European Traveler

European Christmas Markets Celebrate the Season

Advent is the season in Europe when thousands of communities–large and small–set up Christmas trees, colorful lights and craft stalls in their central market square. For decades, Europeans have been getting together at these unique Christmas markets to share conversation, to enjoy a glass of hot mulled wine, or to find just the right specialty gift for a family member or friend.

European Traveler offers a quick glance at some of these fascinating markets, which normally last until Christmas Eve.

Belgium

Every town in French-speaking Wallonia hosts its own Christmas Market. The central square of Liège and the neighbouring Place du Marché stage one of Belgium’s largest Christmas Markets, attracting more than 1 million visitors with 190 wooden chalets full of tempting goodies, sweets and original hand crafted products and presents.

If you’re in Brussels between November 27 and January 3, enjoy the Brussels Winter Wonderland featuring a Christmas Market with many stalls, a giant illuminated ferris wheel, street activities and a large skating rink.

Switzerland

In Lucerne, a number of Christmas events take place, including the Christ Child Market at Railcity, the train station, between November 28 – December 21. Around 50 festively-decorated market stalls bring a Christmas atmosphere feel to the station.

Every year between December 3-20 Lucerne’s Christmas Market takes place at the Franziskanerplatz. There are a large variety of stands with Christmas decorations, sweets, food and beverages. The Christmas Tree Market usually starts one week before Christmas along the Schweizerhofquai. Then between December 17-20, 20 stands from 20 countries present typical Christmas items from their homelands. There is always a stage featuring Christmas productions from all over the world. For more information, go to www.luzern.com/en/welcome.cfm?

Germany

Thuringia is primarily famous for its festive Christmas markets and especially the large selection of glass Christmas tree decorations. The Lauscha Ball Market (always held during two weekends in Advent) has the largest selection, but these traditional decorations are also available at other Thuringian Christmas markets.

In Frankfurt you are invited to the large, time-honored Christmas market where you can become acquainted with the market’s many culinary specialities and its traditions. You can join tour guides in ascending to the rooftop gallery of St. Nicholas Church, from where you’ll be able to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the entire market and the Frankfurt skyline. Next, join young and old for a nostalgic ride on a vintage carousel. Warm yourself with a hot cup of mulled wine at the end of the tour and take in the wonderful view of the market’s beautifully illuminated Christmas tree. The 1 1/2 hour tours include a carousel ride, hot mulled wine and special marzipan candy. Tours are available in English and German from the first day in Advent until Christmas.

Thanks to the Tourist Boards of Germany, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland for the photos in the report.

The Maritime Museum in Malta

When in Malta, a visit to the Malta Maritime Museum is worthwhile.

The museum is located at the Vittoriosa waterfront. During the presence of the Knights of Malta on the island, the site was used as the arsenal where the Order’s galley fleet was maintained.

During the time of the British presence in Malta, the site was developed as the naval bakery, built between 1842 and 1845 by British architect and engineer William Scamp. The naval bakery supplied the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean fleet stationed in Malta with its daily requirements of bread and biscuits. The “Bakery,” as it was and still is affectionately known, remained part of the Royal Naval establishment up to the closure of the British base in March of 1979.

The museum illustrates Malta’s maritime history from prehistory to the present day; the ancient shipping section includes Roman lead anchors and amphoras. The section dedicated to the Order of St. John includes an important collection of authentic period models, some originally pertaining to the Congre-gazione delle Galere, and to the Order’s nautical school.

The French interlude (1798-1800) is represented by two large French republican guns, a prisoner-of-war wooden model of the French second-rater Bucentaur, documents, edged period weapons, and a host of water colors, engravings and lithographs.

The British period (1800-1979) is particularly well represented. The hall is divided into various sections illustrating the role of the Royal Navy in Malta.

Maltese traditional boat models, such as the Latin-rigged Gozo boat, the Ferilla and the Kajjik, tools and paintings constitute the basis of a small hall dedicated to boat building in Malta.

For more information, visit www.heritagemalta.org/museums/maritime/maritimecoll.html

Conrad Brussels…A Warm Welcome and Oversized Towels

When you think of cosmopolitan Brussels, you probably think of chocolates and beer and great food.

But it also has some very good hotels. Take the Conrad Brussels, at Avenue Louise 71, opened in 1993. Avenue Louise is a broad, highly fashionable thoroughfare, and the stately Conrad fits right in.

The hotel lobby area is wide and expansive, and it gives the feel of sophistication and luxury (the hotel is rated five stars; Expedia.com rates the hotel between Superior and Exceptional, or 4 1/2 stars). The exterior of the refurnished building has regained its 19th century elegance.

My quiet room, #519, was spacious (the hotel promotes the fact that it offers the most spacious rooms of any hotel in the city) and featured plush carpeting. It also overlooked the city. There was a large television, a Mr. Coffee machine with a couple of bags of coffee, a tray with a brush, laundry bag, shoe bag, shoe mitt, and an electrical outlet with both 115- and 220-volt sockets.

There was a marble bathroom, robe and slippers, a hi-end Bose Wave radio, and the largest fluffy towels I’ve ever been wrapped in, measuring 4′ x 6′. The room had classic decor and eco-friendly Halogen lightbulbs. A secure key card operated the elevator that featured dark wood paneling and lots of brass and glass.

There was an unbelievable amount of space in the closet for clothes, and a medicine cabinet in the bathroom. There was pull-down bed service in the evening. The bed was comfortable. The accompanying photo was taken in Room #519 while I was there.

The restaurant served a very fine all-inclusive breakfast in the morning with meats, eggs, rolls, fruits, yogurts, cereals, juices and fine Belgian coffee, and more. Friendly service and smiles were noted by the wait staff and the reservation clerks.

The hotel has 269 guestrooms including 39 suites, as well as rooms for the disabled, and of course, non-smoking rooms are available. In fact, there are three entire non-smoking floors in the hotel. For meetings and conferences, there are 15 meeting rooms covering 6,000 square feet.

On TripAdvisor.com one hotel guest wrote,”Classy hotel. Polite and professional front of house staff. Very Good! The bedrooms are very spacious and the king size beds are so comfortable. Only negative point is that some of the bedroom decor was a little tired, however, I did get a cheap deal for the standard of hotel! Worth every penny. “

DINING AND SPA AT THE CONRAD
While I wasn’t able to dine at the Conrad, I can tell you there is Cafe Wiltcher’s with indoor and terrace dining; there’s the Loui Lounge & Bar that offers coffee and biscotti, a light lunch or tapas, and mezza or antipasti. There is also a lobby lounge and 24-hour room service.

There is the health club of the hotel, Aspria Avenue Louise, which features a 56-foot-long pool, a gym, sauna, jacuzzi and a spa offering more than 60 treatments. The health club fee is 25 EUR.

The location of the hotel is about a 20- to 25-minute walk from the Grand Place, which is said to be Europe’s most beautiful square. Unless it’s a pleasant day, I’d suggest a cab which will get you to this area of the city quickly. I did walk to the Royal Palace and the Palais de Justice which is a fairly easy walk from the hotel.

Pricing: Rates will vary depending on the rooms, but I found rates between 389 Eur (for a classic king bedroom or two queen beds) and 564 EUR (for a junior suite with two queen beds or one king size bed). The hotel also offers a Romantic Escape Package that includes early check-in, in-room sparkling wine and breakfast for two, either in-room or in the restaurant.

Overall I enjoyed my quick stay here. The Conrad chain is known for its upscale service, and their Brussels hotel meets these fine standards. Don Heimburger

Have a Very Good Trip…by Train

So, you want to show your wife or your date a very good time.

And you want to do it between Venice and Paris.

That can be arranged.

What is called the World’s Most Romantic Celebration consists of a train trip on the Orient-Express between Venice and Paris.

Here are the details. The trip is eight days and seven nights from $24,750: three nights in Venice; one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and three nights in Paris.

Departure dates, which are Sundays and Wednesdays, in 2008 are: March 30; April 6, 13, 20, 27; May 11, 14, 25;June 8, 11, 22, 29; July 20, 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24; September 10, 21, 24, 28; and October 12, 15.

The itinerary consists of:

Day 1 – Venice 
Arrive in the romantic city of Venice and transfer by private water taxi boat to the Hotel Cipriani. A deluxe suite is reserved for three nights in the city of canals.   Overnight in Venice.  

Day 2 – Venice 
A personally tailored guided tour of the city in the morning. In the afternoon, the private launch of Romilly, Lady McAlpine collects you from the hotel and takes you to her home for a visit and refreshments.   Breakfast included. Overnight in Venice.

Day 3 – Venice
Explore the delights of La Serenissima before a final romantic evening, including a ride on a gondola before dinner, at one of Venice’s most exclusive restaurants.   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Venice. 
 
Day 4 – On the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express 
The train’s hostess completes check-in formalities for your journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train before your private transfer to the station. Board the train (cabin suite) for the overnight journey to Paris, enjoying superb cuisine and sparkling champagne.   Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight on board.  

Day 6 – Paris
After breakfast, a private car and driver takes you to the French countryside en route to Reims, capital of the Champagne region, where you have a private tasting before lunch at the two-star Michelin restaurant of Chateau Les Crayères, accompanied by fine wines and Prestige Champagne. After lunch, return to Paris. Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Paris.

Day 7 – Paris
Time for final sightseeing or shopping in the boutiques and designer stores. In the evening a private car transfers you to Quai de Grenelle, where you board a luxurious private yacht. The vessel’s teak deck and sleek interiors allow you to relish the cozy atmosphere of a 1960s boat. Enjoy a glass of champagne as you cruise along the river Seine, before a romantic candlelit dinner served either on the outdoor deck or the inside cabin. A shower of roses completes the cruise before returning for a final night in Paris. Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Paris.

Day 8 – Paris
Your journey comes to an end. Breakfast included. All aboard!

IF YOU GO…
Log onto www.orient-express.com for more details about the trip. Or, call (in the USA) 401-351-7518 or e-mail to: oesales.providence@orient-express.com . From France, call +33 1 55 62 18 00; from Germany, call +41 44 770 1407; from the Netherlands, call +31 35 6955111; and from the U.K., call +44 20 7805 5060

Self-Guided Walks the Wicklow Way

Hiking the Wicklow Way in Ireland’s “Garden County” is an unforgettable experience.

Photos courtesy Tourism Ireland

The 79-mile trail stretching from the southern suburbs of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, through the mountains of County Wicklow and into neighbouring County Carlow is one of the most popular parts of Ireland’s network of long-distance walking trails.

Starting at the outskirts of Dublin, walkers head southwest through the beautiful and varied Irish countryside encompassing rugged mountains, ice-age glacial valleys, upland lakes, mountain streams and pine forests. Along the way are scattered many remnants of Ireland’s long and colorful past, including the extensive remains of the early medieval monastic settlement at Glendalough.

As the walks are self-guided, walkers can proceed at their own pace, and take time to appreciate the spectacular views.

The Wicklow Way is one of 43 National Waymarked Trails in 25 counties in Ireland, offering a variety of hiking experiences against the backdrop of an endlessly stunning landscape.

For more info, go to www.ireland.com