Postcards from San Francisco

Leave a reply

Hello! My name is Ayeon Song and I’m currently working at cityseekr as an editorial intern. I am a participant of  the WEST Program, created by the Republic of Korea and the United States to train global leaders. I fell in love with San Francisco because of the kind people, beautiful scenery and delicious food. I love to experience new things, and I can’t wait to introduce you to my experience here in SF through the cityseekr blog. Carpe diem!

 

San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States; it’s famous for sights like Union Square, Alcatraz, Lombard Street and Coit Tower. But I think my favorite tourist attraction here is the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge was constructed by Joseph Baerman Strauss, a chief engineer who was ahead of his time. When it was believed that no one could build a bridge over the “Golden Gate” because of insurmountable difficulties, Strauss proved everyone wrong. Continue reading →

Europe’s Best Christmas Markets

Leave a reply

Christmas markets have a long history in many of Europe’s leading cities and are popular attractions for locals and tourists alike during the holiday season. Traditionally held during the four weeks of Advent, these markets often celebrate the holidays with a piping hot mug of mulled wine and a hefty scoop of Christmas magic.

Christmas at Liseburg, photo by Mikael Miettinen, CC by 2.0

Austria

Salzburger Christkindlmarkt – Salzburg

November 17 to December 26, 2011

This lovely annual Christmas market takes place in the heart of Salzburg in Residenzplatz and has been going on for nearly 500 years! Salzburg is home to more than just The Sound of Music and Mozartkugel, its charming medieval architecture, snowy hills and panoramas from the Hohensalzburg Castle. Visitors enjoy strolling the vendors, hearing live choir music and viewing a live Nativity. This is one of the few markets that is actually open on December 25, so if you are looking for something to do on Christmas Day, this is the place!

Belgium

Bruges Christmas Market – Bruges

November 25, 2011 to January 3, 2012

If you enjoy Christmas markets and ice skating, get your skates in gear for Bruges’ Christmas Market. Held in the beautiful historic center of the city in the Markt, this market offers traditional little chalets selling snacks, trinkets and, of course, delicious Belgian beers! Don’t forget to try the delicious specualoos, which are a Dutch-style of gingerbread.

France

Lille Christmas Market – Lille

November 19 to December 30, 2011

A quick 30 minutes from Brussels or 90 minutes from London can get you to Lille! Held in place Rihour, this market is easily located in walking distance of Lille’s main train station, making this an ideal outing if you find yourself in one of northern Europe’s loveliest cities.

Germany

Christkindlesmarkt – Nuremberg

November 25 to December 24, 2011

One of Germany’s most famous holiday fairs, the Nuremburg Christmas Market has often been used as a model for Christmas markets around the world. The market opens with an elaborate ceremony every year on the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent, and often features local school choirs and a visit from the Nuremburg Christmas Angel. This massive fair has just about every food, drink or craft you could possibly want, including gingerbread, pastries, mulled wine and a large variety of glassworks and porcelain. Other events include church services, city tours and musical programs.

Hungary

Budapest Christmas Fair – Budapest

November 18 to December 30, 2011

Considered one of the best Christmas fairs in Europe, the Budapest Christmas Fair features some of the most talented artisans and craftsmen in the country. Have a cup of mulled wine in a souvenir “Budapest” cup as you peruse the stalls. For many, however, the main attraction is the food. The traditional Hungarian dishes include sausage, grilled meats and kürtőskalács, a cone-shaped filled pastry. Evening entertainment includes musical performances and the Nativity play.

Ireland

Docklands Christmas Market – Dublin

December 8 to December 24, 2011

The Christmas Market at the Dublin Docklands takes a more pan-European approach to the holidays. Visitors can treat themselves to traditional mulled wine, a wide selection of pastries from all over the continent and wander through the merchant stalls. The dockside location lends a magical atmosphere to the market as the sun sets and the lights’ glow illuminates the water. The lovingly restored “Galloping Horses” Carousel, fairground attractions and carol singers provide hours of family entertainment.

Italy

Heidelberg Market – Florence

December 1 – 21, 2011

Held in Florence’s piazza di Santa Croce, this market in the heart of the city features vendors primarily from Germany, France and some Italian vendors. There are many crafts on hand (sweaters, trinkets, toys) as well as German wurst with mustard and a mug of Glühwein (mulled wine).

