While we hadn’t planned on taking such a long time off from writing, we’ve been unlucky in Internets for the past few weeks. And tonight we board our transatlantic cruise for home*, so we won’t have access to the internet again until we get back on November 12.<\/p>\n
You’re right: that does sound like the very worst.<\/p>\n
But when we get back, we’ll have all sorts of things to tell you–things about Italy and southern France (a redemptory experience, after the disappointments of Paris), things about taking cruises (and how we’re pretty sure we’ll never do this again)… so many things to look forward to! So just hold on, pals, and so sorry about the delay!<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Matt and I have pulled together PART ONE of a multi-part Best of Europe series, in which we compile a list of our favorite places\/experiences\/moments in Europe. So to tide you over until proper posts…<\/p>\n
Matt: fried seafood in a paper cone (Cinque Terre, Italy)
\nBri: pierogi (Krakow, Poland)<\/p>\n
Matt: gelato (Italy)
\nBri: pesto (Cinque Terre, Italy)<\/p>\n
Matt: Lucca, Italy
\nBri: Berlin, Germany<\/p>\n
Both: Italy (red), Austria (white)<\/p>\n
We have to note, however, that we were delighted to learn that Slovenia has some killer whites as well. Slovenia is amazing for a number of reasons, but we didn’t expect to count wine among them–happy to learn something new there.<\/em><\/p>\n Both: Belgium<\/p>\n Matt: carbonara Note that these two meals consist of pretty much the same ingredients: bacon, egg, cheese, onion, and either pasta or potatoes. But when we had particularly sad kitchens containing nothing but a single hot plate, having these recipes in our back pocket saved us. Especially when we were on that farm in Iceland, 50 minutes away from the nearest restaurant.<\/em><\/p>\n Matt: coffee and pastry culture (Vienna) Both: Germany<\/p>\n Matt ordered a sausage salad while in Augsburg, expecting that there would be sausage on top of a regular salad. But no–the salad was MADE OF sausage. It was delicious, yes, but totally weird. So well done, Germany, you delightful lunatics.<\/em><\/p>\n Matt: everywhere in Italy (coffee) Matt: The Bear<\/a> (Bath, England)Country with best beers<\/i><\/h2>\n
Best meal cooked using only a hot plate<\/i><\/h2>\n
\nBri: breakfast hash<\/p>\nFavorite food-related cultural practice<\/i><\/h2>\n
\nBri: high tea (England)<\/p>\nCountry with strangest local food<\/i><\/h2>\n
Best hot beverages<\/i><\/h2>\n
\nBri: Aix-en-Provence (hot chocolate)<\/p>\nFavorite pub<\/i><\/h2>\n
\nBri: Szimpla<\/a> (Budapest, Hungary)<\/p>\nFavorite dining experience in an actual restaurant<\/i><\/h2>\n