Bruges is by far the most famous place in Belgium and the most visited. This is primarily because, unlike many European cities, it was untouched during the two World Wars and therefore it retains all of its original medieval architecture. It is very often called the most beautiful city in Europe.

Highlights:

-Bruges is sometimes compared to Amsterdam because of its many canals and cobblestone streets. In truth, it is actually much prettier. Boat rides through the canals are popular but the boats tend to get very crowded. I recommend walking everywhere. It’s just as nice, you can see everything from the streets and bridges and you can stop if something cool catches your eye.

-The most famous building in Bruges is the Belfort, the belfry tower in the main square. It was built in the 1200s and stands over 272ft high. The view from the top is the best in the city, but it’s a tough 366 narrow stairs to the top. Unfortunately, it was being renovated during our visit but we were lucky enough to be in the square at noon and got to listen to the 47 bells chime to announce the hour.

-There is no shortage of churches in Bruges, but there were two that I found particularly interesting. The Church of Our Lady is known for the stunning sculpture of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo on its altar. It is one of the few pieces by Michelangelo that can be seen outside of Italy. The Church of the Holy Blood is also home to precious cargo in the form of a relic said to be the blood of Christ! Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea washed the body of Christ after his death and saved a piece of cloth that was stained with his blood. The cloth was preserved in a vial which is guarded by a priest and can be seen, and even touched, inside the church.

-St John’s Hospital is one of the oldest standing hospital buildings in Europe and the architecture alone makes it worth visiting, but the interesting medical artifacts and the collection of paintings by Hans Memling inside make it a must see. There are six works by Memling here, the most impressive being the large, detailed altar which is truly a masterpiece.

-If you’re looking for something light and fun, the Frietmuseum fits the bill. Here you can learn all about the history of Belgium’s famous fries from the origin of the potato to its journey into oil. I thought it would be silly, but the exhibits are actually interesting and I learned quite a bit. Of course, with all the talk of fries, not to mention the smell permeating the building, you are going to want to taste them after your visit. Luckily, there is a fry shop downstairs!

Bruges is touristy, but that’s only because it’s such a special place. If you visit during the week and get an early start, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the city at a leisurely pace. Visiting Belgium and skipping Bruges would be like visiting France and skipping Paris….the idea is unheard of.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Bruges Links:
Brugge Official Site
Church of Our Lady
Frietmuseum

Most of the time when I’ve read about Brussels, it’s about political upheaval or something going on with the E.U., as the city is their capitol. Brussels might be the biggest melting pot in Europe and you will see just about every race and hear every language there. I thought perhaps I would find unrest but, despite their differences, Belgians are some of the friendliest and open people I’ve met!

Highlights:

-The main square in Brussels is the Grand Place and it is grand indeed. It is surrounded by massive buildings, most from the 17th century, the majority of which are government offices. Every two years, it is filled with hundreds of thousands of flowers that form a beautiful flower carpet.

-Not far from the Grand Place you can find Brussels most famous resident, Manneken Pis. Yes, that does mean “little man pee” and he is just that-a statue of a little man peeing! What sets the little guy apart from other fountains, aside from his pose, is his wardrobe. He is clothed several times a week with carefully selected costumes, sent from admirers from around the world. When we visited, he was dressed as a surgeon! After you visit Manneken Pis, check out a display of his old costumes at the City Museum in the Grand Place.

-Belgian chocolate is considered the best in the world and the reputation is well deserved. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also plentiful. You can’t walk more than a block in Brussels without coming upon a chocolate shop. One of the best is Mary Chocolatier, the official chocolate shop of the Belgian royal family. All the treats are delicious, but the truffles are heavenly.

-If you are a fan of art, you’ll probably visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, but don’t miss the Magritte Museum which is connected to it. Rene Magritte was a famous Belgian surrealist (think Dali) and the museum has an excellent, well presented collection of his work, including some cool, vintage videos he made with his wife and friends.

