Category: Americans abroad

Ex-Pat Reality – Shamelessness
Americans abroad · ex-pat life · ex-pat reality · Malmö · Skåne · Skåne Sweden

Ex-Pat Reality – Shamelessness

Niche Travel DesignLeave a comment

EX-PAT LIFE | REALITY

The reality of ex-pat life is that living in a foreign country is challenging on many levels. One of the hardest things about it is that it forces you to look at your home country’s customs, mores, and social issues from the perspective of other cultures.

Ex-pat reality also forces you to explain your home country’s social mores to people from other cultures.  I am constantly asked to explain things about the USA to people. I remind them that the USA is the size of all of Europe. I can only answer for myself. I cannot answer on behalf of the other 329,064,916 million Americans who all come from different regions and backgrounds.

SHAMELESSNESS | THE HUMAN BODY

One big difference between the USA and Europe is obvious when it comes to attitudes about sex and the human body. In my opinion, Europeans are more open and accepting of the human body.  Even in very Catholic Italy one will see advertisements with women’s bare breasts and men’s bums.  Women openly breastfeed their babies in public without a blanket covering themselves and no one bats an eye.  And in my short time in Sweden, it seems that the attitude is that the human body and its functions are natural and nothing to be ashamed of.

And a few weeks ago an article by Helen Russell of The Telegraph* got me thinking about how the Scandinavians proactively create a culture of shamelessness from a very young age. What do I mean by shameless?  Well, as an example there are many co-ed groups who regularly go down to the sea, take their clothes off and jump in.  They will even stand about naked as the day they were born in mixed company.  You see, from a young age, they are taught to be comfortable in their own skins.  They have no shame. After all, it is just a body.

Americans tend to be more conservative about nakedness than Europeans. Myself included.  Thus, it was a bit of a shock to go on doctor visits here where I was asked to get undressed only to realize that there was no gown. On my first visit I assumed that it was just an oversight. I asked for a gown. They searched high and low.  No gown. Instead, I was given a confused shrug and a washcloth sized scrap of fabric. It became painfully clear that they expected me to walk out from behind the changing area curtain naked. Clearly I had a decision to make – which part of my naked self did I cover with the washcloth??  On subsequent doctor visits, I again asked for a gown. The staff laughed, then commented that Americans ALWAYS ask but that they simply do not have gowns. After all, you are seeing a medical professional.  No shame.

One doesn’t need to go to the seaside to experience shamelessness though. One of the first things that we noticed upon moving here was the lack of curtains or blinds on windows.  Swedes just generally don’t see a reason to have them. And, in our neighborhood, there is an elderly man who sunbathes and gardens in his backyard in the nude.  His neighbors and their young daughters see him regularly (weather permitting) from their second story. He waves. No shame.

It is also de riguer for Swedish families to be naked in front of each other. Most homes have saunas where the entire family goes in together naked. Yup. Together. Even during the teen years.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES | LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX BABY

And sex, well that is another shameless topic. Sex is looked at as a natural and healthy activity for people of the legal age of consent.  You will even find items for sexual pleasure sitting on the shelf at the pharmacy right next to the toothpaste and vitamins, because, like toothpaste and vitamins, sex is part of keeping yourself healthy.

As for sex education, Scandinavians start at a young age. They talk openly, and in terms that most Americans would consider graphically, about sex to their children. Sex is not a shame filled activity, but an adult activity that children must learn about as they grow up. In fact, there is a video here that is geared toward children between ages 3 and 6 and played during children’s programming on television.  A cartoon penis and an “elegant” vagina dance about to a happy little tune.  The video is designed to introduce children to the differences between boys and girls physically and to help them understand the human body. You can view it here with subtitles if you are interested. What is most interesting to me, however, is that the limited outrage by some Swedish adults was about the video not being as accurate as it could have been (girls pee out of their urethras not their vaginas) and because it did not discuss children born with genitals that they don’t identify with.

“[L]inking gender to genitals can come off as a fairly conservative message” was the complaint.**

So different than the USA.

In another Scandinavian country, Denmark, Helen Russell noted that, “from the age of six, Danish children participate in a national curriculum sex week to learn how babies are made and by the age of 13, they’ve covered everything from masturbation to transgender rights in frank and open discussions.”  As you can see, there is a concerted effort to start the culture of shamelessness at a young age.

In comparison, in the USA, my son didn’t start any sex education (besides asking the occasional question at home) until he was in the 5th grade.  And much to my chagrin, there was a district wide policy that the boys and girls were to be taught about their bodies separately.  This bothered me because separate lessons conveyed an atmosphere of secrecy and, perhaps without realizing it, the district was subtly communicating that there is something to be ashamed of.  My son picked up on this message immediately and asked me why the girls’ lessons were secret.

In contrast, my daughter also had sex education in 5th grade, but at a European school in Italy. I will tell you that I pride myself on being pretty open with my kids, but when I saw the report that she was working on, I stopped in my tracks, shocked, and a little embarrassed.  “Sweetie, are you sure that you are supposed to be that . . . um . . . detailed?” I asked her. She turned to me and with complete confidence and shamelessness said, “Yes Mommy. It is just science!”  Point taken. And she was right. She wasn’t embarrassed. I was.

EX-PAT CHANGES  | EMBRACING YOUR NEW CULTURE

When I had kids I made a conscious effort to teach my kids to love their bodies and to be comfortable in their own skins.  As little children, my kids ran around naked in the backyard during the summer (and occasionally down the street as toddlers), they changed clothes in front of other kids and they asked questions about their bodies which I answered in an honest but age appropriate way.  In the shame department, while I am not as shameless as the Scandinavians, overall, I think I have succeeded in raising confident, shameless children. They have always come to me with questions and I have always answered them honestly and respectfully. And I am happy to say that practice has continued as they move through the confusing times that are the teen years.

As for myself, however, I have some work to do in the shameless department. I am a 52 year old, overweight, American woman who has had two kids and has spent the majority of her life thinking that I am not pretty, thin, fit or young enough, therefore I should be ashamed. I mean that is the American way. You must always strive to be better.

I am so intrigued by the Scandinavian shameless culture. I want so much to embrace it.  Indeed, if I was a fit 20 something I would embrace this nudity thing immediately.  But the real test is whether I can embrace shamelessness now in all my aging glory. To date, I have accepted the no gown at the doctor policy (as uncomfortable as that makes me). Next, I need to accept myself and be happy in my own skin. Since my autoimmune disease has wreaked havoc on my physical body, this is a definite challenge for me.  Hopefully, though, one of these days I will be writing about my trip to the bathhouse on the beach, where I stripped down to my birthday suit and dove into this shameless thing both literally and figuratively.

* http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/11356802/Welcome-to-Denmark-the-most-shameless-nation-on-the-planet.html

** http://www.vice.com/read/snoppen-och-snippan-video-sweden-837

The Black Gold of Sweden – Sweden’s Unusual Delicacy
Adventure travel · Americans abroad · European travel · ex-pat life · food · Göteborg Sweden · gothenburg · Gothenburg Sweden · Honeymoon Planning · honeymoon tips · Honeymoon travel · Insider Tips · international travel · lobster · mys · nature · Off The Beaten Path · restaurant · restaurants · Skåne · Skåne Sweden · Sweden · swedish food · The Unique and Unusual · Travel

The Black Gold of Sweden – Sweden’s Unusual Delicacy

Niche Travel DesignLeave a comment
Picture
Photo credit: Henrik Trygg

AUTUMN IN SWEDEN | HUNTING FOR BLACK GOLD 

Sweden in the autumn is a beautiful site. The land is painted with a palette of orange, red and yellow palette trees, blustery clouds, and blue skies. Along the incredible Bohuslän coast of Sweden it is hummer season. I know, giggle, giggle, but hummer means lobster in Swedish, so get your mind out of the gutter.

