Christmas in Paris, 2010

I had been to Paris in 1998, but it was just for a day.  Yep that was me...... in one day, out the next!  So how did I get this picture?

While traveling the United States earlier that year we had earned a free 1 night stay with any hotel affiliated with Holiday Inn Express.  Come to find out.....we could stay in Paris!

We had a wonderful cruise on the Seine River the second night we were there that lasted about 1.5 hours.....and we had some great views!

Paris is beautiful no matter how you choose to see it, night or day.

my honey getting me some hot wine to enjoy while strolling the Christmas Market

This is my first post to "Mellow Yellow Monday".

Who knew?

Ruby Tuesday - Koln/Cologne Germany

No, I am not in Koln at this moment, however, when visiting this past March I saw these "Red" trains and had this meme in mind.  Just took me awhile to finally share them!

I will write a story soon about our train ride from Brussels to this amazing city once things settle down around here!  I promise!

Get your "Red" fix by visiting "Ruby Tuesday"

Home Sweet Home

Let me apologize for not posting any stories lately of my travels while in Europe during the last 5 months.  But on May 12th I headed back to Las Vegas and I have been busy with doctors appointments, grandson's baseball games, catching up with friends and just general sprucing up around the house.

And now I have a wedding to plan!!!  Yes, Stijn and I will be married on July 9th, so plenty to get done before the big day!

I hope you will forgive me for being absent for so long and I promise I will have some more great stories about my trip, like our getaways to Paris, la Clusaz and Wimereux France, and Cologne Germany.

There's no place like home!



Durbuy, The Smallest Town On Earth!

A couple of weekends ago, we drove southeast of Brussels to a beautiful little place in the "Ardennes".  Durbuy's residents (only about 350) have dubbed themselves "The Smallest Town on Earth" .  But I must tell you, this little hamlet is packed with wonderful narrow cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants, and a castle that stands magestically on the banks of the Ourthe River.

The Ardennes is a region of Belgium you MUST visit when you're here.  The drive through this lush countryside just kept me saying, "oooh and awe" and sighing.

And a "Cheese Route"!!!!  Oh my, I'm in Heaven!

Must get to "Durbuy" though because we have plans to do some kayaking down the Ourthe River.  But first a little walk through this town where time seems to have stood still.

Oh if I could just figure out how to get some of this stuff back home to Las Vegas.

There were so many great options for lunch with all the wonderful umbrella covered terraces.  But I think we made a great choice!

After lunch we made our way to "LPM" where we rented ourselves a kayak for 10 euros each and started out on our 1 hour trip down the Ourthe River.

I've done some kayaking before, but never past a castle!

This little day trip was just what the doctor ordered, so peaceful and beautiful and relaxing!

And of course I have more pictures of our day for you to see.  Just click here "Where's Debbie" and then click on the album "Durbuy"

Floralia Brussels

Spring has "sprung" here in Belgium, and what better way to enjoy all the colours that this season has to offer then to make a visit to one of the most spectaular gardens I've ever seen.  No, we didn't go to the Nederlands to see the tulips in bloom at the "Kuekenhof Gardens" like thousands of other people do.  Instead, this past Saturday we took the train just about 5 miles to the outskirts of Brussels to a place called "Kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden". 

 First built in the XIIth century, it is surrounded by a broad moat, its deep waters reflecting the centuries-old beech trees. A five-arch bridge,  crosses over to the drawbridge leading to the fortified entrance dating back to the XIVth century. The castle itself, built in the XVIIth century, is a wonderful example of the Flemish Renaissance.

There are over one million bulbs of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and others, planted on over 35 acres.  Oh My! 

So a little warning.  I took over 200 pictures and no, I won't post them all.  Just some of my very favorites.  Enjoy!

This was my absolute favorite tulip!

I don't have the names of all the different varities, so just enjoy the show!

The picture below is Stijn standing at the top of the heart that you see in the picture above.

There were also azalea's throughout the gardens

  

And these hyacinths smelled soooo sweet!

I know, I know, how pictures can one take of flowers?

I just love this daffodil!

Thank you for taking the time to "Stop and enjoy the beauty of Spring"

There are many more pictures and you can see them by visiting "Where's Debbie" in the album "Floralia Brussels"