Edinburgh is covered by an intricate web of bus lines which keep things moving along the narrow city streets. Double Decker buses constantly flow in and out of central bus stations filled with locals and tourists alike. A couple of enclosed central transfer stations exist to handle several bus routes as well as to keep passengers out of the whimsical Scottish weather. A sign posted near the rail station informed me of upcoming plans to add streetcars...
40 international artists from Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Poland and London arrived to establish new relations with their scottish colleagues, to create platforms of new collaborations and connections. Also privately the communicative and creative network was established, mainly because the guest-artists were hosted by the artists from Edinburgh. This is an important element in the planning of all international transit station events.
Edinburgh transit
Sexy Billboard commercial
When we think of marketing, the first thing some of us think about is getting our name recognized. This is known as promotion, it's about getting your good name out there as opposed to just advertising. You are promoting your company and you are promoting one particular product or all your products.
Marketing your company or products through print advertisements and billboards is a great avenue. But I want to make sure you understand the value of marketing a good company or product rather than just approving the advertising budget.
You need to understand what it is that you are trying to tell consumers about you and your business. They are going to want to know who you are and what you sell.
Consumers also want to know about the quality of your product, and they will also want to know if your company is good at what it does. That information can only come from their experience with your product and your company. Think of it this way: You never get a second chance at making a first impression.
Billboard is effective, innovative ways to separate yourself form the rest of the crowd, Billboard's variety of industry-exclusive events, publications, online consumer platforms, charts and research are at your disposal. From content licensing to custom marketing solutions and Billboard can help you achieve your marketing goals.
Shopping in Paris
Paris is the capital city of France. It is situated on the River Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region ("Région parisienne"). Paris has an estimated population of 2,153,600 within its administrative limits. The Paris Unité urbaine (or "urban unit") is an area of unbroken urban growth that extends well beyond its city limits, with a population of 9.93 million. A commuter belt around the same completes the Paris urban area (similar to a metropolitan area) that, with its population of 12 million, is one of the most populated areas of its kind in Europe.
An important settlement for more than two millennia, Paris is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influence in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.
The Paris region (Île-de-France) is France's foremost centre of economic activity. With €478.7 billion (US$595.3 billion), it produced more than a quarter of the gross domestic product (GDP) of France in 2005. With La Défense, the largest purpose-built business district in Europe, it hosts the head offices of almost half of the major French companies, as well as the headquarters of fifteen of the world's 100 largest companies. Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC, or the informal Paris Club.
With over 30 million foreign visitors per year, Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world. The city hosts numerous iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilica of the Sacré Coeur, the Invalides, the Panthéon, the Grande Arche and the Opéra Garnier among its many attractions, along with world famous institutions such as the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay or the Musée National d'Art Moderne, and popular parks like Disneyland Resort Paris.
Serious shoppers will want to prepare before coming, and Suzy Gershman's Born to Shop Paris, a Frommer guide, provides excellent coverage of the Paris shopping scene. For an online visit to one of the most exclusive shopping streets in the world.
In major cities, most stores are open from 10h to 19h Monday through Saturday. In the provinces stores are usually closed on Mondays and from noon to 14h or 13h to 15h daily. Some department stores remain open until 21h one evening each week. Hypermarkets can remain open until 21h or 22h. Many food shops are open at 08h, even on Sundays. On holidays most businesses in Paris and the provinces are closed, while bakeries are open only in the morning.
Bon Marché, Galeries Lafayettes, Samaritaine, Printemps, and Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville (BHV) are a few of the great department stores that are part of the history of Paris, offering a huge variety of items for sale. They have the usual amenities for tourists: shopping helpers, translators, currency exchanges, and tax-free shopping. Most have branches in major cities outside Paris.
Virgin Megastore and FNAC are chain stores that specialize in "cultural products" such as books, music, consumer electronics, and photography equipment. They are also ticket outlets for shows and travel services.
Other chain stores specialize in cosmetics and perfumes (Séphora) and interior decoration (Habitat, Ikea).
Shopping in Athens
Athens
Athens ( Greece ) is the city of the Olympic Idea, the city of artists, cultural channel scientific centre, East and West for each voyager, the crossroads of every major event for the active, the fashion that is in for avid sophisticates, the Parthenon, of all and for all.Athens has much to offer: near-constant sunshine, access to sandy beaches and idyllic islands, and of course that first stunning view of the Acropolis.
