Heading to Ireland Audio

Ireland%20Best.mp3 It is my first test for adding audio files to Be Our Guest and is a short diddy about heading to Ireland this Monday.Click on the link and try it out!

Royal Windsor Hotel Grand Place, Brussel's Perfect Hotel

I love checking hotels out, every type and location. My recent stay in Brussels at the Royal Windsor Hotel Grand Place was sheer bliss not only for its five star rating; a great hotel goes beyond mere stars. I knew it would be special because I have stayed at many Leading Hotels of The World properties, it is an occupational perk. The Windsor went above and beyond! They have suites that are called Fashion Suites, each one done by outstanding fashion designers in the style and design of their own. Mine was done by Pascale Kervan, this lady made my night. Its modern style was what I like to think was James Bond inspired, especially with the Bond Girl photos that greeted me on my entrance. The huge black carpet with off white velvet added to the entrance. The bar area was made for a man on the move and perfect for a place to have a Martini, stirred not shaken. The huge marble tub was big enough to do laps in; working off days of frites could be done. A fantastic plus was the free WiFi; every double O agent can keep in touch with the home office. The fitness area and spa area provided relaxing respite from city exploring and with the hotel’s location so center it was well visited by me. The bar was hip yet comfortable, no easy feat. I had a chance to see some of my fellow writer’s suites and all were so unique and different that I was amazed. In a city that is headquarters for many European Commission offices and NATO I expected great hotel choices, love when I find a place that exceeds expectations, the Royal Windsor in Brussels did just that!

Would I travel to India Now, Absolutley

Last night while out for dinner a friend who read yesterdays blog about traveling to different and so called dangerous places had a question. It was prompted by the horrific terror attacks in Mumbai. “Would you still travel to India if the opportunity arose,” he asked? I would and hope to at some point, perhaps with my eyes a little more open, but definitely. There is no doubt that India’s tourism will drop even though it runs multi page adds in magazines such as Travel & Leisure. After 9/11 it was thought that the stream of visitors to NYC would be damaged for a long time, it wasn’t and NYC has attracted more visitors than ever. Terrorism is despicable, unfortunately it cannot be contained to only certain places or times. It is now a factor needed to be dealt with everywhere. As Max is finding out while on his visit it to Iran, people have the same capacity for warmth, interest and understanding world wide. Learning that first hand may just be the most effective way to combat terrorism, at least traveling will open your own mind to differences as well as those all import traits shared by humanity.

Max Hartshorne Explores Iran

Years ago Max Hartshorne and I were coming back from some travel event in NYC and thinking how lucky we were to see so many places. Right now he is in Iran with a group put together by eturbo news and the trip looks amazing from reading his blog, readuponit. Before he left we talked about how some people were a little bit worried about the trip. I totally understood having gotten strange looks when heading to Jordan twice and then Kenya while violence was flaring there last Feb. I guess the simple answer is just that that is what we do, GoNOMAD is lucky to have so many writers that feel this way. Better yet we have so many readers that also see that the world is full of interesting places. Have a great trip Max and keep us updated.

Another Adventure into Belgium Beer for GoNOMAD

I only hope I’m not making Max thirsty while he is on assignment for a historical trip to the alcohol free Iran right now, I needed to finish up my Belgium report. That means a bit about beer. While we have a wonderful article about Belgium and beer on GoNOMAD, I wanted to add my thoughts and observations. It is said in Belgium that, “a wine drinker talks to his glass, but a beer drinker talks to his fellow drinkers”. With over 600 different brews to partake of, Belgium rules the hops world. The first is all powerful Trappist beers, brewed by monks. Only six Cistercian abbeys in the world have the right to term their beer Trappist, all are in Belgium. There were 3,000 breweries in Wallonia where I visited, it is now down to 450, and I did my best to try many! My favorite is Lambic that has no yeast added and ferments naturally. The pretty lady in the picture is Kira Sheber and no she isn’t working out with weights, those are typical sized bottles of fantastic Belgium beer. What better way of lifting could there be ?

Chairman Mickey Mao

Moa

Recent Reaction to Obama in Belgium

There is no doubt about it, Europeans are into Obama. I was asked countless times in Belgium about the elections from just about everyone I met. Some asked directly and others wove the O question into the conversation. Except for my driver from the airport all seemed very happy about the outcome of our US Presidential elections, the driver however seemed more interested in Obama’s skin color. I have to say that it was such a nice change after years of being questioned about Bush’s policies. Add that on to the strengthening of the dollar against the euro and things are looking up for European travel.