And hummer season in this part of Sweden means one thing – Sweden’s unusual delicacy, Black Gold.



While crayfish festivals mark the summer in Sweden, autumn means lobster. The official start date of lobster season in Sweden is the first Monday after September 20th. The last day of the season is April 30th. After the close of lobster season, lobsters may not be fished or held in any form.

Lobsters found along the Swedish coast are known as Black Gold due to their black color in the wild.


​Last autumn we went in search of fresh lobster only to realize we had ventured out on a national holiday and everything was closed. So on a crisp autumn day this year, and after a bit of calendrical research, we headed to Göteborg in search of fresh Black Gold, hummers, lobster.

GÖTEBORG | THE BOHUSLAN ARCHIPELAGO

For the residents of the Bohuslän coast of Sweden, the start of lobster season is a celebration of the same magnitude as Midsummer, Walpurgisnacht or Christmas. The opening day of lobster season is the main event of autumn along the Swedish west coast stretching from Göteborg all the way to Finland. This a very big deal! ​ The locals are so serious about lobster that in 1996 they established the Swedish Lobster Academy in Hunnebostrand. The academy promotes knowledge about lobsters’ living conditions, distribution, movement patterns, and reproduction. Members focus on sustainability and they collaborate with fishermen to address issues such as trapping and farming opportunities. The academy promotes quality assurance of lobster with respect to size, breed, and appearance.

To give some perspective, remember that people have been fishing this coast since the Stone Age. Fishing has been a source of livelihood for generations. The sea and seafood have a culture all its own and each September the area transforms into a huge seafood party. On the first day of the season, both professional fishermen, as well as locals, head out to the docks long before the 7:00 a.m. start time. Coveted spots are held well in advance. The piers are bustling as everyone readies and waits. At 7 am the water is full. Time to pan for Swedish Black Gold.

If watching from the docks isn’t enough for you and you want to experience lobster trapping up close and personal, you can go on a lobster safari. All along the coast there are numerous outfits offering a true day at sea complete with baiting the lobster traps, hauling the traps and pots around the boat and of course, eating your catch at the end of the day paired with a special release of lobster beer from the Grebbestadsbryggeri brewery.

We opted to explore the archipelago of Göteborg thinking we would wander and stumble upon a lobster restaurant when the mood struck and our stomachs demanded it. As cars are not allowed on most of the islands, travel to, from and about the archipelago is by ferry.

The Göteborg archipelago is a captivating blend of charming fishing villages with Swedish red clapboard houses and granite islands with individual island forests jutting out of the green grey waters. The landscape is stark and lush at the same time. With this topography, it is no wonder that the area is rife with legends of mermen, adopted sea boys, sea witches, and blind sea captains. I was suddenly inspired to write stories and film movies there. The majority of the islands are uninhabited, but occasionally one can spy a lone house on an island. Cold wind, grey skies, granite mounds, the caw of seagulls, lonely clapboard houses, only one way on and off the islands and talk of Black Gold! Murder mysteries were running through my head.

We landed on the island of Styrsö and began our exploration the old fashioned way – walking.

Styrsö appeared to be a summer resort island and we were well past summer. Styrsö is touted as having 1,400 inhabitants, although we only saw about 10 people total, and half of those were tourists like us. The landscape varies from desolate and rocky in the west to wooded and lush in the north near the old church. I read that long ago the island housed a large oak forest. Alas, the forest was cut down to make way for the summer homes of wealthy Göteborgers in the 19th century.

Despite the off-season isolation, hints of the charming village it must be in the summer months were everywhere. Large summer homes, wooded trails winding through town and down to secluded beaches. Even my son, who is usually in his own world, noted how nice the island seemed.

While Styrsö is a lovely little island, we wanted fresh lobster and none was to be found on this deserted island. I was getting hangry. Time for Plan B. We headed back to the dock to catch the ferry to Göteborg. We needed to find a restaurant.

In addition to the stark, Nordic beauty, the Bohuslän coast, and Göteborg specifically, is famous for serving the best shellfish and seafood in Europe. There are countless seafood restaurants to choose from. Göteborg’s most famous chef is Ulf Wagner of the Michelin-starred Sjömagasinet which many Swedes will tell you serves the best fish in all of Sweden.
​
In an interview with Travel and Leisure, Chef Wagner explained why the Bohuslän seafood is so special.

“The water in northern Europe is colder, so the fish and shellfish grow less quickly, and therefore develop a richer flavor and better texture,’ he said. Wagner explained that the timing of the lobster season is based on protection of the species—making sure it is able to reproduce before being caught—and the time of year when it tastes the best.”

​Since one needs a reservation at Sjömagasinet months in advance, and we were all very hungry at this point, we chose a more affordable and immediately available mid-ranged restaurant. We gorged ourselves on grilled lobster, baked lobster and lobster rolls. It was fresh. It was delicious. It was worth the wait.

 

The Secret To Italian Style – Fare La Bella Figura
Americans abroad · Beauty Essentials · Emilia Romagna · European travel · ex-pat life · Insider Tips · international travel · Italian style · Italy · Thanksgiving abroad · The Unique and Unusual · Travel

The Secret To Italian Style – Fare La Bella Figura

Niche Travel DesignLeave a comment

“The Creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo.”
Mark Twain

Have you ever wondered what is the secret to Italian style? How Italians manage stilettos on cobblestones or how they look chic and elegant at all times? After moving to Italy I discovered the secret to Italian style. The secret to Italian style is more than just dressing well. Looking good is a cultural norm learned from birth. In Italy, one learns from an early age the importance of fare la bella figura.

Italian style. A quintessential Italian woman dressed elegantly.
The quintessential Italian woman. Stylish and elegant. Photo credit: https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/how-to/what-italians-wear-in-spring

 

FARE LE BELLA FIGURA | A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION

“Fare la bella figura” literally means ‘to make a beautiful figure.’ The phrase refers to the Italian ideal of looking your best at all times, making a good impression and is at the core of the secret to Italian style. For this casual Californian, this concept may be the biggest challenge that I faced living in Italy.  Northern Italy is the home of Milano, the seat of fashion houses and world famous designers. People are stylish there.

After moving to Italy, I was jet lagged and coming down off of an emotional roller coaster of a year. I was unaccustomed to humidity and was sopping wet every time I stepped outside.

There I was the first day of school in Italy, bedraggled, exhausted, and definitely not stylish. I hadn’t felt the need to dress up for the ten minute walk to school when I was just going home to unpack dirty, dusty boxes. I felt good about myself that I had managed to brush my hair, put on some makeup, and don my fancy Taryn Rose flip flops.

I arrived at my children’s school. I looked at all the Italian mothers and thought “uh oh.”  Not only were they thin and physically beautiful, they were stylish in an understated elegant way. Northern Italian women don’t wear a lot of makeup. They don simple, high quality, finely tailored clothes. They wear dresses, skirts and lots and lots of stilettos. And boots – year round. And scarves – year round.  I stood on the sidewalk, hair in a ponytail, wearing California athleisure wear and flip flops. Needless to say, I stood out like a sore thumb.