Today is a modern city of Greece, alive and on the go. Modern, but romantic as well, with busy streets and squares, shop windows a riot of colors, as well as little alleys in quiet, peaceful neighborhoods such as Plaka and Mets.In the countless shops, the visitor will find whatever he may need. In the tavernas and restaurants he can enjoy any taste sensation, in the nightclubs, pubs, discos, and bars he can drink and dance the night away.
Kolonaki is the first word that a good shopper should know. Just a stone's throw from Syntagma Square, Kolonaki has always been the most fashionable and chic area of Athens, teeming with shops, trendy coffee shops and hip restaurants. Tsakalof Street is Kolonaki's most famous and is rated among the six most expensive streets in the world.
Ermou Street, recently paved for pedestrians only, is another much longer street not to miss if shopping is among your travel objectives. Off Syntagma Square, it has always been Athens' busiest shopping street and is packed with clothing, accessory and quality souvenir shops.
Other major shopping sites in Athens are Kifissia in the north and Glyfada on the south coast close to the airport.
JEWELRY Greeks have always been good at making jewelry, as proved by both ancient and modern history. Consider taking a walk around Voukourestiou and adjacent streets where exceptionally designed and handmade pieces can be found at such goldsmiths as Vildiridis, Bulgari . The internationally best known names are Ilias Lalaounis and Zolotas
ANTIQUES Antique shops can be found mainly in the Monastiraki area, where the largest open-air market of Athens takes place every day 8 am-2 pm. It's certainly worth considering a visit, since it's colorful and friendly and offers a broad variety of antiques from glass and silver items to pieces of furniture and old appliances.
Shopping in Reykjavik
Reykjavik may not sound as a likely place to shop for high fashion items or designer wear but the fact is that there is quite a good selection of high-quality fashion clothing and other exciting merchandise, from both sides of the Atlantic, to be found there. The standard of living is very high in Iceland and people want quality and are very fashion-conscious. There may even be some products that have not yet been introduced elsewhere, as some big manufacturers use the small but demanding Icelandic market for testing their new products. Look for world-known designer labels in clothing, shoes, giftware and spectacles, among other things.
Iceland has a reputation for being expensive but the prices of these goods are quite comparable with New York � or, in the case of designer wear, often more reasonable. Overhead costs are not so high and the markup is usually considerably lower than in NY. And then there is the tax-free refund for tourists, which is approximately 15% of the price, minimum purchase 4,000 ISK (around $50) on one sales slip, although individual items do not have to to amount to the minimum figure. Price tags in Iceland always include the sales tax. There are three main shopping areas: Besides downtown Reykjavik, there are two major shopping malls, Kringlan and Smaralind.
Downtown Reykjavik, which includes the old city center, Laugavegur and the surrounding streets, has many top stores within a short walking distance of each other. The atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant and the geographical surroundings are beautiful.
Laugavegur is Reykjaviks main shopping street and the starting point, if you want to make your way westward, towards the old city center, is the bus station at Hlemmur.
Chicago Shopping
The Chicagoland area offers a wide variety of shopping experiences, from upscale boutiques to discount outlet malls, and everything in between. The primary shopping strip in the city is the Magnificent Mile, which runs along north Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Here you’ll find department stores such as Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom, home furnishing retailers such as Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn, jewelers such as Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels, big name apparel retailers such as Gap, Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren, plus a host of boutiques and specialty shops. The Magnificent Mile also features indoor shopping malls, such as Water Tower Place and 900 North Michigan Shops. State Street is another major shopping destination, with Marshall Field’s and Carson Pirie Scott being the main department stores.
The Chicago suburbs offer excellent shopping centers as well. Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois is an enclosed mall and the largest in the area. Its anchors include Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, J C Penney and Sears. Beautiful outdoor malls include Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook and Old Orchard in Skokie. These two malls feature manicured landscaping and lush surroundings to create a very pleasant atmosphere. You can include the thrill of an amusement park with your shopping trip in Gurnee, Illinois, where you’ll find Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall and Six Flags Great America.