Mardi Gras usually conjures up thoughts of heavy partying and debauchery, but this year, I find a whole new way of celebrating in Binche, Belgium. With a population of about 33,000, Binche is a Walloon municipality most famous for its carnival, listed in 2003 by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in …
Vive Le Carnaval
 The carnaval season kicked in last week but the real festivities are just now starting to pop up all over Europe. On Sunday I head to the town of Stavelot, which I blogged about earlier, to check out the famous Blancs Moussis.  As soon as we pull up into the cobblestoned parking lot, I spot them in their …
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Good Things Come in Little Packages
 Venice is about as touristy as it gets, but I’ve stumbled into a town that’s literally preserved for tourism. Touted as the world’s smallest town, Durbuy makes a perfect weekend getaway or sleepy honeymoon spot.  When I first drive through this town, my immediate impression is that it’s like a backlot of a movie studio or an amusement …
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Stop Eating Shrimp!
 Today marks my fourth complete week on the road and while my head is still in full overdrive, my belly is craving Rubio’s fried shrimp tacos (sigh) and Vien Dong Restaurant’s cha ca Thang Long (sizzling dill and tumeric fish dish) (longer sigh) from southern California. Luckily, I’ve been able to find enough ingredients here in Belgium to appease …
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Venice Is Forever
 When I left you yesterday I was mulling over the window display at Chanel.  I can honestly say nothing shouted at me to come back to the store this morning. But let me spin you 180 degrees to the opposing store window at Hermes, where the green alligator Lindy bag literally made me gasp out loud:  In Europe …