Netherlands

The Christmas Market in the Velvet Cave – Valkenburg aan de Geul

November 18 to December 23, 2011

A visit to the Valkenburg Christmas Market is a unique experience. One of the largest and oldest underground Christmas markets in Europe, the market is housed in a series of caves decked out to look like everyone’s Christmas fantasy come true. Visit Santa’s home in the Velvet Caves, ogle his room of presents and admire his bedroom. Children will delight in seeing his sleigh and reindeer. With endless stalls brimming with crafts and food, a visit to this subterranean bazaar will surely be one to remember.

Norway

Christmas Market at Spikersuppa – Oslo

November 24 to December 20, 2011

Christmas time in Oslo is enough to make even the most jaded of us believe in Santa again. The lights that cover the trees in the market and the fanciful design of the tents bring to mind childhood ideals of the perfect holiday. The Christmas Market at Spikersuppa is filled with potential presents and Norwegian delicacies, most of which involve elk. Grab a warm cup of gløgg, nibble on some pepperkake and revel in the holiday spirit.

Spain

Santa Llúcia Christmas Market – Barcelona

November 26 to December 22, 2011

This Barcelona market dates back to 1786 and has become synonymous with the traditional Catalan Christmas. Generally, the fair is divided into four sections. The Nativity Scenes and Figures area offers both displays of Nativity scenes and sells accessories for customers who would like to construct their own. The Greenery and Plants section sells both real and faux trees. The Crafts area is filled with local artisans peddling their wares. The Simbombes section supplies every type of musical instrument you could possibly want for your symphonic Christmas celebration.

Sweden

Christmas at Liseberg – Gothenburg

November 18 to December 23, 2011

The holiday season at one of the largest amusement parks in Scandinavia is a sight to behold. Lit by nearly five million lights, visitors can experience a traditional Swedish Christmas. The park’s many restaurants also offer traditional local holiday dishes, including a buffet inspired by Sweden’s west coast. Every Sunday, enjoy sing-alongs with some of the country’s favorite vocalists and be sure to take the children to see Father Christmas!

United Kingdom

Traditional German Christmas Market – Edinburgh

November 24 to December 24, 2011

Germany comes to Scotland for the holidays at the annual Traditional German Christmas Market in Edinburgh. Put on by Frankfurt-based merchants in Princes Street Gardens, the multitude of stalls selling German hand-crafts is perfect for those searching for unique gifts. The food, of course, is not to be missed, with German delicacies like grilled sausages, fried potato cakes, pork sandwiches and glühwein, a traditional German mulled wine.

In Defense of the East Bay

1 Reply

San Francisco’s Best Kept Secret

A bit of background for you before you begin: we here at cityseekr are based in San Francisco. Not surprisingly this means a large majority of our staff in the office all live here and, of course, they love it. And don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a pretty cool city too. However, we also have a small but ever-present constituency of residents and natives of right across the water in the East Bay (myself included), and sometimes our spot gets a bad rap and is thoroughly under-appreciated here in the office.

It has become clear to me that many, if not the majority of San Francisco residents look down on their easterly counterpart and often express these superior opinions much to the chagrin of us proud East Bay folk. I mean, sometimes trying to get San Franciscans to cross the Bay Bridge (or BART under it) can be like pulling teeth! So I, being a proud Oakland native and resident, have decided to step up to the plate in defense of the East Bay. Hopefully I will prove that while SF may always be the big boy on the block as far as Northern California is concerned, the East Bay is most definitely nothing to be scoffed at… and in fact if they believe the stereotypes they use as excuses not to go there, they should probably be scared to do so.


Lake Merritt

Okay. So we all know what San Francisco is famous for and why people visit. You got your Golden Gate Bridge, you got your Coit Tower, and you got your Fisherman’s Wharf. But what you also have is this: PEOPLE. Lots and lots of people. Everywhere you go. Wanna cross that bridge? Be prepared to cross it at a snail’s pace due to the hundreds of other tourists with the exact same idea. Wanna go to the Wharf? Be prepared for overwhelmingly giant crowds and overwhelmingly jacked up prices. The city is, essentially, one big tourist trap. Now many of you may be thinking, so what? All those people are there because it’s worth seeing. True, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many other things worth seeing and doing outside the city as well, off the beaten track – a method that has become very popular these days. Continue reading →

Cityseekr Staff: Thanksgiving Traditions

Leave a reply

Ah, Turkey Day. One of the few days of the year where it’s socially acceptable, nay, expected even, to squabble with relatives, shirk kitchen responsibilities and stuff your face until you’re sick and the top button of your pants pops off. Or perhaps you’re classier than that. To each his own! We took a poll around the office asking employees the following question:

“How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?”

