Travelrific®
A blog for travel enthusiasts. Listen to our podcast at Travelrific® Radio, and visit our Wanderful Places® Travel Shop!Archive for belgium
The Heart of Europe
By Linda Tancs
Ask anyone to define the heart of Europe and you’ll get as many responses as there are possibilities. One of those possibilities is a tiny region known as the Eastern Cantons of Belgium, stretching from the Dutch border to Luxembourg. With French, Dutch and German influences (Germany hugging the eastern border), you might think the area suffers from a bit of an identity crisis, but the multilingual populace seems to embrace its diversity. The three cantons comprising this area–Eupen, Malmedy and St. Vith–offer a range of natural wonders and cosmopolitan flair equal to any European cultural capital, from the outdoor cafes of Marktplatz in Eupen to the Michelin-starred eatery in St. Vith. Between the northern and southern reaches lies a mix of dense forest, marshes and wetlands for the avid hiker or cyclist. Over 70,000 inhabitants call this region home and home, as they say, is where the heart is.
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Cruise Ports Unite in Marketing Alliance
By Linda Tancs
In a bid for attention among the better known (and used) ports of the Mediterranean and Baltic, fifteen European ports have united to market their appeal to cruise travelers. Calling themselves the Atlantic Alliance, the fifteen members of this cooperative are: Hamburg, Bremerhaven, IJmuiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, Brest, Nantes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Santander, Vigo and Lisbon. More West European ports are expected to join in the future.
Venetian Charms are Everywhere
By Linda Tancs
Venice, Italy must be one of the most evocative places on earth. Just think of every country, state or city that lays claim to its own Venetian-style heritage. Dubai is dubbed the Venice of the Middle East. Giethoorn is the Venice of the Netherlands. Bruges, Stockholm and Amsterdam vie for the title Venice of the North. Bangkok boasts the title Venice of Asia. Amidst the charms of every Venetion wannabee, however, there’s one thing missing from the equation: the toil and sweat of dedicated public works employees who clean out the billowy thoroughfares of the real McCoy day in and day out to keep it the aqueous paradise that so many seek to adopt as their own.
Eurostar Bids Adieu to Waterloo
By Linda Tancs
Not even an industrial strike in France affecting the Metro and train service to Calais and Lille can rain on Eurostar’s parade. Beginning today, Eurostar leaves its roost at Waterloo for new digs at St Pancras offering a higher-speed line to Paris and Brussels. Commuting time will now be just over 2 hours to Paris and just under 2 hours to Brussels. Those morning croissants might still be fresh when you get there.
Canal Views of Bruges
By Linda Tancs
In this week’s edition of Travelrific Travel Show, the topic is Bruges, Belgium. In this canal city, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to another century as you marvel at row after row of ancient and graceful townhouses lining the waterways. Learn why it’s been called the Venice of the north. Visit www.travelrificradio.com.
