A New Flight From Los Angeles to Cuba

The first airline to fly to Cuba since July 2004, a Long-Beach airline in Los Angeles offers a five-hour flight to Cuba. Check out the Los Angeles Times for the story and let us know what you think. Did you make it to Cuba five years ago, and if so, what was it like, what do you think has changed? Do you think this is a step in the right direction for the U.S., Cuba, and the world?

City of the Week: Turin, Italy

Italy again? If you’re wondering why we’re featuring another Italian city, the answer is simple: In the business of international tourism, summer means busy season, with Italy typically the number one preferred destination by most traveling through Europe. However, as these times remain desperate, we’re delighted to feature Turin, an Italian city that offers a lower price point along with an energy and history to match Florence, Rome or Milan.

Turin is located in the northwestern province of Italy in Piedmont, perfect for discovering the Alps or the Ligurian Sea. Bypass Turin’s industrious reputation (it’s sometimes called the Detroit of Italy) and you’ll find beauty, art, architecture, and historical cuisine! Since the 2006 Winter Olympics, the city’s worked hard to improve its urban areas, transforming factories into cultural venues and closing off streets to build larger piazze, while combining art-noveau columned entry ways with sidewalks unfolding to restaurants and wine bars.

During your visit, you’ll trek through Il Centro, the Quadrilatero Romano, Piazza Castello to the Po River, which runs through the city, region, and country. South of the Po, the Quadrilatero Romano features narrower alleyways of wineries, outdoor restaurants and historic cafes, as well as Via Roma and the city’s new train station, Torino Porta Nuova. Piazza Castello to the Po includes Piazza Vittoria Veneto with the famous building Mole Antonelliana (you’ll recognize its dome as the city’s major landmark), housing the National Museum of Cinema. Lingotto, sitting just south of San Salvario surrounds the former FIAT factory. However, it’s near the famous Slow Food endorsed Eataly, the self-proclaimed largest food and wine center in the world.

Hungry for more? Join us on Wednesday and Friday as we visit famous and noteworthy museums like the Museo Egizio, the largest Egyptian Museum outside of Cairo. We’ll also visit the Shroud of Turin and take a look at the region’s tasteful delights, polenta and bicerin.

More City of the Week: Head South to Siracusa for the Day

'Oh, save me! Oh, guide me! And bid the deep hide me, For he grasps me now by the hair!' The loud Ocean heard, To its blue depth stirred, And divided at her prayer; And under the water The Earth's white daughter Fled like a sunny beam; Behind her descended Her billows, unblended With the brackish Dorian stream:-- Like a gloomy stain On the emerald main Alpheus rushed behind,-- As an eagle pursuing A dove to its ruin Down the streams of the cloudy wind.

From "Arethusa" by Percy Bysshe Shelley

On Wednesday we touched on the power and might of Mount Etna. Today, let's take a look at another possible day trip from Catania, this time to the region of Siracusa, the jewel of the Mediterranean and one of the most conquered cities in history.

This morning hop on a bus to Ortygia, to find a freshwater spring that feeds into the Fountain of Arethusa, only feet from the Ionian Sea. This myth, captured in the poem above by Shelley, details the transformation of the nymph Arethusa, into a fountain. The story goes something like this: Arethusa happily comes across a clear stream and begins bathing, not knowing the stream is in fact the river god Alpheus. From there it's your standard river god meets nymph story, with your threats of rape, a long chase, prayers to the goddess Artemis, and eventual answering of prayer by transformation into a stream. It all ends well, with Arethusa flowing to the island of Ortygia and Alpheus finding her there to mingle with her waters for eternity.

Afterward, continue west to the small town of Noto, which represents the pinnacle of Sicily's Baroque period. Where Catania is dark and grim with volcano rock from Etna, the buildings of Noto are built with limestone, giving towers, offices and the cathedral a bright, fairy tale-like feel. Here in Noto find the virgin Saint Lucy, patron saint of the blind.

One story tells that in response to a suitor who admired her beautiful eyes, Saint Lucy cut them out and sent them to him, asking to be left in peace. Later, God restored Lucy's sight. Paintings and statues of Lucy often show her unimpressed, offering a platter carrying her former eyes.

The famous Cathedral in Noto is worth a visit to get a sense of the many cultures who have overtaken and dominated the city. A large, ominous shift in a stone pillar hints at the earthquake that destroyed at the end of the 17th century. The architecture beautifully layers the Greeks temple, Islamic mosque and Catholic cathedral of the conquerors who ruled Siracusa over the centuries.

Finally, make your way to the city of Syracuse to find the Ear of Dionysius (pictured below right). An artificial limestone cave carved out of the Temenites hill, its name comes from its similarity in shape to the human ear.

According to legend, the tyrant Dionysius I of Siracusa used the cave as a prison for political dissidents, using the perfect acoustics to eavesdrop on plans and secrets of his captives, as well as amplify the screams of his victims.

Because of its shape the Ear has extremely good acoustics, and even a small sound resonate throughout the cave.

A short walk through the beautiful otherworldly garden outside will lead you to an ampitheater carved in stone by slaves. The Ear below served as the amp of the stage. From here make your way back two hours to Catania for the night, perhaps stopping at the eastern edge to dip your toes in the sea.

Iran Outrage Continues

On June 12, 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected president of Iran causing worldwide protests as Iranians disagreed with the outcome and honesty of the election. Given the country’s sordid history of conflict and suppression, this critical election urged Iranians to vote for the opposing candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi. But officials claimed Ahmadinejad won at least 60% of the vote, encouraging tens of thousands of Iranians to protest in Tehran alone. The protests in the nation’s capital mark one the biggest demonstrations since the country’s revolution in 1979.

On June 12, 2009, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected president of Iran causing worldwide protests as Iranians disagreed with the outcome and honesty of the election. Given the country’s sordid history of conflict and suppression, this critical election urged Iranians to vote for the opposing candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi. But officials claimed Ahmadinejad won at least 60% of the vote, encouraging tens of thousands of Iranians to protest in Tehran alone. The protests in the nation’s capital mark one the biggest demonstrations since the country’s revolution in 1979.

Unfortunately, Iran’s police and militia have taken to the streets as well, turning violent and killing at least 17 as of today, including Neda Agha-Soltan, whose last moments were recorded on video and streamed around the world. Neda’s death resonates with the Iranian women as the country has always struggled with women’s equal rights. Additionally, Ahmadinejad’s role represents a regression in the women’s movement, whereas his opposing candidate, Moussavi represented a step in a progressive direction.

As conflict ensues, support from around the world continues. In Chicago on Saturday, June 20, Iranian-Americans gathered in Chicago’s Daley Plaza in show of support as well. For more information and coverage, we encourage you to visit the New York Times, BBC, The Guardian,and Huffington Post.