Category Archives: Holidays

Podcast Episode: Waffles and Winter Wonderland part 2

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.

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.

Experience the joy of the season at European Christmas Markets

1 Reply

While it’s true there’s no place like home for the holidays, there’s no reason why you can’t start your holidays at one or more of the fabulous Christmas markets held all over Europe. This year when you gather for the holidays, start thinking about making some new holiday memories starting with a fabulous getaway that includes some stops at Christmas markets. Your travel advisors at GetAway can plan your trip including some stops for shopping and enjoying some new holiday experiences.

Markets got their start in Vienna

Christmas markets are street markets designed to celebrate the holiday during the four weeks of Advent leading up to and sometimes, depending on which country you are in, past Christmas into January. They are thought to have originated in Vienna, but were made popular in Germany.

Vienna, Austria, City Centre Christmas Market

The first Christmas market supposedly was in 1296 in December when Emperor Albrecht I of Austria granted shopkeepers a one-to-two day market so the townspeople could stock up before the winter. Christmas markets are held in town squares and the little, decorated wooden stalls offer arts and crafts items, candles, toys, Christmas decorations and figurines as well as food and drinks. Some town halls transform into giant Advent calendars with different windows lighted each night.

Nutcrackers in Rudesheim Germany Christmas Market

Now, virtually every country including Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Portugal, Spain and England have Christmas markets. So your GetAway advisor can plan plenty of sightseeing in a country and have your trip end with a fantastic Christmas market experience. You can fill that second empty suitcase you brought with your holiday gifts, and, of course, a couple of items for yourself!

Festive sights, sounds and food

The most famous Christmas market is in Vienna, which actually has a dozen or more markets located throughout the city. The largest market is in Rathausplatz, in the square facing Vienna City Hall. Markets in Vienna are, well, grand — like the residents strive to match the fabulous, grand architecture of the city. There’s lots of light displays and Rathausplatz has an ice skating rink. And, just a note, when markets are described as having stalls with items, we are taking upwards of 200 stalls.

Christmas Market Mainz, Germany

Markets, no matter what city in what country, serve a variation of gluhwein. Gluhwein is hot mulled wine spiced with cloves, anise, cinnamon and citrus fruits. Red wine is the most prevalent, but you can find it done with white wine. There is usually a version of apple cider if you want a non-alcoholic beverage and, of course, hot cocoa. Gluhwein, where ever you are, is served in a mug which you put a deposit on. You can return for a refill, or keep the mug for the price of the small deposit. They make great keepsake souvenirs.

Make sure to go to the markets hungry. In France, where you should wait until dusk to go shopping because the twinkling lights are magical, you can get oysters, champagne, caviar, poutine and freshly grilled meat.

Continue reading →

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

Leave a reply

Wow! – What a year it has been! Never in our lifetimes has the whole world faced such challenges as it has in 2020. Like many industries, the world of travel was absolutely turned upside down, with every possible facet feeling the effects of sheltering–in–place and closed borders. Much of the world is still closed to us now, but that will eventually change as we move through 2021. The desire for new experiences motivates us even now to look into the future with great anticipation of our next great travel adventure.

Here’s a great quote from travel writer Bill Bryson –

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”

Unfortunately, much of this year has been Groundhog Day – over and over again with the scenery rarely changing, as we patiently and hopefully – safely wait for our next opportunity to experience everyday things as if for the first time.

Many of us have had more than our share of challenges and tragedies in 2020. We’re not complaining though as we’ve also had more than our share of blessings this year!

The travel business is still in a severe downturn, yet we remain steadfast in our resolve to go beyond our current circumstances and get to a brighter future. We are look forward to the great reward that travel truly is and we know you are doing the same. Despite the obstacles, we remain open, available, willing and more than excited to help you plan your next great adventure.

We know many of you are waiting for the world to return to normal before making plans. We get it. Don’t forget though that travel brings joys before during and after your trip. The joy of sharing travel memories with friends and loved ones, the great joy of the journey itself and the joy of anticipation from planning your next great trip.

When you’re ready again to take that first step – planning – give us a call, we’re here for you – same as we’ve been for the last 21 years.

