Food and Delicacies

We’re not talking just any beer here… we’re talking Czech beer… lager to be specific. Lager was born here. It was in the town of Plenz (Pilsen) that the first light golden lager was produced. Pilsner has become a generic term for similar lagers wherever they are brewed.

Pilsen is still brewed in its birth town which is about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of the Czech capital of Prague. The Plzensky Prazdroj Brewery’s best known brew is Pilsen Urquell.

Of interest to drinkers of the American Bud or Budweiser, the original Budweiser Budvar is … read more

If you like beer, then Belgian beers should draw you to visit this little country. The Visit Belgium website says there are over 450 different varieties of beer.

Beer is more than just a drink here… this country cultivates beer connoisseurs. It’s true… Belgians take their beer seriously. Many of the beers have specific beer glasses in which that beer, and only that beer, may be served. Just like some wine glasses, each glass is made to enhance the flavor of the beer it is designed for.

Certain beers may be paired with food, just … read more

If you don’t know it already, beer and Belgium go together. Trappist Monastery beers are a unique and terrific little sub-set of Belgian beers, and you could set up a great tour around Belgium to include sampling what the monks so lovingly produce.

For centuries, the Trappist monks have been brewing these beers.

Six of Belgium’s Trappist monasteries are authorized to use the Authentic Trappist Product label. In order for beers to have this designation, the entire production process must be carried out, or supervised, by Trappist monks inside a Trappist monastery. That … read more

Trying German beers is part of the fun of traveling in Germany. Germans and Belgians would probably argue about who has the best beer… and the Czechs, at least those from Pilsen, might join in the squabble. But we’re not going to argue with anyone, we’ll just enjoy it where ever we are. And if you’re enjoying a trip to Germany you might as well enjoy a German brew.

Making beer in Germany is highly regulated. The brewers must adhere to something called “Reinheitsgebot”. This is a “purity order” that dates from 1516. … read more

Do you know the difference between Amsterdam coffee shops and brown cafes? They both sound like places where you could stop for a bite to eat, though you might not be sure why one is brown.

This is one destination where you could be in for more of a surprise than you planned for if you just wander in for a cup of coffee. In Amsterdam coffee shops are totally different from cafes, restaurants, and even bars. Walk into one, and you’re apt to get a buzz just from the smoke… and we’re not talking … read more

Bed and Breakfast, “B+B”…  You’ll find them called by that name almost everywhere in the world, especially if you’re looking on the internet.  But if you’re driving or walking around in a non-English speaking country, what should you look for?  The trick with these is to find out what they are called in different languages.

You can go into a tourist office almost anywhere and ask for a B+B, and they will know what you’re talking about…. but what if you’re in a car searching for a room?

If you’re driving down the autobahn in Germany you should be … read more

Eating and drinking in grand style can stretch your travel budget in the wrong way.  You want to make your money go further.  There are lots of little ways you can save on food when you’re traveling.

If your hotel doesn’t include breakfast in the price of the room, check to see what your options are in the hotel.  You will probably save money venturing out to a corner cafe rather than paying the price for the hotel breakfast buffet.  In Paris, join the local crowd and have coffee, juice and a croissant.

Have churros con chocolate in Madrid.  … read more

Should you drink only bottled water when you’re traveling?  Is it safe to drink tap water?  Is it safe to brush your teeth with it?

These questions come up no matter where you’re traveling.  In most developed countries, you don’t need to drink bottled water all the time.  Tap water will be safe to drink.  The water you need to be most concerned about is water that might contain microorganisms that will make you sick.

Some people have a problem no matter where they go.  If you have a particularly sensitive stomach, even small changes in mineral content … read more

You keep hearing that a trip to Spain isn’t complete without trying tapas. OK. But do you really know what they are? What if you get up your nerve to wander into a bar, and you find that there is no such thing on the menu?

Tapas are small, appetizer size portions… of almost anything. They can be a small plate of ham and cheese, or tiny sandwiches, or a plate of olives, a small skewer of pickled vegetables or seafood or… the list goes on and on. Some bars will serve one small tapa … read more