-There are many international cities with a landmark built for a world’s fair and Brussels is no exception. The Atomium was built for the exposition in 1958. Consisting of nine giant, connected steel spheres, it’s meant look like a magnified iron crystal cell. Visitors can take a combination of elevators and stairs through the structure which is over 300ft tall. The spheres feature exhibits about the Atomium and architecture and, of course, an amazing view of the city!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Brussels Links:
Brussels Official Site
Mary Chocolatier
Magritte Museum
Atomium

Bermuda is actually an archipelago, a cluster of islands, and it’s under British control. The main islands are separated into sections called parishes and linked together by roads and bridges that stretch about 24 miles. We stayed in Southhampton parish and spent our time exploring the southern end of the territory. February is the off season because the weather is colder, but it was perfect for us as it meant no cruise ships or crowds and we pretty much had the island to ourselves.

Highlights:

-In the early 1800s the Royal Naval Dockyard, located on Bermuda’s southern tip, served as a military base. Today, it’s a shopping center and port for cruise ships. At the Dockyard you can buy crafts and Bermuda rum cakes and you can also visit the old naval fort which is now the National Museum of Bermuda. The museum is full of great exhibits on the country and the origin of its people. Many people ended up in Bermuda by shipwreck or slavery and some of the locals can trace their roots back to specific events. Along the drive to the Dockyard, don’t miss the Somerset Bridge, the world’s smallest drawbridge!

-Given Bermuda’s history of shipwrecks, it’s not surprising that it has lighthouses. The Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is the larger of the two and the oldest lighthouse in the world made from cast iron. It was built in 1844 and is open to the public most days. Unfortunately, it was closed the day we visited but I’m told it offers an unparalleled view of of the islands.

-It’s easy to understand why so many people visit Bermuda for the beaches. With their pretty pink sand and crystal blue waters, they are among the nicest I’ve seen. It was too cold and windy for swimming in February, although watersports and diving might be possible with a wetsuit, but the temperature was still in the 70s and sunny so we walked all along Horseshoe Beach, Elbow Beach, and Warwick Long Bay. We could see parrot fish eating off the coral in the rocky coves and everywhere we went kiskadees, little yellow and black birds, were yelling their signature chirps. The best part was that we were alone most of the time!

-In Paget, we went to the Botanical Garden which was nice, but is worth visiting for the lovely Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art on its grounds. It’s a small but excellent collection of images of the island, including some really cool vintage travel posters.

Even though we travel a lot, we usually can only take off for a few days at a time so we’re always looking for places we can visit that are close by. I have no idea why it took me so long to realize that Bermuda was so convenient, but I’m glad I finally did! At just 1 1/2 hours, the flight from NYC is shorter than some commutes and the destination is paradise!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Bermuda Links:
Bermuda Official Site
Royal Naval Dockyard
National Museum of Bermuda
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse
Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art

Will and I love visiting Europe for Thanksgiving because it’s generally not too crowded and the cities are usually decorated for Christmas. Vienna was a good choice as it was very festive but it was also very cold!!

Highlights:

-From mid November through Christmas Eve, Christmas Markets pop up in just about every square and open space in Vienna. They are full of stalls selling crafts and tasty treats for the holidays. Due to the frigid weather, the most popular stands are the ones selling hot punch, spiked with alcohol if desired. Personally, I love the roasted chestnuts! The biggest market is the Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz, right in front of city hall. These markets are a major tourist attraction and get very crowded on nights and weekends so it’s best to visit in the early afternoon or during the week.

-A trip to Vienna would not be complete without tasting its most famous pastry, the Sachertorte. It’s a rich chocolate cake, covered in chocolate ganache, with a thin layer of apricot preserves inside. The debate over who invented the treat was so contentious that it ended up in court. The Hotel Sacher won the rights to call their version “the original” but you can try the other contender as well at the restaurant Demel. The main difference between the two is that the Demel cake has just one layer of apricot preserves under the ganache while the Hotel Sacher cake has a second layer through the middle. I preferred the Hotel Sacher version as the cakes are both quite dry and the extra fruit layer added some moistness, but truthfully I think the strudels all over the city are better than both!

-There are many beautiful buildings and palaces in Vienna and you probably won’t get to see them all in one trip. The Imperial Apartments at Schonbrunn Palace are a good place to get a taste of how royalty once lived in Austria. It was a residence of the Habsburg dynasty, which included Marie Antoinette, from the late 17th century until the end of the monarchy in 1918. At the age of 6, Mozart played his first royal concert here! The most celebrated tenant of Schonbrunn was the Empress Elisabeth known as “Sisi”, famous for her beauty and independent spirit and remembered for her tragic assassination by an anarchist in Geneva.

