Galápagos: The Wildlife Journey That Changes the Way You See the World

Leave a reply

Some trips are about checking a destination off your bucket list. Others leave a lasting impression and change the way you think about the world long after you’ve returned home.

Our January 2026 GetAway Travel adventure to the Galápagos Islands was one of those rare experiences.

For ten unforgettable days, our group explored one of the most remarkable ecosystems on Earth. We spent time in Quito before boarding the beautiful Celebrity Flora for a week of discovery among volcanic islands, pristine waters, and wildlife found nowhere else in the world. While everyone arrived with high expectations, what surprised many of us was just how completely the experience exceeded them.

By the end of the trip, the most common comment wasn’t about the ship, the food, or even any single wildlife encounter. It was simply this:

“I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.”

 

An Unforgettable Welcome

Every great trip has a defining moment when anticipation gives way to reality. For our group, that moment happened almost immediately.

We had just boarded one of Celebrity Flora’s Zodiac boats for our first excursion. The excitement was obvious. Cameras were ready, binoculars were out, and everyone was eager to begin exploring the islands they had dreamed about for years.

Then, without warning, we found ourselves surrounded by dolphins.

Not a couple of dolphins in the distance, but an entire pod swimming alongside our Zodiac as we headed toward shore. They surfaced all around us, seemingly as curious about us as we were about them. The atmosphere instantly changed from excitement to amazement.

It felt like the Galápagos was welcoming us personally.

As magical as that encounter was, we had no idea it would only be the beginning. Over the next week, the islands would deliver one extraordinary wildlife experience after another.

Wildlife Is Everywhere

Continue reading →

Podcast Episode: Explore the “Unknown Jewel of France”

Leave a reply

Pip: There’s a region of France that has dormant volcanoes, a cathedral built from black lava rock, the birthplace of Michelin tires, and cheese aged on rye straw — and most travelers have never heard of it.

Mara: Paul – GetAway Travel LLC makes the case for exactly that place. Today we’re looking at the Auvergne Region — the history, the food, the villages, and why it might be the most overlooked destination in Europe. Let’s start with the region itself.

Explore the “Unknown Jewel of France”

Pip: The post opens with a bold claim — that Auvergne is an unknown jewel sitting right in the middle of France, halfway between Paris and the Mediterranean, hiding volcanoes, UNESCO sites, and a cathedral made of volcanic stone.

Mara: The capital, Clermont-Ferrand, is the anchor, and the post sets the scene plainly: “The Gothic chandeliers cast a warm glow on the black stone and make the stained glass windows look even more striking. There are more modern stained glass windows in the cathedral. If you look closely, there’s a disciple or two wearing eyeglasses.”

Pip: So the Cathedral of Notre Dame L’Assumption is not just architecturally striking — it’s also quietly funny if you pay attention. The broader point is that Clermont-Ferrand rewards slow looking.

Mara: The post layers in a lot beyond the cathedral. Fromagerie Nivesse runs cheese tastings with local goat and cow varieties, bread, salad, and a dessert of whipped fromage blanc. The Michelin Adventure Museum covers the brothers who built not just a tire empire but the country’s first tram system. And the Musée Bargoin runs workshops so visitors can try ancient textile crafts themselves.

Pip: Then there’s Vulcania — a scientific theme park twenty minutes from the city where you can, and I want to be precise here, descend into a volcano and watch lava reach the surface.

Mara: That’s accurate. The post also covers four villages beyond the capital. Le Puy-en-Velay has a UNESCO cathedral the post describes as resembling a ship sailing out to greet pilgrims. Saint-Nectaire is built around its namesake cow’s milk cheese, aged on rye straw. Salers is listed among the most beautiful villages in France and has a 17th-century barn museum with beef tastings at the end. Montpeyroux sits on the Allier River and is home to the Les Chemins de l’Arkose vineyard, now recovered from a historic grape blight.

Mara: And the food section alone — truffade, aligot, cabbage soup, blueberry tart — reads like a separate itinerary.

Pip: Auvergne is doing a lot of work quietly. The question is whether it stays unknown.

Mara: Volcanic landscapes, medieval villages, and cheese aged on straw — Auvergne is making a strong argument for the road less traveled.

Pip: Next time, more of what’s hiding in plain sight.

Modena, Parma and Ravenna: Exploring the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy

Leave a reply

Bologna may be the capital of the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy, but Modena is the motor capital of the region. Ferrari, Maserati and Pagani call the area home. It is also nicknamed the “Capital of Taste” because balsamic vinegar is brewed here in several locations.

Vinegar casks in Modena

Known for its lovely parks, architecture and ties to French rule, Parma is nicknamed “Little Paris.” But it is also known as “La Città della Gastronomia” to honor it as the home base of world-famous foods like Parmigiana Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma. It is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Our next blog will cover the food adventures and cuisine of the region.

