Coming back home, not so much. You’ve run from place to place, taken a thousand pictures and hopped and off of buses for days. You have walked until you don’t want to take another step and yet there’s still the daunting task of getting home. By the time you board the last flight home, patience is the last thing that you have. I get it. I’ve done it and I too have dealt with everything that could possibly go wrong short of death, which is what I wished for at least once during the return home.

How can you make coming home an easier and more tolerable part of the journey? Let’s find out what to do and what not to do if you would like to make it home in one fell swoop.

PLAN. Prepare. Leave early. Adapt. (Be) Nice

Let’s say that you have been in Paris for the last week and are returning to Rochester, NY. Your options on Delta Airlines are through JFK, Atlanta, Detroit or even Minneapolis. American only offers through Chicago (using a one connection only option) and United offers connections through Newark, NJ and Washington D.C. As you can see, Delta offers the most connection options that are dispersed throughout the east coast leaving more room to work with weather. The other airlines may have different options based on your final destination and of course I realize that price is usually a factor. If it’s a matter of a few bucks, this is something to keep in mind that can make it worth the extra money.

The timing is just as important. Let’s use Paris to New York’s JFK as an example. There are two options, one at 10:30am and one at 4:35pm. These translate to 04:30am and 10:30am (EST) respectively. If you decide to take the earlier flight, then try to go back to sleep when you get settled on the plane for either up to one hour or at least 4 hours. Up to one hour is a nap and 4 hours should allow for REM sleep. You may want to bring something to eat with you to avoid waking up to nothing to eat. If you choose to take the later flight, then a nap is still a good idea in case of delays, however, the timing is not as hard on your body since you may already be accustomed to being awake from 10:30 to 11:30pm. There is of course that last flight home unless you live in NYC. So, I would choose the earlier flight option to avoid the least stress on your body and mind.

I believe that the rules regarding checking in for an international destination is 3 hours. While this may sound ridiculous, your not going to Boise. You are dealing with customs and different cultures and a lot more people so please take heed to the time lines or you’ll be sorry in the long run. Some of the flight times can be early so staying in a hotel by the airport is something that I have found to be very useful. If it’s a good crew, they can even help you with the layout of the airports and what to expect during a connection. Personally, I don’t suggest bringing that much with you that you need to check a lot unless you are on a non-stop flight back to the States. If you are in another country and are making a connection in another country prior to heading to the States, then you are required to pick up your luggage and re-check it. A monstrosity like Charles de Gaulle in Paris makes for a difficult time if you are not completely familiar with the layout and exactly where to go. If you leave enough time and make a plan then you will be happier in the long run. Trust me when I say it’s worth it!

Adaption is key. When you are traveling by any means, there are things that can go wrong. Planes are late, weather pops up out of seemingly nowhere and if you are not capable of dealing with it, then you should just stay home. I always say that it’s best to prepare for the worse and hope for the best! The last and only time so far that I had to change planes in Paris, I had no idea where to go to pick up my checked bag that the “gentleman” in Croatia made me check and I missed my nonstop flight home. I had to go through JFK instead of Cincinnati, where I waited for 3 hours just to be told that my flight was cancelled. I wound up flying from Zagreb in Croatia to Paris, France to New York City (JFK), to Columbus, Ohio and then renting a car and driving to Cincinnati. Well over 24 hours later, I was home and thoroughly exhausted. Would I do it again? Yes! Except with much less stuff so that there’s nothing to check, which caused the downward spiral in the first place and a better plan.

