Jaunted

Books

Geek Travel: Frankfurt Book Fair Coming Up Soon

October 2, 2008 at 9:05 AM | 2 Comments

Book geeks, don't be shy: popping over to Frankfurt for the world's biggest annual book fair is nothing to be embarrassed about. Heck, we've done it. And you're not embarrassed to be seen in public with us, right?

If you're brave, here's the lowdown. You need to know that the general public visiting days for the fair are on the weekend of October 18 and 19--we recommend Sunday because last year over 70,000 people showed up on Saturday (and 15,000 less than that the day after).

This year Turkey is the guest of honor so their president's popping over to Germany to kick things off. (Wonder if anyone will ask him about how his country nearly prosecuted Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk for anti-Turkish sentiment!) If you don't join him, you're not the book lover you think you are.

Related Stories:
· Frankfurt Book Fair [Official Site]
· Turkish President to Inaugurate Frankfurt Book Fair [World Bulletin]
· More Than Sausages in Frankfurt [Jaunted]

[Photo: ipa]

books

More Than Sausages in Frankfurt

July 31, 2006 at 9:27 AM | 0 Comments

Book-lovers across the world take note: The 7th and 8th of October, 2006 are dates for your traveling calendar. You might not want to admit that the equivalent of a tourist's library would be your destination of choice, but the thousands of visitors every year to the Frankfurt Book Fair prove that you wouldn't be alone. Frankfurt's not really an exciting tourist destination on its own, it is a key airport in Europe and combining a flight into Europe with a day of ogling millions of new books appeals greatly.

We'll admit to having had a good tour through Frankfurt's conference halls before, when they've been crammed with hot-off-the-press stacks. The travel sections where you can find all the new editions from guidebook publishers and a few tasty travel narratives are naturally a favorite. Each year, a particular country or region is invited as a special guest, and this year India has the honor, with well-known writers like Vikram Seth (famous for A Suitable Boy but also a travel writer) and Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things) featuring. We're hoping this means the free samples will include a few deep-fried Indian delicacies this time 'round.

Our special Jaunted tip: Haunt the cookbook publishers, they're always trying to entice new recipe-book lovers into their stalls with great-smelling snacks.

[Image via dov/Flickr]

Related stories:
Frankfurt: City of Contrasts [German Tourism]

Airport Security

Getting frisky in Frankfurt

December 8, 2005 at 5:16 PM | 0 Comments

James Gilden, writer of The Los Angeles Times's travel blog The Daily Traveler lightheartedly gripes today of his experience setting off the metal detectors in Frankfurt Airport on his way to Hamburg:

I have never been so thoroughly wanded in my life...The German security agent was professional and thorough and finally waved me on my way. Boy was he thorough. I really think he should have offered to buy me a drink first. Or at least asked for my phone number.

Rest assured, James, we've all been there. Ahh, good times, good times.

Related Stories
·   Frisky Frisk at Frankfort Airport Security [The Daily Traveler]