Ravenna is nicknamed the “Capital of Mosaics.” It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its amazing collection of early Christian and Byzantine mosaics.

It you are starting your regional adventure in Bologna or Modena, GetAway Travel is ready to help plan that perfect trip.

Motor sports and more in Modena

 In addition to it rich automotive heritage and ties to some of the most exquisite balsamic vinegar in the world. Modena is a city with stunning architecture. Piazza Grande, also known as Piazza Roma is the city center and here you can find Modena Cathedral and Ghirlandina, both UNESCO Heritage Sites.

Piazza Grande, Modena

The cathedral is known for its Romanesque architecture and intricate carvings. Inside are beautiful frescoes as well as a lovely mosaic near the altar and an intricately carved pulpit. The outside is equally compelling. The external arches create a dynamic effect and the doorway is protected by two amazing stone lions. Reliefs on the front of the cathedral tell the story of Genesis.

Continue reading →

Carbs, cars and culture: Exploring the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy

1 Reply

The Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy is a rich section of the country that stretches from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Packed into this area is the most fabulous mosaics rivaled only by the Byzantine marvels of Turkey, headquarters of some of the most iconic power cars in the world, a tantalizing array of spectacular food stuffs and the world’s oldest university.

This region is famous for Parmigiana Reggiano cheese, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar.  You can tour factories for each and, even if you can’t afford a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati or Maserati, you can dream about them in their respective museums.

Emilia Romagna region, Italy

That’s a lot to cover, so you’ll need to stay tuned for a couple of blogs, but it is going to be so worth it!

You may want to book that vacation to the Emilia-Romagna region right now because you’re going to learn its a pretty awesome area for a grand and tasty adventure. Travel advisors at GetAway Travel are ready to help with your adventure itinerary.

Bologna: The region’s delicious capital

The capital city is lovingly nicknamed “La Grassa” (the Fat One) because of the world-class food that’s every where. And by every where, we mean all over the region. It’s a gastronomical extravaganza of marvelous food.

Bologna, Italy

By all means, book a cooking class in one of the local’s homes, tour the food factories (more on the factories later) and pack your stretchy pants.

Bologna has the oldest university in the world. The university adds old world charm to the city and the 85,000 students give it a youthful vibrancy.

Ancient University Library, Bologna

The university is the reason why the San Petronio Church has a marble bottom and an upper level of just brick. During construction which started in 1388, funds were moved to the university construction and the upper floor was completed in brick, not marble. The world’s oldest organ is inside and it still has a great sound. The world’s largest sundial is also here.

Arena del Sole Theatre, Bologna

San Petronio Church is on the Piazza Maggiore, one of the first town square areas built in Italy and right next to it is the Piazza del Nettuno. The Fountain of Neptune is here and even if you’re not into reading — go into the Sala Borsa Library because you can see ancient Roman ruins through the glass floor.

San Petronio Church, Bologna

The entrance to the Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio is near the church. This is the university’s oldest building, built between 1562 and 1563, it functions as the library now. The interior is amazing with 6,000 coats of arms of the families who sent children to the university.

Library of Archiginnasio Bologna

The first floor of the palazzo is the Anatomical Theatre. The medical school used to conduct public dissections at the marble table in the center of the tiered seating. That’s not something you can see now, but you can see Apollo (the God of Medicine) looking down through the panels in the ceiling. There are carved statues of famous physicians and some nifty wax statues of skinned humans.

Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca, Bologna

The Basilica di Santo Stefano is actually a religious complex that used to be seven churches. Now, it is four churches bound together by interlocking architectural elements. The back church, the Church of the Santo Sepolcro is an architectural marvel where octagonal walls rise up to meet a starred dome. Modeled after Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher, there is a dramatic crucifix hanging over the altar.

Medieval brick interior of early church in Basilica di Santo Stefano

Bologna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has the longest set of porticoes in the world. Porticoes? In the 12th century when the wealthy residents wanted to expand their living space they started building porticoes. Supported by buildings on one side and pillars on the other, the porticoes cover 23.6 miles of covered walking space.The 2.5-mile Portico di San Luca is the longest in the city and the longest in the world. It starts at the Porta Saragozza and goes uphill to the sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

A section of the Portico di San Luca Bologna

The city is home to more than 50 museums including MamBo, the museum of modern art, the Museum of History of Bologna and the National Gallery of Bologna where you can view artwork from such masters as Raphael and Titian.

Get your motor running…

A number of the power luxury cars have factories, showrooms and museums in the Emilia-Romagna Region which is why it carries the nickname of “Motor Valley.”

You can feed your need for speed in Bologna, Modena and Parma. Check out the Lamborghini Museum in Bologna. There are historic super cars, prototypes and engines on display. The Ducati Museum highlights the company’s racing legacy, technological milestones and legendary motorcycles.

