Briggo

One of the things I like most about traveling is learning how other people live. Sure, it is nice to see the touristy spots and let loose a bit, but there's so much more to travel then just a nice holiday. Observing the local lifestyle and culture, trying to understand their beliefs, traditions, and customs, by visiting the not so touristy areas, talking to locals and seeing what life is really like aside from the nicely done hotels and hot spots visitors often only see, is what I really like about travel. This past year I have gotten the chance to witness and participate in these “authentic” experiences, and it is what I cherish the most about my travels. So with this in mind, coming to a country, Greece, where I have visited many times before, ... read more

One of the very different things about traveling in Europe compared to the US or other countries is that there are constant reminders of the aftermath of WWII. Parts of cities still in pieces or areas entirely missing, it is a wonder to think what things must have looked like before the war. With most of the wars being fought overseas, the US doesn't have this same presence or reminder of such a bloody past, and it certainly creates a different atmosphere, a poignant and hard to forget atmosphere. Today I visited one of the first concentration camps used during WWII just outside Munich called Dachau. Dachau was one of the first camps created, and was used as a model for many subsequent camps. It was the only one though to stay running throughout the war. ... read more

Back in the states before I left for Europe, I asked a friend of mine who has traveled to Germany and speaks a bit of German, how do you say "Do you speak English?" in German? He looked at me coyly and said, "Do you speak English?" Apparently, most Germans speak English, and while they may say they don't speak very well, that's more modestly than honestly, as most speak excellent English. In the two places I have visited so far in Germany, Cologne and Dresden, I would say that's for the most part true. In Cologne, a much more modern and young city, most people spoke English. On the opposite side of Germany in the east, Dresden, a much more relaxed city, surprisingly quite a few didn't speak English. Either way, after traveling in Europe ... read more

I have to be honest - the main reason I wanted to visit Belgium is for their beer. Sure, I also wanted to visit the EU capital and see a Flemish community, but mostly, for the beer. Belgium has one of the richest histories of brewing beer, and in my opinion, some of the best in the world. I visited a bar in Brugge, and with the 300 different types of beer based on regions, from Trappist monk, to sour Kriek to strong Tripel, I was very tempted to quit school, move to Brugge and become a professional beer taster. Ah, I can dream can't I! Apart from the beer, Brugge is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! If I thought London looked like it came from a movie, with every street ... read more

After a few delightful days in the city, I made my way to a few sites outside London but a short train or bus ride away. The first stop was Stonehenge. I had heard not to expect much as it is literally just a few rocks piled in a field right next to a busy highway. And while that is certainly true, I actually was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I think what I liked the most was the mystery behind it. They really don't know much about how the rocks got there (the heaviest one weighs about 7 elephants and they all are about 1/3 into the ground), why they used it or where the rocks came from. Luckily, once again, the sun was out but it was a bit windy. The ... read more