If you’ve just got one whole day in Prague, it’s best to be guided by an expert. The weather wasn’t cooperating, what with its wind and showers, but we still managed to enjoy our short stay in this wonderful city.
It’s a must see to visit the Prague Castle, the largest castle in Europe today. It was so huge and impressive, that our companions weren’t aware that they were entering the Office of the President (No, that isn’t the toilet)!
St. Vitus Cathedral and its beautiful rose window
Our first stop was the St. Vitus Cathedral. We weren’t familiar with St. Vitus and were told that he was a martyr who died by being thrown to a boiling pot of… oil! He has then been the patron saint of epileptics, due probably from the way he wriggled while going through his painful death. His movements were called the St. Vitus Dance. Oh, he isn’t only the patron saint for epileptics. Count in actors, comedians and dancers (go figure).
The tomb of St. John of Nepomuk (Nepomuceno) is housed in the cathedral. Hehappens to be the most loved saint in the country! Stars and bright lights were present on the day he was born and on the day he died. He was ordered killed by King Wenceslas for not revealing the confessions of the King’s wife. (Wow, he sure knew how to keep a secret!)
St. John’s feet were cast and he was thrown off the Charles Bridge into the Moldau River. From that moment, five stars rose from the river and King Wenceslas regretted what he did. His body was recovered in 1719 — still intact! The amazing thing is his tongue remained to be incorrupt even after the shrine was built to honor him.
Nuremberg Castle was home to the German kings and kaisers from 1050 to 1571. It was heavily damaged in the Second World War but all parts were restored to its historical form.
Praying Hands by Albrecht Durer, from GGsDesigns
Albrecht Düreris one of the famous citizens of Nuremberg. His most memorable is that of his brother’s hands. Read about the love of two brothers – Albert and Albrecht Durer and its connection to The Praying Hands (currently located at the Albertina in Vienna).
At Nuremberg, we went straight for the Hauptmarkt (main market) where the Schoner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) greets its visitors. Legend has it that those who rub the golden ring is blessed with good luck or fertility. Watch Gina as she demonstrates! Just a few steps away is the Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, where we had some time to enter and pray.
First stop was the Olympic Stadium. Honestly speaking, I would have preferred spending more time at the old town rather than the Olympic area. The rest of the group enjoyed the various locations of the Olympics. We reached the Marienplatz just in time to view the ringing of the bells of the Glockenspiel. I didn’t get to catch the entire melody but here it is anyway. It’s on the video on the right side of this page.
Lunch at the Hofbrauhaus – an array of German sausages, pretzels and no beer. LOL The group had to stay sharp for some serious shopping of designer bags. Did you know that Adolf Hitler proclaimed the twenty-five theses of the National Socialist program at the Hofbräuhaus?
Meeting up with Mabel was one of the highlights of my trip to Munich!
Doing a tour at last minute’s notice can be very exciting. I begin a tour in Munich and got in touch with Mabel to meet up and catch up with each other’s lives in the flesh. We’ve kept in touch through Facebook and it was high time to meet her — it’s been 36 years since we saw each other!
I was wondering what it would be like to see her again after all this time. Would it be awkward? We’re not 10 anymore. Sometimes best friends drift apart, not due to distance but due to a million other things. I was nervous.
A knock at the door. Was she really here? I opened the door and screamed with delight! No awkwardness whatsoever. That was a good sign! From the hotel, we just walked a block and found an old and musty bar open. We didn’t care. We were pressed for time so this bar was perfect. We talked non-stop and had time to have our picture taken by the old man behind the bar. Meeting up with Mabel was one of the highlights of my trip to Munich!
Saint Peter Basilica watercolor original by GinetteCreations
Found this gem of a painting on Etsy.com. I love the interpretation of Ginette Creations. Her choice of colors is vibrant — probably the aura of such a beautiful architectural masterpiece. Check more of her works at GinetteCreations.
This question pops in my head when I’m in the mood to travel. I know my body needs routine to strengthen my first chakra but us girls need an occasional break! Wouldn’t it be fun to just drop whatever you’re doing and do something out of the ordinary? Call me shallow, but when I step [...]
Two activities I enjoy when I take off with girlfriends. When I find a gift I think a friend will enjoy, I buy it, have it wrapped and wait for the right time to make her happy. The activity of spotting something special for someone else makes is fun! It tests how well you know your friends.
The activity of eating is something you might call sacred to me. I just don’t break bread with anyone. It has to be with someone I like. We’re sharing our food and time together. If I don’t really like the person, I don’t get an appetite.
Silk women’s scarves are one of those accessories that are considered to be classic by many.
Worn in any form and with any type of outfit – in the hair, around the neck, as a belt. Find a scarf that you like and you will wear it in any season for any occasion.
With the British pound almost the same rate as the euro, visiting London suddenly becomes affordable! Spring is just around the corner and there are lots of last-minute flights to this wonderful city! Most stores are all set for spring – Regent Street is all decked with the yummy spring pastel shades of green, blue, [...]
Photo by John and Mel Kots My favorite movies make me travel through Europe in an instant. When I’m in the mood to have a few days off but I can’t due to a million obligations, I settle for the next best thing – picking a DVD and clicking on “play.” The Sound of Music [...]
American Airlines have discounted tickets to Europe — and at incredible prices! Take note, these prices are based on one way rates to make them look cheaper, but even if you do multiply the rate by two, it’s still a pretty good rate! If you’re into last minute deals, you still have a few days [...]
Dutch souvenirs from Delft Most travelers visit no further than Amsterdam when they come over to the Netherlands. To cap their trip, the search for interesting souvenirs begins. A lot of these will have the blue on white designs of windmills and dutch countrylife or landscape. Delftware has been around since the late 16th century [...]
One of the big attractions for anyone on a visit to Rome is the shopping, and there are plenty of attractions for tourists. If you love shopping but don’t know where to start when it comes to Rome, here are some options.
An uitsmijter looks to me like a heavy breakfast but to most Dutch people, it’s mostly labelled as a snack (a really heavy one). Some of my non-Dutch friends here didn’t even know what it was and they’ve been living here longer than I have! Here’s how to do it: Get one large plate. The [...]
Planning to visit Spain soon? Add a little bit of inspiration and excitement by preparing Paella Valenciana! When I think of Spain, one of the first visions I have is paella. And I’m not the only one. The province of Valencia considers their paella as its provincial pride. The earliest known versions of Paella Valenciana [...]
I love Spaghetti Carbonara. It’s easy to make and my sons make me feel I’m the best cook in the world. But, it’s not just the taste that I love. Carbonara takes me temporarily to the Eternal City. Rome is one of those cities that you just don’t visit once. I’ve been there several times [...]
A jewelry travel organizer made so pretty, it will remind you to keep your jewelry properly when you’re out traveling. I’ve learned my lesson, I used to just dump my necklace, watch and rings in the hotel ash tray (a clean one but yet an ashtray!!) until I left my Paris hotel for the airport [...]
One of the first things women ask me during their Europe travel is what “ladies room” is in various European languages. We always have a fun time practicing these words: Dutch: WC (pronounce “vay-say”) French: toilet (pronounced “twalet”) German: toiletten Italian: la toilette/ il bagno Spanish: el baño Of course, the easiest thing to do [...]
Hotel Modigliani in Rome provides a discount for those booking last minute from march 15 to April 9, 2009. For a standard room, pay only 120 euros instead of 188 euros, per room per night! I’ve booked a few clients at this hotel and only got rave reviews from them over the phone when they [...]
When I heard that Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night would be displayed at the Van Gogh Museum for a limited period, I just had to make sure to see it. I have been semi-obsessed in seeing the original ever since Miss Sy (or was it Miss Tsai) talked about it during Art History twenty or [...]
Determining a good quality wine requires understanding how wine quality is determined and how that affects the price. When you understand this, you can be sure that you are making the best wine purchase for the value of your hard earned money.
Wine tasting is not as hard as you think. You don’t need to have formal training and anyone can do it. As far as etiquette is concerned, the ladies are normally served up before the men. Be prepared to be given bottled water served at room temperature at your wine tasting party. You might find this peculiar but the water is used to clean the roof of the mouth out ready for the next sample of wine. Make sure that the water you are given is not too cold as this can shock the roof of the mouth and ruin the taste of your next drink.
Tulips take my troubles away. So, at this time of the year, I always look forward to visiting the Keukenhof. There’s still time – last day is May 21, 2009. If you’re based in Amsterdam, there are several ways to get to the Keukenhof. There is the Combi-ticket, which, by its name means that you [...]
Boutique hotels stand for exclusive, one of a kind, beautiful, creative, charming and itsy-bitsy expensive. This type of hotel has existed in Europe for ages but leave it to an American to brand it. It is said that it was Steve Rubell who coined the term when he, together with Ian Shrager, opened a hotel [...]
If you have a limited time in Europe, you can still fly using cheap European airlines. Sometimes, there are promotional flights for as low as a euro! Don’t expect rockstar treatment. Most of these flights are no frill flights. Frills such as drinks and eats are still available but you’ll just have to make sure [...]
It’s always a lot of fun to go to the weekly market and find out what there is to take home to family. These photos were taken last month when I was out with a girlfriend. She discovered these larger sized stroopwafels and wanted to share this precious find with me. I had a fun [...]