Wait! Why would I be arrested? For harassing the flight crew and other passengers because “you” are tired. Yes, I had that passenger last week. She was yelling at the passengers for taking too long to put away their stuff and making too much noise. Said passenger then proceeded to tell me that my coworker and I needed to gossip in the front of the plane ( I told the other flight attendant that I had to tell her something later and needed to pass to go to the bathroom) because it was bothering her and that we should be ashamed of ourselves for having such a disgusting bathroom, which actually smelled really good for an aircraft lavatory. Other things were said as well, however, no cussing and she did settle down a little after I made it clear that she wasn’t the only one coming from Europe and exhausted. I would have had her removed if she didn’t stop. Can you imagine how tired she would have been spending the night in the airport? And, any actual verbal harassment like I had once years ago and she would have had a nice evening with airport police. This may seem harsh but it can be necessary. I’ve only removed one passenger in 15 years since a verbal warning of such is usually good enough but I have a lot of patience! So, no matter how tired you are remember to be nice and respectful of everyone around you.

#1: Prepare for what needs to be done the night before, from the front doors of the airport to the aircraft door.

#2: Leave more time than you think you need to get through customs and security and find your gate.

#3: Eat a balanced meal and bring snacks for the rest of your trip. Drink water and stretch whenever you can.

#4: Sleep on the plane to rejuvenate in case of a very late night since these returns often leave you up for over 24 hours due to time                          changes.

#5: Take a deep breath and think of all the good things you did and saw when you feel stressed. 

Not for one guy on my flight last week. I noticed that the flight attendant in the back of the cabin got up before we were chimed to do so. A male passenger followed and went into the lavatory as she walked forward to the galley. Apparently, the passenger near her in the back was yelling at her because “he had to go to the damn bathroom”. First, during taxi and then barely after take off. When she told him that he would need to wait until we were safely in the air, he was not happy about it and verbally cursed about it. Next, she said that he was leaning toward the wall and feared that he was urination on the wall!

While I walked to the back to survey the scene, she called the Captain to make him aware of the situation. A man in the back row asked if I realized that the passenger had urinated into a “sick bag”. I replied yes and walked back to the front slightly relieved and somewhat impressed at the creativity, although still not pleased by the earlier situation. We agreed that for now, we would continue on instead of inconveniencing the rest of the passengers as long as all was calm.

When I got back to the aft flight attendant with the drink cart, the couple was laughing with her and apologized for his behavior. The woman told us that the husband has pancreatic cancer. It’s a little hard not to feel bad for anyone with cancer, however, that doesn’t make cursing at the flight attendant a reasonable (or suggested) form of communication. I replied, somewhat jokingly, that I have a kidney transplant (true) that is attached to my bladder and know how bad one can have to go to the bathroom. I also know though that you don’t yell at the flight crew without facing possible consequences. Again, they apologized and the flight continued on with no other problems. After we landed, the husband got off first, leaving the wife as the last to get off. She began to argue with me a little more insisting that his behavior was due to pancreatic cancer. Of course, this gave me the excuse to warn her that she’s lucky that we didn’t land early and had every right to because there is NO reason to curse at flight crew. Ever.

So, at what point would we make an emergency landing for this situation?

If the passenger were threatening the flight attendant, yes. If the passenger would not be seated during taxi, we would have returned to the gate. If the passenger had not stopped yelling at the flight attendant and made her feel unsafe in her duties, then yes, we would have landed. Just so that you know, a personality conflict is not a reason to land. Interfering with a flight crew member’s duties? Definitely!

Consider yourselves warned to behave like courteous adults.

Fast forward to today and what you’re really paying for is all of the bad advertising and low rate actors that they suck into being obnoxious for their commercials.

Today, when I pulled up the site, I almost clicked off simply because of the very large man in the very ridiculous coat. Why does this feel like deja vu? So, what made me stay? The fact that I knew nothing about the area and just wanted to be given a hotel based on my preferences.

What I wasn’t prepared for  was to be only offered a king size bed for the three of us. When you want a king size bed, the staff often makes you feel like you’ve asked for a box of treasure! To get two smaller beds? Sacre bleu! “YOU” booked with…gasp, Priceline…and therefor are not worthy of two beds! Okay, so the fine print does say one or two beds, however, I felt like I was a leper for using the discount site and it’s not the first time.

