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.
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.
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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
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
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.
There are few things that beat a great travel adventure. How about an adventure where you get to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime intimate curated grand mountain/rail adventure where everything is planned for carefree enjoyment? That’s an apt description of a Swiss vacation, where the trains always run on time, where you always have great views, your luggage transfers are taken care of and there’s cheese, chocolate and wine. You can take advantage of GetAway Travel’s artfully crafted trip, or our advisors can help you with your own adventure. Here’s a closer look at parts of GetAway’s planned trip and what you might expect if our advisors plan a trip for you.
Welcome to Switzerland
Zurich is your landing spot and on to Lucerne. With your handy Swiss travel pass, this is the first of several train rides. And get the idea of a chugging, stinky, closed up train with narrow windows right out of your head. The Swiss take their rail trips seriously, beautifully appointed cars with huge windows, WiFi, cushy seats, food service in some and dining cars with bars.
Lucerne, Switzerland
After free time in Lucerne, it’s time to take a scenic train ride to Rigi Kulm. Dubbed the Queen of the Mountains, it is nearly 6,000 feet above sea level. You get 360° views of the Alps and France AND Germany! The Swiss lowlands are also visible and beautiful and so are the 13 lakes surrounding the area.
Railway to Mt Rigi
Back to Lucerne for the night and then board the Interlaken Express which is arguably the most scenic rail traveling you will ever experience. We’re talking postcard perfect landscape, quaint Alpine villages and dramatic mountain views.
There’s time to unwind in Interlaken. The center town area has great shops with souvenirs, as well as cheese and chocolates. This is a paragliding hot spot. If that’s not your jam, go to Hohematte Park and watch those who may be a bit more adventurous.
Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany has a rich maritime history. Its huge harbor is still the economic heart of the city with an astonishing amount of cargo ships docking there each year. Between 6,800 and 8,000 ships including the “ultra-large” cargo ships dock there each year. Saltwater has molded the architecture and history of the city. It was the embarkation point for 4 million emigrants who made their way to America.
But there’s more! It’s home to a fabulous concert hall, a warehouse district that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a former stomping grounds for the Beatles and, it has its own signature pastry. We are sooo in for that! Ready to visit Hamburg? Advisors at GetAway Travel can put you on the road to a Hamburg adventure.
Water, water everywhere
Connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River, Hamburg is crossed by hundreds of canals. It has 2,500 bridges, more than Amsterdam, Venice and London combined. In addition to crossing the Elbe River, they also cross the city’s Alster Lakes. The Port of Hamburg is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and the best way to see it is to take one of the boat tours.
Port of Hamburg
There’s lots of cool maritime points of interest at the docks.
For instance, check out Rickmer Rickmers. This fully-rigged beauty is permanently docked at the harbor. First launched in 1896, it was propelled by wind, then steam and finally, diesel. It has been fully restored as a museum ship.
The Rickmer Rickmers
Cap San Diego is another museum ship. It is larger than the Rickmer and when it was built in 1961, it was the world’s largest freight ship in the world. Nicknamed the “White Swan of the South Atlantic” it also functions as a hotel alternative. You can stay in a passenger cabin or book the captain’s quarters. There’s a restaurant on board.
The Cap San Diego in Hamburg harbor
The largest hunting and spy submarine in the world, built by Russia for use during the Cold War, is moored in the harbor. Built in 1976, you can tour it and marvel at the cramped conditions the crew had to work in.
Submarine in Hamburg Port – open for tours
The Elbphilharmonie was built in 2017 with a roof that is contoured to mimic huge rolling sea waves. Constructed of 1,096 individual glass panes, the acoustics of the two concert halls inside are reputed to be the best in the world. You can get on the observation deck for astonishing panoramic views of the city.
