Eurail has expanded Eurail pass sales into the Chinese market, a significant indicator that European tourist destinations expect greater numbers of Asian and Chinese inbound tourists. Eurail passes offer favourable rail transit prices, and are also an enabler of travel and cultural exhange.

The first-ever World Expo held in China will run from May through October 2010, and is expected to attract 70 million visitors – more than any Expo in 150 years of Expo or World Trade Fair history. And it’s a big opportunity for U.S. and Chinese business as well…

COMMENT. Global. – Trains, and rail is a resurgent transport platform.
For some great examples of trains, check out this slide-show on slideshare.
Safe, Cleaner, Practical.
Despite increasingly shrill voices on the right-wing think-tanks, calling for less public transport, rail has clear benefits, visible to all.
Most countries around the world can see the benefits. China, Japan, France, Austria, all are investing in rail. Why do you love trains?
Here at 2thinknow, next are 7 reasons why global trends support a rail renaissance.

COMMENTS — Airlines have been decorating their planes for some time now. Below is a slide-show from Reynolds on SlideShare. Well done!
The Trends. 2thinknow view.
Handmade, hand-painted, decorating mass-objects are key trends of the 21st century.
This is a nascent trend of modifying mass-produced objects.
Decoration & personalisation by hand, not machine, will be a strong dominant theme of the 21st century.
Once we were impressed by the modernist metallic sameness of airplanes. Now we are impressed by their uniqueness.
The mass-produced object is losing it’s 1960s gloss, at the cutting-edge. And has been replaced …

VIDEOS, Youtube — This is a humorous video, in Bulgarian, showing Bulgarian sense of humor about their country. The title is ‘Bulgaria versus the EU’
Much of it is universally visual, despite the Bulgarian text. There is a musical soundtrack, which can be muted if you are watching at work.
Sometimes humor provides good insights into national characteristics or feelings.

TRAVEL COMMENT, Sydney — Having retired at a graceful hour last night, I was hoping for a good night’s sleep.Not possible.

The nice view I had of Darling Harbour, was interrupted (like everything in Sydney) by 24/7 traffic.

TRAVEL COMMENT, Sydney — Tonight I am in the glamorous Sydney, in the Four Points Sheraton at Darling Harbour (actually the old Hotel Nikko).
After having spent my day in the not so glamorous suburban Parramatta.

[ratings] TRAVEL COMMENT, PARIS — So here are 4 top Paris Hotels if you like luxury travel. There are many others, especially those of the boutique kind.
These are French people’s Paris hotels, as far as I can tell, and if you like a Marriott or other US chain instead stay there.

CULTURE COMMENT, Global – I am learning French at current at the Alliance Française, Melbourne.
Why is French so important?
Simple.
French is a culturally rich language.
French has traditionally been the language of diplomacy.
French is a language and a system of thought. French culture and intellect is integrated into French language.
The French are a culturally inventive and creative people. Part of this is the language.
Learning French can help you become an innovator, an ideas person.
And whether French or not, we should all learn languages to broaden our minds.
Learning French and other languages
There’s 4 …

COMMENT, Melbourne – There has been much debate recently over the 7 Wonders of the World,.
However no-one has focused on the most inspiring wonders representing mankind’s achievements.
Such lists may seem unimportant, but they are symbolic. Symbolic of our achievements, our history, our foibles and humanity’s potent greatness.
But how to properly arrive at a list of the 7 New Wonders?
To arrive at an updated list of the 7 New Wonders of the World we could engage in a vote (an exercise done recently), but that tends towards nationalistic results.
So we started …

2THINKNOW COMMENT, Melbourne – “Left turn at Albuquerque.”
Unless you have watched Bugs Bunny you wouldn’t know that. But chances are you have. No matter where you live.
And you might know:
“Quoi de neuf, docteur ?” (Francais)

” Che succede, amico?” (Italiano)
“Hej šefe koji ti je vrag?” (Yugoslav)
“Eh, What’s Up Doc?” (English)
… or in any other language you care to name.
Bugs Bunny is a cartoon that has almost universal understanding across multiple languages all throughout the world.
Animation lends itself to universal communication.
Animation can be dubbed easily into any language. The lips moving don’t …

COMMENT, Australia — You said: I’d come to Australia, but…
A land far far away, Australia…
For all the people I have spoken to since starting the Global Innovation Conversation in April, a lot of you have expressed interest in visiting Australia.
It’s a long flight, but I’m hoping to make it easier for all you eager visitors from USA & Canada so you can do it in comfort. The easy way…
Flying times disable Innovation
Many bright and clever people have expressed to me they’d love to fly to Australia, but it is simply …

ANALYSIS, San Francisco, USA — Airline Qantas recently announced that internationally in the new airbus A380, first-class passengers will have their own suite and their will be a new dedicated business class domestic lounge areas in Sydney, Melbourne & Canberra for super-premium frequent flyers.
Now Qantas lounges are already among the best in the World, and better than any single American lounge I have been in both internationally or domestically.
They have included at no charge food, wine, decent range of drinks, magazines, free wireless, plenty of work cubicles, leather sofas, big-screen …

OPINION, Sydney — The Qantas First lounge at Sydney airport is world-class. When you travel a lot you appreciate world class facilities.
What makes Qantas First lounge innovative?
Let’s start with the physical and obvious.
The comfort is great, lounges are great, it has restaurant and marble shower suites.
The shower suites have plenty of amenities and are marble and very well fitted out. The shower feels fabulous.
There is a dining room, with far better choices than most, although it still is a little airline food, it tastes very good.
The design of the airport …