MUSINGS AND OBSERVATIONS | HOW DO THEY DO IT?

I pondered the secret to Italian style. Was the secret to Italian style simply having enough money to buy the best clothes? Was the secret to Italian style some special hair product that stopped your head from sweating all day long and looking like one just got out of the shower? I was determined to find out the secret to fare la bella figura.

I had a conversation with my English friend Diana about the Italian women’s seemingly effortless style. Diana noted that if you went to the supermarket in England dressed like an Italian woman does, everyone would think, “what is she trying to prove?”  I thought about how people would react if you showed up at Safeway in stilettos, a dress, a scarf – Diana was right.  Americans too would think you were putting on airs. The only reason you would wear high heels to the supermarket in America was if you were on your way to or from work or an event. In Italy, however, it a common occurrence.

I will admit, from my California perspective, it seems like a lot of work to get dressed up just to run to the supermarket, go to the gym, or walk the kids to school. But dress up Italians do. I was no longer in California and if I didn’t want to stand out I was going to have to make some changes. Wearing exercise clothes on the street is just not done in Italia, and flip flops (my shoe of choice in California) are reserved for the pool or the health club.  If I continued my disregard for la bella figura, I may offend someone or at the very least confuse them.  My American friend Sarah told me that once she went out in her “tuta” or her exercise suit with no makeup. She ran into her landlady who promptly contacted Sarah’s Italian in-laws to inquire if Sarah was feeling ill since she had been out of the house looking so casual.  In Italy, being ill is the only excuse for failing fare la bella figura.

She is casual but she is still wearing a blazer, scarf and high heels. Photo credit: http://www.zquotes.net/
scarf and stiletto boots. Photo: roma.streetfashion.zone

LESSON NUMBER ONE | KNOW THY SELF

The first week I sat back and observed. I saw one woman ride up to school on her bicycle in a tight pencil skirt, gorgeous blouse and stilettos. There was a light summer rain. She rode her bicycle while holding an umbrella, one child on the back of her bike and another in the front.  She arrived, floated off of her bike, got the kids out of their seats, grabbed her Louis Vuitton bag and glided into school. Not a hair out of place. I watched – mouth agape. She couldn’t be a real mother of two small children. She looked like a super model. I looked around for a film crew. This had to be fake.

The one thing that stood out to me was her air of confidence. She was comfortable in her own skin.

So, first on the list toward achieving Italian style – feeling confident that you look good and not caring what others think. Now this seems to be incongruent with the concept of fare la bella figura, but it is not. Putting your best face forward means different things to different people. As long as you carry yourself with the confidence of an Italian woman in stilettos on a 1,000 year cobblestone street, all will be fine.

LESSON NUMBER TWO | KNOW THY PRODUCTS

I soon came to accept that not only are Italian women stylish, they don’t seem to be affected by weather. Italian women’s hair is never out of place. The weather wreaks havoc on my hair regularly. In the summer the humidity leaves my body and head wet and it renders my hair a wet, frizzy, wonky mess. In the spring, the pollen makes my eyes water and my nose run constantly leaving me looking like W.C. Fields. The wet winter rain and fog makes my eyes water resulting in black raccoon eyes from runny mascara. And again, my hair becomes a frizzy wonky mess. Why don’t Italian women suffer as I do? Is it genetics? How do they do it?

The second lesson on achieving Italian style, know your hair and powder your face. There are a number of hairstyles that one can wear to combat the weather and a number of hair products that can tame the wildest of manes.  One thing that I noticed is that it is not uncommon for Italian women to don a scarf on their heads while they are traveling. Think Sofia Loren in a convertible on the Amalfi coast. A headscarf can be tied around your hair to protect it from the weather, and then upon arrival, it can be stylishly tied around your neck, shoulders or handbag.

Also, one Italiana informed me that one simply must invest in a high quality face powder to ensure that your makeup does not melt off. And carry face blotting towelettes.

Photo: https://fashionista.com/tag/anna-dello-russo
Simple, elegant. Notice her fur collar. Photo: https://stephsscribe.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/4-street-fashion-rome-style-by-daniela.jpg
Simple color palette, clean lines, boots. Photo: Fashion Over Reason. Giorgia Tordini Grazia Paris Fashion Week Street Style.
Photo: internationalstreetstyle.com
simple clean lines, stilettos. Photo: Vanessa Jackson. https://southernconfidential.blogspot.se/2011/03/spring-fling.html

LESSON NUMBER THREE | COMMIT

Fare la bella figura is not limited to young women either. I have seen many an older Italian woman doddering along, holding on to her companion for support in stilettos! Stilettos! They can barely walk anymore, but damn it if they aren’t going to look good. I will admit that I have yet to attain this level of fare la bella figura.

Lesson number three on achieving Italian style, you are never too old to care about how you look. The third secret to Italian style – commit to fare la bella figura for life.

Photo: https://www.wanderingeducators.com/best/traveling/most-fashionable-village-world-sicily.html
Photo: shot-by-street-style-alexander-beyer.jpg
This looks like many an older man in Parma. Photo: http://images.thesartorialist.com/photos/9248VEOldMilanoWeb.jpg

The older women also love their hats, fur coats, scarves and handbags. I particularly like to watch the older ladies during the Christmas season as Italians dress up to do their Christmas shopping. At the beginning of December, the older Italian women put on their finest attire as they stroll around the main piazza and shopping streets showing off their coats, hats and handbags  It is a far different atmosphere than the images you see of people clawing and fighting over items at WalMart.  This is a slow, deliberate shopping experience.  A chance to show off your best face.

Another difference between Italy and the USA, no one in Italy is afraid of PETA. Fur and leather abound, particularly among the older crowd. Fur hats, fur coats, fur trimmed scarves, fur lined leather gloves, fur lined leather boots, leather pants, and leather skirts are commonplace.

Furs and hats. Photo: http://www.interfaithramadan.com/2012/09/venice-carnival-tips-for-tourists.html
This type of fur hat is VERY common in Parma.
Fur coat, a hat and the other favorite Italian accessory – the cigarette.
Neutrals and fur
Fur. Photo: http://www.good-stuff.info. imageigkl-italian-street-fashion-winter
Fur, fur and more fur

LESSON NUMBER FOUR | TEACH THY STUDENTS WELL

Lesson number four on achieving Italian style, teach the males in your life the importance of fare le bella figura as well. Italian women are not alone in pursuing la bella figura. Italian men spend an equal amount of time on their appearance. Italian men’s clothes are often tailored. It is unusual to see baggy clothes on men here. Italian men also wear sweaters quite a bit. Not just pullover sweaters, but cardigans. And they like to roll up the cuffs of their pants, jeans, shorts.  Italian men wear scarves as often as women do and they pay a lot of attention to their shoes. They also carry bags made of beautiful leather – or what we would call a man purse, a ‘murse.’

Older men frequently wear suits, bow ties, fedoras, and a scarf. They dress this way all the time – just to go to the post office or the vegetable market.  And where the Italian women tend to be understated, Italian men have a flair for bold style. They are not afraid to wear colors and patterns. Lord knows they love a brightly colored pant.