-Gustav Klimt, known for his brilliant, art nouveau paintings is Vienna’s most prominent artist. His gold leaf pieces are especially prized and among the most expensive paintings in the world. You can see Klimt’s work in many places but the best examples are the collection at the Belvedere and the giant mural called the Beethoven Frieze at the Secession building.

-The Austrian Crown Jewels collection is one of the most complete and finest in existence. It is located in the Treasury at Hofburg Palace and includes crowns, sceptres, jewelery, a vast amount of clothing and robes as well as imperial furniture.

-The oldest, continually operating ferris wheel in the world is the Reisenrad located in the Prater amusement park in Vienna. The original was burnt to the ground during World War II so it is also a beloved symbol of the city’s resilience. Visitors can take a ride in one of the wheel’s gondola cars or even reserve a private car for a candlelit dinner!

Vienna is truly a magical place. It is on the border of Eastern and Western Europe and you can see the influence of both sides in the city’s architecture and culture. It’s a grand, romantic city that makes you feel small but reminds you how big the world is and how much there is to see!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Vienna Links:
Vienna Official SiteVienna Christmas Markets
Hotel Sacher
Demel
Schonbrunn Palace
Belvedere
Secession
Austrian Crown Jewels at the Hofburg Treasury
Reisenrad

Will and I found ourselves in Geneva for business, but decided to check out the city a little while we were there. I wasn’t really sure what to expect other than banks and high end watch stores and truthfully….that’s pretty much all there was! Geneva is right next to France, so the language and the food (which is delicious) are French. While there isn’t a lot to do, there are a few interesting places to visit.

Highlights:

-Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Europe and it borders both Switzerland and France. Its fountain, the Jet D’eau, is the tallest in the world, shooting a stream of water over 450 feet into the sky. Public transportation is free in Geneva when you stay in a city hotel and it includes the yellow water taxis that cross the lake. Longer trips to see bigger portions of the lake are available through several tour companies. Both locals and visitors tend to congregate around the lake to enjoy the view of the city and Mount Blanc and to feed the seabirds and swans that swim there.

-Even though the United Nations has had its European headquarters in Geneva since the late 1940s, Switzerland stayed neutral and acted only as an observer of their activities until joining as a full member in 2002. The Geneva office is the second largest, after New York, and tours are offered to the public at designated times on most days. Unfortunately, there were no tours during our visit but I enjoyed seeing the building and the powerful “Broken Chair” monument to land mine victims across the street.

-The European Organization for Nuclear Research, otherwise known as CERN, is the most famous science center in the world. Its main objective is to study atomic particles and it is best known to the public for the Large Hadron Collider operated there. The purpose of the LHC is to test and study the fundamentals of theoretical physics and further the understanding of space and time. They hope to recreate the Big Bang Theory of the Earth’s creation and deepen scientific knowledge of existence. Although most of the enormous facility is not open to the public, visitors can reserve tours in advance and/or visit the displays set up that explain how the LHC was built and how it works.

Geneva may not be a tourist mecca, but it is an important, international city. The sites I visited there are so unique that they make it special even if it’s not the most exciting place.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Geneva Links:
Geneva Official Site
United Nations Geneva
CERN

Will and I had airfare credits that we had to use over the summer and we wanted to go somewhere close, but out of the country so we chose Edinburgh. After booking, I was horrified to learn that August is festival month and the population effectively doubles for the celebrations. I was nervous because I hate crowds but, except for a bit of trouble finding a place to eat on Saturday night, it wasn’t an issue.

Highlights:

-Edinburgh Castle is unique because it is literally built into the city. It is the most famous and most popular attraction in Edinburgh and the line to get in has grown so large at times that it has set the record for the longest line in Europe! We bought our tickets online and visited right at opening. There was already a crowd but it was very manageable since the castle is so big. There is a ton to see at the site including a chapel, great halls and apartments and the crown jewels. There are also dungeons which I found the most interesting because they held Americans during the Revolutionary War who carved messages into the walls that are still visible.

-One of the most well known Scotsman is Sir Walter Scott, author of Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. The Scott Monument is a 200ft sandstone and marble tribute to him. Visitors can climb over 200 stairs to a viewing platform but, even if you decide not go up, the giant, Gothic sculpture is impossible to miss.