This is a taste of the region. We’ll cover more on cuisine, cars and culture in upcoming blogs. But if this whets your appetite for an adventure in the Emilia-Romagna Region, travel advisors from GetAway Travel are standing by to feed your need. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Podcast Episode: Waffles and Winter Wonderland part 2

Leave a reply

Pip: Christmas markets, river cruises, and enough regional food vocabulary to humble a professional chef — welcome to GetAway Travel LLC’s corner of the travel internet.

Mara: Paul – GetAway Travel LLC has been mapping out a Belgian Holiday Markets River Cruise, and today we’re covering the second half of that itinerary — markets, caves, cathedrals, and the food that ties it all together.

Pip: Let’s start with the markets themselves.

—

Waffles and Winter Wonderland: Markets, Caves, and Cathedrals

Mara: The central question here is what actually differentiates these markets from one another — because a Ferris wheel and an ice rink appear at nearly every stop, and the real distinctions are in the details.

Pip: The post puts it plainly about the cruise framing: “It’s all in different areas, you get a great cruise and spectacular views and travel adventures. Each market is a bit different.”

Mara: And the differences are genuine. Antwerp’s market sprawls across several squares in Old Town, with festive light projections on historic facades and more than 100 stalls surrounding an ice rink set against Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral.

Pip: The food alone at Antwerp earns its own paragraph — cuberdons, which are cone-shaped candies with a crystalized shell and a gooey center. The post’s instruction is specific: bite the top off and slurp out the insides. Travel writing with actionable guidance.

Mara: Hasselt, traditionally the first market to open in Belgium, leans into the carnival atmosphere — grand carousel, ghost house, and that archery booth where you try to break water balloons. Santa’s house there is modeled on the famous one in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Pip: Liége goes bigger on entertainment: opera presentations, magic shows, and a European circus with a Big Top and a temporary motorcycle racing sphere. It also has its own specialty waffle, the gaufer de Liège — dense and caramelized.

Mara: Crossing into the Netherlands, Maastricht’s market sits in Vrijthof Square surrounded by historic buildings including the Basilica of St. Servatius. Then there’s Valkenburg, which is genuinely singular.

Pip: Shopping inside two centuries-old marlstone caves — Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot — with thousands of twinkling lights. The post calls it “a shopping experience you will never be able to duplicate,” and that feels accurate.

Mara: Artisan items carved from marl stone — the same material as the White Cliffs of Dover — including candleholders, chess sets, and nativity scenes. Aachen closes the itinerary, with 130-plus vendors clustered around the oldest cathedral in Northern Europe, burial site of Charlemagne.

Pip: The food anchor there is Aachener Printen, a hard spicy gingerbread available chocolate-covered or with nuts. The cruise departs in 2027, and the contact details are in the post.

—

Mara: From cave markets to cathedral squares, the throughline is that each stop is genuinely distinct — different food, different atmosphere, different history.

Pip: Next time, more destinations, more regional specialties, and almost certainly more waffle varieties. There are always more waffle varieties.

Podcast Episode: Waffles and Winter Adventures part 1

Leave a reply

Pip: Waffles, mulled wine, a Ferris wheel in the snow — GetAway Travel LLC has found the one travel itinerary that makes winter feel like a reward rather than a punishment.

Mara: Paul from GetAway Travel LLC is walking us through Belgium’s Christmas market circuit — the history, the logistics, and the cities themselves, Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges.

Pip: Let’s start with the markets, the mugs, and why you should pack bubble wrap.

Waffles, Winter Markets, and Belgian Wonder

Mara: The central question here is what actually makes Belgium’s Christmas markets worth building a trip around — and the post answers that with both atmosphere and practical detail.

Pip: The setup is right there in the opening: “Belgium’s holiday markets transform the country into a festive winter wonderland of twinkling lights, quaint decorated shopping chalets, ice skating rinks, carriage rides and even Ferris wheel rides in the snow.”

Mara: That transformation is the point. These aren’t pop-up craft fairs — they trace back to the Middle Ages, when local citizens gathered with noble permission to stock up before lean winter months, and each market still prioritizes local tradespeople.

Pip: So the regional character is baked in historically, not just as branding. And the logistics section earns its place — bring euros, wear comfortable shoes, arrive late afternoon when crowds thin, and understand the cup deposit system before you hand over cash for mulled wine.

Mara: That deposit detail is genuinely useful. Beverage prices and deposit amounts are listed on vendor menus, some markets use tokens, and some have central return points. Or you keep the mug — it’s paid for, and a sheet of bubble wrap in your suitcase handles the rest.

