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Belgian Waffles: Brussels vs. Liege

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Belgian Waffles: Brussels vs. Liege | WhyRoamTravel.com

Did you know there are two different kinds of waffles made in Belgium? Me either!  When I arrived in Belgium I knew I was planning to eat my share of waffles while I was here, but I had no idea there would be so many choices to choose from.

You can choose to have your waffle topped with powdered sugar or brown sugar, topped with jam, topped with a variety of fruit compotes, topped with fresh berries, topped with whipped cream, drizzled with melted chocolate or caramel, with or without a scoop of ice cream … the list goes on.  You can even opt for a mix of 2 or 3 different toppings together.  Your choices are just about endless.

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5 Best Things I Ate in Nieuwpoort, Belgium

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Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15th. The holiday dates back to 18 BC. It was started by emperor Augustus to celebrate the harvest and the end of the growing season. It kicks off a rest period for the remainder of August.

In present day Italy, you will find many shops closed and many people will spend several weeks in August on vacation.

This year, I celebrated Ferragosto on the coast of Belgium.

I spent a month along the Belgian coast in Nieuwpoort. It was very relaxing! Although the weather was a little too cool to go swimming, I took walks along the beach almost every day.

I also got to spend a lot of time doing one of my favorite things … trying new foods.

Here are the 5 best things I ate along the coast in Nieuwpoort, Belgium:

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Where to Go for the Best Pizza in Vicenza

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When most people think about food in Italy they think about pizza and pasta.  Even though pizza originated in Italy, not all pizza is created equal.  Take my word for it, I’ve had more than a few bad pizza experiences in Italy.

I recently spent  some time in Vicenza, a lovely city in the Veneto region that is famous for the many works of Andrea Palladio.  Pizza in Naples is known for having thicker, chewier crust, while pizza in Rome typically has a thin, almost cracker-like crust.  I was curious how pizza is done in the north, so I set out on a taste test to find the best pizza in Vicenza.

Here are my top 3 picks for the best pizza in Vicenza:

Pizzeria da Vittorio in Vicenza

Pizza from Pizzeria da Vittorio in Vicenza

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Ancient Roman Ruins in Paris – Arènes de Lutèce

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Arenes de Lutece: Ancient Roman Ruins in Paris | WhyRoamTravel.com

When ancient Roman ruins are mentioned, you probably think of Rome, Italy, and the Colosseum. But did you know Paris is also home to a Roman arena?

Arènes de Lutèce dates backs to the 1st century AD. It can be found in Paris’ Latin Quarter in the fifth arrondissement. But chances are, unless you’re looking for it, you’ll probably pass right by it.

Sounds crazy right? How could you NOT notice a large, old arena? Well, the main entrance is off Rue Monge, and it looks just like many other apartment courtyard entrances throughout the city.

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Haus Garten – A Bagel Bar in Rome

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If you’ve been in Italy for awhile, chances are your taste buds are craving a little something more than pizza and pasta.   Being an expat, I’m always on the lookout for American-style food.  Haus Garten hit the spot and provided a tasty change.

Located in the Prati district, Haus Garten is Rome’s first bagel bar.  It opened just over a year ago, and you can find a variety of bagel sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, eggs, brownies, cheesecakes, smoothies and American-style coffees, along with other delicious options on their menu.

Haus Garten Bagel Bar_4

It’s a charming place, not typical of traditional Roman eateries.  It has a quirky vibe with a treehouse-like setting.  It’s open and airy, with lots of greenery surrounding the building.  There is even a life-size bird cage hanging from the ceiling that you can sit and swing in.

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