There are two kinds of travelers — the ones who seek out unique things to do and eat, and the ones who look for McDonald’s in every city because they just don’t like “foreign” things. You’re going to find stories in this issue about the first kind, thank goodness!
My family had the great good fortune to live in the Netherlands for three years when our first two kids were tiny. My husband and I made a pact that we were not going to let two small humans stop us from seeing everything we could in the time we were there. Before moving to Europe, I had never even BEEN to Europe, and I was thrilled to do it all.
We traded trips — him to play golf with his best friend in Scotland and me to take in Paris with my mom — each of us taking our turn to stay home with the kids while the other traveled. Every time guests flew into Schiphol Airport to visit (and we had LOTS of visitors), one of us would take the two-hour trip south to meet them and spend a day or two showing them around Amsterdam.
And we did so many other trips while we were there! Our parents flew over to keep the kids, and we had Dutch babysitters who we trusted for weekend trips as well. Without children, we went to Cinque Terra in Italy (mussels straight from the Mediterranean to our seaside table — divine!) and London (fish and chips of course!).
With children, we explored our host country and beyond — Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland. We sledded down a mountain, hiked and rode bikes through ancient woods, ascended the winding stairs of cathedrals, visited every historical site and museum we could find. And we ate whatever interesting thing was available: homemade Mexican and Norwegian cuisine at our international club; haggis, neeps and tatties at a Scottish dancing gala (after taking dance lessons for weeks); reindeer in Sweden.
Since then, this previously untraveled Southern girl has enjoyed more trips, incredible experiences and unique meals.
My advice: Let this month’s Bella inspire you. Take the trip. Do all the things. Eat the food. Vacay away!
— Lisa Player
