Before I left on my latest trip to Europe, I randomly sent a WhatsApp message to one of my travel blogger friends, Isabel from Bel Around the World. It turns out she was in London finishing up her travels in Europe before heading down to Thailand to speak at TBEX. She met my friend and I at LHR as soon as we landed - and then we were off on a whirlwind nearly 3-day road trip of the countryside outside of London. Our first stop was Wrotham, the … [Read more...]
Finding the roots of our heritage
I have been fortunate to track down some of my father's heritage - from Luxembourg to Los Angeles. Now it was turn for my mother's side of the family. They come from a very beautiful part of Italy - in the hills along the Italian Riviera. We visited the small town of Casarza Ligure; the "Gallo" name is everywhere which is my mother's maiden name. The homesite of my great Grandfather, Guiseppe Gallo is situated high on a hill above Casarza and … [Read more...]
Bruges
I was originally planning to be in S. Korea this trip but when a friend canceled due to a family emergency I flew over here instead to explore my family's roots in Luxembourg and the countryside. This has been an inspirational trip so far, from the people I've met to the amazing towns and countryside. Usually when I think of travel I want to visit Asia but now I'm craving more of Western Europe! .... Read more here … [Read more...]
More Benelux Travels
It is so awesome to be able to travel between countries with no stops at borders. The only indication you've left one country and entered another one these days in the European Union is when the carrier on your mobile phone changes! The public transportation system works extremely well - you never have to wait very long for either buses or trains. Today's highlight was a visit to the picturesque town of Vianden. Cobblestone streets wind their … [Read more...]
More fun in Luxembourg!
Did you know southern California born General George S. Patton is buried just outside of Luxembourg City at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm. He is the most famous American buried in Luxembourg! This is well worth the short drive from Luxembourg City - hundreds of white marble crosses mark each grave. Patton's grave is marked the same way, yet his grave is solitary "at the head of the troops" in front of all the other … [Read more...]
Luxembourg
What an amazing day, from racing through the rural Luxembourg hillsides up hills at 240 km/hour in a new Porsche 911 Carrera 4S to gorging on local Sauerkraut and Wienershnitzel at the Schueberfouer fun fair held every year since 1340, (670 years and counting - I've scheduled a return in 30 years for the 700th one). We visited Moselle, Luxembourg's largest wine region. The focus here is on white varietals with some Pinot Noir thrown in for … [Read more...]
Greetings from Luxembourg City
We came out of the sky in Frankfurt after a very choppy flight from San Francisco. Our landing even incorporated a nifty swerve at the last minute which produced a collective oooh and ahh from many of the tired passengers. I had planned on taking a bus from the airport to Luxembourg City however upon landing I discovered Hahn airport (as listed on my bus printout) was not Frankfurt airport. Running to secure a bus I bumped into a number of locals … [Read more...]