For Locals Only

It is a city full of mystery, full of life, full of history.  When one sees Prague for the first time, you might even say it’s hard to believe that it’s a real city -- not some movie backdrop of a made up fairy tale European wonderland.  While most cities in Europe have become increasingly modern over the past few decades, Prague has managed to keep its generally Gothic look.  The Golden City, The City of a Hundred Spires, The Mother of Cities -- whichever nickname you abide by -- is absolutely haunting.  “Prague never lets you go... this little mother has claws,” the renowned Czech writer, Franz Kafka once wrote.  He couldn’t have been more right.

What’s Going On A Mile Above The Rest

As a former resident of Denver, it was easy to take for granted the beauty and simplicity of the city where I lived.  But as a New Yorker going back to visit Denver, it’s easy to see why Denver has been generating so much buzz lately.  Since the Democratic National Convention in August 2008, Colorado has been more of a tourist destination than ever.  With over 300 days of sunshine a year, the title of “skinniest state,” and being named #7 of CNN’s “100 Best Places To Live,” it’s time people turn their attention to the Mile High City.

“The most international city in Europe,” Brussels lives up to its name.  While in other European cities you experience the sights, smells and sounds that are uniquely “French,” “Italian,” or maybe “German,” but in Brussels it’s a mixture of everything.

Perhaps it’s because Brussels serves as the seat of the European Commission as well as the Council of the European Union.  Or maybe it’s because European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have their main offices in Brussels.  And let’s not overlook the former Belgian colonies of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi, which are filled with Belgian citizens.  It could be due to the many international universities in the city, or it could just be a mixture of all.  But as you walk down the streets in Brussels, your ears will be affronted with every European language you could possibly name – and foods to match.   In fact, there are streets devoted to different cuisines: small, cobblestoned alleys of French fare; narrow, twisting lanes of Greek gyros; long sidled sidewalks of Spanish seafood.  Dieters beware!  The Belgian frites and waffles are not to be missed.  And neither is Delerium, the famous brewpub known for its beer selection as well as its pink elephant logo.

No matter who you are, you’ll fit in here in Brussels.  Wear your own country’s traditional dress, speak your own language, eat food from other European countries but still take advantage of the beautiful sights in Brussels.