cafebabel.com

Dinner for one in 2012

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:32:23 -0000

The Brits have spent the end of year in a 'lull' whilst the Germans are going through 'new year's fatigue'. In their new year's addresses at least, Europe's Franco-German leaders warned us it won't be getting any better this new year

Kühn and the chocolate factory

('Annie Rutherford',) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:24:43 -0000

The Goldhelm chocolate manufacturers thrives on one of the typical Tudor-style houses on Erfurt’s famous Krämerbrücke. In 2004 10, 000 euros of private credit made a returning globetrotter’s dream a reality and since then the firm has been growing constantly

Buy Nuremberg gingerbread online

('Andrew Christie',) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:00:00 -0000

On the first weekend of Advent, Nuremberg’s own version of Father Christmas opened the annual Nuremberg Christmas market, recognised across Europe as a must for all gingerbread fiends

London paralysed by snow: a Frenchie breaks the ice

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:15:00 -0000

It was supposed to be for a few days holiday, it ended up being an extended ice break as one French babelian ended up stuck in the snow. Like plenty of others, the days passed and the prospects of christmas at home drifted further away

Hannukah fun-ukah

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:37:10 -0000

Christmas markets, singing angels, hectic shopping and chocolate Santas. Traditional jews don’t have any of that Christ-plus-hype. They celebrate Hannukah instead and down oil rather than sweets

Knecht Ruprecht and his motley crew of Christmas meanies

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:03:26 -0000

Santa Claus is coming to town...and so what? Europe’s christmas traditions don’t always bring nice surprises

Slash your bonus wrists: what bankers want for christmas

('Lindsey Evans',) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Quite a remarkable christmas list found its way into my hands recently in France. 'Basically, Father Christmas, I just don’t know what more I can do to get decent payment for my hard work and the hard work of my brothers and sisters. That’s why I’m counting on you to change things.' At first glance, who would you assume these people were? Unemployed young people hit by the recession? Generation precarity? Underpaid interns?

Italian 'White Christmas' gift campaign: if you're an immigrant in Coccaglio, get out

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:00:00 -0000

A cleaning operation will have to be completed by 25 December in Coccaglio, a small town in the province of Brescia. It does not involve getting the house in order for christmas dinner, but to evict all immigrants who cannot renew their residence permits by that date. A really nice Christmas present christened 'White Christmas' by the Brescia council

Mulled wine across Europe

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:10:28 -0000

Sugarloaves, Swedish punch and grog: how Europe drinks to stay warm in the chilly run up to christmas

Unions, strikes and snow: Europe's 12 days of christmas discontent

('Tim Mac an Airchinnigh',) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:09:41 -0000

Is spreading the misery really the best way to get what we want? Inspired by the British High Court banning British Airways’ cabin crew's decision to take twelve festive days of industrial action, we take a look at the latest glut of stars and strikes to hit Europe

Rings a bell

('Annie Rutherford',) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:00:00 -0000

The French will call you a poor bell, the Italians will warn you to stay in earshot of a bell and the Spanish will advise you not to swing it too high. Idiom of the week

It's late 2009, and Europeans are getting into a tizzle about religion

('euro topics',) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:08:44 -0000

The Swiss have banned new minarets, the European court of human rights has banned Italy from having crucifixes in every classroom. A Swedish school has rejected veils, a Dutch polytechnic shuns Christmas trees and a study claims religion stems from insecurity. The Dutch, Swedish, UK, Hungarian and Bulgarian press react

Europeans who celebrate New Year’s Eve - on 30 December

('Kate Stansfield',) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:39:28 -0000

One fine day, two Spaniards and an Italian decided that they were tired of always spending New Year’s Eve doing the same thing. The Old Continent awaited, along with many people to meet. See out the year European-style!

Idioms: Europe gets stuffed this christmas

('Astrid vW',) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Warning! Over the holidays, the turkey with chestnut stuffing is waiting to ambush you. A little Christmas story about European languages

Romania to UK: the whole of Europe in your plate

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

What do Europeans do the night before Christmas? They eat! The flavours and colours of the dishes vary enormously. But certain culinary practices can be surprising. A tour of the traditional and intriguing dishes of Europe

Have yourself a veggie little Christmas

('Eloise Horsfield',) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:14:43 -0000

Turkey, pork, lamb or fish…? The traditional Christmas feast is a complete nightmare for vegetarians and vegans. Luckily there are plenty of other options to whet your festive appetite this winter, starting with these great ideas from Italy

Spanish mantecado: sweet treat beats economic downturn

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:30:14 -0000

Lard, sugar and cinnamon- when the crumbly biscuit appears on Spanish dining tables, there’s no doubt that Christmas is coming. Factories producing the biscuit that reigns at fiestas in Estepa near Seville run at full speed. Plus a cinnamon mantecado recipe