqueria which is known simply as ‘Boqueria’ opens for business in the early hours of the morning. This market  is populated with over a thousand stalls whose vendors sell all sorts of products like fresh fish and seafood, meats, poultry, game, fruits and vegetables, herbs, breads and pastries, frozen items, artisan products, charcuterie( Spain’s famous cured hams), wine and much more. Several cafes like Bar Pinotxo’s and Bar Central are also located within the market and they offer the vendors, shoppers and tourist a spot to rest and relax as they grab a bite while they take in the many wonders of  this great food market.

Photo Credit:stevecadman

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

This busy market which is renowned for its early morning Tuna auctions is a prime tourist attraction in Tokyo. These auctions take place at the ungodly hour of 3 am on everyday of the week except Sundays. Tourists are welcome to visit these auctions except during the busiest times of the year (from mid December to mid January). The Tsukiji market is the largest wholesale fish market in this fish loving nation though the market also has vendors of fresh fruit and vegetables within its environs. The Tsukiji Market is located just above Tsukijishijo Station on the Oedo subway line while the closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where the market can be accessed by a short ten minute walk.

Photo Credit: A.Nayar

Borough Market, London

Borough Market is located near London Bridge Station in South London. This market which is held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays is noisy and busy like any other market in the world.  However the wide array of prepared foods and fresh produce that are offered here help make Borough Market an absolute gastronomic delight and a favored haunt of London’s most famous chefs. The traders at Borough market sell many kinds of olives, cakes, meats, coffee, tea, artisan breads and chocolates and are forever offering free samples and tastings to the many tourists and locals that flock to this market.

Photo Credit:antwepenR

Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

The Thai capital of Bangkok  is renowned for its many  markets and shopping locales but one market which must be visited on any trip to Bangkok is the huge ‘Chatuchak’ weekend market which is held every Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 6pm at an area opposite the old bus terminal at Phahonyothin. The market is accessible by Bangkok’s Skytrain system at Morchit station.  At Chatuchak  you can get  buy all sorts of  products  like traditional stone and wood sculptures, paintings, rugs, textiles, clothes, baskets, puppets and masks, and even ‘antiques’ and collectibles . Bargaining is an accepted norm at the market. To make the best use of time at the market it is advisable to get to Chatuchak by 9 am as it can get very hot and crowded especially during the summer months of April and May. While perusing the wares of the more than 9000 stalls, you must be vigilant about your belongings as pickpockets abound at this choice tourist haunt.

Photo Credit:papalars

Pike Place Market, Seattle

If Starbucks is your coffee of choice then you must try and visit Pike Place Market in Seattle for this well known market is the birthplace of the ubiquitous coffee giant. Pike Place Market began life as an ordinary farmers market but today it has grown to be Seattle’s most famous landmark as it is home to a whole host of vendors who sell a wide variety of fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods.  The original Starbucks is sandwiched between vendors on the street across the main building of the market. A great way to explore this market and take in its many sights and sounds is to take the one hour Market heritage tour which departs on several days of the week from the market’s information booth which is located on Pike Place and First Avenue.

Photo Credit:bryangeek

Tekka Market, Singapore

Tekka Market is located in one of the oldest enclaves of Singapore, the section of Little India which is located near Serangoon Road. The market which is currently being refurbished presents a fascinating amalgamation of cultures as it has both Chinese and Indian vendors who carry out their trade side by side  while they attempt to  speak each other’s native languages in order to communicate with the many shoppers that throng the market. Tekka market is composed of a ‘wet market’ component where vendors sell fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables but it also has a ‘dry’ component where vendors sell apparel, household goods and other paraphernalia. The market also houses a food center where you can indulge in delicious Chinese and Indian eats.

Photo Credit:Power I pics

Adelaide Central Market, Adelaide

This bustling market which is located on Adelaide’s Gouger Street was founded in 1869 and is today visited by more than 150,000 people weekly. Shoppers come  to the market  to buy fresh produce as well as seafood, gourmet cheese and confectionery treats from the more than 80 stall holders that populate this market. Some of the stall holders now also sell vintage clothes and other  products that are sourced  from around the world. The market also houses a few trendy cafes where you can take a break as you  take in all the hustle and bustle of your surroundings.

Photo Credit:webethere

Crawford Market and Mangaldas Market, Mumbai

The metropolis of Mumbai has many bustling bazaars but in order to really feel the pulse of the city  you have  to head to Crawford Market, which is of one of the largest markets in Mumbai.. This market which is located in Central Mumbai  is housed in an imposing Gothic building which dates back to the nineteenth century. Crawford  market is a wholesale market for fruits, vegetables, poultry, household goods and even pets. Located opposite Crawford Market is the leading cloth market of Mumbai called ‘Mangaldas Market’. This market is housed in another cavernous building which has numerous vendors of fine textiles within its folds. These dealers sell their fabulous wares which are sourced from all over the country, from open stalls which are stacked high with bales of many beautiful textiles.