-I was pretty surprised to learn that Edinburgh has a volcano. It’s called Arthur’s Seat and it’s been extinct for hundreds of millions of years so there is no need to worry about an eruption. It is a very popular hiking trail and, while it’s fairly steep and challenging, you’ll be rewarded at the top with beautiful, panoramic views of the city. Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth, sits right at the base of the hill and is open to visitors as long as the Queen isn’t home.

-When most people think of Scotland, they picture the rolling highlands and crystal clear lakes. Edinburgh is quite far from the countryside so it’s not possible to see very much in a day trip but you can get a taste of it. We booked a tour with The Hairy Coo company that took us out to Forth Bridge, Stirling Castle, a couple of Lochs (lakes) and through parts of the Trossachs National Park. We also visited Doune Castle where many scenes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail were filmed. On the way back, we stopped to feed some hairy coos (highland cows), as they inspired the tour company’s name.

-It’s no secret that Will and I love wildlife, especially birds, so we had to check out the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. It takes about 90 minutes to get to North Berwick from Edinburgh by train with departures about once an hour. The Centre itself has a few small exhibits and wildlife cameras, but the main draw is it’s boat tours. We took the seabird Seafari rubber boat out to Bass Rock where we could observe the largest colony of gannets (seabirds) in the world. From far away, it looked like a giant, white rock but as we got closer, we realized it was covered with over 150,000 white gannets! It was an amazing sight! The types of birds you see on Bass Rock depends on the time of year you visit as different species nest and migrate at different times. Even though we visited in August, it was freezing cold and the water was very choppy. We were given special waterproof jackets and pants to wear over our clothes and we definitely needed them because the boat got drenched!

I was so impressed with Edinburgh! London and Dublin are typically more popular with tourists, but Edinburgh really is just as nice. Despite the cold and rainy weather, the people are cheerful, the food is great (although I found the vegetarian haggis a bit strange, I appreciated the effort!) and there was so much to see and do!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Edinburgh Links:
Edinburgh Official Site
Edinburgh Castle
Palace of Holyrood House
The Hairy Coo Tour Company
Scottish Seabird Centre

When Will was a little kid growing up in Westchester County, he often saw commercials with smiling families and couples enjoying their vacations in the Pocono Mountain region in Pennsylvania. He always wanted to go and, finally, we did!

Highlights:

-Our trip was especially inspired by a commercial for Mount Airy, the largest and most popular resort in the Poconos when it was built. Sadly, it fell into disrepair and went into foreclosure in 1999. Thanks to a new owner, it was completely remodelled as a casino hotel and reopened in 2007. We had to stay there! The rooms are standard for a mid-range hotel, but comfortable. The casino is small and smoky, but much nicer than I expected and it seemed like a lot of people were winning there. It tends to get crowded on the weekends. There are also several restaurants on the property and they are all pretty good. It seemed like one of the nicer places to stay in the Poconos.

-Between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains forming an area called the Delaware Water Gap. The Gap is important because it not only provides refuge to a variety of animals but it also accounts for 10% of the nation’s fresh water. Although there is a road that runs along the river, the thick tree coverage makes it difficult to see anything from the street so the best way to explore the area is by foot or boat. There are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in the Gap, including 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail. One of the best sights is Dingmans Falls which is fairly easy to reach by a short trail and a wooden staircase with 240 steps. With a 130 foot drop, the waterfalls are beautiful, especially when a snowy winter has left them flowing full and strong!

-Dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania”, Bushkill Falls has been one of the most popular attractions in the Poconos for over 100 years. It was discovered by Charles E. Peters in 1904 and is still privately owned and operated by his family. It consists of eight waterfalls and although the admission price is steep at $11/person, it grants you access to a large variety of extremely well maintained hiking trails. There is also a small but interesting museum on the property and several stores, food stands and additional attractions including mini golf and paddle boats. Whether you take the 15 minute or two hour hike around the falls, you won’t be disappointed.

