Articles written by Fiona Thompson

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About me - Fiona Thompson

Hi! I'm a Helium steward covering Russia and the former Soviet republics, Eastern Europe, Greece, Turkey and the Balkans in the travel channel here at Helium. Message me with any questions about relating to that part of the world. I'm a passionate Russophile

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Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Why or why not vote in elections: 1 of 40
Working with young people, I often hear them say they are not interested in politics and that they will not vote. That's a complete contrast to when I was young and couldn't wait to be old enough to vote in my first election.There's an old saying that says "if voting ever changed anything, they'd abolish it" and I have to adm... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice Tips for packing light: 1 of 28
The first and best way to avoid packing too much is to limit the size of your luggage. Of course, you would need a bigger bag for a six month backpacking trip than for a weekend city break but you should try to own a few items of luggage to give you a choice. The more room in your bag, the more likely you are to try to fill i... More..
Food & Drink > Seafood The risks of eating sushi: 1 of 14
There are many people for whom the idea if eating sushi does not appeal because they don't like the thought of eating raw fish. Of course, sushi isn't only raw fish but the very knowledge that there is some raw fish in the dish that can be unappetizing. There are others, however, who don't like the idea of eating sushi becaus... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice Most interesting European capital cities to visit: 1 of 14
What people often forget is that Europe is as diverse a continent as Africa or Asia and that "doing Europe" doesn't say much at all. Of course there are the chief cities that one thinks of - great cultural and historic cities with famous monuments and musuems like Rome, Athens and Paris but not everyone wants the same out of ... More..
Travel > Air Travel & Airlines Airlines: What is and isn't allowed in your carry on luggage: 1 of 11
The sudden change to the list of banned or restricted items that can be carried in hand luggage certainly had many people bewildered. It is not least a controversial issue because many of the budget carriers are now making charges for luggage checked in to be flown in the hold. Previously you one might have been relieved to f... More..
Travel > Accommodation Tips & Advice Choosing a hotel that is right for your travel needs: 1 of 11
Choosing the wrong hotel can have a major impact on your holiday. It can mean sleepless nights, or expensive taxi fares or being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no entertainment. Sometimes things go wrong suddenly, things that cannot be planned for a flood in the hotel, a traffic accident outside the door but with some re... More..
Food & Drink > Spices, Herbs & Condiments Does real vanilla make a difference?: 1 of 11
Which is better real vanilla or a synthetic version? Well since we're discussing this in gourmet cooking the answer should really be real vanilla. However, there is no correct answer and a number of factors may influence your choice.First you need to understand the various types of vanilla and there are several.- Real vanilla... More..
Travel > Destination Guides (Other) Unusual places in the world worth visiting: 3 of 30
Tiraspol is the capital of a tiny breakaway Republic in the east of Moldova. I have always enjoyed visiting unusual places and the crazy republic of Transdniestr really fits the bill. It even has its own currency which is totally worthless outside its own borders.Moldova is lucky enough (from my twisted point of view) to have... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking (Other) Great gift ideas for men who cook: 2 of 20
Ladies, if you have a man that likes to cook, hold onto him and make sure you encourage his interest! Look out for great gifts help him further this interest but remember that when it comes to cooking, men and women are very different creatures.Take, my man; he loves to cook but he'll take a look in the refrigerator and make ... More..
Food & Drink > Cooking with Spices & Herbs The properties of nutmeg and when to use it in your cooking: 1 of 10
Nutmeg an innocent looking thing with a tempestuous history and a taste made in heaven. Believe me, there really is more to this little gem than meets the eye.Nutmeg originates from the Moluccas also known as the Spice Islands in the East Indies; until the sixteenth century it was available in Europe thanks to Arab traders bu... More..