Traditions, Traditions, Traditions!

Leave a reply

Christmas is upon us and that means traditions. What are your holiday traditions? When did they first start, did you create new ones when you left your childhood home or did you carry on those of your parents and grandparents? Well I did a little research about the origin of some of our Christmas traditions and I have to admit, I learned a few things….

Do you send Christmas cards as a part of your tradition? We still do. As a matter of fact, we send both personal Christmas cards and cards to our clients on behalf of our Travel Agency. Did you know that the first Christmas card was sent in 1843? Many people today have given up this tradition but we still love to both send and receive a card at Christmas. We write a somewhat witty Christmas letter (haha, at least we think its witty) to send to our friends and family each year. I am the author and Paul is the decorator, putting photos on the letter from our years activities. I don’t think it is a tradition our children will carry on.

What about the Christmas wreath? When I was growing up we harvested the pine branches to make our own wreath which my parents always hung on the front door. It was typically decorated with a bow, some pine cones and perhaps some red berries. But where did that tradition come from? Well since you asked…. Since the Roman times the wreath has been a symbol of power and strength. Kings and Emperors wore them as crowns. To Christians the wreath symbolizes tenacity and everlasting life. Now I can’t honestly say I’ve ever thought of the wreath in that regard, nope just always thought it was pretty. How simple we are 😊. Today we buy our wreath from the local boy scout troop, and we hang it on the front of the house, just like my parents did.

Mistletoe, hmmm, now that is an odd one. I mean think about it. The mistletoe is basically a parasitic plant that attaches to a tree and sucks nutrients from the trunk. What is romantic about that? Yet mistletoe as a tradition has been traced back to ancient Greece (not as in kissing under it) where it was said to have been carried as a golden bough by Aeneas, the ancestor of the Romans. In other pre-Christian cultures mistletoe was believed to carry the male essence and by extension, romance, fertility and vitality. It was hung in homes because it was believed to protect from fire and lightning (again not for kissing under). So, where the heck did the kissing under it come from? Well truth be known, no one knows. The first kiss under the mistletoe was recorded in the 16^th century in England. I’m thinking some young squire had a little too much grog and grabbed the first pretty girl he could find and gave her a kiss and it just so happened to be under the mistletoe! So do you hang one? And really how many kisses do you get? I don’t know about your house but we don’t hang one, unless you count our mistletoad (green frog dressed in English finery holding a sprig) because after all, its cold and flu season and no sense sharing with just anyone who walks in the door!

And with that, we’ll leave you to your Christmas traditions, where ever they came from. Enjoy your Christmas holiday and best wishes for the New Year!

European Christmas Markets

1 Reply

We recently returned from an unforgettable cruise along the Rhine River to visit Christmas Markets in Germany, France and Switzerland. Our journey was even more memorable as we travelled with a group of close friends.

Christmas Market

River cruising provides an up close and personal experience. The ships typically dock in the heart of town allowing easy and convenient access to the local sights and sounds. This is especially convenient for a Christmas Market Cruise. During the advent season, towns throughout Europe host wonderfully decorated markets for crafts, drink and food! Hop off the ship to go shopping all day and then back on in time for cocktail hour and a gourmet dinner before you set off for your next stop.

Half-timbered building decoracted for the holidays

Half-timbered building decorated for the holidays

European Christmas Markets – Let’s GO!

Leave a reply

Advent has been ushered in since the late middle ages via traditional Christmas markets. Depending on where you are in Europe a Christmas market is also known as Christkindlmarkt, Marché de Noël, Christkindlesmarkt, and Weihnachtsmarkt. Christkindlesmarkt literally translates as “Christ child market”.

Generally held in town squares, the markets sell food, drink and seasonal crafts from open-air stalls accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. Popular attractions include a Nativity scene, nutcrackers, toasted almonds, traditional gingerbread cookies and hot mulled wine to help stave off the cold winter air. Many handmade items including toys, decorations and ornaments are found in the Market. Check out this photo – It’s truly a magical experience!