Patterned suit, floral scarf, rolled pant, man purse, loafers. Photo: clairechic.com
Pop of bold color. Photo: https://ezwans.blogspot.se/2010
Photo: http://www.globalblue.com/tags/Street-style
Photo: https://le21eme.com
The colorful pant. the yellow pants are rolled and notice the yellow shoes. Photo: http://pants.allrent.us/italian-mens-pants/
Three generations of stylish men. Photo: blog.trashness.com/checks-checks-checks-men-jackets-lookbook-fashion-italian.jpeg
Photo credit : Niche Travel Design
Photo: boomstyles.com
scarf and loafers. Photo: bestyleshare.online
tailored pants, rolled cuffs on the pants and loafers. Photo credit: https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/pitti-uomo-82-dos-donts
Patterned jacket, rolled cuffs on his pants, a cardigan, a man purse, a scarf
Tailored pant, rolled cuff, man purse, loafers. Photo: http://blog.trashness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Casual-but-very-stylish-florence-streetstyle-men-fashion.jpeg
A pop of color. Photo: https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-wear-color-italian-style
That is a man wearing the floral scarf. Italian men are not afraid of color or patterns. Photo: tommy-tons-street-style-men-of-milan-4-494×341.jpg

I have observed the Italians for over three years now. I will admit that while I have learned a thing or two, I am still amazed at how they pull off la bella figura every single day. They make being stylish and elegant look effortless and easy. I still cannot navigate cobblestones in stilettos and I still do not dress up to run to the supermarket across the street, but, I have improved. I no longer wear flip flops.

Fare la bella figura is part of the Italian culture. It is expected, and I have come to appreciate it. The attention to style makes one feel a bit better when you are out and about. And it makes for great people watching.

The Italian author Beppe Severgnini summed it up best. “Being Italian is a full-time job. We never forget who we are, and we have fun confusing anyone who is looking on.”

The photos of Italian style are not my own. I got these off of the internet because it is not good form to take photos of strangers, but I assure you that I have seen some version of each of these outfits on a regular basis.

The Trolley Cycle | Sweden Off The Beaten Path
Adventure travel · Americans abroad · cycle holiday · European travel · ex-pat life · honeymoon · honeymoon tips · Honeymoon travel · Insider Tips · Malmö · nature · Off The Beaten Path · Skåne · Skåne Sweden · The Unique and Unusual · Travel

The Trolley Cycle | Sweden Off The Beaten Path

Niche Travel DesignLeave a comment

Sweden | A Commitment To Repurposing and Reusing

Sustainable living is a big commitment in Sweden. Reusing, recycling and repurposing are part of everyday life here. So much so, that communities have even taken to repurposing old railway lines and turning them into tourist routes. If you are looking for an off the beaten path adventure head to Skåne, Sweden’s southernmost region and go on a trolley cycle ride.

Skåne is a quick day trip from Copenhagen and is a landscape rife with farms, forests, creeks, lakes, rivers, streams, beaches, and the Baltic Sea.

Draisine | A Brief History of The Trolley Cycle

Back in the 1800’s rail travel began giving way to the automobile.  As trains routes were abandoned in favor of faster and more convenient cars, the railway tracks fell into disrepair. They became overgrown and rarely used. Enter the environmentally friendly Swedish mentality. In the 1970’s communities along the abandoned train tracks decided to repair them and turn them into trolley cycling routes.

Trolley cycles are bicycles designed specially to ride the train tracks. These bikes are easy to peddle and its virtually impossible to topple over making it safe and fun for people of all ages. Built with a bike seat, peddles and handlebars for one, and a bench seat that fits another adult or child. These special bicycles were modeled after the draisine – an old auxiliary rail vehicle invented by Karl Drais. Draisine were utilized by rail service personnel and transport crew to maintain railway infrastructure.

The draisine is allegedly the first commercially successful two-wheeled, steerable, human-propelled machine.  the draisine is also known as a hobby-horse or dandy horse.

There are many trolley cycle routes to choose from around Skåne. We rode a route beginning in Tomelilla. The ride was sublime. We passed farmland, forests, creeks, and lots of animals.

It was peaceful and we had perfect weather. We stopped for a light picnic snack at the end of the line.

 

IMG_7855

Practicalities | Where To Find A Trolley Cycle

Trolley cycles can be found in a number of places in Skåne. The routes are varied in topography and length of the route. Trolley cycling is the perfect adventure for friends, families, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

http://www.dressincykling.se
http://www.dressin.se
http://www.veteranjarnvagen.se
http://www.routesnorth.com

I hope that you have the chance to discover Skåne via the trolley cycle. It is a day out you won’t soon forget.

The Liebster Award!
Adventure travel · Americans abroad · aperitivo · art · Beauty Essentials · Bologna Italy · Bosnia Herzegovina · celebrity travel tips · Christmas cocktails · cocktails · Color Street · concierge · Copenhagen Denmark · Croatia · Dalsland · Denmark · Emilia Romagna · Emilia Romagna · European Christmas Markets · European travel · ex-pat life · ex-pat reality · favorite recipes · fika · Firenze Italia · Florence Italy · food · France · Göteborg Sweden · Germany · Giethoorn · Gothenburg Sweden · Hamburg · Helsingborg · Holland · Honeymoon travel · Insider Tips · international travel · Italian cocktails · Italian food · Italian recipes · Italy · Krka · laundry · Liebster Award · luxury travel · Maastricht · Malmö · Malmo Sweden · Modern Art · Mostar · mysig · national parks · nature · Off The Beaten Path · Paris · Parma Italy · parmigiano-reggiano · pastel de nata · Plitvice Lakes · Poland · Portugal · Prosciutto di Parma · restaurants · Saturnia · Skåne · Skåne Sweden · spa · Spain · The Netherlands · The Private Suite · The Unique and Unusual · Thermal baths · Tourettes-Sur-Loup · Travel · travel safety · Tuscany · UNESCO World Heritage Site · USA · Wadden Sea

The Liebster Award!

Niche Travel Design3 Comments

Niche Travel Design has been nominated for The Liebster Award!

I was nominated by A World in Reach for this peer award. For a somewhat new blogger like me, this is a special treat.  It’s always a great feeling to be recognized by your peers. Thank you, Sydney and A World in Reach.

What is the Liebster Award?

The Liebster Award is a peer to peer award, given to bloggers, by bloggers as a way to foster collaboration and support. What a nice idea.

I noticed a message board in my German friend’s house that said “liebe und respekt.”  I asked what liebe or liebster meant.  She told me it means dearest or kindest. Thus, bloggers being dear and kind to one another. This is an award I can get behind. I am always seeking advice from others and I am happy to promote the idea of collaboration. I strongly believe in the theory that what you give comes back to you.  

The Rules of Engagement

Once you’re nominated with the Liebster Award, you have to follow a few rules to celebrate your win and spread the award throughout the blogging community.

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and put a link to their blog on your blog.

2. Display the award on your blog.

3. Write a small post about what makes you passionate about blog posting.

4. Provide 10 random facts about yourself.

5. Answer the questions from your nominator and provide a fresh set of questions for those you nominate.

6. Nominate 5 – 10 blogs that you feel would enjoy blogging about this award.

7. List these rules in your post.

How I Began My Blogging Journey

I began blogging when I first moved from California to Parma, Italy in 2011.

When my daughter was a toddler she frequently made up words that sounded similar to the adult versions. She would say strawbellies instead of strawberries; froggy instead of foggy. One of the words she transposed was Parmesan. In her toddler mind, Parmesan cheese was Purple John cheese. For years our family asked each other to pass the Purple John cheese at the dinner table.