Pip: Brussels leads with Winter Wonders, more than 200 chalets around the Grand Palace — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — plus an ice rink, a giant Christmas tree, and a sound and light show.

Mara: Ghent adds a roller rink and a 145-foot Ferris wheel, with the Gothic towers of St. Bravo Cathedral lit behind thousands of fairy lights. The nearby Gravensteen castle runs a pop-up bar in its stables during the season.

Pip: And Bruges — canals, a 272-foot Belfry Tower as backdrop, and an ice rink that sits on a pontoon boat floating on one of those canals.

Mara: The food alone justifies the itinerary. Oliebollen in Ghent, tartiflette and proper Belgian chips in Bruges, mussels and Flemish stew in Brussels. This is part one of the series, with more destinations still to come.

Pip: Which means the waffles are just the beginning.

Mara: The through-line is that these markets reward preparation — knowing the currency, the timing, the cup deposit rules.

Pip: Next time, more cities, more food, and presumably more reasons to pack bubble wrap. Stay tuned.

Turkey’s delights beyond Istanbul

Leave a reply

Turkey is a culturally rich country with stunning landscapes, an amazing history and more archeological sites than most European countries. Istanbul is the country’s largest city and economic hub, but the cities on the coasts, the mystery of the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, the travertine ledges of Pamukkale and the cobblestone streets of Antalya have continued to charm visitors. Ready to be charmed? GetAway Travel will help with that.

Amphitheater at Ephesus

 

Ankara, Turkey’s capital city

 The second largest city in Turkey, Ankara was designated the capital instead of Istanbul to reinforce the idea the country was moving into the modern ages. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and made Ankara the capital.

Ankara, Turkey

The city’s skyline is a study in modern development with universities and government offices, but peel that back and the foundation of the city date back to the Stone Age.

Citadel of Ankara

Ankara Castle is a fortified complex of buildings with Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman influences. It overlooks at the city and includes towers, mosques and trade inns. The inner castle area contains the Alaeddin Mosque. The oldest mosque in the city, it has a distinctive design. Instead of the usual domed top, it has a flat roof. In keeping with the practices of the time, it is built of recycled stones from ancient Roman and Byzantine structures as well as columns, capitals and marble from former palaces and temples. The remains of the country’s first museum is also in the inner castle area.

Interior, Haci Bayram Mosque

The Haci Bayram Mosque and Mausoleum reflect Ottoman architecture from the 17th and 18th century. The interior has Arabic calligraphy inscriptions, Kütahya tiles (hand-painted ceramic tiles with bright colors and intricate geometric floral and calligraphic designs), an ornamental wooden ceiling and a beautifully designed pulpit or mimbar where the iman stood to deliver sermons.

The remains of the Temple of Augustus & Rome are nearby.

The Cermodern is a contemporary art museum located in a restored train maintenance facility.

Kocatepe, Mosque

The largest mosque in Ankara is the Kocatepe Mosque. Built between 1967 and 1987 in the Neo-classical Ottoman architectural style, it can accommodate 24,000 worshippers.

University of Ankara

Artifacts in 10 galleries at the Ankara Ethnography Museum showcase Turkish history. Visitors can view Islamic manuscripts, Turkish carpets, woodworks, ceramics and traditional clothing.

Old street market, Ankara

There are opportunities for vineyard tours and winery visits in the Ankara area as well as in the Cappadocia area.

Cappadocia and Pamukkale 

 A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cappadocia is an area of irresistible geological beauty and intricate subterranean structures. The region is renowned for its unusual “fairy chimney” rock formations. Crafted by thousands of years of volcanic activity and erosion, the formations are best viewed with a hot air balloon ride. Often called the hot air balloon capital of the world, Cappadocia offers one of travel’s most unforgettable sunrise experiences.

Winter flights in Cappadocia

As dozens of colorful balloons drift above the fairy chimneys and ancient cave dwellings, passengers enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the region’s unique landscapes. On favorable weather mornings, more than 100 hot air balloons can take to the skies at once, creating one of the largest and most spectacular balloon displays anywhere in the world.

Cappadocia – world ballon capital

From above you can view the Goreme Open Air Museum. Once a refuge for monks and Christians, there are churches carved out of the rock as well as a museum in the cave network. On the ground, a series of pathways takes visitors through the extraordinary photogenic chimney areas of Love, Monk and Imagination Valleys.

Goreme town

The churches cut out of bedrock date back centuries. Karankik Dark Church, Elamli Apple Church, Tokali Church of the Buckle and the Monastic Complex are remarkably well-preserved. Inside you can view bright frescoes and mosaics from the Byzantine era depicting scenes from the Bible and life of Jesus.

Apple church, Cappadocia

Love Valley is one of Cappadocia’s most famous and photographed landscapes, known for its towering rock pillars and dramatic scenery. The valley gets its name from the unusual shape of some of the natural rock formations, which visitors have long said resemble giant stone columns with a quite distinctive appearance.