The perfect travel companion is thin and light. Nope, it’s not your favorite girlfriend — although she’ll love you forever if she thinks you’re describing her — I’m talking about a handy travel laptop, or better yet, a mini notebook or netbook. I admit I love having my iPhone with me but at the end [...]
Madame Tussauds in Amsterdam adds a lot of fun and laughs to your stay in Europe. After visiting all those must-see paintings and other historical treasures at the Rijksmuseum, Ann Frank House, Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums, head for Dam Square. You won’t miss Madame Tussauds museum. It’s the one with the long queue. I [...]
I just happened to stumble across these Bra Bags and Panty Paks. They look really cute and might be ideal for the super meticulous women travelers with big cup sizes (I don’t belong to the first category… and the second!). These chic bra bags handle your precious pieces with utmost care. There are various colors [...]
Friends and clients often ask – What’s the best way to get from Paris to Rome? Paris and Rome are two of the famous destinations in Europe for both first time travelers and those who love returning to Europe for vacation or short holidays. I love these two cities, too! So, because this is an [...]
I’ve been living in the Netherlands for 4 years now and didn’t notice that I packed in a few kilos until I was in the Philippines for Christmas last year. I’ve always dressed in layers since the temperatures in Europe are much cooler than they are in Manila. I’ve even forgot what it felt like [...]
The town of Goor, located in the Province of Overijssel in the Netherlands, celebrates its feast during the last weekend of June. This is the time of absolute merrymaking. Not only for the townspeople but also people from all over the country drop by and share in the merriment! Beer, lots of beer, is consumed [...]
When I asked my husband about the must-sees in Rotterdam, he just shrugged his shoulders and said – the Erasmus Bridge. I stayed the night at the Golden Tulip in Rotterdam and had a great view of the Erasmus Bridge. Was that it? I didn’t even bother to check online about the other attractions since [...]
I’ll be honest with you. I’ve never played the game but it’s a good way to get you in the mood and visualizing for that trip to Europe! Here’s the product description: Get Packing! You have 10 Days in Europe – Touring by plane, boat, or on foot. Chart your course from start to finish [...]
Michael Jackson’s music was very much a part of my Childhood to my early twenties. At the Break of Dawn waking up to news from Pinky, my sister, that Michael Jackson passed away due to cardiac arrest left me in a daze and Speechless. I told my sons my sad news that an icon just [...]
The Radisson SAS Hotel is my fave home away from home when I’m in Brussels. Haven’t been there this year but I thought I’d share my thoughts about the hotel here. The service at the reception was excellent! They made me feel that their goal that day was to welcome me to the hotel. Heehee, [...]
Another Dutch snack I love is raw herring, or as they call it here — maatjes. You’ll find these red, white and blue stalls mostly in the center of cities and towns in the Netherlands. These stalls normally have all the food on display, so be on the lookout for the raw herring. Signs like [...]
I try to send tweets out often but end up only sending tweets once in a while. Thus, my admiration for Benji Lanyado and his TwiTrips! I don’t write for the Guardian and 4 out of my 6 fans on my Facebook page are 4 of my sisters (still waiting for my two other sisters [...]
The Island of Majorca is in the Western Mediterranean Sea, just off the east coast of Spain. It is a busy holiday island during the summer months but less crowded in winter and spring. Palma is the capital city of Majorca and it is a great place for shopping and doing a bit of sight [...]
One of my weaknesses (or strengths) is visiting markets. I just prefer going around when the day is sunny or at least dry. It’s pretty optimistic to want to have sunny days in the Netherlands, so when the sun shines, I’m in my market visiting mood. We’ve just moved into a new home, so I [...]
If you’re the type who goes for adventure travel in Europe, how about considering Competitours for that next trip? This isn’t for those who just want to hang out the entire day at the museum or go shopping for hours. There are activities you need to accomplish within a certain time frame and this goes [...]
Since I am still dreaming of my Florence trip, I thought I’d watch Under the Tuscan Sun… again. I just adore the setting and the adventures of Frances (Diane Lane’s character). The little details in the movie about the Tuscan lifestyle makes one look forward to visiting Florence and Tuscany! Alright, most women are pretty [...]
Boticelli’s Birth of Venus is one of the most popular artworks to see at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. I’ve been to Florence several times accompanying groups who come to see the main sites of Europe in 2 to 3 weeks. An afternoon in Florence is not enough to appreciate all that Renaissance has to [...]
It was just a few days ago that I watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Although I’m a few decades older than the four girls in the movie, the theme of great girlfriends and traveling and the perfect pair of jeans got me interested.
Look what I found! The cutest little half skirt wall decor to pretty up a blank wall! I’m sure you’ve got a box filled with tiny travel souvenirs you just don’t have the heart to throw away.
