Then & There - a vintage travel podcast

Smith has a love of those young men, does he not?  Our author in 1898 Venice brings us along the Riva in the second half of day, admiring all the sights, from the lithe and happy character without a discernable job, to the one horse that seems to change color and size.  Descriptions are lush as the sunset that has been painted countless times because of its beauty!

Staying the course of the most beautiful city in the book author's memory, we pick up the day in the middle with F. Hopkinson Smith and Espero "his" gondolier in 1898. Smith can't help himself from describing everything from the oldest crockery in Italy to the prettiest ladies of the evening (presumed). Sensory enjoyment for the calm nervous system. I'll let him tell it. This mess of an episode on...

What could be more awe-inspiring than waking up in Venice in 1898 and having all day to float?  Come relish the canals in the gondola with our author of Gondola Days, as he waxes lyrical on all things Venetian, from sunshine to the skyline full of spires and domes, and including his beloved gondolier, Espero G.!  As our beloved current-day Venice is struggling with the high water, let's not forget...

Welcome to Venice, site of ancient, watery dreams of gold, purple, song, oleander! Follow F. Hopkinson Smith as he (Francis) takes us via rail to the Venice that greets you as you arrive.  This book, Gondola Days is a delight for the senses, and far more evocative than our fella who led us through Belgium and Holland.  First a description of the book itself--because what's a vintage travel narrati...

In our final quick trip around the Netherlands, "Come With Me" author Schoonmaker breezes through much of South Holland, Zeeland and Friesland provinces. He gives us his definitive recommendations about what to see with comparative amounts of time, and even 'disses' a couple of towns and makes a typically misogynistic observation or two.  Opinions given are not my own--this was 1928, and he was an...

In 1928, art lover Frank Schoonmaker describes his methods in touring the small and large towns in North and South Holland, including Utrecht, Rotterdam and many museums in the Hague. Tolerate my pronunciations and feel free to laugh, as I relay the recommendation to enjoy the beach at Scheveningen--the litmus test for native Dutch speakers versus vreemden (strangers). 

Continuing Come with Me Through Belgium and Holland by Frank Schoonmaker (an America author). This book was published in 1928 by William M. McBride & Company. It’s an 8 by 5 inch navy blue linen hardcover with gold embossed lettering. There are black and white photo illustrations with tissue paper sheet protectors. —adorable. —plus a map that folds out in the back. Today, Book 2 is on Holland,...

How different is Holland from Belgium? How does a Dutch person feel about their bicycle? This episode embarks on
 Book 2 on Holland (as author Frank Schoonmaker calls it in 1928). He is of course referring to all the Netherlands. As he did with the Belgium part, Frank starts with the practical side of traveling to the Netherlands, getting around, the cost of things and descriptions of some of the...

Legends recounted in the times before and after the Emporer Charlemagne, including an enormous infamous horse. This tour through Dendermonde Belgium concludes (out of order) our tour from the pages of Vanished Towers and Chimes of Flanders, Geo. Wharton Edwards, 1916.

Belgium’s smaller towns are spotlighted this episode. Furnes, Courtrai, Tournai, Mons, Liége. - Follow along and explore past trifles like Portable American Theaters, dubious wax religious figures, 1600s gothic architecture, and many mis-pronounced French words. [Part “Vanished Towers and Chimes” 1910, part “Come with Me” 1928.]

Our journey continues with the little town of Alost, Pre-WWI, from Vanished Towers and Chimes of Flanders (George Wharton Edwards, 1910). Kerry E McKenna includes history of Belgium itself from the same book.

Picturesque Countryside, Art Snobbery and and "before and after the war" tour of many Belgian villages and coast. This episode starts with Chapter 3 of Come with Me Through Belgium and Holland in Antwerp, and continues with selections of Vanished Towers and Chimes of Flanders. Bon Voyage/Goede Reis!

Kerry introduces a new, rare book to enhance our tour of Belgium. Vanished Towers and Chimes of Flanders, 1916, offers colorful stories and detailed description of Malines and Alost, plus historic context to Belgium just before and after World War One, well before our other book reports "nothing" being of interest in some of these places! Watch out for the bell tower keeper!

Your time traveling tour guide Kerry E McKenna welcomes you to this new podcast. How it came into being, what inspired Kerry to read travel narrative and who made that lovely music are all here to frame your experience if you choose to listen. No need to pack anything to travel through time and space with our first selection of book, called Come With Me Through Belgium and Holland by Frank Schoonm...

In the beginning of Chapter 3 (of Come with Me Through Belgium and Holland), we wander through the spacious streets of Brussels, of which the author is beyond fond. We learn of Louvain, Waterloo and Malines through its art, architecture and history. No shortage of opinions here, either. Enjoy the view!

Chapter 1 Part 1 - Belgium "Before You Go" advice from author Frank Schoonmaker. In 1927-8, what was first or second class train travel like? -Old money before the Euro? Kerry E McKenna Author reads this serialized travel guide, Come With Me Through Belgium and Holland. Europe as seen through the eyes of an American between The World Wars.