Imagine our surprise when we realized that we were moving to Parma, Italy – the birthplace of Purple John cheese.  Apparently, the universe has a sense of humor. It seemed like serendipity. What we did not know is that an international move is difficult. Life in another country is difficult. It is not all adventure.  I had 2 very sad children who did not want to move and leave the comfort of their home.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Read about the reality of an international move here.[/dropshadowbox]

All that being said, life in Italy was often quite funny because things were soooo different than what we were used to. Thus, my original blog, Purple John, began by me just telling friends about the difficulties and the funny stories that we encountered along the way.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Read funny stories about life in Italy in the drop-down menu here. [/dropshadowbox]

And of course, just when we were settled into life in Italy, the universe struck again and we had a second move to Malmö, Sweden. Once we moved and settled into Malmö, I toyed with the idea of reworking my past experience as a travel consultant and incorporating the blog as part of the business. The kids were older and they did not need me as much as they did in Italy. This last year I began my existing blog Niche Travel Design using my name and domain name from the travel business that I ran in the USA. So now my travel business has a blog attached to it.

My blog still occasionally includes funny ex-pat tales of excitement and woe, but now I am more focused on the business of travel. The funny thing, though . . . that little toddler that inspired my first blog name, she now works with me on the business.

At Niche Travel Design, our philosophy is that designing the perfect vacation is as much an art form as designing a home’s interior or a garden’s landscape. We curate a unique experience for each of our clients. 

We are experts in finding the best cup of coffee, the most interesting art gallery, the best place to sip Prosecco while watching the sunset, and the best accessories to make your adventure more comfortable.

The perfect cappuccino
Aperol Spritz – the classic summer cocktail

Niche Travel Design is more than a travel blog. We are a community featuring stories of life abroad, cultural experiences, recipes, ideas, and tips for creating unique memories to last a lifetime. We also recommend products and services.

10 Random Things About Me

  1. I once sort of crashed a funeral. My friend was supposed to go and I was staying with her so I went too because it was celebrity filled. In the end, I felt like a heel and a looky-loo. People (even celebrities) were grieving. I don’t recommend it. Not my best moment.
  2. I always top off my gasoline, despite the warnings.
  3. I love Gene Kelly movies and I got to meet him once and had a conversation with him about his more obscure movies. It was amazing and he was so kind.
  4. I am secretly a Carpenters fan. I guess it is not a secret anymore. 
  5. I sing all the time in public even though I really shouldn’t.
  6. I once got into a car accident on the way home from a car accident and neither one was my fault. I know you don’t believe me, but it is true.
  7. Apparently, according to my family, I say Google incorrectly? Who knew?
  8. I hate, I mean really hate, The Pillsbury Doughboy. His voice makes my skin crawl.
  9. I once stayed at a “pensione” in Barcelona that was actually the host’s children’s room. He was clearing toys out of their bedroom. It was weird, but it was late and there was a train strike so I paid to sleep in a stranger’s kid’s bed.
  10. I generally don’t like chick flicks despite being a chick. I seem to be missing a gene or something.

A World In Reach’s Questions For Me

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned during your travels? That once one strips away all the cultural differences, we are all the same. We all just want safety, family, friends, love, and respect in our lives.

What’s your favorite part of traveling? Exploring and learning about a place. Finding off the beaten path things to do. I am a researcher and enjoy the discovery of new things to do, a great local restaurant, a specialty shop, an unusual experience in a typical tourist spot. Least favorite? The getting there bit. The airports, etc.  Ugh.

Do you collect any souvenirs from your travels? I used to collect art from each place but now I have too much. I had to stop. No more room to hang anything. We have also always collected ornaments for our Christmas tree. It is nice to remember our trips as we put up each ornament every year. Now I collect photographs and memories.

What is the most unique experience you’ve had with a local while traveling? Swimming with horses in Croatia. Just incredible.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]Read more about swimming with horses here. [/dropshadowbox]

If you could travel with one person you’ve never traveled with before, who would it be? Barack Obama. He is intelligent, funny, has done some cool stuff and met a bunch of interesting people. I’ll bet he has good stories. Plus, he gets V.I.P. treatment and if we were traveling together I’d get V.I.P. treatment too.  

How did you come up with your blog name? It was the name of my travel business in the USA. I focus on niche, unique, unusual travel experiences. I curate and design your trip for you.

What tip would you give to a new blogger? Learn all the technical stuff before you begin.

Is there a book or a movie that has inspired your wanderlust?  No. My wanderlust was developed as a child. Actually, I feel like it has always been there. 

What are the top 3 things on your bucket list? Africa – all of it!  Australia/New Zealand and Asia.

What is your biggest travel regret? I had a chance to go to Africa for a summer. I didn’t go because it wasn’t practical. I should have gone.

My Nominations for The Liebster Award

I have really enjoyed the Liebster Award process. I also enjoyed reading about each of these bloggers that I am nominating. I hope that you each take the time to read up on what they have to offer.

1. Divine Kabwe at beingyourselfblog.wordpress.com 

2. Diana Danciu at ourblindlife.com

3. Jenny Toney Bhatia of travelingpartyof4.com

4. Temeka Flack Green of worklifemommyhood.com

5. Heather Eyre of thefemalefactor.me

6. Jamie Joseph of wearefreeindeed.wordpress.com

7. Samantha Norman of SammiNormanFit.com

8. Louise Emerson of 12books.co.uk

9. Mallory Herrera of mamaonparade.com

10. Megan Henderson of thehendersonhouse.org

Questions For My Nominees

Since I have a travel blog, my questions are all about travel.

  1. Where would you go if money and time were not issues?
  2. What is the best advice you would give to new travelers?
  3. What is the one accessory that you cannot travel without – your phone and/or computer don’t count?
  4. Where is one place you would return over and over again? And why?
  5. Where is one place you’ve been but never want to return to? And why?
  6. What is the funniest travel mishap you’ve had?
  7. What is the scariest travel experience you’ve had?
  8. What is your favorite travel souvenir?
  9. What is your favorite local cuisine?
  10. What is your next destination?

Looking forward to reading my nominees’ answers and getting to know them better.

And once again, a BIG THANK YOU to A World In Reach for my nomination!

Everyone, please be sure to check out Sydney’s blog for ideas on budget travel. A World In Reach can provide you with all sorts of ideas on traveling on a budget.

Swimming With Horses | Zadar, Croatia Off The Beaten Path
Adventure travel · Americans abroad · Croatia · European travel · Honeymoon travel · Insider Tips · international travel · luxury travel · Off The Beaten Path · swimming with horses · The Unique and Unusual · Zadar

Swimming With Horses | Zadar, Croatia Off The Beaten Path

Niche Travel Design2 Comments

Are you looking for a unique travel experience? Something off the beaten path? Swimming with horses in Croatia may be just the thing you are looking for.

STABLES NEAR ZADAR | Riding Club Vencil

A horse at the stable in Zadar, Croatia. Ready for swimming with horses.
Ready to go swimming.

There are a number of stables throughout Croatia for riding horses in lakes, rivers, and the sea.

We happened to be spending a month in Zadar so we chose Riding Club Vencil located just outside Biograd na Moru.

The whole experience was beyond all of our expectations. We arrived at the stable which was located in the spectacular Croatian countryside. The grass was Jade green. The cerulean sky was spotted with the occasional fluffy white cloud. The sun was shining and the morning surrounded us with a steady drumbeat of nature sounds.   

The owner of the riding club was quite careful with each of us to determine our level of skill and any fears we may have. In the end, they chose the perfect horse for each of us. 

Then our adventure began. We eased into it with an hour long ride through the rolling hills to Lake Vrankso. The ride was mostly a slow walk for the beginners. We did have some more experienced riders in the group and they were allowed to gallop off so long as they stayed within eyesight of the guide.

