Category: Europe

Travel to Europe

Posted on

Normandy – 10 Things To Know Before You Travel

Normandy - 10 things you need to know

Normandy is a beautiful region in the northwestern part of France. Home to the D-Day invasion during WWII, infamous cheese, delicious apple products, and coastal towns that have drawn artists to the region for decades. The region’s quiet beauty is a nice reprieve from the bustling nature of Paris. It is definitely on of my favorite places to visit. Here are 10 things to know before you travel to Normandy.

D-Day Beaches

I think Normandy is a beautiful region to visit all on its own, but I do not think a trip to Normandy would be complete without visiting the D-Day beaches. On 6 June 1944, Allied troops landed on 5 beaches, which are now known as Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword, and Juno. It was a spectacular invasion that was instrumental in bringing down the Nazi regime. There is a lot to see and one could spend an entire week or more visiting all of the sites. No need to do it all, as most of the museums walk through the events.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a city built on a hill near the ocean, which almost everyday becomes an island due to tides.  Definitely a gem of Normandy. It is about a 2 hour drive from Paris and Caen. You could also join a tour group to Mont-Saint-Michel, but you will have more flexibility and opportunity to beat the crowds if you drive. Make sure you visit the beautiful gothic Abbey.

More to Normandy than D-Day Beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel

Even though the D-Day beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel are what originally drew me to Normandy, there is so much more. Many people only visit the region as a day trip from Paris, but I think it’s worth staying a week or more in the Normandy region. The beautiful coastline is worth exploring, as well as the many small and cute cities that are sprinkled all over the region. I recommend day trips to Fécamp, Étretat, and Honfleur. If you have even more time, Rouen and Giverny are a must see.

Rent a Car

Unlike Paris or other parts of Franc, getting around Normandy without a car will be very limiting. There is so much to see and so many extremely cute towns to explore. Since driving out of Paris can be a pain, I recommend that you take the train from Paris to Caen. Enterprise, Europcar, and Sixt are all located right outside the train station. There are several other rental car companies near by. Make sure to reserve a car ahead of time, especially if you need an automatic vehicle.

Base in one city

If you plan to spend more than one day in the Normandy region, I think it is best to pick one city to base in and rent a car to explore the area. During my travels, I chose Bayeux. It is a small, cute town that still has a slightly bustling vibe. There are several D-Day memorial sites in the town and it is about 40 min to 2 hours drive from several highlights in Normandy. If you prefer a slightly bigger city, then Caen is also a good choice.

Apples over Grapes

When it comes to France, most people think of the country’s wine and champagne. However, in Normandy, the apple is the king. There are multiple distilleries throughout Normandy where they turn apples into cider, pommeau des normandie (an aperitif), and apple brandy. All three are very different and worth trying. I recommend visiting Calvados Experience, which has the most impressive tour of its facilities and the process, and is about 40 meters west of Caen by car.

Eat butter, cream, and cheese!

Besides its apples, Normandy is known for it’s cows which produce magnificent milk. As a result, Normandy makes delicious dairy products. Camembert, Livarot, Pont l’Evêque, and Neufchatel are the most popular and well-known Normandy cheeses. If you have time, you should do a cheese tour during your trip. I visited Maison du Camembert in Camembert, but E. Graindorge in Livarot is also a very popular tour.

Pack for changing weather

Since many of popular cities and sites are long the coast, the weather can be a tad unpredictable. It can go from sunny and warm to drizzly and cool in a matter of minutes. Dress in layers and keep a travel umbrella or raincoat with you during your travels.

Do you speak English?

If you ask that question in Normandy, the answer is likely to be no or just a little. Unlike Paris, many people in the region do not speak English. It is not uncommon to not have train announcements translated into English. Also, museums in smaller cities may only have signs in French. You can always ask for an audio translation, and some sites will have detailed pamphlets in English. Google translate or a travel size French-English dictionary can also be very handy.

Be prepared to walk

While renting a car is the best way to get around Normandy, once you get to your destination, park your car and walk the city. Many of these towns are better explored on foot. It will give you the opportunity to find surprises and see all of the sites. During my week in Normandy, I walked over 40 miles. Now, that may not work for every traveler, but you should still be prepared to do a decent amount of walking during your trip.

Posted on

Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany: Visitor’s Guide

Chocolate Museum

After spending time in Belgium and enjoying what I think is some of the best chocolate in the world, I was not expecting much from the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the museum and the chocolate and visited the museum twice to indulge in its treats. Founded by Hans Imhoff in 1993, the museum offers you a visual step by step guide on how they make Lindt chocolate.

There is a transparent chocolate factory. It starts with the path of the cocoa bean from the roasting machines to a wrapped chocolate bar. There is even a robot on the production line that will serve you a freshly made little bar of Lindt chocolate.

This is where magic is made!

The museum has an impressive chocolate fountain where you can grab a fresh taste of yummy chocolate. The fountain has the backdrop of the beautiful city and Europe’s longest and most important river, the Rhine.

It is a great place to take your kids. They can see how Lindt makes chocolate figures, such as Easter bunnies, elephants or Santa Clauses from liquid chocolate. They can also create a personalized chocolate bar from a combination of three types of chocolate and lots of ingredients.

There is also a historical section in the museum. It provides information on the first societies that experienced chocolate, the history of the chocolate drink, and the industrialization it took to manufacture large quantities of chocolate.

Chocolate museum 2
Visit the Chocolate Shop

While the museum is fantastic, my favorite part was enjoying delicious chocolate treats at the Chocolate Museum cafe, Chocolat Grand Café. They have beautiful cakes and chocolate pastries. You can enjoy them outside while sitting along the Rhine! I had a chocolate soufflé and a crepe with cherries and chocolate. Not on the same day of course! Do not forget to stop at the Chocolat – Premium Chocolaterie on your way out of the museum to buy freshly made chocolates, pastries, and gifts.

Chocolate Museum 3
chocolate museum 4
Posted on

France – 10 Things to Consider Before Traveling

10 things to consider before traveling to France

France is a country has grown on me over time and after several trips. Now, it is one of my favorite places to visit. While Paris generally is the first destination of choice for tourists, it is those places outside of Paris with beautiful landscape, cute shops, small streets, and houses with old world character that have made me fall in love with France. Since it took me some time to feel comfortable in France, here are 10 things to consider before traveling to help you fall in love with the country quicker.

25 Tips For International Travel

Parlez vous anglais?

“Do you speak English? It is definitely a question you will be asked in France. If you are in Paris, the answer is likely to be yes or a little. However, outside of Paris, particularly in the countryside, the answer very well may be no. In some areas, not only do people not speak English, but essential signs may not be translated into English either. Google translate or a English-French phrase book will come handy during your travels.

Get outside of Paris

I know that when most people think about visiting France, Paris is their destination of choice. I understand why. Similar to New York City, it is a happening place that is full of culture, cuisine, and nightlife. However, I highly encourage you to get outside of Paris and see the other parts of France. I love the French Riviera and Normandy region. There is so much beauty in the country.  Even a train ride from Paris to the Champagne region will give you a different perspective of this beautiful country.

Normandy: 10 Things To Know Before You Travel

Sunday is a day of rest

In France, as with may European cities, many shops, restaurants, and museums will close early or be closed all together on Sundays. It is something you should consider when planning your trip. You probably do want to waste an entire day not being able to do anything because the entire country is shut down. Separately, be mindful that many museums and fine dining restaurants are also closed on Monday.

Siesta time…

Okay, it is not called a siesta in France, but many shops and restaurants close down between 2-2:30pm and 6-7pm everyday. If you are like me and regularly skip lunch because you get caught up in sightseeing, it may be hard to fill your belly if you wait past 2pm. If that is the case, then pack snacks or buy a sandwich earlier in the day and save it for this time of the day. 

Wow, it’s hot in here!

For some reason the regions outside of southern France, pretends like the hot summer weather does not exist in the rest of the country. Most hotels will have air conditioner, but do not be surprised if your Airbnb does not. Also, many shops and restaurant will not have air conditioning either. This is one of the most frustrating things about France for me. I know this may sound very American, but when it is 90 degrees, all I want is to eat a lovely meal without dying from the heat. It is probably one reason why the outside cafe is so popular in France. It generally feels nicer to sit outside.

Eating out, don’t be in a rush

The French love their food. Even more, they love taking their time enjoying their meals. If you plan to plant your bottom in a seat at a restaurant and enjoy any sort of beverage or meal, you should have patience. It can certainly take two hours to have a simple meal and several attempts to flag down your server to order of pay. Please do not think that it is because the French do not want to give good customer service. It is just that their priorities are different. First, the French generally do not live off of tips, so they are not looking to turn over tables quickly. Also, as I mentioned, they expect you to take a lot of time to enjoy your food and company.

Why is my meat so bloody?

We all have our preferences when it comes to the temperature of our red meat, and we expect the chef to prepare it correctly. However, the French have a different interpretation than Americans and it is possible you will not be satisfied with the bloodiness you are likely to encounter. There are generally 4-5 terms to describe meat temperatures in French: Blue (rare), Saignant (medium rare), à point (medium), cuit (medium well), and bien cuit (well done). No matter which one you order, they will all be slightly more undercooked than what you would normally expect in the US.

Coffee

Coffee in France is expensive and not always great. Granted, I generally think I have had decent cappuccinos and café au laits in Paris, but I only drank maybe one or two decent coffees my entire time during my recent trip to the Normandy region. It is generally watery and does not taste quite like coffee. For 3.5-4 Euros, you can get a tiny cup of cappuccino that really is only half full. Maybe they make poor coffee to draw you to France’s other great beverages, such as wine, champagne and calvados!

Fun facts about France

Dogs are welcome

Many restaurants in France allow dogs to dine with their owners. Generally there are no objections to dogs being with their owners outside, but you will often times see them indoors as well.

Watch your Step

Speaking of our furry best friends, I do not think it is mandatory to pick up dog poop off the sidewalks or the grass. In what I consider to be an extremely walkable country, it truly surprised me to see so much dog poop everywhere. Literally dogs go in the middle of a sidewalk, and the owners leave it there. Watch your step!

 

Posted on

10 Travel Tips for Brussels, Belgium

10 Tips for Travel in Brusseles

Brussels, Belgium, is a very cute European city that is known for diplomacy, good food and a large variety of Belgium beer. There are so many interesting things you can do in a short amount of time. Before you plan your trip, take a look at my 10 travel tips for Brussels.

Vibrant City Center

There are many interesting neighborhoods in Brussels, but if you only have a short time to see the city, my travel tip is that you should focus on the city center. There are lots of restaurants and souvenir shops for you to indulge in. As a matter of fact, all of Belgium’s treats, including chocolate, Belgium style French fries, Belgian waffles, and beer are within walking distance of each other.

Get outside of Brussels

Brussels is one of the most lovely cities I have ever traveled to. However, if you have several days to spend in Belgium, you should definitely get outside of the city. I loved Bruges and Antwerp, but you should also consider traveling to Dinant and Ghent.

Enjoy Belgium’s treats

My favorite thing about Belgium is the food. The Belgian waffles and twice-fried frites (French fries) are must haves. For beer lovers, Belgium brews over 800 varieties of beer. As a chocolate lover, I must mention Belgian chocolate. It is a kind of unforgettable, melt in your mouth experience you should not pass up!

Visit the Museums

If you are into museums, do not overlook this travel tip. Belgium has some fantastic museums, and you should build in lots of time to visit them.  One of my favorites is the Magritte Museum. It has the largest collections of works by the Brussels surrealist René Magritte.

Getting Around

I never thought I would have to offer this travel tip for Brussels since Belgium is an international country. But, you should know that it may be hard for you to get around if you do not have some French. I have done a lot of travel around Europe, and I think Belgium is one of the easiest places to get around. But that is in part because know some French. I rarely saw signs in English, and it took me a little longer to figure out where I was supposed to be. As in most European big cities, Brussels is completely walkable and public transportation is widely available.

Sundays are slow

A big travel tip for Brussels is that the city is sleepy on Sundays. As in most European countries, many things are closed on Sundays. Tourist shops and museums are generally open.

See Europe from Belgium

Belgium is a great central location to take day trips to several other European countries. In about 2 hours or less, you can take the train from Brussels to Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, or Luxemburg City.

Languages

The official languages of Belgium are Dutch, French, and German. Some people also speak Flemish, which is rooted in Dutch. While most people speak some English, do not assume that everyone will be able to understand you. Learning a few words in French will go a long way.

SIM card, please…

Getting a SIM card for my cell phone was harder to find than expected. I was only able to find cards to recharge cell phone minutes at the airport and most convenient stores. It did not help that I arrived on a Sunday and for only one day. Since many shops are closed on Sundays, I was never able to purchase a SIM card.

Where is the Air Conditioner?

Imagine walking into an ice cream or coffee shop in the middle of august. All you want is some relief from the hot sun, but it is hotter and stuffier inside the shop than outside. Where is the air conditioner??? Well, during my latest trip to Brussels, it was in the upper 80s with no chance of rain. It was super hot and I found myself going from chocolate shop to chocolate shop to find some cool air…okay, and to buy more chocolate. If you are traveling to Brussels during the summer, be prepared for hot temperatures with little relief.

Posted on

Sweets of Paris

When you think of France and French treats, a few things generally come to mind, macaroons and crepes. Here are a few of my favorite sweets and sweet shops in Paris that go beyond the average.

Sebastien Gaudard

Located on the Rue des Martyrs, Sebastien Gaudard is one of the oldest patisseries in Paris. Even though I have a sweet tooth, I’m very particular. Sebastien Gaudard has a good selection of French treats that are freshly made.

Angelina

Angelina

I love Chocolate, but Angelina is another world when it comes to hot chocolate. Located on the Rue de Rivoli, along with several other shops in Paris, Angelina is a main attraction for tourists visiting the city. After standing in line for about 25 minutes, I was seated in the upstairs area. Angelina serves food that’s supposed to be delicious, but I was only there for one thing…hot chocolate and dessert. How can I describe this drink?? You know that hot chocolate your mom usually makes for you? A packet of powder and hot water and occasional warm milk instead of hot water. Either way, this ain’t that! Angelina’s hot chocolate is so thick it’s almost soup. For those strange people who don’t like chocolate…I wouldn’t recommend this tasty treat!

La Meringuée

I never expected to like meringue, but after watching several seasons of the Great British Baking Show, I figured I’d give it a go. I will say, this fluffy, light treat is definitely worth eating. Located on Rue des Martyrs, La Meringaie is one of several great shops where you can pick up yummy gifts for friends or a little treat for yourself.

Chocolat Illèné

Macaroons are a traditional French treat. There has not been a time when I went to Paris and I did not eat a ton of macaroons. One of the most famous shops in Paris and around the globe is Ladurée Paris, which I have nothing negative to say about. They have a decent variety of flavors and they always seem so fresh. However, you should definitely try one of the non-chain macaroon shops to get a taste of something slightly different. I recommend Chocolat Illèné located in Montmartre in Paris’ 18th arrondissement. Not only are the macaroons worth the trip, but Montmartre is a cute neighborhood known for its history, artistic nature, and night clubs.

Posted on

A Day Trip to Champagne Region

Avenue de Champagne, Épernay

A last minute trip to Paris, gave me the opportunity to visit a part of France I had never been to before and to check one more item off of my bucket list…the Champagne region. I wanted to visit several of the oldest champagne houses in Reims and Épernay, France, such as Moët & Chandon, Taittinger, and Ruinart.

However to taste the delicious bubbly from the larger houses, you usually have to book weeks to months in advance. In addition, renting a car to make your way around the region or booking a tour through companies like Viator.com give you the best opportunity to see visit as many houses as possible. I did not have time for either during this trip, and considering I usually plan my trips months to a year in advance, I was tempted to put off going to the region until I could do it the way I wanted to. Instead, I booked a last minute trip to Épernay, also know as Faubourg de la Folie (“crazy suburb”), which is only a little more than an hour train ride outside of Paris. I chose Épernay because the Avenue de Champagne provides an array of champagne houses, large and small, where you can taste without a reservation.

When you first arrive at the Avenue, it does not look like much more than a quiet street, but it is really charming. Of note, several of the champagne houses are open seasonally and many are closed between 1130-1400. Not to worry though, you can arrive in Épernay at 1000, do several tastings, eat lunch, and head back to Paris by late afternoon.

My two favorite houses were Collard-Picard and Paul Etienne Saint Germaine. Both houses are small and quant and can only fit a hand full of people at a time. Lucky for me, I was there slightly off seasons and did not have to fight the normal crowds. Both houses offer two different tastings of three types of champagne, to include a Rosé that turned out to be my favorite tastings of the day of the day. I bought a bottle at both spots to enjoy this summer!!