The leaning tower of Pisa remains to be one the most visited landmarks in Italy. Could it be because us women are as resilient as the tower? That no matter what the situation, we remain standing? I’m a big fan of Nostalgems and found this Leaning tower of Pisa vintage pendant. Perfect to wear as [...]
When I see something about Marie Antoinette, I think of Versailles. Marie Antoinette was one of the most influential women during her time and her life story continues to attract lots of attention. If you’re heading for Paris, I’m pretty sure, you’re thinking of spending a day at the palace of Versailles. Prepare yourself by [...]
Oh, and if a day tour of Versailles is too short for you, there is one that is five days long. It’s called the Marie Antoinette Tour, travel in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette… this is very exciting — well, except for the beheading part.
This travel purse with ruffles doesn’t really look like a purse so I am assuming it doesn’t attract roving eyes of bag snatchers when you go out at night.
When you’re going on vacation, you don’t change your health habits on the day of departure. This should happen even before you leave. Here are a few health tips:
Women love being inspired. We watch movies, read books, arrange flowers, sew, cook, paint, play the piano to get us going. Guess what I found… these delightful little cards filled with the simplest thoughts. Pure inspiration!
The Mona Lisa is immortalized as having THE mysterious smile. Hmmm, she’s got something up her sleeve and to this day, both men and women can just guess what she’s smiling about. What is it, Mona Lisa?
Adults and children alike get all excited when they find out that it is a foreigner’s first time to witness the arrival of Sinterklaas. I don’t know why but every time I see children greeting him, it always brings tears to my eyes.
I’ve been checking out stocking filler travel gifts for ideas on what to give my friends. I’m thinking travel here to inspire them to go and discover places next year! Here are some of my ideas.
Get to enjoy your own merriment this Christmas. If you’re living in Europe, make plans to head off to Germany to visit a Christmas market. Or if you live anywhere else, plan next year’s Europe travel with the Christmas markets in mind!
Ahhhh, still relishing the Cologne Christmas market. Since I took home the gluhwein mug (they sell these at the market for 4.50 euros), I could whip up our own gluhwein — Yeah!
If you are looking for great cheeses Italy has hundreds on offer, so buy Italian cheese and take a gastronomic journey via its regional offerings. Cheeses made by add another distinction. Go online and explore the expanding number or venture into retail specialty stores to see how many cheeses are now available.
By Micah Waters If heading to the beautiful, culturally diverse continent of Europe is in your travel plans this upcoming year, here are the top five- or more specifically, the European cities – that can’t be missed! London, England – For tourists intimidated by their lack of foreign language skills, London is the perfect comfortable [...]
By Chris Bonds Being an enthusiast of great architecture as well as a history buff, I have developed a fascination, with European cathedrals. My wife has never quite shared my passion, but since she adores traveling and shopping, we have a perfect arrangement. Our special time of the year is Easter, for the religious significance [...]
By Daniel Lesser One of the great things about visiting Barcelona is the experience you will have exploring its excellent variety of fresh foods and fantastic deals on clothing and merchandise. Barcelona has great deals on a wide array of products available to the public and their many markets and shops. Therefore, it’s no wonder [...]
By Tony Maniscalco Walking in Italy doesn’t usually conjure up images of a peaceful city break sauntering around the sites of Rome, but there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the case. The term ‘flaneuring’ was coined by Charles Baudelaire in 1917 and is defined as’ a person who walks a city in order to [...]
By Tony Maniscalco Go walking in Greece on the beautiful island of Skopelos. The island was the setting for the hit musical ‘Mamma Mia’ and on a walking break you too can sing and dance your way around the island. Skopelos, located in the Sporades, is one of the best islands for walking in Greece. [...]
By Vicki Landes Located in southern Germany not far from the Austrian border, Oberammergau is adorably charismatic and enchanting. Streets are lined with half-timbered houses whose flower boxes are exploding with brilliant red blooms. Many of the buildings are adorned with ‘lüftlmalerei’ – ornate fresco-like paintings on the outside walls, meant to display the residents’ [...]
Spotted this Oberammergau vintage ashtray from CallMeOut on etsy! This year is when Oberammergau performs their Passion Play. Don’t you just love vintage pieces? They’ve got other interesting stuff, too. If you’re planning to include Oberammergau in your trip this year, there are still some tickets left. For more information, Check out my Oberammergau packages.
By Michelle Elkins There is no better way to experience a destination then under your own steam and the tiny Italian island of Sardinia is the ideal place to do this. Instead of the usual fare, you can choose to spend your time flitting between the irridescent blue waters and fine, sandy beaches to ancient [...]
Ocean Vegetables
