WESTERN EUROPE
DIETARY CONCERNS
Vegetarians should have no problem finding suitable cuisine in most of Western Europe. Particularly in city listings, Let’s Go notes many restaurants that offer good vegetarian selections. For info on vegetarian and vegan options through out Europe, check www.vegdining.com.
Travelers who keep kosher should contact synagogues in larger cities for info on food options. Your own synagogue or college Hillel should have access to lists of Jewish institutions across the globe. If you are strict in your observance, you may have to prepare your own food on the road. The website www.kashrut.com/travel provides contact info and further resources, while www.shamash.org/kosher catalogues kosher restaurants worldwide.
USEFUL ORGANIZATIONS
North American Vegetarian Society, P.O. Box 72, Dolgeville, NY 13329 (US ®518- 568-7970; www.navs-online.org). Offers resources and publications.
The Vegan Traveller (www.vegan-traveller.com). An internet resource center with info on a number of vegan establishments throughout Europe.
Hostility to Tobacco The first to speak out against the devil weed were the popes of the 1600s, who forbade Catholic clergy and the faithful from using it because of its close connection with Amerindian demonic rituals and because the sneezing caused by taking snuff was considered to be too closely related to sexual ecstasy. Netherlands Subway Map Addiction to tobacco, however, proved stronger than the repeated threats of excommunication. In 1603, King James I of England wrote A Counterblast to Tobacco, the first antismoking report in history. When he needed tax revenue, he still ended up encouraging the increased use of tobacco in England. Napoleon Bonaparte, too, was against the rising use of tobacco (although he is said to have snuffed up to 7 pounds of it a month), but he was cognizant of its importance to his treasury. He wrote to his advisers, This vice brings in 100 million francs each year. I will certainly forbid it at once as soon as you can name a virtue that brings in as much revenue.