SWIMMING WITH HORSES | Lake Vransko

Young women sitting atop horses that are swimming near Zadar, Croatia
The horses are swimming!

As the sun beat down, we eased closer to our swimming spot, Lake Vransko. Summers in Croatia are hot. That day it was 38 C/100 F. We were all ready to cool off. And no creature was more ready than the horses. The lake called to us like a siren of the sea.  The horses began to show their excitement. They had done this journey before and they knew that they were about to cool off.  Each horse began to trot a little faster and they started talking to one another like a group of teenage girls. One horse even did a little dance of excitement. Once in the water, he began to play.


And this is the part where the ride became my favorite experience in Croatia.  Here is where it gets interesting. Where it went from being a simple horse ride to a very unique experience. Sitting there atop our horses, they entered the water. The cool water hit our legs and the horse stopped for a moment to enjoy their respite from the heat. Then, as if guided by an unseen force, they moved farther out into the lake and began to swim. It felt like a cross between floating and being powered by a paddle boat.

This was our chance to bond with animals in a whole new way.

SWIMMING WITH HORSES | What To Expect

Now I have been swimming with dogs in the past, but swimming with a dog is just not the same as swimming atop a horse. A dog is, of course, smaller than a horse and a dog swims alongside you. One would never sit atop a swimming dog. And simply put, a dog is not as powerful as a horse. 

I think that was the coolest feeling of the whole experience – feeling the horse’s sheer power. While you sit atop the horse as it swims you feel every one of its powerful muscles engage. It felt like you were united with the horse like some sort of centaur. I was at its mercy and had to give over to its expertise at navigating the waters. 

The horses and our group played in the water for over an hour. Once we tired out, we promptly laid ourselves out on the field of grass and wildflowers to warm up and dry off. Then we enjoyed a picnic of Dalmatian food.  

The entire adventure was about 4 hours round trip. Given the uniqueness of the experience as well as the picnic and photos which were included in the price, we felt that we scored quite the bargain. The entire cost was only 720 HRK or $109/€97 per person. 

About Riding Club Vencil

I highly recommend swimming with horses if you get the opportunity. If you happen to be in Dalmatia, check out Riding Club Vencil. They were ever so helpful and professional.

GPS coordinates:  N43.9622 ° E15.4962 °.

 

Planning The Perfect Honeymoon
Adventure travel · Americans abroad · European travel · Honeymoon Planning · Honeymoon Questionnaire · Honeymoon travel · Insider Tips · international travel · luxury travel · Off The Beaten Path · Travel

Planning The Perfect Honeymoon

Niche Travel DesignLeave a comment

THE PERFECT HONEYMOON – MYTH OR REALITY?

Just Married. Photo credit: NikolayFrolochkin on Pixabay

THE PERFECT HONEYMOON | THE KEY IS COMMUNICATION

Your honeymoon . . . the stuff that dreams are made of . . .  and second only to your wedding day in terms of expectations.  The key to planning the perfect honeymoon?  TALK! TALK! TALK! TALK! And then talk some more.

There is no sense in planning the perfect beach resort vacation if your spouse hates the beach.  What if your spouse’s idea of the perfect beach vacation is camping and you had an all-inclusive resort in mind?   Nothing is insurmountable though and you can both have your ideal honeymoon if you sit down and have a conversation.

Additionally, while the internet has made trip planning easier, there still is no substitute for a professional travel agent when planning a trip as important as your honeymoon.   For any other trip besides your honeymoon the DIY approach may be just fine, but because there is so much expectation placed on a honeymoon, using a professional travel agent can save you from that dreaded moment years down the road when one of you, in the heat of an argument says “This is JUST LIKE OUR HONEYMOON.  You screwed that up too!”

Before meeting with a travel expert, schedule some time with your intended to cover the intended topics.  Take time to go over these honeymoon planning questions. You can print out a copy here to fill out and take with you to your travel expert

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO 1. | WHAT IS THE BUDGET?

Discussing your budget is key to a successful trip. Do you want to start your life together on the vacation of a lifetime or are you more comfortable saving for a house?  Financial discussions are the cornerstone of all good marriages so you may as well begin your life together on the right foot by discussing realistic budget concerns for your honeymoon.  Additionally, consider registering for your honeymoon to help offset the cost.  That way you may just get the dream honeymoon and be able to save for your first house.

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO. 2 | DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL VACATION?

A beach vacation may not be for everyone. Photo credit: tigertravel on Pixabay
City adventures may be too tiring after a big event like a wedding. Photo credit: gellinger on Pixabay

Does one of you like exploring cities, art galleries, theater, and the best restaurants while the other just wants to sleep late, lounge by the pool and drink umbrella drinks?  Discuss your ideas and see if there is a destination that offers activities that both of you enjoy.

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO. 3 |WHAT TYPE OF ROOM DO YOU LIKE OR NEED?

Do you want to save money and sleep in a hostel? Photo credit: Hans on Pixabay.
Or do you want luxury? Photo credit: Engin_Akyurt on Pixabay

Some people could not care less about the room they are in as they anticipate being outdoors, on the go, etc. Other people need a certain thread count before they are happy.  Others still, need a certain hotel floor, to be away from the elevators, air conditioning, etc. before they can get a restful night’s sleep.  No one wants to be sleep deprived and cranky on their honeymoon.

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO. 4 | ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VISITING COUNTRIES WHERE ENGLISH IS NOT COMMONLY SPOKEN?

Photo credit: Tumisu on Pixabay.If one of you is a seasoned traveler with an explorer’s soul and the other is terrified to be somewhere they cannot communicate effectively, you need to compromise. Perhaps an all inclusive resort or a cruise would be the way to introduce your spouse to international travel. Of course in this day and age with technology, one can easily translate on the go. Perhaps a dry run with translation is in order to ease your fiancee’s fears.

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO. 5 | WHAT CLIMATE ARE YOU MOST COMFORTABEL IN? 

Photo credit: Free-Photos on Pixabay
Photo credit: 12019 on Pixabay

Definitely discuss sun versus snow, but also tackle questions you may not have thought of. Example, are you comfortable when it is humid and there is no air conditioning? Many condos in Hawaii. Costa Rica, and the Caribbean do not have air conditioning and this can pose a threat to a honeymoon if one of you cannot sleep in humidity.

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO. 6 | DO YOU WANT TO COMBINE YOUR WEDDING AND HONEYMOON WITH A DESTINATION WEDDING?

Photo credit: Laughing Raven on PixabayDestination weddings are popular and look amazing in photos.  They also can save you a considerable amount of money as many hotels and resorts offer package deals.  And when you honeymoon in the same hotel, you can start the honeymoon immediately.  The other consideration, however, is that you are sharing your honeymoon with your guests who have also flown to the site to attend your nuptials so you may not have the privacy that you were hoping for on your honeymoon.

HONEYMOON PLANNING QUESTION NO. 7  | DESCRIBE YOUR HOEYMOON FANTASY TRIP.

Photo credit: Sonming4 on Pixabay.

The only way to guarantee that your honeymoon dreams become a reality is if you talk about them.  Like most things in life, perfect honeymoons don’t just happen. They take planning. The more you do your honeymoon homework, the more romantic – and the more fun – your honeymoon will be.