Hamburg Elbe Philharmonic Hall
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Speicherstadt is the world’s largest contiguous warehouse complex built on oak log timber foundations. Constructed between 1883 and 1927, there are 15 large warehouse blocks of red brick warehouses resting on timber foundations. The sophisticated uniform design as well as the neo-Gothic brick facades are an extraordinary sight!
Speicherstadt warehouse district
Many of the warehouses are used as offices, but there’s also museums, amazing restaurants and the nearby Miniatur Wunderland.
Learn all about the district’s history of trade and storage at the Speicherstadtmuseum. Imported goods such as coffee, tea, cocoa and spices all had to be sampled and stored by the quartermaster. You can get a little hands-on experience as a quartermaster.
The history of borders, smuggling and tariffs in on display at the German Customs Museum. Learn all about the work of customs officers and tour the customs boat museum.
One of the most photographed spots in the district is the Wasserschloss. This photogenic restaurant and teahouse is located between two canals. The teahouse offers 250 different teas.
Experience 3,000 years of maritime history at the International Maritime Museum. There’s 10 floors of seafaring info including intricate ship models, antique nautical instruments, historic uniforms and marine art. There’s rafts, deep sea shipping materials and a LEGO model of the Queen Mary 2.
The Miniatur Wunderland is the city’s most popular tourist attraction. It is the world’s largest model railroad exhibit with tiny renderings of everything from Rome to Carnival in Rio and, of course, Hamburg. Construction was started 2,000 and eight months later, it opened. Since then theme worlds have been continuously added. Right now there are 14 with the Atacama Desert and Rainforest as well as the Caribbean under construction.
Take your pick of more things to do
There’s lots more to see and do, but first — a food break. There are some unique regional foods you must try. The franzbrötchen is a buttery, sticky croissant-like cinnamon pastry. Labskaus is a traditional sailors dish with the main ingredient being salted meat or corned beef mixed with potatoes and onions. Sometimes it is served with a fried egg and do try it with the pickles that accompanies the dish.
A buttery, sticky franzbrötchen
Fischbrötchen is a fresh fish sandwich, like herring or mackerel, serve on a crispy bread roll. It’s a great street food sandwich, but you can also enjoy it with many variations at the Fischmarkt. Every Sunday at the harbor, the fish market is packed with stands selling fresh fish, fish sandwiches and fruit, chocolates and flowers. Inside the Fish Auction Hall you can enjoy a beer, even at 7 a.m., and live music.
Fischbrötchen – might be an aquired taste
Composers Quarter is a complex of six museums with each paying homage to a classical composer that was born or lived in Hamburg. Audio recordings, photographs and even musical instruments teach visitors about Brahms, Telemann, Carl Phillipp Emanuel Bach, Gustav Mahler and Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn.
From bean to bar, the Chocolate Museum reveals the makings of a chocolate bar and, you can create your own chocolate bar with your favorite ingredients.
St. Michael’s church, Hamburg
St. Michael’s Church is a stunning example of Baroque architecture. St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Hamburg renowned for its three pipe organs. St. Nicholas Church was heavily damaged by a fire and then by bombs during WWII. It is a war memorial now with an observation deck that also offers great views of the area.
View from St. Michaels
The Reeperbahn, the historic red light district area, is now a night-life hub. Theaters, clubs and lots of live music draw visitors at night. It is here, between 1960 and 1962, that the Beatles honed their music style by playing set after set in the night clubs.
The Kunsthalle art museum
Three building, each with a distinctive style, houses the Kunsthalle, the city’s art gallery and museum. Ranked as one of the top art museums in Europe, it has more than 145,000 works of art dating back to the 14th century. There is a huge sculpture collection and a paper collection of 140,000 prints and drawings.
Hamburg town hall
The Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe highlights the decorative and applied arts as well as design and crafts. The exhibits and permanent collections include fashion, textiles, ancient antiquities, sculptures, photographs, new media and Islamic and Asian art.
Labskaus
Hamburg, what a great place to visit! GetAway Travel advisors can add Hamburg to your next itinerary. We can be reached at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel
