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
Ten Tips for International Flights Read More »
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
Wandering through the Daffodils Read More »
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
Magical Monet: Discover The Giverny Inspiration Read More »
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
Chasing the Northern Lights in Norway Read More »
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
Snow: The Four-Letter Word I Hate Read More »
Oktoberfest, Christmas markets and bratwurst. That’s what sprung to mind when I thought of Germany. Living in Europe, I discovered this country has so much more to offer. Romance, cool castles and royal residences capture the spirit of Germany’s historic past. Here are seven “must-see” places for you to add to your travel itinerary. #1
Quintessential Germany: Cool Castles and Palaces Read More »
Do you feel like you are living Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day adventure? I do. The coronavirus lockdowns in Belgium actually started on my birthday two years ago. Now, we are just two months away from our three-year mark. Each month, I think this COVID-19 insanity will go away or at least diminish. Yet, with the
It’s Not Over – Fifth Wave of COVID Hits Belgium Read More »
I thought I knew the regions of France fairly well, but the Opal Coast was new to me. I had never heard of it. Well, I’d heard of Dunkirk and Calais, but knew little about them and nothing about the two cliffs that make the area famous. The Opal Coast, or Côte d’Opale, extends over
The Opal Coast – One of France’s Lesser-Known Jewels Read More »
With more than 10 million visitors a year, the Louvre in Paris is the world’s most visited museum. It’s also the world’s largest, so it’s not surprising that it can be a bit overwhelming. I could spend a week there and still feel like I haven’t seen everything. I’d probably be right, too. But if
Compact Louvre-Lens Brings Masterpieces to the Masses Read More »
