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Yesterday a truck arrived outside a museum called Maison d’Ailleurs in Yverdon, Switzerland and unloaded several wooden crates containing over 50 original Dinotopia paintings.

The exhibition, called “Return to Dinotopia,” will open October 4 and will run for five months, then continue to other museums in Europe. It will include new paintings and maquettes from Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara.

Maison d’Ailleurs (literally “House of Elsewhere”) is a jewel of a museum specializing in “science fiction, utopia and extraordinary journeys,” with a recently expanded Jules Verne collection. I did this plein-air watercolor sketch of the museum (the white building) when it hosted the last Dinotopia exhibit five years ago.
I’ll be in attendance for the opening of “Return to Dinotopia” in October, which will coincide with the publication of the French edition of Chandara from Editions Fleurus of Paris. After a visit to Switzerland, I’m planning to visit Paris for a few signing events. I am as excited as a schoolboy because I’ve never been to France before!
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Maison d’Ailleurs, link.
“Return to Dinotopia” and “Fantastical Art” exhibitions, link.
Editions Fleurus, link.

The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star is running a story on the comeback of hard cider production in Virginia entitled Hard cider’s second act:

In early America, the undisputed beverage of choice was hard apple cider–even more so than water.

Thomas Jefferson brewed champagne-like cider out of Virginia Hewe’s Crab apples at Monticello.

John Adams guzzled a pitcher each morning with his breakfast, citing its positive health benefits.

Yet, these days, hard apple cider has largely fallen out of favor in the United States. Only a few brands, mostly imported from England, remain widely available.

Now, however, an Albemarle County apple orchard is aiming to spark a cider comeback.

“Cider was the libation of choice in Colonial America,” said Chuck Shelton of Vintage Virginia Apples on U.S. 29 south of Charlottesville. “We’re going to bring cider back.”

Vintage Virginia Apples has received site plan approval from the Albemarle County Planning Commission to build both a cidery and a tasting room. Cider production is expected to begin this Fall, with the tasting room opening in the Spring.

Interesting news indeed, but the most interesting part of the article to me was the tie-in to tourism in Virginia:

Charlotte Shelton, also an owner of Vintage Virginia Apples, said the company is hoping to tap into Central Virginia’s growing agritourism market. With dozens of wineries in the region, it seems only natural that thirsty tourists and Charlottesville food lovers would want to check out the complex flavors of high-end cider, she said.

The same thing could be said of the growing Virginia brewing industry. As I noted in a previous post, the time is right to focus in the tourism aspect of Virginia beer. Why let the wineries get all the agri-tourism dollars? Virginia has long been associated with hop growing. Already Blue Mountain Brewery in Nelson County has started a hop farm, with over 200 rhizomes planted. Looking beyond hops, I recently spoke with one Virginia brewery owner who is working to obtain high grade, Virginia-grown barley for his beer. I look forward to the day I’m following hop-emblazoned signs through the Virginia countryside.

Read the entire cider article here.

If you live in Delaware and also love good beer, like Dogfish Head and Iron Hill, to name just a couple, please consider contacting your state senator as soon as possible, because the state is trying to raise the tax on beer 50% and the vote is on Monday, June 30, so there isn’t much time. Here’s the info from Support Your Local Brewery:

Dear Delaware Beer Activists and Homebrewers,

Delaware small brewers need your help! Please read the following information provided by the small, independent breweries of Delaware:

A proposal currently moving in the legislature would raise the state tax on beer almost 50%. The small brewers of Delaware are asking you TO CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR TODAY to ask him/her to oppose this unprecedented increase as an extremely harmful measure to the state’s small craft breweries.

At this point, this proposal has not been formally drafted as legislation, but will be amended into an existing bill and voted on Monday, June 30.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CALL YOUR SENATOR — CALLING IS THE QUICKEST, MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!

For contact information for your Senator, click here. You will find links to the Senate roster of members. Simply find your Senator and click on their link for contact information.

Following are several suggested points to make to your elected representatives:

1. Delaware has one of the most vibrant and varied craft brewing communities on the east coast.
2. Delaware’s small breweries are good for the economy and very good for tourism. Thousands of visitors journey to the state every year to visit these breweries and experience their unique products where they are made.
3. Small brewers are facing astronomical costs increases across the board – from malt and hops to energy and packaging materials - nearly 40% over last year. If a further tax burden is placed upon Delaware’s small breweries in this challenging economy it will surely put many of those small businesses at risk.
4. A tax increase of this magnitude will deter start-up breweries from considering locating in Delaware, as it will affect existing breweries’ ability to expand, stalling job growth and possibly forcing Delaware breweries to relocate to states that have more competitive tax structures.
5. The small, independent breweries of this state need their legislator’s support now more than ever.

Thanks for supporting Delaware’s small breweries!

