Florida Culture for the Week of May 4, 2015 by Josh Garrick

May 6 to August 1 – Art in Chambers presents Art by Thomas Thorspecken

Beginning with a free public reception on May 6 at 5:30 pm, the Art in Chambers project at Winter Park City Hall will present the colorful, urban sketches of Thomas ‘Thor’ Thorspecken. The illustrator and journalist began his website, Analog Artist Digital World in 2009 to become part of our community – one sketch at a time. City Hall is at 401 S. Park Avenue in Winter Park. Call 407.599.3498 or visit cityofwinterpark.org

Istanbul wasn’t what I expected. Derelict buildings, many abandoned for years, others trapped in disrepair, doors hanging on one hinge, windows missing, exterior walls bare of paint and understructure exposed. Istanbul—a jumble of yellow taxis jostling for space on the narrow corridors, thousands of pedestrians dodging cars and struggling to cross streets without being hit. 

Flickr cc: Moya Brenn

I know that from speaking with thousands of our Wandering Educators, this group sure can dream of working on the road. Whether it is on sabbatical, becoming a digital nomad, realizing your writing goals, or focusing on international education abroad, there are many, MANY ways to work abroad. But it’s often very difficult to figure out HOW.

Some say there’s never been a better time to visit Egypt. History would tell us there is always a good time to visit Egypt! We’ve been drawn there for thousands of years. But the problem today? Where to go! There are so many fascinating things to learn, see, do, explore. If you have a limited amount of time, and want to see the best of a country, there are suitable Egypt multi destination holidays to help you get to all the important places.

Every holiday offers endless possibilities to enjoy, rest, and unwind. The sight of a beautifully blue ocean or the sky that manages to meet the horizon is enough to make all our city-troubles vanish (at least for the time being!). While most of us have come to the conclusion that for a journey to be relaxing and rewarding, it has to be costly and oh-so-expensive - well, that’s not always the case. It is possible to travel to any corner of the world without spending half a fortune. Here are 7 tips on how to travel cheaply.

Heading to the UK and not sure you want to hit the main tourist spots? I don't blame you. While I love seeing them, there's something about doing other things - whether it is getting off the beaten path, following your passion (ghosts? beaches? food?), or relaxing. And while your family is discovering Victorian train stations in the Dales, or tromping around castles, you can discover your own spa holiday with Yorkshire spa breaks.

Thormodur Simonarson (1978) was born on a farm in Snaefellsnes, rural Iceland. His parents gave up farming soon after and built a guesthouse. At age 22 he ventured abroad and began to explore Europe on his own. For the next eight years he traveled to various places, both in and out of Iceland. Among his various jobs, he was a speed boner (title on the hiring contract) in the Falkland Islands as well as a crew member on a shrimping trawler in Arctic winter storms north of Iceland. 

Tired of the trips to Thailand? Is the thought of taking your wife to Paris or your kids to New York daunting you? Or have you spent the last family break on the foothills of Mount Fuji or packed your travel bags to Madrid only a million times before? Then these 5 great places are the perfect alternatives for a great family break!