-I’ve always wondered what it would be like in a coal mine, especially after the dramatic rescue of 33 miners in Chile last year. We decided to travel 40 minutes north of the Poconos to Scranton to find out at the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Tours are offered from April through November and last about an hour. It was really cool riding 300 feet underground in the little mine car. Once we got to the bottom, it was dark and cool. The temperature of the mine stays at 53 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so you need a warm sweater even in the summer. We learned all about the different mining methods through the years and the safety precautions followed to prevent injuries and death. The guide also told us about the different positions and responsibilities mine workers have. We even got a chance to see how dark the mine is without any lighting. It was a fascinating experience and I felt very fortunate that it was so easy for us to get back to the surface when it was over!

The Poconos may not be the premier destination it once was, but it is still very popular due to its close proximity to NYC and its beautiful scenery. It’s a bit kitschy, but that’s part of its charm and it is perfect for a peaceful few days away from the city.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Poconos Links:
Poconos Official Site
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Delaware Water Gap
Bushkill Falls
Lackawanna Coal Mine

Monaco is a tiny country located on the French Riviera. In fact, it’s the second smallest country in the world after Vatican City. It’s well known around the world for sporting events, especially Formula One car racing, gambling and as the home of American actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier in 1956.

Highlights:

-Even though Monaco is small, it’s densely populated and busy. The Jardin Exotique is a peaceful escape from the congestion. The garden has thousands of plants, especially cactuses, which wind up and down a steep cliff. It’s high locale also offers spectacular views of the country.

-Unfortunately, the Monaco Cathedral was closed when Will and I visited but we were glad to get a glimpse from the outside. This is where Grace Kelly was married and also serves as her final resting place.

-Will and I love casinos so we expected the Casino de Monte Carlo to be a highlight on our trip, but we were actually disappointed. It costs 10 euros to get into the old part of the casino which is beautiful but, once you get inside, there isn’t much to do. There is a bar, a couple of roulette tables and about 20 slot machines….that’s it. For another 10 euros you get access to private gaming rooms but it looked like they were only playing poker in them so we didn’t bother. In the newer part of the casino, which is free, there are more slots and few tables but it is still tiny compared to Vegas or Atlantic city and it gets boring really fast.

-The coolest museum in Monaco is the Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection. During his life, Prince Rainier III amassed over 100 antique vehicles from sports cars to coaches to military models. He had always hoped to share his passion with the public and today his vision has been realized. It’s really a treat to see so many unique classic cars in one place.

I have to admit that Monaco didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I expected glamour but it’s actually very crowded and congested with tons of construction going on. Everything is very expensive and I’m not sure the value is there. It’s definitely a place to see, but I think there are much nicer places.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Monaco Links:
Monaco Official Site
Jardin Exotique
Casino de Monte Carlo
Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection

Will and I have always dreamed of visiting the French Riviera. You might imagine Nice with luxury yachts and glamorous people and I’m sure there is plenty of that during the summer, but on the cusp of spring it was just a beautiful, friendly seaside city.

Highlights:

-Like most cities in Europe, Nice has many pedestrian only areas to stroll. The city center is full of cafes and shops, especially on Avenue Jean Medecin. The Promenade des Anglais is the walkway along the Mediterranean Sea where locals jog and walk their dogs. It’s the most unique and special area in Nice and it’s beautiful to walk along, day or night.

-The main square in the city is the Place Massena and although its fountains and gardens are pretty, the best part of the area is the Ferris Wheel. There is no better way to see the whole city and the view from the top is awesome. There’s also a cool Merry go Round nearby for kids.

-Everyone knows about the Carnival parties in Rio and New Orleans, but Nice also has one of the biggest celebrations in the world. We didn’t know this or plan to be in the city for it but, because of bad weather, the last day of events ended up falling on our first day in Nice. Giant floats filled the streets and children dressed in costumes sang while a paper statue of a King was floated out into the Mediterranean and burned. At night there was a fireworks display and it was the best I have ever seen.

-I was excited to visit the Chagall Museum as Marc Chagall is one of my favorite artists and you don’t often see many of his works in one place. It’s small, but it’s a nice little collection and worth checking out.

This was my second trip to France and I really do love the country. The people were kind, the food was excellent (very Italian as Italy is close by) and the city has a ton of character. It may sound like a silly cliche to say that Nice has the perfect name, but it truly does because it is such a nice, nice city.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Nice Links:
Nice Official Site
Nice Carnival
Chagall Museum – French Only