One of the most visited Christmas Markets is found in Cologne, Germany which in fact has 7 markets in total of which the 4 biggest are located near the amazing Cathedral. The Christmas Market at the Cologne Cathedral is the most impressive one in, due to the huge backdrop of the imposing Cathedral. Beneath the Cathedral and the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland, you can find well over 160 festively designed wooden pavilions. Here you can watch artisans at work, enjoy original “Christmas Mulled Wine” out of festively decorated Christmas mugs or you can choose from an unlimited choice of sweets and local delicacies. The Alter Markt takes place in front of the old town hall only 200 meters from the cathedral. Shadowed by beautiful narrow-gabled houses and half-timbered stalls, this market conveys a very romantic and idyllic feel. The Neumarkt is Cologne’s oldest Christmas market located near St. Aspoteln’s (Basilica of the Holy Apostles) church. This market glows in splendor with charmingly designed chalets and a unique “stars at night” theme. The Christmas Market on the Rudolfplatz takes you to a world of brother’s Grimm fairy tales. Large fairy tale figures and festive illuminations provide a special eye-catcher, set against the historic backdrop of one of Cologne’s 3 standing medieval gate houses.

You may very well be asking why we are talking about Christmas markets in May? Well because to see the markets you need to plan ahead. GetAway Travel has an agency exclusive offer for you to join us on an amazing River Cruise on the Rhine River during the start of Advent.

Prepare to be pampered and amazed on our special 7 day trip cruising along the legendary Rhine through Germany, France and Switzerland. Explore charming towns and discover treasures in some of Europe’s finest traditional Christmas markets. You’ll revel in the brilliant holiday decorations and in tasting the many treats and spiced wines of the season. This is truly the way to celebrate Christmas! Discover the roots of our Christmas traditions as you explore some of Europe’s most charming towns. Browse for unique ornaments in Basel’s Christmas Market. Sip vin chaud as you stroll to Place Kléber to behold the enormous, brilliantly lighted tree that Strasbourg offers modern celebrants. Find unexpected treasures in the red-roofed stalls clustered around Cologne’s magnificent cathedral.

You may have never planned your Christmas holiday this far in advance, but now is really the time to get in the spirit and join our group. Please view our webpage for more details on this cruise and information on how you can sign up!

Oh and did we mention that the river cruise is all-inclusive?

Thinking about a destination wedding?

Destination weddings are very popular and for very good reasons: They can cost considerably less than a traditional wedding, and often include more. You can choose from many amazingly beautiful locations. You and your select family and friends get a wonderful vacation experience you will always remember.

We have helped many clients just like you have amazing destination weddings. We are such experts that in fact, our own wedding was a destination wedding!

Merry Christmas 2013

Leave a reply

It’s that time of year when the world falls in love. Every song you hear seems to say “Merry Christmas, may your New Year dreams come true”. How true! How true!

However…

Paul has been a bit grinchy lately. So many things to do, so little time. Christmas seems more like a deadline than a holiday. Blah, blah blah. Let’s just queue up the Charlie Brown Christmas…

about 53 seconds in – Charlie Brown: I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.

Charlie Brown: I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.

Linus Van Pelt: Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy’s right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.

Ok – so of all the Charlie Browns in the world – is Paul also on the list for the Charlie Browniest? Could be!

However…

Even grinchy Paul knows that Christmas is not a deadline. It does not come from a store. How about the grinchiest grinch of all? After he stole all of the Christmas items from all the Whos in Whoville – he found out he could not stop the joy of Christmas. OK, queue up the Grinch please.

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. Maybe Christmas, he thought… doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more!

OK – he gets it, Paul finally gets it. It’s time to change his approach. Maybe it’s really best to approach Christmas with a bit more innocence – innocence like a child. Just like we believe God did on that very first Christmas.

However…

Acting like a child is easier if you have one around to act with. OK, queue up the children please!

Our wish is that you may also approach this Christmas with the innocence AND enthusiasm of a child AND that all your travel dreams come true in the New Year!

GetAway Travel LLC

Creating beautiful memories one destination at a time…

Category Archives: Holidays

Podcast Episode: Waffles and Winter Wonderland part 2

Waffles and Winter Wonderland: Markets, Caves, and Cathedrals

Like this: