When It’s Ok to Drink Beer in Church

Throughout our travels around the world, we have visited our fair share of breweries, all unique in their own way. What makes Jopenkerk in Haarlem (Netherlands) so distinctive is its setting in a beautifully restored church. (Jopen = the name of the beer brand; Kerk = church in Dutch)  Beer enthusiast or not, it’d be hard for anyone …

St Bavokerk (Haarlem, Netherlands)

Located in the Grote Markt (central market square) of Haarlem is the gothic-style church Grote Kerk, better known as St Bavokerk. (This is not to be confused with the St. Bavo Cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic church located elsewhere in Old Town Haarlem.)  Originally built as a Catholic church in the 14th/15th centuries, it became the cathedral of …

Stained Glass and Gargoyles- Churches in Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral As with any renaissance city, there are many churches in Paris. The 12th century Notre Dame Cathedral was located a two-minute walk from our hotel, so we walked past it frequently each time we went out to explore the town. Did you know that it took over 182 years to build the Notre Dame?! Bishop …