Belgium's Surreal Painter Magritte, Birthday of an Artist

Today is the birthday of my favorite Belgium artist Rene Magritte, we were lucky enough to recently meet the curator of the new Magritte Museum recently. This surreal painter was born Nov. 21 1898 and set a standard that is unmatched yet today and his work gave new meaning to familiar things, perhaps it is the trademark bowler that is most remembered. While an old man his work was used by Jeff Beck Group’s Album cover for Beck-Ola and Jethro Tull also wrote a song about him. Other fans were Paul Mc Cartney, Paul Simon and John Cale who also memorialized him in song.

Magritte used to get up every morning, dress for work, walk around the block back to his home as if it was a separate place. In what I consider an amazing tribute Google posted one of his pieces on their page today. I was going to use a copy of his work in the picture today but used a photo from Brussels of my own, RIP Rene!

Around the World Travel Radio, Win the Gold for Travel Radio

I got some great news today as I did my segment on Walloon, Belgium for Around the World Travel Radio, we won! We copped the Best of Travel& Dining in Radio gold from the Irhas International Restaurant & Hotel Awards, the Oscars of the travel world. It is an honor to be a part of the team. The competition was tough and included The Travel Show with Arthur Frommer, Chef’s Challenge, The Food Programme, from cities and stations such as NYC, Sydney and the BBC. I got to hand it to Arthur von Wiesenberger and Richard Mineards they are exceptionally great hosts and make it a pleasure to phone in. Producer Graham M. Brown and Assistant Producer Linda Jorgensen add the power needed to win! The show can be heard online. I plan on heading out to Santa Barbara for some studio time very soon, Max and I are so very proud of GoNOMAD’s contributions to the show and our segments can be heard here.

What a Pisser, Brussels

He has been over the years a symbol of Brussels, the Manneken Pis, little boy pissing. It is said that the little pisser was a boy who tried to stop a fire from burning down the city years ago. Today you will find him everywhere, on tee shirts and made into chocolate treats. While I caught him undressed he has over 400 customs sent from all over the world that he sports often.I was wondering if perhaps a GoNOMAD tee shirt might be in order, it would be a PR coup.

Food Glorious Food, Eating in Walloon Belgium

Traveling through Walloon Belgium might just make you burst out singing the song, Food Glorious Food from Oliver. The smell of Belgium Waffles mixed with the scent of chocolate from a beautiful shop is mind boggling. A smooth and silky pepper sauce over a filet of venison can turn conversation at a dinner table quiet. Here is a secret I learned about the fabulous frites or fries that I was told, they are usually double fried and that is why they crisp perfectly. In Belgium you just might have your own Battle of the Bulge going on, it is so worth it!

Visiting Easy Company in Bastogne Belgium

It was a heart felt moment when I saw the where the boys from Easy Company had their foxholes today in Bastogne. The HBO Show was fantastic in the telling of the story of these heroes during WWII. Bastogne was the last real offensive of the Germans and the battle was hard fought. Henri Mignon our guide gave us detailed info that was amazing. He was a boy when the battle raged but he vividly remembers hard days when German SS troops were billeted in his home. he lost his father and his home in the war.

The city itself has American flags everywhere and the GI is still revered. In the main square is a Sherman Tank named Barracuda that played a big part in the battle. The day made me proud to be American in a way that has been missing lately. Indeed that was a special generation of Americans.

Tintin and Lucky Luc, The Belgian Comic Strip Center

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Forget the crash, boom, bam of Batman and the swish of Superman's cape, the real hero of the cartoon world is Tintin. Tintin was created by Herge and is the center piece of the Belgium Comic Strip Center . Years ago to keep my son Chance happy while traveling we would buy one of Tintin's latest adventures taking place in some remote corner of the world. It was indeed the same tactic used by my parents on me many trips ago. The center will captivate young and old and while no big fan of the Smurfs, I do wish them a happy 50th birthday. A visit to the Center will make you feel like one Lucky Luc, another Belgium cartoon character that is a favorite.

The Brussel's Antique and Fine Arts Fair and a Fish Tale

Last night we were feted by the good folks representing the 54th Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair folks at the Michelin starred Le Cailler Du Palais Royal.It is located near, "chocolate,square". This place is the place to see and be seen here in Brussels. It is know for fish and it was fantastic. I heard a story that ticked my gills. it seems that during a summit here the Bushs wanted to eat here and the security set it up. When they arrived the security folks were upset that the place wasn't empty. The owners explained that the other diners were also presidents of countries and made reservations well in advance. They certainly didn't expect those leaders to leave. The US team split in a huff. To bad cause they missed a hell of a meal! The Fair runs from Jan 23 to Feb 1, it looks to be a great a event,

Moules-Frites, Dining in Brussels

Brussels is a city that is paradise for those who love to eat therefor I am in paradise. Last night we had the most popular dish in Belgium the moules-frites or mussels and fries as we know it in the US. It was indescribably delicious. The mussels were cooked in a provencal style with wine, tomatoes and vegetables and the broth I finished with crusty bread. The mussels were from Zeeland in the North Sea and so very plump and tasty. The view from the restaurant was the Place Royal and I doubt if a better vantage point over dinner can be found
in to many other places. Annette Choynacki, the Director of the Belgium tour office in the US and her assistant Kira Sheber have been extraordinary hosts as well as become new friends. Food and friends is just what Brussels is all about!

