COVID-19 may be on the rise in much of Europe, but pent-up travel desires seem to be exploding. Airports and rail stations are seeing travelers return, which makes airlines and rail companies optimistic about the future. Brussels-Midi station is busy again! Of course, all of this travel is being done with vaccinations required, masks being …
Plane, Train or Automobile? Brussels-Midi May Be The Answer, Read More »
Business or pleasure? Are you among those who mix business travel with pleasure travel? Take a business trip and take the family along? Count yourself among the lucky ones who have discovered bleisure travel. Instead of quickly jetting in and out midweek, why not plan meetings for Mondays or Fridays and take advantage of free …
Cultural immersion! That’s been one phrase that best describes my experience in Belgium. When I moved to Flanders in 2016, I didn’t speak a word of Dutch or Flemish. So, what’s the difference between the two languages? My American friends always ask me this question. Hmm. What’s the best explanation? The difference is kind of …
After five years in Europe, you’d think I would have figured out this whole metric system. Ah, no. That has not happened. I still have no idea about my height in centimeters, my weight in kilos or my body temperature in Celsius. And European sizes? Good luck figuring that out. When I wake up in …
After 18 months of COVID restrictions, I’m seeing red — everywhere. And I’m more confused than ever. Where can I travel? What are the rules? What kind of vaccination documents do I need? Rules, rules, ever changing rules! And it is just as confusing on the other side of the ocean. Does anyone have a …
Life is good, but I am taking a wee break to whine about wine — or the lack of a 2021 vintage from Chez Deb. My pathetic vegetable and herb garden should have been a clue that my grape crop was doomed. We had a very early frost this year, forcing buds to appear earlier …
Sip a German beer at a cafe high in the sky, explore a centuries-old town and take a step back into earlier monastic times at an ancient library. Mark these three places on your travel map: Ebenalp, Appenzell and St. Gallen. What do you think of when you think of Switzerland? Snow-capped mountains, world class …
On June 18, the French put the U.S. on its list of green countries. Hurray! With France opening its doors to Americans again, it’s time to celebrate. And why not do it with a glass of champagne — in the region of its birth? Champagne: The Universal Beverage of Celebration The Champagne Region is located …
I’ve never seen such strong, unrelenting rain as that which I witnessed last Thursday. Each week, I look at the weather forecast to determine my biking days. If rain is scheduled for the afternoon, I cycle in the morning. Last week, I had no idea that a once-in-a century weather event was about to hit. …
It’s nearly Bastille Day, and now that France has opened its borders to American travellers, it’s time to think about some cool places to go. Nowhere is the sheer opulence of French life in centuries past more apparent than in the chateaux of the Loire Valley. Think of them as luxurious country castles. Plan a …
