Author: Igor

  • Leipzig Instants

    Leipzig Instants

    Last week we travelled to Leipzig to work on a new City Guide. Leipzig Region invited us to stay in this Eastern Germany city for three days and we had an amazing time discovering its many creativity hubs and great cultural offer. Here’s a selection of images we shared on our Instagram profile during our trip – just a little preview of some of the places you will find in our city guide, which we will publish really soon!

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    City views from Panorama Tower

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    Museum der bildenden Künste

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    Design and stationery shop Das rote Paket

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    Spinnerei, a former cotton mill now home to many galleries and studios

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    Plagwitz, the most creative neighbourhood in the city

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    The interiors of Asian fusion restaurant Ping Ping

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    Café Fleischerei, an old butcher shop turned into a café and bistro

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  • Creating A Work Environment To Boost Creativity

    For many of us, working in a more creative work environment would be both enriching and conducive to us getting more work done. We would be at our best and therefore likely to be more productive and efficient each day. This is gradually becoming a consideration for some businesses, you only need to look at Google’s headquarters, Googleplex, to see that large corporations are now taking this seriously. Whether you work alone, in a small office or a large company, there are things that you can either enact or suggest to create a work environment to boost creativity. 

    Many of us would love to work in a creative field, but where this is not possible for our 9-5, let’s at least bring some creativity into our workplaces. 

    Image Pixabay – Pixabay License 

    Ensure that it is visually appealing

    This is the first priority, to make the workspace visually appealing.

    Where possible, allow for plenty of natural light to flood in, and if not, then look to create the illusion with cleverly positioned lighting and light and airy colours.

    Add splashes of colour with either decor like office pods, pictures or flowers and plants. Studies have shown that working near plants can actually improve productivity and employees happiness levels, so add some in and see what difference it makes in your office.

    Throw in boards that people can scribble, doodle and draw on around the walls to channel that creativity.

    Make it comfortable

    All workstations need to be ergonomically designed and assessed to ensure that people are comfortable working at them. In addition to them being comfortable, you will need to create an environment where people are encouraged to move around regularly.

    Look to add comfortable breakout areas and ensure that the temperature is at the right level.

    Click  why you need a good office chair for more information.

    Focus on the aroma

    Now we don’t all like the same smells, it is true, but there are probably many that we all dislike.

    Whilst we all want a clean environment, chemical smells can be off putting so seek to mask these with gentler scents such as flowers or plugin fresheners. Breakfast brought into the office is bound to lend a wonderful aroma to the room or simply throw open the windows for a blast of fresh air.

    If you work from home, you can burn your favourite candle as you work or brew up some coffee if that’s your thing.

    Think about the noise

    This is something that is often overlooked. Many people work hard on the visual and then completely forget to address the noise.

    Think about your own mood when you work. Do you work better in a silent room, a room with lots of shouting and noise or perhaps a room with music playing? For many of us, it will be the latter. Music can put us in a better mood and provide a great background soundtrack to your working day.

    For your work environment, look into DAB radio deals and get yourself set up with a radio. If you work alone, choosing the station that you listen to will be a breeze. If you are in a bigger group, then there might have to be a vote for this one, or you might choose to keep it calm with a classical station.

  • Purchasing the Right Arcade Cabinet to Play Arcade Games

    The right gaming experience makes life a lot more fun-filled. Arcade games offer the perfect gaming experience for many people across various age groups. Adults love these games as it brings back fond memories of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

    Teenagers and kids as well do not feel left out as arcade games are very entertaining and challenging. This is why it is not unusual to see some of them frequent game parlors, shopping malls, amusement arcades, and other places where these games can be played.

    But how about bringing the fun to your basement or any other part of your home? Fortunately, this is possible as arcade cabinets for such purposes are sold. However, the right one has to guarantee optimal gaming experience and value for money spent purchasing it. To this end, this article will discuss how to purchase the right arcade cabinet for home use.

    Picking the Right Arcade Cabinet for Home Gaming

    For the record, these games can be played across various platforms. However, some people insist on playing them on a traditional arcade cabinet and this is quite understandable. It is about the amazing feel of playing this way, among other reasons.

    As a result, it is of utmost importance that something that delivers to expectation is purchased. To this end, here are some tips for picking the right one for an optimal home gaming experience:

    Work with Your Budget

    There is a wide margin between the cheapest and most expensive arcade cabinets. For example, the least expensive option found on a very reputable platform was a few hundred short of a thousand dollars. Conversely, the most expensive option on the same platform went for close to 9000 dollars.

    Of course, it is only logical that the more expensive option has more to offer. For this reason, it is highly suggested that you commit a reasonable amount to getting this gaming equipment.

    However, you do not have to break the bank to do this. Just have a reasonable amount set as your budget and get something that fits right into your budget.

    Game Selection

    This is conveniently one of the most important considerations (if not the most important one). There are various games and you are not likely to have a cabinet that allows you to play every one of them. This is especially because of the huge differences between some of these games.

    As a result, you need to come to terms with the games that you want. Then, this information should influence your choice. By the way, some of the arcade games that you may be considering could include:

    • Fighting – Such as Street Fighter II, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat
    • Racing – Daytona USA, OutRun, Cruis’n USA, and Initial D
    • Classic Arcade – Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede, Frogger, and Pac-Man
    • Puzzle – Puzzle Bobble, Puyo Puyo, Tetris, and Columns
    • Music & Rhythm – Guitar Hero, Beatmania, Dance Dance Revolution, and Pump It Up
    • Sports – Virtua Tennis, NBA Jam, Foosball, and NFL Blitz
    • Beat ‘em Up – Area 51, Time Crisis, and Metal Slug
    • Redemption – Claw Machines, Skee-Ball, and Coin Pushers

    These are just a few as we can go on mentioning others. For more information on arcade games, you can visit: https://en.wikipedia.org.