So far, the hotel itself, aside from the sickly sweet  (which made the rudeness even worse) front desk lady, the hotel itself appears to be just fine. The room is quite large and modern for a 2.5star, with granite and wood, neutral colors and interesting graphic prints. Even the bathroom is quite large for a hotel and I have been informed that the shower is “fantastic”. Or, is it the 14 hour drive and car cramp that made it so wonderful. There is also a pool with hot tub and gym that I will check out in a few minutes. And, a hot and cold breakfast in the morning. I’ll have to get back to you.

I imagine that you are still wondering what the supposed scam is all about  what the problem is, right? So, here it is and I may have written about it before however, the attitude of the gal downstairs has opened old wounds.

I was in Cincinnati one night and really felt quite ill. Not bad enough to go to the doctor, just one of those times when you really need to lay down and sleep. The problem is that I hardly had any funds until the next week. So, I thought if I could get a cheap enough room on Priceline, then I would do it. After all, I wasn’t going to trash the room and simply needed a place to lay down for a very short night. It worked! Or so I thought. I got a room “on airport property” for only $38! I was so excited. Until approximately 30 seconds later. What I didn’t count on were the taxes and “fees” charged by the site. The deal is that Priceline charges the customer the difference of what they are “recouping” from how much they have supposedly paid the hotel. It kind of reminds me of eBay, where a person “only” charges $1 for an item but turns around and claims $142.00 to ship it! By the time they were done having there way with me, the cost of the room was over $60! And, to add insult to injury, it was the one “airport” hotel that doesn’t offer a shuttle! I had to pay another $28 just to get to the hotel and back. I should have just slept on the floor because it cost me over $80 for that $38 hotel room. Sigh.

I used to use the company because I had no money. Today I used it because I didn’t want to have to pick a hotel in an area that I knew nothing about and thought it sounded great to put in an amount and have the computer pick it for me.

Lesson of the story: If you don’t care where you stay, if you have one or two beds, if you really wanted the other hotel with the fab breakfast but you “saved” $5 by using the bidding option and you have a car when the airport hotel has no airport shuttle, then by all means go for it. Gamble away your right to choose! Just use due caution, because it may cause you much more in the end.

Good night as I prepare to be stuck in the middle and kicked all night long by a fidgety kid….sigh.

  Ignore the tub in the room. I lucked out and got mine in the actual bathroom!

Sitting area are warm and enticing with comfortable seating and shelves lined with books to read. This particular day, a large convention mingled in conversation in much of the common areas as well as a meeting room set for dinner. The hotel’s accommodations for such an event seemed well enough appointed for such an event.

An elevator in need of an update or two carried me up to my room, which was comfortable enough.

Not the nicest room I’ve ever seen, however, a great bed made up for other inadequacies. Mostly. The lamp on the desk with two plugs incorporated  into its base did seem to have any juice going to the plugs themselves, so I had to choose between a charged computer or desk light. I unplugged the lamp and use the wall plug for my computer and the bathroom plug for my phone. The lamp at the chair didn’t have a cap on the switch so it was unusable as well. Good thing that the light on my computer worked!

Another problem with this hotel, was the service. My phone hardly worked in the hotel at all and the internet was so slow that Skype was also impossible to use. So much for communicating with  my family. Luckily, it was a short stay.

We chose to go downstairs for dinner with so little time in the city. The hotels restaurant, Treetops Cafe, wasn’t fully open yet so we sat in the bar area to eat. The only ones in the place, I would have thought that service would be quick and reliable. “Would think” and “assume” are one in the same and a dangerous game to play. The bar tender apparently didn’t want to be there and it showed. Ordering calamari for an appetizer and the Lemon Pepper Grouper for dinner was a complete disaster. First of all, the meal took entirely too long to deliver and the appetizer wasn’t even ready when the meal was being served. When we told the server that we were no longer interested in the appetizer, he was appalled and argued that the cook was already making it. The “Grouper” was definitely not grouper. One of the party has worked at a seafood restaurant and two of us in the party are from Florida. We are pretty sure that it was Tilapia due to the size, color and shape of the fish. If that wasn’t bad enough, my friend’s fish was dry and mine was like an unflavored paste in my mouth. Technically, both fish have a firm texture, however, grouper has a larger flaky texture and a more distinct taste than tilapia. Even if this was some sort of grouper, there was no flavor too it and too tin to be advertised. The wild rice on both plates was not fully cooked, and to top it all off, the waiter never returned to check on us or refill our drinks. I do not recommend this restaurant at all. I would like to believe that all of the attention was on the convention and perhaps that’s why service and food were so poor but who knows. One server should be able to offer good service to four people!