By making turkey palatable for my Filipino family. This year, I’m wrapping it in bacon. –Joanna O.

Growing up in rural southern Maine, I had the option to go deer hunting all day with my Dad while Mom got dinner ready, but who in their right mind chooses sitting in a cold, wet tree for hours on end over making, smelling, eating and drinking amazing concoctions all day? Not I. This year will be spent in Stockton. No deer, but I suppose I could post up in a cherry tree all the same and enjoy my cranberry sauce substitute: ceviche.  –Adam S.

Food. Football. Food. Beer. Food. Repeat at least two more times. –Joey P viagra en pharmacie.

It’s your standard Thanksgiving experience. My parents prep in the kitchen all day and guilt my brother and me into helping. It works for a while, until we sneak off to play video games or watch TV. More family and friends come over, some drama or gossip is likely to ensue, then we eat and eat and eat. Oh, and there’s usually a viewing of Wizard of Oz at some point, too. –Lauren H.

Tofurky. –Julia G.

Thanksgiving has always centered on watching the Macy’s Day Parade on TV. Well before the parade starts, I make some pumpkin pies and cut up a freshly baked one as part of the traditional Thanksgiving breakfast. Afterward, I will get together all of the cooking supplies, take them into the living room and plop down in front of the TV in pajamas while peeling potatoes or mixing up green bean casserole. –Jules M.

Generally, I eat way too much, have a little too much to drink, pass out before 9 pm, and love every minute of it. –Brian T.

I adore Thanksgiving. A holiday revolving around lounging and indulging in delicious food all day long – what’s not to love? I wake up early on Thanksgiving morning (least as early as I can manage to wake up on a public holiday), enjoy the smells of baking turkey wafting through the house and watch the Thanksgiving parade, Then I help prepare the food with my mom, (grabbing a few deviled eggs in the process) maybe watch a holiday movie, and excitedly sit down to a delicious dinner with my family. –Brianna A.

My legally-blind upstairs neighbor makes an acceptable meal. –Chris M.

Like most people, I believe that Thanksgiving means food and family and then more food. If you’re not hurting because you’ve been laughing too much and eating too much then you’re doing the holiday wrong. –Laura D.

It’s all about the side dishes. –Alba S.

For Thanksgiving I drinks the VIN and eats the meats. –Nic Savage Travel Slayer

Got any super sweet Thanksgiving traditions that you want to share? Or some awesomely bad family horror stories? Let us know in the comments section or on Twitter and Facebook!

Berkeley Beyond CAL

Sick of how when people mention the city of Berkeley everyone only thinks of UC Berkeley? The city has interesting sights and is well-known for its political activism, but it appears that those aspects evolve around UC Berkeley. Maybe you’ve been to the city dozens of time and keep touring UCB despite no longer caring that the university has a reserved parking spot for Nobel Laureates. Or perhaps you’re just not in the mood to visit a college campus and try to walk through crowds of stressed-out undergrads. Well, have no fear – this article will describe what you can do in a day that doesn’t involve setting foot onto campus.

Start the day off right by eating a balanced meal and by being as far away from the campus as you can possibly get without leaving the city. The distant Rick and Ann’s  is an amazing breakfast spot, but usually has a long wait.  Or head in the opposite direction and go to Jimmy Bean’s which offers scrumptious Silver-Dollar Pancakes.

If you decide to go to Jimmy Bean’s you’re roughly near the Berkeley Marina (and by roughly I mean you’ll still have to drive or take the bus) so…why not see the marina?


Photo by D.H. Parks. CC by 2.0

There you can admire a breath-taking view of the Golden Gate Bridge. This spot is well-known for being a great place to fly a kite, so on a sunny day don’t be surprised if you see the sky filled with brightly colored kites. Continue reading →