Jet Airway, Putting on the Jammies

It is a first for me, putting on jammies on a cross Atlantic flight. Jet Airways from JFK to Belgium was fantastic and the flat bed seats so comfortable. Each seat in business class is private and like its own pod. The Indian food was tasty and spicy and the entertainment screen huge. It was the best plane ride I have had in quite awhile.

Taking a New Friend to Belgium

I am taking a new friend to Belgium, an Asus Eee PC. It is a small travel computer the size of a book and it weights only about 2 pounds. It has all the programs I need like Google Docs, Skype and plenty of USB ports to use all those free USB flash drives I have. It starts up quick and the built in WiFi seems to connect quickly. The real test though is on the road and you'll know just how well it works on this blog over the next week.

Brussels Bound, Jet Airways Flown

Its time to pack again for a trip to Belgium, a place I haven’t been since a teen. In that respect it will be a pleasure to start in the European capital of cool, Brussels. Also on the itinerary is Nemur, Meuse, and Bastogne. Great food, comic strips, fantastic beer and a whole bunch of exploring will be packed into the next week. One highlight will be a visit with the curator of the new Magritte Museum; Rene Magritte was a supreme surrealist painter that lived in Brussels.

Another plus is flying over on Jet Airways know for its super business class seats that are in a herringbone configuration insuring a pod like flat bed. Sipping Dom is also an option I plan on partaking, just to settle in.

Rolf Potts, Marco Polo and Endless Night

I tossed and turned Saturday night until I surrendered and went to movies on demand. With so many choices I picked the Beach, Thailand is one country I haven’t been to. What really made me choose the movie was recently reading Rolf Potts's new book, Marco Polo Didn’t Go There. The book has several wonderful past pieces of Rolf’s including Storming the Beach along with background on how the stories came to be. If travel writing is in your future plans this book is a must. Kelly Westhoff recently did a Q&A with Rolf for GONOMAD recently that was also a great read. Though I haven’t met Rolf in person by all accounts he is known as a wonderful guy. Travelers Tales has come out with a slew of new books that also warrant attention; pick one up for your next flight.

Back In the Ring, VEMEX Show

It has been a while since I have been to a travel event so going to the VEMEX was a wake up call. It is an event where European Tourism people meet with editors and writers in a speed dating type of situation, a mix and match. It was great to run into some old friends on both sides of the aisle in a great setting in NYC. It also reminded me how many years Max and I have hitting the circuit and how things have changed. In beginning newspapers and print were the darlings that everyone wanted to date at these kinds of events. It was so gratifying to see just how respected GoNOMAD has become and our reputation grown. I thought about how important a part going to events played in our success, it felt great to be back in the ring.

New Hands on the Wheel

Ken Follett, World Without End and Election Time

I rarely read fiction but one author gets me every time, Ken Follett, especially the middle ages pieces. In between Halloween dinner with the Dills and going to the Northern Spy Saturday I curled up with World Without End. It is the sequel somewhat to Pillars of the Earth, a book that has made me look evermore closely to the countless cathedrals I encounter every year. Follet blends a lot of history into the story and I love that. Sly sculptures and carvings on churches tell a lot about attitudes, I happened to look at some pictures I took in Sept. of the Cathedral of Rheims and the pictures tell the tale. The Smiling Angel is well known but I feel it is more of a smirk. The classic attitude relief though is the one I took from the church showing the church elders and wealthy merchants chained and then getting boiled by the devil. Seems appropriate pre election night!

Travel Therapy, Karen Schaler and a Blurb

I had a chance to read a chapter from a new book coming out this spring by the unflappable Karen Schaler called Travel Therapy. As I would expect from Karen it was snappy and well worded. That made my task a bit harder, writing a blurb for the book, I wanted to do it justice. I met Karen on an adventure trip to Puerto Rico this past year and was thrilled that she came up with the idea over mojitos and a conversion we shared there. Karen obviously is a girl of action, being an embedded correspondent in Afghanistan is just one example. I have also got to say that I reread that chapter several times and am anxiously looking forward to some more therapy! At some point I plan to ask her for a blurb for a project I have in mind, no doubt it will be snappy and well worded.