Fairy chimneys in Cappadocia “love” valley

In the Denizli Province, Pamukkale is known for its fabulous thermal baths as well as its striking landscape. Pamukkale translates to “Cotton Castle” and the name comes from the shining white stone terraces down the hillside. Formed by calcium deposits from water-heated lava, the travertine rock appears to glow and change colors during sunrise and sunset.

Pamukkale

Some other cities of interest…

 Antalya on the harbor has whitewashed, red-roofed homes that create an amazing picture with the mountains visible on the horizon and pricey yachts parked on the sea off the beach. Check out the Düden Waterfalls and take a cable car about a mile up the Bey Mountains to Aspendos. This ancient outdoor theater is still used for the annual opera and ballet festivals.

Antalya

This is a lovely town to just take a relaxing stroll. The ornate Ottoman homes that are now boutique hotels, art galleries and restaurants are draped with blooming bougainvillea flowers.

Duden wateralls, Antalya

Ephesus was a busy Roman port city. One of the largest cities in the ancient world, its is so well preserved it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The streets are lined with colonnades, there are temples with intricately carved entrances and the Great Theater where St. Paul supposedly preached. The Library of Celsus is one of the largest ancient libraries in the world.

Library at Ephesus

Just off the city center is the Temple of Artemis, and the temple ruins are considered one to the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Vatican recognizes one of the terrace houses here as the final residence of the Virgin Mary.

Library of Celsus detail

Temple of Artemis ruins, Ephesus

Kas is a Mediterranean coastal retreat. Take a boat tour to discover the hidden caves and the underwater archaeological site of the sunken city of Kekova.

Kas, Turkey

Safranbolu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, well-preserved Ottoman homes and it is famous for the cultivation of the saffron flower. An important stop on the trade routes, wealthy town inhabitants built impressive hoes of wood and stucco that still stand. Enjoy all things saffron, from spiced dishes to saffron soap to saffron-flavored coffee and tea.

Historic Ottoman homes, Safranbolu

Are you intrigued by what Turkey can offer? Advisors at GetAway Travel are ready to concoct an adventure that helps you hit all the highpoint of this amazing country.

 

 

 

 

Istanbul: The city that straddles two continents

1 Reply

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is not the capital, but it is the historic heart of the country. The city straddles Europe and Asia and its history spans thousands of years from the Romans and the Ottomans to modern day. From the Hippodrome where Constantinople had chariot races to the Blue Mosque, to the Spice Bazaar which is a feast for the senses, the city is an adventure just waiting to happen. And, why wait? Its an add-on for GetAway Travel’s upcoming Egypt trip, but our travel advisors our ready to craft your version of a Turkish delight of a vacation.

Istanbul connects Europe and Asia

Mosques and museums

 First, a word about the Bosphorus Strait, you can enjoy the beauty of Europe and Asia by taking a cruise on the river since there’s a continent on either side. There’s stunning landscapes, gorgeous historic buildings and the mysterious melding of the two seas. One of the world’s most narrow international navigation channels (there will be a quiz later…), it is also where the Mediterranean Sea mixes with the Black Sea. But its not a mix like, red and yellow make orange, its more of a lava lamp effect. The saltier, heavier Mediterranean Sea flows under the cooler Black Sea and they sort of layer and then mix. Take our word for it, you should see it. Back to our regular programming…

Bosphorous Bridge connecting Istanbul

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or Blue Mosque, is the only existing six-tower mosque in the world. This 17th century masterpiece was built by Sultan Ahmed I and was created to make a statement of imperial might as well as to pay homage to Allah.

The Blue Mosque

There are 20,000 blue tiles, in every shade of blue imaginable, inlaid on the walls and ceilings. Many of them depict tulips, carnations and lilies and they take on an ethereal glow when the sunlight streams through the 250 windows.

Interior view of dome at Blue Mosque

There is a huge dome and several smaller domes, a huge prayer hall with a soaring ceiling, in infirmary and an Islamic instruction college on the mosque grounds.

Blue Mosque interior

A word on the mosques, they are active worship sites and you must take off your shoes and put them in the handy cubbies, women should have covered shoulders and knees and in some cases, head coverings are required and provided for women. Some of the mosques close during prayer times so check before you visit.

Hagia Sophia

The Hagia Sophia is a two-minute walk from the Blue Mosque and its dome appears to hover in the sky. Translated to “Holy Wisdom” it was the crown jewel of the Byzantine Empire and was converted into a mosque when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in the mid-1400s. It was then converted into a museum and finally came full circle to a place of worship in 2020. It functions as a mosque and museum now with shimmering gold mosaics and amazing marble pillars.