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If you enjoyed this post or the Bulletin generally, please consider buying me a pint

Not only are Spanish people blessed with a large number of National Holidays, there are also numerous holidays for each region, city and town throughout the whole of Spain. Because of this, it is easy to find yourself in the middle of a Spanish celebration while here on holiday. Spanish people love to party and are also very accommodating to visitors to their lovely country. Grab yourself a drink and join in with the fun. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

NEW YEAR’S DAY (January 1st)
New Year’s Day is a public holiday celebrated throughout Spain to welcome in the beginning of a New Year. Each Spanish town and city throughout the country will have some festival arranged in the main square, typically the Plaza Mayor, often accompanied with music and fireworks. Many Spanish people celebrate the passing of the old year by eating 12 grapes, one for each month of the year, during each ring of the twelve bell tolls as the New Year approaches. This is considered to bring good luck, but only if all twelve grapes are eaten in time. Not as easy as it sounds, as many grapes are bought in a small glass flute, with the very last one squashed and difficult to dislodge at the bottom.

DAY OF THE THREE KINGS (January 6th)
Christmas for children in Spain falls on the 6th of January, twelve days after Christmas Day, with the coming of the Three Kings. Children place their socks outside for the Kings to deliver them presents, but only if they have been good. Naughty children have the fear of finding black coal in their socks instead of presents. On the eve of January 6th, it is tradition for three men to dress as the Kings and ride around the town in a colourful procession, scattering sweets to all the children who eagerly follow.

SEMANA SANTA HOLY WEEK (March - April)
Semana Santa is a very religious time for many people in Spain and in all the cities both large and small, processions of hooded penitents carrying religious icons of Jesus and Mary held high, are paraded solemnly throughout the streets. It is a truly emotional and colourful experience for the participants and the many thousands of people who come to watch the procession well into the night.
Processions begin on Palm Sunday and will last until Easter Sunday. Processions in the main towns of all regions of Spain are huge and excel in grandeur. Because this is a deeply religious experience for many Spanish people, fireworks and excessive drinking is frowned upon.

LABOUR DAY (March 1st)
Dia del Trabajo is celebrated as a national holiday throughout Spain.

MONTH OF FERIAS (April)
April is the month of exuberant ferias in Andalucia, with Seville holding what is considered to be the biggest and best in Spain. The festivals last up to two weeks with colourful processions held in traditional costume, bullfights, firework displays, flamenco shows and partying well into the early hours.

SAN JUAN (June 24th)
San Juan is celebrated throughout Spain and particularly in the costal regions with bonfires on the beaches that last all night on the 23rd. It is tradition to rush into the sea at midnight to wash away your sins, symbolising the baptism of Saint John the Baptist. It is the one time when camping is allowed on many beaches, and celebrations typically last all weekend with loud music, fireworks and a lot of noise.

SAN ISIDRO (May / June)
Each city celebrates this fantastic festival differently. Typical Spanish events will involve processions, bullfights, concerts, funfairs and spectacular processions of horses and decorated carts throughout the city. Traditional costumes are normally worn with sweets and local drinks handed out to the many locals and tourists who follow the procession and join in the merriment. This is a great party atmosphere that lasts 2-3 days. In Nerja on the Costa del Sol, the procession leaves the centre of the town and heads towards the famous Nerja Caves, one of the most visited holiday attractions in Spain.

CORPUS CHRISTI (June)
Many large cities hold magnificent processions to celebrate the body of Christ in the holy water by bearing the consecrated host through the streets. This is a solemn and religious festival of great importance to many Spanish people.

ASUNCION (August 15th)
Catholics observe this feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrating Mary’s body being taken to Heaven after her death.

FERIA DE MALAGA (August)
Festival held in the city of Malaga on the Costa del Sol. The festival lasts 10 days and includes a huge number of fairground rides, processions of horses, stalls selling food and wine, and spectacular firework displays on the first and final night.

ALL SAINTS DAY (November 1st)
Relatives spend the day at the graves of their loved ones, to remember them, and adorn them with beautiful flowers.

CONSTITUTION DAY (December 6th)
National holiday throughout Spain in commemoration of the 6th December 1978 when the Spanish people voted in a national referendum to approve the draft constitution, thus providing the way forward for the creation of a democratic system in Spain.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (December 8th)
On the Roman Catholic Church calendar of holy days, today is celebrated as a holy day of obligation, commemorating the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

CHRISTMAS DAY (December 25th)
Christmas Day is a national holiday in Spain, but there is not the huge commercial occasion here as celebrated in other western cities. Children may receive a small gift on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), as the day for presents is 6th January, Epiphany, when the Three Kings come bearing gifts.

DIA DE LOS SANTOS INNOCENTS (December 28th)
Similar to April Fools Day that falls on April 1st in England, this is an opportunity for people to play practical jokes on friends and generally get away with doing silly things.

