Does anyone need a good excuse to travel in Europe this autumn? An abundance of excellent photography exhibitions and events are being prepared for Europe's Month of Photography in November 2008. Here are several links to guides and schedules in many major European cities:

The event that started it all, many years ago, is still one of the best and most extensive citywide celebrations of photography in the world. This year the Paris Month of Photography looks better than ever! The PDF guide is all in French, but don't let that stop you -- it includes more than 90 exhibitions, plus projections, lectures, debates and more. The very useful guide lists all activities by neighborhoods in Paris, so you can be sure to see almost everything.

An equally interesting and diverse fringe festival takes place simultaneously in Paris, called Mois de la Photo Off. Here is a link to their photo-filled PDF schedule of events (also all in French).

One of the largest fine art photography fairs in the world, Paris Photo, is set for its biggest year ever. 40,000 art collectors and photography lovers will soak up art from worldwide galleries during this 4-day extravaganza at the Louvre. You can see a preview of 200 photographs from Paris Photo 2008 in Lens Culture.

The Maison Européen de la Photographie is hosting portfolio reviews on two days during Paris Photo, where professional and amateur photographers can sign up to have their work viewed and critiqued by international photography experts. I am very happy to be selected as one of the reviewers this year. If you are interested, sign up fast, because space is limited — and it's free.

I am also honored to be reviewing photographer's portfolios in Vienna at the Museum of Art on November 23-24. This is a new event this year, sponsored by Anika Handelt. If you are interested in participating, please go to the website now and sign up -- the available spaces will fill up quickly.

Six other European countries are hosting simultaneous photography celebrations during November 2008. Here are links for all of them:

Vienna Month of Photography

Berlin Month of Photography

Bratislava Month of Photography

Luxembourg Month of Photography

Moscow Month of Photography

Rome Month of Photography

So, mark your calendars, and put on some comfortable shoes. Looks like a good month to roam some European cities to discover the latest in contemporary photography.