By Linda Tancs

In keeping with tradition, we begin the New Year with an announcement on the European Capitals of Culture for 2025: Chemnitz in Germany and Nova Gorica in Slovenia. Chemnitz is the third-largest city in the German state of Saxony after Leipzig and Dresden. Over 100 projects and 1,000 events are planned for the year. One of their flagship features is the Purple Path art and sculpture trail, an exhibition featuring over 30 international contemporary art works in public spaces. Nova Gorica is a town in western Slovenia bordering Italy. The key word for their festivities is “borderless,” a commitment to being the European Capital of Borderless Culture in partnership with the Italian town of Gorizia. Highlights include the first permanent cross-border dance ensemble in the town’s history as well as the launch of Europe’s first cross-border bee trail, an area along the border with locations where bee-friendly plants have been planted. More than 30 restaurants and bars in Gorizia and Nova Gorica have put together a menu of dishes based on honey products. 

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New Year, New Travels!

No doubt you’d like your trip planning, packing, and travel experience to be hassle-free.  My book, All You Want to Know About Travel, will guide you, step by step, on every aspect of travel planning. The book is divided into five parts. Part I discusses trip planning and preparation. Part II is your guide to travel packing and baggage information. Part III contains a discussion of air travel basics such as check-in tips, airline liability, parking and transportation, and comfort during flight. Part IV deals with your arrival and travel experience. Part V contains useful tips on navigating customs and settling back into the home routine. Throughout the book you’ll find a Chapter Overview to highlight its contents and Resources at the end of each chapter, directing you to websites for further guidance.

Available exclusively at the Lulu Bookstore: lulu.com/shop