Hagia Sophia interior

The opulent mosaic decorations are done in Islamic as well as Christian styles, there’s beautiful stained glass windows, sculptures and carved walls and floors as well as columns.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The Suleymaniye Mosque is a fantastic example of Ottoman architecture. One of the most historic mosques in Istanbul, it has exquisite tile work in Ottoman style designs, beautiful stained glass windows, amazing oil lamps, intricate calligraphies and sultan tombs. A library, medical center, and hospital are part of the mosque.

Interior dome at Suleymaniye Mosque

There’s a remarkable array of temporary and permanent art exhibitions from Turkish and international artists at the Istanbul Modern Museum. In addition to the collections of paintings including watercolor works, there’s sculptures, video art and photographic galleries. There is also a cinema, design shop, contemporary film library and a great book and souvenir shop.

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

Who knew one of the best museum-like attractions is an underground cistern? The Basilica Cistern is a fascinating and beautiful landmark beneath the streets. This subterranean reservoir once supplied water to the palace and some of the government buildings. It almost seems to be a palace. This 500-foot long chamber is supported by 336 columns. Each column is unique, they were salvaged from Greek and Roman temples from conquered lands. Each is ornately carved and two columns in one corner feature large depictions of Medusa’s head. The cistern is the site of pop-up concerts and impromptu light shows. The cistern shows up in a number of films including the James Bond classic “From Russia With Love” and Dan Brown’s “Inferno.”

Palaces and markets

 There’s 500 years of history tied up in Topkapi Palace, a popular landmark. It was once the administrative headquarters and residence of the Ottoman emperors. Surrounded by walls, the palace has luxury courtyards, exhibition halls, gardens and treasure houses. An iconic example of traditional Ottoman architecture, don’t miss touring the palace treasury areas. Here you can see artwork made of diamonds, jade, pearls, porcelain and emeralds from different countries. There’s Ottoman paintings, Islamic calligraphy, frescoes and exquisite Chinese porcelain on display.

Topkapi Palace – interior

The Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most elegant and extravagant palaces in Istanbul. Once a residence of the Ottoman royal family, it has lavishly decorated rooms, ceremonial halls and beautifully landscaped gardens with fountains and sculptures. The interior reflects Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. Enjoy lots of gold leaf, crystal chandeliers and an impressive array of fine art and relics from different centuries.

Dolmabahce Palace

Time to shop? Ok… the Grand Bazaar, with its 4,000 (yes, really, 4,000) shops, is the largest covered market in the world. You can find shops with hand-crafted items, souvenirs, carpets, mosaic lams, lanterns in both antique and modern styles, ceramics, metalware in traditional Ottoman designs, spices, sweets ad theme restaurants and cafés.

Aerial view of istanbul Grand Bazaar

The Egyptian Bazaar is the second largest bazaar. It is known as the Spice Bazaar and it smells simply amazing. Shop for herbs, teas, including jasmine, rosebud and fruit selections, sweets, dried fruits and baklava. It is truly a colorful, fragrant and fun shopping experience.

Egyptian Market in Istanbul

Kadiköy Market has seasonal fruits and vegetables, honey, pickles, yogurt, freshly roasted nuts, ice cream, Turkish coffee and olive oil soaps. There are traditional shops as well as modern boutiques and cafés. It has been described as a foodies paradise.

Turkish Coffee

Adventure awaits in Istanbul and the travel advisors at GetAway Travel are just a phone call away. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

 

Waffles and Winter Wonderland part 2

Leave a reply

Maybe you are thinking that’s a lot of shopping when you are looking at the itinerary for GetAway Travel’s special curated Belgian Holiday Markets River Cruise , don’t be silly! It’s all in different areas, you get a great cruise and spectacular views and travel adventures. Each market is a bit different, how about carnival games — only it’s breaking water balloons using a bow and arrow? Or how about a once-in-a-lifetime experience shopping in a cave or two? Shopping and the cruise are parts of the experience, but there’s time to explore before the markets open.

Antwerp City Hall at Christmas

Antwerp, Hasselt and Liége

 Antwerp’s market is in the heart of Old Town and the historic building facades are awash with festive light projections. More than 100 stalls are spread across several squares. The ice rink is at Groenplaats Square with the majestic Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral in the background.

Grote Market, Antwerp

From atop the Ferris wheel the city seems ablaze with lights because of the plethora of illuminations on the facades as well as lighted illuminations.

The shopping chalets surround the skating rink, helping persuade visitors to take a closer look at the knitted products. Olive wood items are also popular.

Cathedral of Our Lady – Antwerp

Antwerp food options, in addition to waffles, there’s potato swirls, empanadas, appelbollen (apple dumplings) and a great variety of meats. There’s also Bolleke (Belgian amber ale), chocolates, truffles and spelculoos, a thin, crunchy heavily spiced shortbread biscuit. Cuberdons are cone-shaped candies with a crystalized outer sugar shell and a gooey center. You should bite the top off and slurp out the insides.