Grouper  
Grouper has a mild, but distinct flavor, a cross between bass and halibut.  The taste of most groupers is similar, with slight differences in flavor and texture, depending on size, species and location of harvest.  Red grouper is sweeter and milder than black grouper.  The white meat has a very firm texture and heavy flake that remains moist. Grouper can be found worldwide in warm waters.

Tilapia  
Many compare the taste of tilapia, which is a freshwater fish, to catfish. The texture of tilapia is slightly firm and flaky and the flavor is mild and sweet.

To wrap up my thoughts, if you are in Charlotte for a quick meeting or the night before an early flight, I would recommend the hotel for the bed only.

Located in the E concourse of the O’hare airport in Chicago, Illinois, is a small shop names Argo Tea Cafe. They claim “healthy tea”, which is very true for those who know teas benefits. I have looked forward to having time to order a beverage although I never knew that food was also offered. Today, I saw meals with quinoa and lentils, frittatas and sandwiches.

With so many choices, it took some time to finally decide on just one beverage.

I chose green tea with ginger twist served cold. Freshly served, the first sip bursted with the pulp of ginger. I found it to be a delicious blend of spice paired with the sweet green tea and a refreshing addition of club soda. Be sure to shake occasionally to reinvite the ginger pieces that have settled to the bottom to the party. The combination is both refreshing and filled with healthy benefits.

My friend, Michelle, chose a tea smoothie. Green tea blended with banana and mango and a Spinach and Swiss Fritatta, both that she generously shared with me for this review. The funny part is that we disagree on both of her choices. For me, the smoothie was bland and lacking any sort of excitement, easily forgotten. I couldn’t tell you what was in it if I didn’t already know. She found it delicious.

The fritatta, made with egg whites, spinach, swiss cheese, pesto and a croissant, was a little bland yet still tasty.  Michelle said that it was like eating fluffy air. Baked with a layer of croissant topped with egg whites, then spinach and finally swiss cheese on top, some additional spices to add some type of flavor lacking with the absence of yolk would help although this version is much more healthy. Perhaps since I already accept the taste of egg whites in an omelet, I thought it was fine.

The next time that I am in Chicago, I plan to try a quinoa dish and possible a red velvet beverage. (Red tea, milk, raspberries)

If you read the hotel website, you’ll see words like “upscale” and “elegant” however, if you read the guest reviews, you’ll see words like “loud” and “annoying elevator”. What could be so annoying about an elevator?Let’s back up a little first. Located in downtown Syracuse, there are plenty of things to walk to and dining both inside and outside of the hotel. These are great bonuses for sure. Pulling up to the property in the hotel’s…minivan, there’s nothing to be too impressed about. A tall literally round hotel towers over the city amongst the charming boutique hotel next door and depressing grey concrete. The shuttle driver is perfectly nice and welcomes us to the hotel. The lobby is warm and inviting with different seating areas well equipped to seat different groups comfortably with many different types of seating. Modern leather chairs paired with tufted couches, other chairs with square backs, rounded backs and the list goes on and is pulled together by matching colors and patterns.

Checked in, we move toward the elevator. Here’s the mystery behind it  as I found out the next day. There are 22 floors and three elevators. Have you ever had to wait for what felt like only one elevator working and that particular one is seemingly forever stranded 20 floors above you? This elevator, also found in cities like downtown D.C. and New York City, has been designed by a modern architect that found a solution to the problem. For someone’s first time with the idea of it, it’s impossibly confusing. There are no buttons inside the elevators. None. Instead, there’s one panel outside of the three elevators on which you enter the floor you want. The panel then points to which elevator will take you to your floor. A, B or C. When a guest is to return to the lobby, a smaller panel also can be used as a touch screen.