    Get the Right Size

    Some arcade cabinets can be quite massive. This is why you need to consider available space when making your choice. You do not want to get something that would not fit into the room that it is supposed to be stationed in.

    Durability

    Getting something durable is a necessity. Your purchase cannot be considered worth it if you end up with something that will get damaged too soon. Checking out the materials used to make the arcade cabinet is important for this reason.

    Control Panel

    The games are usually played using a control mechanism. For example, this could be a trackball or a joystick, depending on the kind that you get and the games offered. You should get something with a befitting control panel. It should also have the right amount of control buttons.

    Multi-Player Possibility

    It is strongly advised that you opt for gaming equipment that enables a multiplayer experience. This makes it easier for people to bond and increasingly have a great time playing together.

    For example, racing games such as Initial D do not have to be against the system. It could be two or more players competing.

    Warranty

    The right purchase must offer a reasonable warranty. This is to be certain that the seller has your best interest at heart. You can read this article for more on the need to get something that has a warranty.

    Conclusion

    Arcade games offer optimal gaming experiences for a high level of competition and entertainment. This is particularly true when they are played via an arcade cabinet. Fortunately, you can have one for yourself and enjoy the numerous benefits.

    However, you need to get the right one. Tips on how to do this have been shared here and should influence your decision when you choose to get one.

  • Choosing a Tour Guide for Your Mountain Vacation in the French Alps

    Mountain vacations in the French Alps give you an adrenaline rush like no other, with so many sports to enjoy, especially during winter. However, solo trips up the mountain in a foreign land may not be a great idea. You may benefit from choosing an experienced tour guide to take you through the best routes and breathtaking sceneries in the mountains. 

    How to Choose the Right Tour Guide?

    Many travel agencies offer touring services. Below are some tips to help you choose a reliable tour guide: 

    Find Out Their Specialization 

    Some travel companies like https://www.feepourvous.com/en/ offer all-around services to tourists. However, it would help if you asked which specific activities their guides provide. In the French Alps, the most popular fun activities are snowboarding, skiing, and mountain climbing. The things they offer have to match your plans for your vacation. Apart from fun activities, you also need to consider additional services such as accommodation, transportation, and concierge services. Your best bet would be to go for a tour company that offers all-inclusive services. 

    Ask for Credentials

    Touring the mountains isn’t as easy as you think. A guide should have professional certifications that prove their qualification for the services they intend to provide. Companies that offer tour guiding services in the French Alps usually need a French Mountain Guide Association (UIAGM/IFMGA) certification. As you look through the certificates, you should also ask for client testimonials. Don’t just rely on what they are showing you; look for unbiased reviews online. 

    Do They Communicate Efficiently?

    It goes without saying that communication is vital. First, you must find out if the person guiding you speaks English. Things will get awkward in the mountains if you don’t speak the same language, especially during an emergency. Speaking English isn’t the only consideration for effective communication. Your tour guide also needs to have good interpersonal skills. 

    Conclusion 

    A vacation to the French Alps will allow you to create lifelong memories. However, high-risk sports on the mountain can be dangerous. By relying on a tour guide, you will be protecting yourself and your loved ones.

  • How to Enjoy an Alternative Experience in France

    Being just a short trip across the Channel, France is a place that most of us have visited at one point or another. But the country has an enormous amount to offer beyond the Eiffel Tower, Mont Blanc and Disneyland. If you want to see all of what France is about, you’ll need to head off the beaten track. Let’s take a look at a few underappreciated gems you might consider.

    Image via Unsplash

    Parisian Flea Markets

    Visitors to the capital are understandably drawn by the same few tourist-beset places. But if you’ve visited Paris a few times before, you might have exhausted the main sports – and even if you haven’t, it’s worth venturing into the lesser-known neighbourhoods like Puces de St Ouen, where you’ll find one of the capital’s several flea markets. There are unique bargains to be found by those willing to look for them!

    Amiens Cathedral

    The Gothic movement in the 13th century saw a series of enormous churches constructed, including this one in Picardy. Amiens Cathedral is among the most intact buildings from the period, and the largest churches in the country. It’s remained in good shape throughout its lifetime, escaping major damage during the wars of the 20th century. While Notre Damme is undergoing repairs, why not take a trip out into the countryside to see some of France’s other major churches?

    Holidaying in the Pyrenees

    If you’d prefer an active holiday, then a trip to the Pyrenees would be strong contender. Camping holidays in France represent an affordable way to see the country, and they’ll let you enjoy all of the gorgeous weather and natural beauty that the south has to offer.

    Millau Viaduct

    The Millau Viaduct is a relatively recent addition to France’s already-impressive range of tourist attractions. It’s the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world, and will take you from Beziers to Clermont-Ferrand. Driving across the span, you’ll feel a lot like you’ve taken flight – but there’s also a visitor’s centre for real fans of civil engineering to stop off and marvel at this unique structure.

    Tarascon Castle

    Europe has a long history of conflict, and boasts more than its fair share of castles. The castle in Tarascon ranks among the most beautiful, thanks to its combination of sheer walls and round turrets. It even has a drawbridge. Tarascon is less appreciated than the more famous French fairy tale castle, Carcassonne, and thus you won’t need to deal with quite the same volume of crowds here.

    St Malo Walls

    If you’re heading to St. Malo, then a guided tour of the walls should be considered an absolute must. You’ll get spectacular views of the sea and the town itself, all the way around the route. The walls have been constructed piecemeal over more than eight-hundred years, so you’ll get a fantastic cross-section of France’s architectural heritage.