Trip Tip a Day

Tip of the day: Take that gondola ride! I have a wonderful excuse to go back to Venice - I didn't take that gondola ride the first time, and didn't sit at a sidewalk cafe on the canal to sip a beverage and take in the sights by the water. It's been almost a year since my daughter and I went on our little adventure to Europe together. So, my tip of the day, is to embrace your inner tourist when you travel and hold her/him tight! Take that gondola ride. Pay the premium price for a beverage at a canal front table if that is your dream. If you are dreaming it - live it.

Tip of the day: Try the chocolate at Jeff de Bruges While walking up the rue Vavin in Paris, on our way to an Yves Delorme shop, we happened by the lovely Jeff de Bruges shop and stepped inside. It's a beautiful and pricey shop. Since it's my habit to bring chocolate home for tasting, I purchased a few different dark chocolate 100 g bars. http://www.jeff-de-bruges.com/rubrique/Chocolat/2.html Recently I broke into the bars, starting with the 43% Cacao which uses Criollo and Trinitario Cocoa beans from Venezuela. Venezuela It was good, but not at my preferred dark chocolate Cacao percentage. So, I had to move on to the next level - the 64% Cacao bar using Criollo and Trinitario beans from Peru. Ahh, dark chocolate bliss - the dry crack of the chocolate as it breaks, the slow melt in the mouth, the bitter delicious taste, the aroma. That's my favorite. I love how it crumbles a little in your mouth before melting - it's an exquisite sensation. Next up - 85%....

Tip of the day: Receive a French care package! Bonne Maman Tartelettes citron - the jam and jelly company makes these sweet little tartelettes. Just a minute - Ok, I'm back. After staring at the picture and going to their website, I just had to go enjoy a lemony yummy. The "cookies" are like a little inch and a half pie crust shell filled with lemon tart. Since I'm a huge lemon meringue pie fan, the lemon ones are a favorite - but other fruit flavors are available. In the Dallas area, Central Market carries them. http://www.bonne-maman.com/ Little French soap in the paper Little French soap out of the paper - some lemony scent here as well In a previous post I outlined my love for Cassis pastilles - http://europeantriptipaday.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html the other night I wasn't sick, but had a little cough attack in the middle of the night. I rolled over and pulled a lozenge out of the tin in the nightstand. So soothing. And now my sweet French c...

Tip of the day: Have Passport, will travel. The passports arrived - it was a short wait from applying on Sept. 25 in the County Clerk's (Denton County TX) office to receiving them October 10. The original birth certificate that accompanied the application returned to us a few days later under separate cover. Step 1 for any trip to Europe - complete.

Tip of the day: Be prepared to see lots of grafitti in Rome Rome has it's share of magical sights - Trevi fountain and the Coliseum are just two. But Rome has a big share of grafitti that leaves an impression. A shame, not sure. Something that captures your mind and your eye, yes.

Tip of the day: Enjoy the fountains! What do I love? Fountains. And Paris has some beautiful fountains.

Tip of the day: Have a sandwich I was surprised to see pre-made delicious looking sandwiches on crusty yummy looking bread in Italy and France. Can you picture any beautiful display of pre-made sandwiches in America? Hmmm......I can't. Enjoy the European sandwich if you need a snack or lunch.

Tip of the day: Have good friends who bring you treats from Europe! My friend just returned from a 2 week European tour with chocolates for the gang. There were many choices, but when I saw the familiar lavender wrap on the Milka chocolate I chose it. And, lo and behold, Milka has come up with a resealable wrap. No foil on this chocolate. That's handy. My daughter is sick today, possibly early pneumonia. Tonight was the night to break out the chocolate and let one of the little squares melt on my tongue. Ahh.

Tip of the day: Apply for your passport EARLY! We just got back from the County Clerk's office where we applied for Passport books for our 2 younger children. You need the U.S. Passport book for Europe It's a pretty painless procedure at our County Clerk's office. If you stop by ahead of time, they'll give you detailed instructions and the application form. Then when you come back, it's a piece of cake. When I return I bring: -the application filled out ready to go (not signed!!!) -the original birth certificate (the State/City/County copy), -the child (must be present), -their natural father, my spouse (must be present), -$60 check to Dept. of State for each passport, -$35 cash for each passport for execution fee ($25) and photos ($10), -my driver's license. They told us today it would be a 4-6 week wait. We'll see. When a trip is even a glimmer in your eye, go ahead and apply for your passport. Then, when the time comes, you'll be ready to go.

Tip of the day: Enjoy the park by the river Aare in Berne The walk to the river The walk back from the river We passed by this clear pool on the way to the river. Nearby, were little (naked) children playing in the water and parents relaxing with their picnic lunch.

Tip of the day: Float the River Aare in Berne Switzerland Ever since my Swiss "brother" Kurt, told me about floating down the River Aare in the summer, I was determined to experience this. As a long time swimmer and current master's swimmer, I love the water. I even talked my daughter into accompanying me. Kurt acted as cameraman for us. In late July, you can see that we were the only (crazy) souls floating that day. The water was freezing. I don't even know what the temperature was, but it took your breath away upon entry. It was too cold for the Swiss to float, but for us "perhaps once in a lifetime Americans", we went for it. See our little heads coming down the River? The gorgeous blue of the water? I can't wait to go back and experience this again - maybe next time all the way to downtown Berne in August. Too fun. Your comments are welcome! I'd love to hear from you dear readers.

Tip of the day: Find the Medici Fountain at the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris The Jardin du Luxembourg is very large and very beautiful. Within it, you may find the Medici Fountain. It will feel a bit like a scavenger hunt, but a challenge is always fun. There's lots of history - but I'll leave that to you to discover!