 

German Christmas Markets – Hamburg, Germany’s Most Elegant Christmas Market
Americans abroad · Buon Natale · Christmas · Christmas cocktails · crèche · European Christmas Markets · European travel · ex-pat life · Frohe Weihnachten · Germany · Hamburg · Insider Tips · international travel · luxury travel · Off The Beaten Path · The Unique and Unusual · Travel · White Christmas

German Christmas Markets – Hamburg, Germany’s Most Elegant Christmas Market

Niche Travel DesignLeave a comment

Hamburg.jpgI love a Christmas market. In fact, I have yet to meet a Christmas market that I didn’t like. I love the vibe, the decorations, the music. I love the bustle and the throngs of people all enjoying the season. And living abroad, I like learning about how each country celebrates the season a little differently. Hamburg’s White Christmas Market is a little different than the rest.  It is smaller, set along the water, themed with all white market stalls and quite tranquil in feeling. The reason that I loved Hamburg’s all white Christmas market was that it was peaceful and elegant.  I think it is Germany’s most elegant Christmas market.  It evoked a feeling of respect for the season. The all white stalls set against Alster Lake were breathtaking.  The glow of the white stalls and lights drew us in like moths to a flame.

GERMAN CHRISTMAS | A CELEBRATION OF FOOD
While I cannot profess to be an expert on German Christmas after three days, I can tell you that the predominant feature of every Northern German Christmas market (and we went to no less than 5 in 3 days) was food!

Food, food and more food. We sampled flame broiled bratwurst, grilled sausages, hams, currywurst – a fried or grilled sausage is cut into thick slices and seasoned with spicy ketchup and generous amounts of curry powder (usually served with french fries), fischbrötchen – a fish sandwich served with pickled or fried fish and onions and sauerkraut – fermented cabbage.  We also saw big vats of boiled potatoes, sausage in green cabbage.  Also for sale were potato pancakes served with applesauce.

GERMAN CHRISTMAS | A CELEBRATION OF SWEETS!!
After your main meal, one finds a vast array of desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. My favorite was fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar (called muzen in Lübeck and schmalzkuchen in Hamburg). We also tried marshmallow cremes dipped in chocolate (schaumkuss) which were surprisingly delicious as I am not a marshmallow fan usually.  These marshmallowy treats were not as sugary as their cousins in America. There were also lots of mini pancakes (profferjes) filed with your choice of Nutella, butter, sugar, marzipan, apples, mint, cherries, Grand Marnier, Baileys, Cointreau, Amaretto, vanilla to name a few.  We didn’t try those and I wish we had, especially with some Grand Marnier. Next time!!  Northern Germany is also famous for marzipan in every shape, color and form that you can imagine and these large gingerbread cookies with various messages of Christmas and other festivities written in hard frosting on them.

GERMAN CHRISTMAS | A CELEBRATION OF WINE
To wash it all down, one can stop at one of the many glühwein (mulled wine) forests constructed all over town.  Glühwein is usually prepared with red wine. It is heated with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, citrus, sugar and vanilla beans. It is offered as is or mit schuss (with a shot), which means that rum or some other liquor is added.
stale_thumb_adf4N1XjKb1NSgGiwvCEXYZUPg_thumb_af18

GERMAN CHRISTMAS | A CELEBRATION OF DECOR
THE CHRISTMAS STAR
We noticed that the northern Germans also embrace the Christmas star as they do in Sweden, but more often than not, the German star is more three dimensional, resembling a thistle or bur.

THE CHRISTMAS PYRAMID
Another similarity to Swedish Christmas is the German 
Weihnachtspyramide or the Christmas pyramid which is like the Swedish änglaspel in that the pyramid device works by generating heat from candles to turn the wooden blades. While these beautifully carved wooden pieces look nothing like what I was taught a pyramid looks like, they are called pyramids nonetheless. They reminded me of multi-leveled carousels. All of them depicted a Christmas theme such as the Nativity, angels and the Wise Men.  Much larger than their Swedish counterparts, the German versions are often 3 or 4 stories high and made entirely from wood as opposed to brass in Sweden. I was told by one woman in a shop that the German Christmas pyramid predates the Christmas tree. Fascinating!
mhA41fCLST2mNWI5fU9CHw_thumb_aade
CHRISTMAS TOWNS
Also wildly popular at every market were these miniature towns – very intricate miniature wooden carved people, houses, animals, trees – entire villages really complete with town halls and churches.

CHRISTMAS GNOMES
There also seems to be a German version of tomte, the Swedish elves that I have fallen in love with. Tomte are known to help you with your housework over the year if you leave them some porridge on Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately, I did not get an accurate name or story for their German relatives – the gentleman and I were trying our best to communicate across the language chasm. I did buy one and much to my daughter’s horror, I think his hair is real animal hair.  I love him and think he is adorable. Lena is creeped out by his hair. I only hope that bringing him into the house will not piss off the tomte in our basement as I am serious about wanting that help with the housework.
mNIMIztTSyWOw0vSTBGvqQ_thumb_adfe

Frohe Weihnachten jeder! Buon Natale! God Jul! Merry Christmas!

Italian Liqueurs | Day Drinking In Italy: The Italian White Russian.
Americans abroad · aperitivo · Buon Natale · Christmas · Christmas cocktails · cocktails · day drinking · Emilia Romagna · Emilia Romagna · European travel · ex-pat life · favorite recipes · Insider Tips · international travel · Italian cocktails · Italian food · Italian recipes · Italy · Parma Italy · Travel

Italian Liqueurs | Day Drinking In Italy: The Italian White Russian.

Niche Travel Design2 Comments

ITALIAN LIQUEURS ARE NECESSARY | Our First Winter In Italy

Big Snow for the Big Lebowki
Emilia Romagne snow.

Our first winter living in Italy was brutal. Snow for months.  My husband and I were snowbound, watching the movie, The Big Lebowski and dreaming of White Russians to keep us warm. A White Russian is a lovely concoction comprised of vodka, cream, and coffee flavored liqueur, Kahlua. The drink features prominently in the movie. Unfortunately, while Kahlua is very popular in the USA, it was impossible to find in Italy. Literally impossible. Our Big Lebowski dreams were shattered.

Then one day my husband walked in from work with a look on his face like a little boy with a frog in his pocket. He excitedly pulled out a bottle of Borghetti, a coffee based Italian liqueur. White Russians were back on the menu. And, we quickly realized that the regional Italian liqueurs, well, they are necessary to survive winter.

White Russian cocktail on the bar stand on rubber mat.
The classic White Russian cocktail. Photo credit: iStock Photos.

Now, after 2 or 3 White Russians,  you’d think that we would have been out cold. I am an insomniac, but my husband can literally sleep anywhere, at any time. Yet this night, no sleep was to be had. No sheep were being counted. At about 3:00 a.m., we were both wide awake with the edgy energy that only high amounts of caffeine have ever given me. We tossed. We turned. We tried to figure out why my husband couldn’t sleep. Eventually, it dawned on us to look at the Borghetti bottle.

ITALIAN INGREDIENTS | Hint, They Are Sticklers For Natural, Pure Ingredients. 

There it was right on the front of the bottle, “di vero caffe espresso.”  Arrgh. Our excitement had made us foolhardy. While Kahlua is a coffee “flavored” liqueur, Borghetti is made with pure espresso.  Italians do not believe in artificial ingredients. Not even in their liqueurs. We had essentially consumed 3 espressos each before bedtime.

ITALIAN COFFEE | Borghetti, Not Suitable For Evening

We concluded that Borghetti is only suitable for day drinking. Borghetti is a day drink because one cannot drink it in the evening and expect to get any sleep. If Borghetti bested my sleep connoisseur husband, a normal person doesn’t stand a chance. 