If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, it is known as a Bridge because many Spanish people like to take either the Monday or Friday off to give a long weekend. Public holidays falling on both Tuesday and Thursday, is commonly known as an Aqueduct, bridging both weekends together. Obviously this is a great opportunity to take all the days off, leaving the whole week free to party. No wonder Spanish people love to celebrate.

Often people ask me if I know any reliable tour operator in Morocco. I understand that for the majority of people it might be difficult to choose among the enormous choice of companies offering their services on the internet.

Moroccan diversity gives the possibility of travel around different types of landscapes and architecture in just few days. Most companies offer 1 and 2 days excursion departing from Marrakesh or Ouarzazate, and, 5, 7, 11 days tours in Morocco departing from major Moroccan cities like Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Ouarzazate.

Companies do actually follow the same type of itinerary: Sahara Desert, Kasbahs, Valleys, Oasis, Atlantic Coast, and Imperial Cities.

I will point out a few companies that stand out for their effort to present excellent service, working ethics and reliable 4wd fleet. As I work in close contact with all of them, I can somehow have an idea about their tours, their behavior towards clients and working ethics.

Tour Operators in Morocco

Marrakech Expedition 4×4

This is a young company created just last year. This agency is run by 3 brothers that have been working in the tourism sector for a long time now. Their effective capability, working principles and Moroccan knowledge combined, generate quality tours and journey around Morocco in the company of capable and funny people.

To visit to website click here:

Tours Morocco | Marrakechexpedition4×4.com

Transport Tifinagh

This young yet promising agency opens its office in the southern city of Ouarzazate. What they offer different from others is the fact they apart from their 4×4, they also have minibuses and private cars available to make their tours. Their website is interesting in one fact that instead of having text description of the tours, they have an image description of all the places they travel to, so their website is indeed worth to visit as you can travel around Morocco through photography without getting out of your house.

To visit the website click here:

Morocco 4×4 | www.transport-tifinagh.com

Sahara Excursion

Another company run by 3 brothers. These guys do know what they are doing as their working experience in the tourism sector and in carrying people around the country is huge. For some serious travelling these guys offer a few number of 4×4 to carry you around Morocco with good guiding and through amazing places. They offer small 1 and 2 days excursions, several tours 4×4 in Morocco and bivouac in the desert.

To visit the website click here:

Excursions Morocco | www.sahara-excursion.com

Anaam Tours

If what you are looking for is a 5 days tour, Anaam Tours is the perfect choice for you. Specialist in just 5 routes, their 5 days in Morocco looks really interesting. Basically what they offer is 5 different tours where staying in just one hotel, you can explore different areas within one specific region in Morocco. This is a great way of spending your holidays as you’ll have time to see things and time to relax. Their tours are: Around Marrakech, Around Ouarzazate, Around Merzouga, Around Dades Valley and Around Zagora. For the most adventurous where time is a concern and wish to see a bit of it all, their intense SEE ALL in 5 DAYS could be also a choise.

To visit the website click here:

Morocco 5 Days Tour | www.anaam-tours.com

Blue Men of Morocco

For those that wish to get to know south Spain and Morocco, this American run tour operator settles in Spain will be the right for you. They combine tours within Moorish Spain and Morocco, taking you from Seville, passing Fez and all the way to Sahara Desert in just one tour.

To visit the website click here:

Travel Morocco | www.bluemenofmorocco.com

Ligne d’Aventure

This well run father and son managed agency offer well selected tours around Morocco. Youssef will drive you around Moroccan’s hot spots with great energy and enthusiasm.

To visit the website click here:

Ouarzazate 4×4 | www.lignedaventure-maroc.com

Arrahla Expeditions 4×4

This is a small company that offers a huge variety of destinations: Imperial Cities tours, to UNESCO sites in Morocco, to Sahara Desert journeys, Hassan will drive around Morocco comfortably in his Toyota Land Cruiser. Hassan speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish (apart from Arabic and Berber).

To visit the website click here:

