Europeans are so open about sexuality and nudity. That still surprises me as an American. Nude beaches are scattered across France and Spain, where even the grannies and grandpas are free of tan lines. Mixed sexes mingle in German health spas — clad only in their birthday suits. Iceland has a quirky penis museum in …
It’s always interesting to get an American’s take on Europe. This week’s topic is toilets. Seriously. Not everyone knows that we generally pay to use public toilets here. It was a shock to me at my first highway rest stop. I’d like to spare you the surprise. You may read my recent rave about guys …
Millions of wildflowers are blossoming across Belgium, and we’re going wild over the colors. Breathtaking purple blooms decorate forest floors, and brilliant yellow daffodils light up fields, meadows, and hillsides. Yes, it’s April and time for the annual display of bluebells and narcissi! You have to be lucky to catch both bluebells and daffodils at …
Spring is finally here, and Europe is exploding with color. In the Netherlands, that means it’s tulip time. There are some things you HAVE to see on your international travels. In Paris, it’s the Eiffel Tower. In Egypt, it’s the pyramids. And in the Netherlands, it’s the tulips, or more specifically, Keukenhof! Keukenhof has been …
I’ve always been puzzled by the fascination with Mannekin Pis. Why do people flock to see a bronze statue of a young boy urinating into a fountain? In grade school, I first learned about Mannekin Pis when a neighborhood boy showed a miniature statue to a giggling group of girls. I had no idea that …
Mannekin Pis: A Little Statue with a Big Following Read More »
With COVID restrictions and lockdowns, I haven’t had international guests for more than two years. But that all ends next week when my brother and sister-in-law arrive from the U.S. Since it’s their first trip to Europe, I sent them a few travel tips. It may be old news for frequent flyers, but after two …
I’ve always been a William Wordsworth fan. His “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” is one of my favorite poems. Maybe because I love daffodils. An image of tens of thousands of daffodils is conjured up in my head whenever I think of the poem. This week, Wordsworth’s poem came to life with a visit …
There are few places in France as magical as Giverny, a quaint village that lies just 50 miles from Paris. Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism, discovered this gateway to Normandy as he glanced out of a train window back in 1883. I was lucky to discover it, too. Drive from Paris, and the rolling …
The Northern Lights had been on my bucket list for years. A few years ago, for my birthday ending in zero, I traveled to Iceland with two of my closest friends. People told me don’t expect to see the lights; it will be a pleasant surprise if you do. We planned a fun itinerary so …
Snow. It’s probably the four-letter word I hate the most. I’ve never been a skier or a great fan of winter. Growing up in the Midwest, where lake=effect snow made winters unbearable, seeded my hatred of snow. Undergraduate school in Ithaca, New York, and decades in Upstate New York cemented my opinion of the evil …