Belgian Cuberdon

Antwerpse handjes are either hand-shaped butter cookies sprinkled with almond flakes, or hand-shaped white, milk or dark chocolates.

Traditionally, the first market to open in Belgium is Hasselt. The ice rink is covered here and children can visit Santa in the Santa Claus house. Santa’s house is a replica of the famous house in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Hasselt

The market has quite the carnival atmosphere with a grand carousel, ghost house and fun house. There’s the traditional ring toss game, but you can try out your archery skills by trying to hit the water balloons at one of the booths.

Waffles, always a good choice

This is a market with some great food options. There’s waffles, waterzooi, shrimp croquettes and stoemp which is mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables but it can also include bacon, cream, onions or shallots.

Waterzooi soup

Liége is the oldest market in Belgium. It has a great festive atmosphere and almost 200 shopping chalets. It caters more towards the Germanic traditions.  The market is centered on the Place Saint-Lambert and spreads into the surrounding streets.

Old Town of Liége, Belgium

There is a Ferris wheel, skating rink, sledding hill and photo booths. There is an emphasis on entertainment with opera presentations, magic shows and a European circus complete with a Big Top and a temporary motorcycle racing sphere.

Liége, View from Montagne de Bueren

This is a city celebrated for its food culture. It has its own specialty waffle, the gaufer de Liège which is a dense, caramelized waffle.Try Peket, a gin with juniper flavors, Belgian Owl: a single malt whiskey and boukétes: tasty little buckwheat pancakes.

Maastricht, Valkenburg, Aachen

Two miles from the Belgian border into the Netherlands is Maastricht. The Christmas market is located in Vrijthof Square, surrounded by lovely historic buildings such as the Basilica of St. Servatius. There’s a covered ice rink, a Ferris wheel with glass enclosed gondola seating, a carousel and a fun house.

Maastricht -Vrijthof square Christmas market

There’s some different food options to try out including crêpes, poffertjes (Dutch batter cakes), curry sausage and flammkuchen. Flammkuchen is a thinly rolled out dough covered with cheese or crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions and crispy meat bits.

Don’t call it pizza – it’s flammkuchen

Europe’s largest underground Christmas experience is at Valkenburg where thousands of twinkling lights create a festive atmosphere in two centuries old marlstone caves, Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot. There are market stalls, life-size holiday sculptures and it is surely a shopping experience you will never be able to duplicate.

Canal in Valkenburg

Gemeentegrot is the largest underground market and Fluweelengrot, a smaller underground market, is literally a one-minute walk away. There are photo opportunities galore in either market site with the vendor stalls as well a carvings and inscriptions on the walls and Christmas character decorations.

Many of the artisan items are carved of marl stone, a chalky, white rock that is the same thing that the White Cliffs of Dover are made of. You can buy carved candleholders, chess sets and nativity scenes made of marl stone.

Outside of the two markets is Santa’s Village with some additional vendors and more food! Inside or outside you can find fudge, soup, sausage rolls, apple turnovers, meats, gouda cheese and stroopwafels.

Stroopwafel

Aachen’s Christmas market is in historic Old Town by Aachen Cathedral. The more than 130 vendors are clustered around the fabulous cathedral. The oldest cathedral in Northern Europe, is is the burial site for Charlemagne and was the coronation site for more than 30 German kings.    Step inside to see the amazing Byzantine mosaics.

Aachen Christmas Market

There’s plenty of interesting options to fortify yourself with if you get hungry while shopping.

Gingerbread

The definite food star of the market is the Aachener Printen, a hard, spicy gingerbread that comes in a number of different varieties including chocolate covered or with nuts. You can drink mulled wine, hot chocolate with a health dollop of whipped cream, egg nog of mulled cider. Try some reibekuchen, crispy, hot potato pancakes served with applesauce.

Reibekuchen – potato cakes

That’s our Belgian Holiday Markets River Cruise itinerary, and you can join GetAway Travel in 2027 or our advisors can plan your very own Christmas market adventures designed to give you memories that will last a lifetime. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Waffles and Winter Adventures part 1

Leave a reply

Belgium’s holiday markets transform the country into a festive winter wonderland of twinkling lights, quaint decorated shopping chalets, ice skating rinks, carriage rides and even Ferris wheel rides in the snow. Then there’s the iconic food options, from hot chocolate to mulled wine and, of course, waffles.

You are invited to take a curated Christmas market adventure with GetAway Travel, or we can craft you a holiday adventure of your own! The GetAway option is particularly attractive because it’s a river cruise which means no packing and unpacking. We are going to divide the blogs on our proposed destinations into two parts because there’s a lot to cover.