Borghetti is delicious. I like it even better than Kahlua. It has less of a sugary taste and more of a strong coffee flavor. So the conundrum. The stuff is tasty but there is no way we can drink after 12:00 noon and how many times a year does one sit around drinking during the daytime? Hum . . . when could we consume this lovely liqueur?

We decided that Borghetti is the perfect Christmas morning drink. A little Borghetti in with some cream and Nat King Cole singing Christmas carols is a pretty damn near perfect way to start your day.

Two Christmas gnomes with a bottle of Borghetti.
The Italian liqueur, Borghetti. The necessary ingredient for an Italian Christmas White Russian.

ITALIAN RECIPES | The Italian White Russian

Despite the name, the White Russian was not invented in Russia. I suspect that the alleged inventor so named it due to the inclusion of vodka, but I have no proof (pun intended) of that.

Legend has it that Gustave Tops, a Belgian bartender, not a Russian, created the cocktail in 1949 at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. The drink was quite popular initially and eventually spread across the globe. In the USA, the concoction hit the height of its popularity in the 1970s. Today, not too many people drink them and it is considered a retro cocktail.

Our recipe adds a new twist with the addition of the espresso liqueur. In our house, we have cross pollinated 2 cultures and now our cocktail’s official moniker is Il Russo Bianco di Natale Italiano or the Italian Christmas White Russian.  

Makes one drink:

  1. 2 oz vodka.
  2. 1 oz Borghetti
  3. 1/2 oz whole milk or heavy cream.
  4. Ice.

Buon Natale a Tutti!

a girl with many many suitcases How To Travel Like Matt and Oprah
Americans abroad · celebrity travel tips · concierge · European travel · ex-pat life · ex-pat reality · Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows · Insider Tips · international travel · luxury travel · spa · The Private Suite · Travel · travel safety · USA

How To Travel Like Matt and Oprah

Niche Travel Design2 Comments

I was watching Oprah Winfrey interview Matt Damon and I heard them giggling about all the ways they avoid the hassles of travel. Oh, those bougie A-listers and their celebrity travel.

Matt and Oprah spoke of mythical services where all they had to do was arrive and walk onto the airplane.  No stopping in lines, no security, no carrying their bags, and no hanging out in airport lounge chairs designed by Attila the Hun.

a young woman waiting in a chair at the airport. Not in the celebrity lounge.
Waiting in the general airport lounge. Not the celebrity lounge. 😦

I went to Oprah.com and poked around. I emailed her, and I researched airport concierges. While I never did identify the exact service referred to by Matt and Oprah, I did encounter a number of services certain to ease your travel woes and allow you to embrace your inner celebrity when you travel.

Can You Hear Me Now?
Before you leave on your trip program your airline’s toll-free reservation number into your cell phone. If your flight is delayed or canceled call your airline call center directly to rebook your flight instead of standing in line. The reservation agent at the airline call center is the one with the most current information. The gate agents get their information from the call centers too so cut out the middle man and possibly catch that next flight leaving in ten minutes.

coffee to go and an airport magazine.
Airport Lounge.

Less Is More.
Try, try, try to fit all your belongings in your carry on luggage. Even as I write this I realize how impossible this is for 99% of the people out there (myself included). If you must bring along baggage, check it at the curb or send your luggage ahead of you through a luggage delivery service. Many of these services will ship golf clubs, skis, snowboards, surfboards, bicycles, and strollers all for your convenience allowing you to stroll on and off the plane in no time at all. I have not used any of these services myself . . . yet, so please let me know your experience with them if you have used them. www.luggageforward.com , www.luggageconcierge.com, www.luggagefree.com, www.theluggageclub.com.

a girl with a lot of suitcases
Less is more? We needed that celebrity concierge.

Rock Star Parking.
To ensure that you have a parking spot in the airport lot many private lots will allow you to reserve a specific spot in advance. This not only saves you time as you depart, but you can ensure a spot close to the exit if you’re itching to get out of the lot in a hurry upon your return.  Many private lots are also less expensive than the airport run lots and some airports now offer valet service.  Check your individual airport for its specific parking services. And the bonus . . .  no more getting yelled at by the angry traffic cop in the loading and unloading zone.

I Wouldn’t Join Any Club That Would Have Me.
Many airports now offer registered traveler programs. Registration with these clubs allows travelers to breeze through security checkpoints because they and their luggage have been pre-screened and met all security standards.  To date, San Jose, Orlando, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and New York’s JFK airports offer the service. My brother uses www.clearme.com and swears by it.

Concierge and Ambassador Programs
Many airports also offer airport concierge services or ambassador programs.  These volunteers are at the airport simply to help you out with any problems that you may encounter.  Not all airports have them but if you are flying out of Los Angeles, Orange County, Ontario, San Diego, Boston’s Logan, Dallas, or Chicago O’Hare to be sure to ask for an Ambassador if you are encountering a problem at the airport. They are sure to help get you back on track. These are just a few of the airports that offer this service so be sure to check both your airports before leaving on your trip.

And, if you are staying in Los Angeles, one can also take advantage of the Suite to Suite program offered by the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. The package will make you feel like a celebrity at both the hotel AND the airport. Prices vary, but, on average are in the $2,000 range. The Suite to Suite package includes: your stay at the hotel; airport transfers for 4 people; $60 breakfast allowance; access to the famed hotel beach bungalows for 4; and use of BMW beach cruiser bicycles. When you are ready to head to the airport, that is where the real luxury kicks in as the package includes access to all the goodies that The Private Suite at LAX offers.

The Best For Last . . . Private Terminals!
And, of course, because Los Angeles is the land of celebrities and excess, they have one of the best airport concierge services around. Actually, it is more than a concierge service, it is a private terminal.  Yeah.  A private terminal just for people who can afford not to deal with the hassle of travel.

The Private Suite is a private terminal and gate at LAX.  Membership fees are not for the faint of heart, but how else do you keep the riff-raff and paparazzi out?

And membership, indeed, has its benefits. Private Suite members do not have to deal with waiting in any lines because private TSA screening is done at the building by an assigned staff member.

Moreover, each member gets a private suite to wait in before their flight. Because each suite is private, you only wait with the people that you are traveling with. No crying babies, or people taking their shoes off – unless they are part of your entourage. The suites have a team of eight staff people at your beck and call. Upon arrival at the airport, a team member helps the travelers into the compound, escorts them to their assigned suite, and, addresses any special needs, food allergies, etc. that any member of the group may have. While travelers wait, a team member makes sure that your bags are screened,  passed through TSA and loaded onto the plane.

Each suite is equipped with its own bathroom, pantry, daybeds, manicurist, on-call doctor, gourmet food, and masseuse.

When it’s time to board, Private Suite members are driven from the private terminal to the aircraft in a BMW Series 7 and delivered directly to their aircraft where a team member waits at the aircraft steps to assist travelers on to the aircraft.

an airplane
Private celebrity airplane delivery is only a membership fee away.

Fees vary depending on whether your route is domestic or international. The annual membership fee is $4,500 and covers the primary member as well as their immediate family. Corporate memberships are also available.

Admit it. It sounds a bit like heaven doesn’t it?

Even if The Private Suite is out of your price range, I hope that some of these tips may make your travel a wee bit more enjoyable. And if you partake in the celebrity bougie bits, please say hello to Matt and Oprah for me when you see them.