Sahara Desert Tours | www.arrahlaexpeditions4×4.com

Price in EUR, ONE WAY FARES, DOMESTIC: Alicante ALC Barcelona BCN 30, Asturias OVD Barcelona BCN 30, Barcelona BCN Alicante ALC 30, Barcelona BCN Asturias OVD 30, Barcelona BCN Bilbao BIO 30, Barcelona BCN Gran Canaria LPA 53, Barcelona BCN Granada GRX 30, Barcelona BCN Ibiza IBZ 30, Barcelona BCN La Coruna LCG 30, Barcelona BCN Malaga AGP 30, Barcelona BCN Minorca MAH 30, Barcelona BCN Palma de Mallorca PMI 30, Barcelona BCN Santiago SCQ 30, Barcelona BCN Seville SVQ 30, Barcelona BCN Tenerife Norte TFN 53, Barcelona BCN Vigo VGO 30, Bilbao BIO Barcelona BCN 30, Bilbao BIO Malaga AGP 30, Gran Canaria LPA Barcelona BCN 53, Gran Canaria LPA Seville SVQ 43, Granada GRX Barcelona BCN 30, Ibiza IBZ Barcelona BCN 30, La Coruna LCG Barcelona BCN 30, La Coruna LCG Seville SVQ 30, Malaga AGP Barcelona BCN 30, Malaga AGP Bilbao BIO 30, Minorca MAH Barcelona BCN 30, Santiago SCQ Barcelona BCN 30, Seville SVQ Barcelona BCN 30, Seville SVQ Gran Canaria LPA 43, Seville SVQ La Coruna LCG 30, Seville SVQ Tenerife Norte TFN 43, Tenerife Norte TFN Barcelona BCN 53, Tenerife Norte TFN Seville SVQ 43, Vigo VGO Barcelona BCN 30, INTERNATIONAL: Amsterdam AMS Barcelona BCN 45, Athens ATH Barcelona BCN 65, Barcelona BCN Amsterdam AMS 30, Barcelona BCN Athens ATH 55, Barcelona BCN Berlin TXL 30, Barcelona BCN Brussels BRU 30, Barcelona BCN Bucharest OTP 45, Barcelona BCN Budapest BUD 45, Barcelona BCN Casablanca CMN 45, Barcelona BCN Dublin DUB 30, Barcelona BCN Dubrovnik DBV 45, Barcelona BCN Edinburgh EDI 30, Barcelona BCN Frankfurt FRA 30, Barcelona BCN Istanbul IST 45, Barcelona BCN Lisbon LIS 30, Barcelona BCN Ljubljana LJU 45, Barcelona BCN Malta MLA 35, Barcelona BCN Marrakech RAK 45, Barcelona BCN Milan MXP 30, Barcelona BCN Moscow DME 87, Barcelona BCN Munich MUC 30, Barcelona BCN Naples NAP 30, Barcelona BCN Oporto OPO 30, Barcelona BCN Palermo PMO 30, Barcelona BCN Pisa PSA 30, Barcelona BCN Prague PRG 45, Barcelona BCN Rome FCO 30, Barcelona BCN Tel Aviv TLV 95, Barcelona BCN Tunis TUN 33, Barcelona BCN Venice VCE 30, Barcelona BCN Verona VRN 30, Barcelona BCN Vienna VIE 30, Barcelona BCN Warsaw WAW 45, Barcelona BCN Zurich ZRH 30, Berlin TXL Barcelona BCN 45, Bilbao BIO London LGW 25, Bilbao BIO Paris CDG 30, Brussels BRU Barcelona BCN 45, Bucharest OTP Barcelona BCN 60, Budapest BUD Barcelona BCN 55, Casablanca CMN Barcelona BCN 43, Dublin DUB Barcelona BCN 40, Dubrovnik DBV Barcelona BCN 45, Dubrovnik DBV Valencia VLC 45, Edinburgh EDI Barcelona BCN 50, Frankfurt FRA Barcelona BCN 45, Istanbul IST Barcelona BCN 53, La Coruna LCG London LHR 30, Lisbon LIS Barcelona BCN 35, London LGW Bilbao BIO 50, London LHR La Coruna LCG 60, London LGW Seville SVQ 50, London LHR Valencia VLC 60, London LGW Vigo VGO 50, Malta MLA Barcelona BCN 45, Marrakech RAK Barcelona BCN 43, Milan MXP Valencia VLC 35, Moscow DME Barcelona BCN 99, Munich MUC Barcelona BCN 45, Naples NAP Barcelona BCN 35, Oporto OPO Barcelona BCN 35, Palermo PMO Barcelona BCN 35, Paris CDG Bilbao BIO 45, Paris ORY Seville SVQ 45, Paris ORY Valencia VLC 45, Pisa PSA Barcelona BCN 35, Prague PRG Barcelona BCN 60, Rome FCO Barcelona BCN 35, Rome FCO Valencia VLC 35, Seville SVQ London LGW 30, Seville SVQ Paris ORY 30, Tanger TNG Barcelona BCN 30, Tunis TUN Barcelona BCN 33, Valencia VLC Dubrovnik DBV 45, Valencia VLC London LHR 30, Valencia VLC Milan MXP 30, Valencia VLC Paris ORY 30, Valencia VLC Rome FCO 30, Venice VCE Barcelona BCN 35, Verona VRN Barcelona BCN 35, Vienna VIE Barcelona BCN 45, Vigo VGO London LGW 30, Warsaw WAW Barcelona BCN 45, Zurich ZRH Barcelona BCN 50.

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