Northern Ireland Vintage Travel through the eyes of Giulio Andreini

By Francesca Lungarotti ‘What fills the eye fills the heart’ celtic proverb  Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, is located in the northeastern quadrant of the island of Ireland, on the western edge of continental Europe, often referred to as Atlantic Europe. The capital of this fascinating land is Belfast, a modern city whose historic […]

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The Inspirational Bernie Friel

Photographer Bernard Friel has been a contributor to UIG for nearly two decades. He is a nature photographer and is a charter and life member of the North American Nature Photography Assn. and served on its board and as its president.  Bernie was born and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he practiced law with […]

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Summer Sport Paradises in France

By Francesca Lungarotti There are sports whose uniqueness makes them worthy of discovery and exploration. Two of these are undoubtedly flyboarding in Tignes, which takes place every summer on Lake Tignes in the French Alps, and paragliding over the dunes of Arcachon, also in France. These are not just sporting events, but true spectacles that […]

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Antoni Gaudì’s Visionary World

By Francesca Lungarotti “Nothing is art if it does not come from nature” –  Antoni Gaudì In 2026, the world celebrates and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of one of the most visionary and eclectic architects and artists of all time: Antoni Gaudí. Gaudi loved nature and organic forms; he did not contemplate sharp […]

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Albania – the New Balkan-Mediterranean Pearl

By Francesca Lungarotti The allure of Albania, the “Land of the Eagles”, became increasingly popular with travelers during the summer seasons of 2024 and 2025.  Many visitors are discovering that this Balkan pearl is not just a more affordable destination, but a new land of hidden treasures, fascinating history, unspoiled beaches, and wild nature. Many of […]

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CEPIC Valencia 2026

UIG will be well-represented at this year’s CEPIC Congress in Valencia, Spain.  The conference, running from May 6 through May 9 at the Hotel Melia in Spain’s third-largest city.  With the futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, great museums, peaceful green spaces and a thriving cultural scene, Valencia is the perfect place […]

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The Empire State Building – A New York and American Icon

Ninety-five years ago, on May 1, 1931, the iconic symbol of New York’s financial might, Empire State Building opened.  Conceived of and announced just prior to the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the building was meant to symbolize the financial might and ingenuity of the United States as it neared the end of the roaring twenties. […]

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Collection Spotlight: Touring Club Italiano

For more than 125 years, the Touring Club Italiano historical archive has reflected the perspective of Italians learning about their country and its vibrant culture through tourism.  Touring Club Italiano (TCI) was founded in Milan in 1894 to promote tourism across Italy.  The archive developed over time from photographs provided by the Club’s members. Now, […]

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America’s Rivers

The US Geological Survey estimates there are 250,000 rivers across the United States.  These rivers travel more than 3.5 million miles through the continental USA, Alaska and Hawaii. More than 80% of Americans live within a mile of these rivers, which are used for irrigation, transportation, drinking water, electrical power, recreation and other purposes.  Many […]

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Carnival in Italy

As a new year begins, revelers of traditional and colorful festivals turn their attention and excitement to carnival season.  While the ancient origins of carnival celebrations suggest they were timed as New Year’s festivals, the modern-day carnival evolved to be more closely associated with the beginning of the solemn Christian period of Lent.  The Roman Catholic liturgical […]

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