The Linkery: ‘The Nation’s Only Anti-Tipping Laboratory’

New Addition to the Travel Lexicon: ‘Vagabond Neurosis’

World Hum’s Most Read: Oct. 4-10

What We Loved This Week: Bajofondo, Rattlesnake Cake and Leaf Peeping

Love Herring in Sweden

From artery-clogging casseroles to a fermented concoction that smells alarmingly like vinegary flatulence, Lola Akinmade digs in to a smörgåsbord of herring and explains how to best appreciate Scandinavia’s favorite fish. 

The Water Is Wide

Bronwen Dickey considers Tim Butcher’s “Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart,” which takes readers deep into the Congo

Vagrant Ruminations of a Compulsive Traveler

Where does the urge to hunt for that “fleeting fix of elsewhere” come from? Peter Wortsman recalls a life of travel inspiration. 

Rolf Potts: Revelations from a Postmodern Travel Writer

His new book “Marco Polo Didn’t Go There” includes his best stories from the past 10 years. Michael Yessis asks him how travel writing has changed in the last decade—and what he sees for the future.

Notes From an Unofficial Tourist Greeter

Summer is over, and so is Julia Ross‘ season as an ambassador to travelers in Washington, D.C.’s Woodley Park neighborhood. She’s happy to be off duty.

10 Great Travel Race Movies

Slow travel is well and good. But there’s something irresistible about a great travel race movie. World Hum Travel Movie Clubbers Eva Holland and Eli Ellison share their favorite vicarious thrill rides.

How Should I Spend My Time in Spain?

Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

Prague Latest Magnet for Misbehaving Brits

I’m not British, but I couldn’t help but weigh in here: yes, it’s really that bad. And it’s not necessarily a new development, a trend that came after Poland and Latvia. For the last four or five years--corresponding to the emergence of budget airlines--Prague has been inundated with regular swarms of obnoxious British lads, harrassing waitresses and locals, getting in fights, and urinating in public. It’s not so pleasing to see a place you love essentially get smacked (or sprinkled) in the face. On the positive side, as an American, it’s at least refreshing to see another nationality one-upping us on the traveler embarrassment scale.

I think in some cases it really is that bad, though obviously you don’t want to generalize too much… When I was studying in the UK last year our men’s rugby team went to Prague over the Easter holidays, and the story everyone was telling when they got back was about an attractive young woman they saw at a bus stop. One of them said, within earshot of her, assuming she didn’t speak English, “I’d like to _____ (use your imagination) on her face” and while all the guys were laughing one of them asked her if she spoke english. She said, “Yes, quite well, actually.”

erm...perhaps a point slightly missed here.  Prague was, in fact, one of the first places Brits started EasyStagging to...being one of the hardest pushed budget routes in the early days of the budget airlines.

ask any ex-pats there- Prague is/was the first Western city in Eastern Europe.

I spent my last semester of college at Charles University and witnessed first hand out of control Brits. It could be annoying at times but also quite humorous.  For once the Americans weren’t the most despised people in the bar!

I studied in Prague for three months, and yes, stag parties are quite annoying for locals.  Although watching stag parties from the sidelines was hilarious at times, I can understand why Czechs are so fed up.  I would be too.  There were different receptions from czech’s if one was American or a Brit: British guys were seen as potential problems more commonly than Americans.

hi , great post , i like it !

I won’t bother going to Prague then I guess :)