In Suzhou, China locals and visitors literally ring in the New Year at the Hanshan Temple Bell Ringing Festival. Held on December 31st, the festival welcomes the New Year in Suzhou. Hanshan Temple, over 1400 years old, is one of the ten most famous temples in China. In ancient times, monks struck the bell at midnight to remind people a new day was coming.

Jamie Bergey is a current student at the University of Pittsburgh and will graduate in April 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Film Studies and Economics. She completed an international internship in London, England with the MAMA Youth Project organization.

Florida Culture for the Week of December 8 By Josh Garrick

Dec 11 and 12 – CFCArts presents Home for the Holidays

Alexandra O’Neill graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in April 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication and a Certificate in Western European Studies. She had an amazing international internship with the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium and Washington, D.C.

The summer before last, my husband and I were smiled upon by the travel gods with an uninterrupted 5 weeks of coinciding vacation time.

Chuck E. Cheese’s is an awesome place to go where there are rides, games, and kids running around just because they’re so happy. There are many fun attractions, such as a man in a costume dressed as a giant mouse with a big smile. There are also great deals on food, such as pizza and soda, for when you are hungry.

The Netherlands – a place of beauty and great food! But I’m guessing that you’re not familiar with the cuisine of the southern Netherlands. If you’re driving the southern Netherlands, you’ve a great culinary adventure in front of you.

NYC is called many things: the city of lights, dreams, the cultural capital of the world. However, I’ve never heard it being called the city of gardens, nature, or greenery.

Have you ever read a book that grabbed you by the heart and never let go? Such is the case with All the Broken Things, a novel written by Canadian author Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer.

Florida Culture for the Week of December 1 By Josh Garrick

Now through January 11 – A Waterhouse (Museum) Christmas Carol