Visions of Pink Elephants

Tom’s brother and sister-in-law live just outside of Brussels and it’s a great excuse to visit Europe…like we need one. During our 2009 trip we spent a day in Brussels where chocolate, waffles and beer were freely consumed. One of our last stops was the Delirium Café, home to over 2,004 beers. While we didn't have any actual Delirium beer (we can get that at home), we did enjoy a nice variety of unique beers. Each one was served at the right temperature and in the proper glass - perfection! If you love beer like we do, especially Belgium beer, add the Delirium Café to your travel list.

Is this heaven? No, it's Belgium!

Certified!

I wanted to take a tray home.

Matching glass - love that!

Princess for a Day (or Two)

The first time I went to Germany was in 2001 with my parents and sisters. We were obsessed with seeing castles and that trip did not disappoint! In my opinion, the best castles are in the Mosel and Rhine River Valleys, so when we went to Germany in April, we spent two days exploring the area. My favorite is Burg Eltz, a medieval castle that’s been in the same family for over eight centuries. It's situated in a forest by a small river and you have to walk down a steep hill to get to the castle gates. Burg Eltz is furnished as it would have been 500 years ago and during the guided tour you see where the nobles slept, where they relaxed, where they dined and where their servants cooked. During our two-day castle bonanza, we also saw Rheinfels Castle and took a cruise on the Rhine River. I definitely recommend visiting this region of Germany!

Burg Eltz

Contender for the Christmas card.

Our princess!

Rheinfels Castle was built in 1245.

It's still standing...barely!

Views from the Rhine River

Don’t Forget Your Sword

During our last trip to Europe, we went to the village of Appenzell, Switzerland. Appenzell is home to really smelly cheese, lots of cows, beautiful mountains, great beer and an interesting voting tradition. Appenzell Inner Rhoden or Appenzellerland is also the name of the very traditional canton (aka district) where the village is located. Rick Steves said, “In Appenzell's towns kids play "barn" instead of "house," while Mom and Dad watch yodeling on TV.” I think that sums it up pretty well!

We arrived in Appenzell the day before the big voting assembly. Every year, on the last Sunday of April, every man and woman of voting age gathers in the main square of Appenzell for open air voting, known as the Landsgemeinde. There is a grand parade to the main square with officials in their robes, flag bearers from every community in Appenzellerland and a marching band. Everyone who votes is dressed to the nines and the men all carry swords, which show they have the right to vote. Women received the right to vote in 1991 and they receive a slip of paper that lets them into the voting area.

It was fascinating to see the voting process and we weren’t the only people to think so based on the number of fellow tourists eating, drinking and watching the proceedings.

There was definitely a festive feeling in the air and the percentage of people in their late teens/early 20s was high. After the voting was over, it was time for everyone to let loose. Most of the restaurants and beer gardens were full of young people drinking the local Appenzeller beer and I’m sure the festivities continued long after we went to bed!

Swords and Suites

Isabelle enjoyed the parade!

Pageantry

Voting in action