Some history and tips

 Christmas markets in Europe actually began in the Middle Ages when local citizenry got together, with the blessing of local nobility, to stock up for the cold, lean winter months. They gradually evolved into events where baked goods and crafts were sold, then beverages, then some singing and dancing and then — Christmas markets. In the past only local tradespeople were permitted to sell at the markets so each market had a distinctive regional flare. Although that tradition has been eased up a bit, each market still does pride itself on catering to local tradespeople.

Some of the vendors take credit cards, most do not so bring Euros. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Although you can’t beat the evening atmosphere, it is a bit less crowded in late afternoon to dusk. Remember, the markets open later in the day so you’ve got the morning and afternoon to enjoy other areas of interest in the city.

When you get a beverage, unless it is in a souvenir mug, you are paying a deposit on the cup. There are people who wander the crowds asking for your empty cups and that’s because they are returning them for the deposits. Typically, beverage prices and the deposit amount are listed on the vendor’s menu. Sometimes you also get a token and you must return the cup and the token to the vendor to get your deposit back, or some markets have central drop-off areas.

 

You, of course, can keep any cup or mug you get because after all, you paid for them. Some of them are decorated with the name of the city and date so they make nice souvenirs. It wouldn’t hurt to pack a sheet of bubble wrap or two in your suitcase if you think you are going to be keeping mugs.

Brussels, Ghent and Bruges

 Brussels lays claim to being the largest holiday market in the country. Called Winter Wonders or WInterpret, the market has more than 200 chalets (vendors) as well as a giant Christmas tree, ice rink and a sound and light show at the Grand Palace.

Brussels Grand Place at Christmas

The market is in the heart of the city around the Grand Palace, the Beurs and Saint-Catherine Square. Around the Christmas tree is a nativity and stable scene.

In addition to the huge, festive Ferris wheel, there is also a nostalgic carousel

The Grand Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the town squares, ringed with ornate guild halls, are some of the most beautiful in Europe.

Grand Place, Brussels

The city goes all out for the winter season and it wraps itself in to a festive ball of cheer, chocolates and waffles. In addition to chocolates and waffles, you can also find vendors selling mussels, fries, meatballs, Flemish stew (slow simmered beef or pork with vegetables) shrimp croquettes and paling in het groen which is eel in green herb sauce.

Spanning the historic city center, the Ghent Christmas market has a roller rink. Rent some skates and give it a whirl. There’s usually about 150 vendors to visit and, of course, a Ferris wheel. The view from the top of the 145-foot high Ferris wheel is phenomenal. As an aside, the Ferris wheel is as tall as the Arc d’Triomphe.

Ghent

Thousands of twinkling lights with fairytale decorations are off the square highlighting the three medieval Gothic towers of St. Bravo Cathedral, Ghent Belfry and City Theater.

Gravensteen or Castle of Counts is nearby and it transforms into Winter Wonder Castle during the season of Christmas market. The castle functioned as a court facility, mint and even a cotton mill. Admire the amazing chandeliers, elegantly set dining tables and Christmas decorations. There’s a popular pop-up bar in the stables.

Gravensteen Castle

Vendors sell the tasty oliebollen, a dense yeasty doughnut ball stuffed with raisins, currants or chopped apples. They are served warm and doused in powdered sugar. Nibble on cheese or prawn croquettes, try gentse kop, meat from the head of a pig that is cooked, shredded and set in its natural gelatin. It is seasoned and served on a thick slice on bread. Stoverj is slow stewed beef or pork made with beer and mustard and thickened with bread. Vol-au-vent are small, round pastries filled with a savory mixture of fish or meat in a sauce. Gentse waterzooi is soup with many boiled ingredients and balletje are meatballs simmered in a rich gravy. You can also get churros, roasted chestnuts and there are a number of pop-up bars around the square with everything from champagne to juniper flavored gin.

Oliebollen

The iconic 272-foot Belfry Tower functions as the historic backdrop for the Bruges Christmas market.

Bruges at Christmas

Try tartiflette, a layered treat with potatoes and reblochon cheese, lardons and onions, the beer stew, waffles and, most definitely, try the chips. Bruges has the only potato chip museum in the world.

Tartiflette

If you don’t want to rent some skates and take a turn or two on the ice skating rink, take the Winterglow Walk. There are 10 amazing light installations set up on a walking route.

Bruges has so many canals it is referred to as the “Venice of the North.” Speaking of the ice skating rink, it is actually an artificial rink set up on a pontoon boat on one of the canals.

You can admire the market with a carriage ride around the square, or take a boat ride on the canals around the market.

We don’t know what the weather is like where you are now, but we know winter and shopping wouldn’t be so bad now… stay tuned for the more on our Christmas market getaway.