Venice Underwater

Have you guys ever been to Venice? It's probably one of my favorite cities IN THE WORLD. It's incredibly beautiful and romantic -made even more so by the fact that it is, quite literally, sinking; disappering slowly, day by day. While part of me hates to even dream of a world where Venice no longer exists - or does so only in a mythical way as a modern-day Atlantis under the water, part of me believes this ephemeral quality makes the city all the more precious. I love the twisted, single-lane corridors, the majestic, swaying town-homes, and the sweet-stink of the canal water.

All that said, this is the most disgusting thing I've seen in a while: 

Venice, hit by an overwhelming amount of rain, is even more underwater than usual. And some brave (STUPID) visitors have taken the opportunity to swim in an unlikely place: the Piazzo San Marco - also known as the dirtiest, grimiest, most pigeon-ridden place in Venice (and likely Europe). A bajillion dirty tourists compete with a bajillion filthy pigeons to make this one of the worst places imaginable to take swim. Enjoy histoplasmosis, friends.

* All photos via The Atlantic, here.

PS the only thing that makes pigeons bearable...

Paris Day Trip Part 2: Luxembourg

So, despite my current infatuation with Bruges, I'm still researching other options for our day trip from Paris. Next option? Luxembourg. It's easy to do - about a 2 hour train - and how cool is it to say you've been to Luxembourg??

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Reasons Luxembourg is cool:

• The country has the highest national GDP per capita - you won't find many beggars in Luxembourg City, I'd wager.
• It's the world's only remaining grand duchy - meaning the constitutional monarchy is headed by a Grand Duke, not a king.
• Luxembourgish is a national language - don't you love that name? It's like it's a little bit Luxembourg - ish...with some other stuff thrown in. Which, knowing the Romance languages, may not be too far off.

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Things to see in Luxembourg City:

• The old town and the fort are UNESCO World Heritage sites dating back to the Roman Empire.

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• The Grand Duchal residence - wouldn't you want to see where the Luxembourgish 1% lives? Check out the royal family:



Definitely some hotties here

• Bike Riding through the Valley of Seven Castles. Maybe horseback riding would be more appropriate...
• Vianden Castle, because, well....look:

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• On the opposite architectural spectrum is the I.M. Pei designed Museum of Modern Art.

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* For more detailed info click here, here or here.

All in all, I think it looks great. Not sure it beats out Bruges for day trip romance and appeal, but definitely on the list for "sometime." Thoughts?

Day Trips From Paris Part 1: Bruges

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It has begun. The planning and dreaming and not quite yet stressing about our summer trip to Paris. We had guide books out yesterday, y'all. 

This sh*t is for realz....

So what I want to figure out first, and plan my whole trip around (for now), is a day trip out of Paris to cross a border.

Yes, I'm beginning my Paris-trip-planning by investigating trips out of Paris. It may seem weird, but that's where my mind is going so I'm running with it. In all honesty, it's probably my function of my lust for new places. Paris is a repeat for me, and as much as I love the city, I'm eager to add a new place to the agenda.  The Boy has some major catching up to do as far as his country-count, so this will help him, and I just hate to go all that way and not add to my tally. 

Being that France borders a whopping 6 countries, plus a watery border with the UK, we have several options. But given that we want to take the train, and not spend really more than a day or day and a half, we're reasonably limited to the following countries: Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. 

So here's Vol. 1: Bruges, Belgium

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This is the option I'm leaning towards already. I think after bustling Paris, it would be nice to spend a day in Bruges, a notoriously charming town with a fairy-tale vibe. I mean, just look at that main square! Called "The Venice of the North," the city of Bruges seems to huddle merrily along the banks of it's many winding canals. If the real Venice is one of my world-wide favorites, why not try it's northern namesake?

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Attractions? Museums, quaint stores, and enough chocolate shops to make one sick (49 to be exact. But really what attracts me to Bruges is not the plethora of historic sites or gasp worthy Flemmish artworks, it's the ambiance of the place. It looks so quaint and quietly cheerful that I just want to row a little boat down the canal and wave to all the passersby.

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While on the canal, I would also like to stay in the floating De Barge Hotel, a second life boat docked on the canal at the center of town.

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Find  the NY Times recommendations here and drool over twice fried french fry reviews.

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So what do you think? Bruges? Or shall we keep searching....


Update: Do you read Hi Sugarplum? It's super cute and she has a nice review of Bruges as well. All signs point to this cute city, but I'm still researching!