We thought that you could only push one room at a time but this isn’t so. Just watch for which elevator you are told to take and then enter another floor number. The gentleman in front of me thought that I “ruined” his floor choice but really it was around the corner at the third elevator. It may seem strange at first, however, I was advised that it makes the 22 floors more quickly accessible.

If you like the elevator, wait until you arrive at your room. The room key looks like any other key you may get at a hotel except this one only requires its keeper to wave it in front of the door handle! I actually find this quite nice. No swiping a key or trying to get it to fit into a thin slot that may or may not work. I am sure that there is still going to be the same occasion where the key doesn’t work but at least this time, you’ll know faster and easier.

Walking into the room, I recognized it from the last time that I was there. It hasn’t changed much inside the room so I was familiar with the layout even if I tried to access the bathroom from inside the closet almost every time! Remember that the hotel is indeed round. So are the rooms. When you walk in, instead of a typical rectangle closet, there’s a rounded closet with a curtain drawn over it. Straight ahead, there’s a nice use of space with a desk area wrapping one “corner” of the room. Don’t try to watch television while sitting at the desk though because it’s a nice big model that is hanging right above the desk. The bathroom is a complete u-turn just past the bed, which by the way is the most comfortable bed that I have ever slept on. I like the fact that the sink is just outside of the toilet and shower area. No more fighting to apply your makeup or shave in a fogged mirror from the showers steam!

The bathroom offers a shower only so don’t plan on taking a bath. The shower though is beautiful with black tiled walls and a gravity shower pointing down from the ceiling. Some people like them and some don’t. The water pressure is nice but I prefer one where I do not feel like I am drowning with water pouring over my entire head. That’s just me.

Over all, the room is modern and well appointed with a luxurious bed, reasonable office space and a spa like bathroom albeit quite small.  Having spent some time in Europe, the room is comfortable enough for one or two but if you have a family….? The “noise” that I mentioned in the beginning is due to the windows that are not well insulated and the hotel is right by a busy street. It didn’t bother me sleeping and although I am sure that I heard it, I don’t even remember so perhaps those complained were listening too hard.

The staff was very helpful, kind and approachable so if you have any questions, feel free to call.

Thank you, Mr. Scean Lawhorn for a warm salutation upon check out. I did indeed have a nice day!

Crowne Plaza Syracuse  701 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 315.479.7000

No, I didn’t make a rabbit roast. I am not doubting that rabbit is perfectly fine to eat and I am by no means a vegetarian, however, bunnies are just too cute for my palate. I did roast a  lovely cross rib roast and baked a cake that looked like a cartoon rabbit though.

The roast that I made on Sunday was rubbed with olive oil, garlic, sea salt, rosemary and tarragon after I drizzled it with apple cider vinegar (due to a lack of a reasonable balsamic). Perfectly tender and juicy, which made for a great sandwich the next day.

First, I took chopped garlic and onions and sauteed them in a pan with some EVOO until browned and then added the fragrant mixture and some tarragon to mayonnaise that I made the day before. Topped on lightly toasted sprouted grain bread with the onion garlic aioli, cucumbers and thinly sliced roast beef made for a delicious day after lunch.

As far as the bunny is concerned…love it! I actually got the full idea from a flight attendant that I had just flown with. Let’s see if you can figure out how I cut it. I realize that this is not a full picture so I’ll give you a hint. Head, ears and bow tie.

    Rich dark chocolate cake topped with contrasting vanilla icing and patted with shredded coconut for the fur, this bunny cake was truly enjoyed. Since my son doesn’t like coconut, I made a chocolate ganache to cover the bow tie and he added some of his Easter candy for color. The eyes and nose are poured white chocolate with black licorice whiskers and mouth. The finished product was an adorably furry treat enjoyed by all of the kids. Next year though, I think that I will pipe the icing to look like fur instead of using coconut. Or….what about shaved white chocolate?

I have watched the chaos happen for over a decade now and ask all airlines to please end the madness. Let’s discuss the different ways and see what you think!

Although the boarding procedure on some airlines is supposed to be back to front, I have a hard time believing that it’s truly done that way. I pay attention , and no matter what aircraft I am flying on there is always a traffic jam. Someone in 17B is waiting for 10B to get up so that 10A can stow their bag before moving into the window seat. What’s most amusing is when the aisle seat passenger has fastened their seatbelt and mid paragraph in their book, acts almost perturbed that they have to get up and allow the other person to sit down.

What if the procedure known as the Wilma method were used by more airlines? Already in use by airlines such as, Ted and United, the Wilma method boards the window seats first, then the middle and finally the aisle seats. That takes care of the “but, I’m already settled aisle passenger’s” inconvenience, however, what if it’s a couple traveling together? Do they still have to board separately? And, I am still not convinced that the problems will be ended since the window at 20 could be waiting for the window seat passenger at 10 to get out of the aisle!

What is your position on random seating? It may feel like a cattle call, however, isn’t it like that no matter how you direct a lot of people into one place?

Imagine if you could board first if you wouldn’t mind sitting in the back. Most people find it almost like a punishment to sit in the back but I kind of like it. Sure, it’s annoying if you have a tight connection but think of the good things. You get on first, which means that you are pretty much guaranteed space for your bag! Plus, a lot of the time, the flight attendants hang out back there between before and after the service so if you need anything, you are close to the source. Plus, the bathroom is usually back there so you get first dibs. It’s all how you think about it.

Let’s try it. The gate agent says that they will begin boarding with those passengers that would like to sit in the back first. Passengers get in line and board. Then another group and then another. Of course, what happens if a passenger said sure, I’ll sit in the back and then tries to sit in the front when they get onboard. That’s where the flight attendants would need to assist in the passengers honesty system!

I really think that desire to make more money for checking luggage inhibits the possibility of quicker boarding. Business Insider dot com claims that it costs the airlines $30 per minute for every minute that they stay at the gate and that it takes 2 minutes longer to board back to front versus the random boarding method due to the amount of bags brought on the aircraft. If you take into consideration that they can make at least $25 per person, an aircraft that holds only 76 passengers at one bag per passenger equals $1900! Who cares about a lousy $60, right?

What are ways that you can personally get into your seat faster?

First, be ready to board as soon as boarding begins. Have all of your things together and compacted as much as possible. I will be the  first to admit that I don’t like to check bags at all. Just more to carry, more to worry about losing and more time waiting for it to arrive to baggage claim if it ever comes at all. Therefor, I carry a medium size bag that will fit nicely under the seat in front of me if necessary but also in the overhead bins. See the packing tab for more on what to bring on a trip. I make sure to have a magazine or book, my computer and headset and any medicine that I may need during the flight easily accessible or preferably in my arm.

When I get on board, I place my in-flight items on my seat and put my larger bag into the overhead bin. As you are walking to your seat, pay attention to see if the bins farther back to your seat are closed. If they are closed, they are full. Don’t waste time opening them. Place your bag into the bin closest to your seat that is still open and NOT in one that is in the front if there are people behind you. What this does, aside from being incredible rude, is make the person seated in front of you have to fight to get back to their bag before getting of the aircraft when they have to go back farther to find bin space. It also slows down the boarding procedure because then they have to move back forward to their seat. What if they have a tight connection upon arrival? Remember, Karma never forgets wether you believe in Karma or not. You can call it what you will but it will bite you later and you may be in that situation next time!

After you have placed one bag in the overhead, the other one goes under the seat in front of you. If everyone did this, then more people wouldn’t be stuck gate checking their bags and these days, if you are not in the back of the place, there’s a greater chance that will be you. If you wanted to check your bag in the first place but didn’t want to pay the fee, this is a great way around that. Gate checking a bag is free! 

If you have a coat or smaller bag that won’t fit under the seat, wait for a flight attendant to come by and ask if there’s any room in the overheads. There is usually room for the small stuff.

I have one last idea on this subject. Imagine that you are standing in front of your seat 14A. No one is at that row yet and there is still overhead space right there. If you step into the row so that someone can squeeze past you, it will help speed up the process. No one expects, or should expect, you to move completely out of the way, but enough room to slip by would be appreciated. I thank you!

I placed a bowl after the man’s items, then my rolling suit case and then other items before I pass the metal detector. The man is gone and so is my roller. My dismay and concern go without any interest on the part of the people who’s motto is “your safety is our priority! Instead, I am met with demeaning and rude comments implying that I just didn’t have it because there wasn’t any other bag left there and bags don’t just disappear! Are you kidding me?

So, what should you do if this happens to you?

First, if they have not already done so, ask someone to have an announcement made asking for the bag to be returned and to call airport police right away. You will have to wait at the check point until the police come if you do call for them. If you are traveling with someone else, you can also have them go and look at each gate for your luggage if you want.

I went to the first gate that I thought they could be at and found my bag right away. Luckily, I remembered who was in front and back on me and what they looked like. Remember that bright pink shirt?

The medieval Belfry still standing mostly from the 1200′s, was once a lookout for fires and now is available to anyone willing to walk the 366 steps to the top of this magnificent historical centre of Bruges. After a devastating fire destroyed parts of it in the late 1200′s, the tower was rebuilt with the octagonal top piece added between 1483 and 1487. With 47 bells working today, the lives of those that live in Bruge run with the sounds produced. If you have the time, check out the carillon room where you can see the bells in action that play different tunes depending on the time of day and occasion.Don’t worry, you’ll have a great excuse for a sweet treat at the bottom if you need an excuse.

Once the most important cloth market in northern Europe, Bruges still produces some delicate and intricate works of art using nothing more than bobbins of thread and an experienced hand. According to Trabel.com, a travel site on Belgium, “Charles the Fifth decreed that lace making was to be taught in the schools and convents of the Belgian provinces. During this period of renaissance and enlightenment, the making of lace was firmly based within the domain of fashion.” The tradition of hand woven lace is still alive and well and produces some amazing pieces.

If you want further proof of how well the city did with it’s trade of cloth before the city was covered in silt, causing a decline of all formerly known, visit one of the cities cathedrals, Church of Our Lady. The gothic Roman Catholic cathedral holds a cherished piece created from marble from Michelangelo, Madonna and Child, which is the only piece to leave Italy during his lifetime.

Another church that I cannot seem to find again is one where a marvelous staircase seemed to be carved from one trunk of wood which leads to an equally lovely balcony where I imagined the priest addressing his congregation. I suppose it’s not as glamorous as some of the other parts of Bruge and therefor sadly forgotten. One day I will return to find it again.

After a long day of seeing the sights that the city offers, take a seat at an out door cafe in the square and enjoy some people watching as you partake in another part of the cities delicacies. Belgium is well famous for it’s hand crafted beers to the point that even the monks have their own brew. The boast over 350 brews from light to quite heavy, even one that uses coriander and orange rind. If you prefer an actual tour, then please by all means visit the De Halve Maan Brewery. A family runs the brewery and I hear that they are fun and informative tours, telling you how it’s actually quite good for you “in moderation” of course. For those that still have no interest in trying a standard beer, perhaps try the cherry (Kriek) and raspberry (Frambozen) ones. The aromas of fresh seductive fruit and a mild malty note offer a lovely compromise from the occasionally bitter taste of hops.

The city of Bruges even after being revived from a devastating hit in the 16th century that killed it’s economy, certainly in my opinion is so charming for it’s lack of 21st century life. It’s not backwards in any means and has great shopping and dining, however, I am pleased to tell you that a lot of the overly modern traits of today’s society has not yet tarnished this charming city.