The art of pouring a perfect pint of Guinness

by Catherine Bodry on

Did you know that it takes 5 minutes to pour a pint of Guinness? That is, it does if you’re pouring it correctly.

The first time I went to Ireland, I stepped up to the bar, ordered my Guinness, and when the bartender poured it and set it on the counter, I walked away with it. Back at my table, I noticed the glass was only three-quarters full (and no, that’s not a metaphor for my overwhelming optimism). I took it back and asked her to top it off; she informed me that it has to settle for a few minutes before it gets topped off. Ashamed at my ignorance, I waited and my patience was rewarded with a thick, rich pint that had a perfect creamy head. A year and a half later I was back in the country on the other side of the bar, and I eventually learned the art of pouring a perfect pint. Here’s how:

  1. Start with a tulip-shaped pint glass that’s clean and dry. Tilt the glass to a 45-degree angle under the tap and pour until the glass is three-quarters full.
  2. Let sit for several minutes to let it settle. The beer should be black and flat.
  3. After it’s settled, fill the glass the rest of the way. No need to tilt the glass anymore; you want to create the signature foamy head on top. It’s okay if some foam spills over the side — that means you’ve got it full enough!
  4. Enjoy.

In case you need to see it to believe it, check out this YouTube video on the next page:

Byzantine style mosaic making: Bring out the artist within

by Jamie Rhein on

Not long ago, I posted about how you could learn how to make your very own Mozart Balls in Salzburg. That was a bring out the cook in you endeavor. Making tile mosaics in Venice is a way to bring out the artist within and enhance an Italian vacation.

The Orsoni Glass Foundry in Venice has been making glass smalti and 24K mosaic tiles since 1880. More than 100 years later the foundry’s great grandson, Maestro Lucio Orsoni is offering three-day, five-day, or ten-day mosaic tile workshops at the studio to teach people this art that has been passed down for generations. You’ll learn to pick out colors, cut the glass and make an art piece in the Byzantine tradition.

Because the class size is limited to six people, you’ll get the attention you need to succeed. The great thing about this workshop is that it can be connected to a stay at the Domus Orsoni, a bed and breakfast decorated with Orsoni mosaic tiles. Here’s to basking in inspiration the entire time. I can see how this would be a terrific thing to do for single folks, couples, or anyone wanting to do something unique with a traveling companion.

From the Web site, I noticed that if you take the longer one to two week classes, you get a certificate of completion and it’s possible to get CEU credits. Anyone who needs credits for teaching certification, this might be another idea. There are still workshop spots left for 2008. The Web site materialicious where I found this photo has reviews by folks who took the course.

Renting a villa in Tuscany: AAA travel show tidbit

by Jamie Rhein on

In the chat room lounge at the AAA travel show, “Europe is Closer than You Think,” questions and answers were batted between participants. Someone would post a question and eventually people responded. It was like listening to several conversations at once, but you could scroll back to see what was missed.

One person asked a question about traveling to Europe with her children ages 2, 4 and 7. She wanted to know if she should wait until they are in grade school. One of the travel agents suggested traveling in Ireland or renting a villa in Tuscany. Another suggested waiting until the kids are a bit older to take a river cruise with short shore excursions. The woman asking the question jumped on the villa in Tuscany idea, though and that sparked my interest as well.

Here is a Web site I found that lists villas to rent in Tuscany. I have never rented a villa in Tuscany. I have toured historic villas before near Padua, but stayed in a friend’s apartment. Friends of mine with small children have rented a villa in Tuscany and the experience actually made them want to buy a villa in Tuscany. They liked it that much.

Here is another villa I found. Advantages of renting a villa is that you could stay in one place, cook meals or eat out and children would have a place to play outside. What a wonderful home away from home. One way to have an even more relaxing, less expensive villa experience is to rent one in the fall. If any of you have a villa in Tuscany experience to share, do tell.

Economics abroad: Denmark surpasses Sweden for world’s highest tax burden

by Anna Brones on

When it comes to choosing a place to live abroad, we all know the Scandinavian countries have it made. The standard of living is high, upper education is subsidized and everyone seems to have a job and a nice living situation. But all of this comes at a price; it’s called taxes.

Sweden has long been known for its high taxes, the highest in the world in fact. But Denmark recently beat out it’s northern neighbor for first place according to Danish newspaper Dagbladet Børsen (a daily business and finance paper). Based on a figure giving by tax authorities in both countries, the Danes have the highest tax burden in the world at 48.4%, compared to the 47.8% that Swedes pay. As an interesting side note, Swedish and Danish salaries are paid in krona and krone; both countries still use their own currencies instead of the euro.

Although the percentages for taxes may seem high for those of us that don’t live in more socialized countries, the Scandinavians certainly aren’t feeling an economic burden; the standards of living in these countries is quite high. In the most recent United Nations Human Development Index, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden were all ranked in the top 15. Add to that government structures that provide for universal health care and paying near 50% for taxes seems to make a little more sense. Health care, Volvos, vikings, IKEA and moose; who wouldn’t want to live there?

From the New Europe: Want to live here? Must speak the language.

by Iva Skoch on

The days when foreigners could simply drift in and out of Eastern Europe, staying in Prague for 6 months, Budapest for 7 and Krakow for a year, might be over.

With the Schengen agreement now applying to some Central/Eastern European countries, it has gotten more difficult to do all this with just a tourist visa. One now has to apply for Schengen visa, which is a bit harder to obtain.

To add to things, the Czech Republic will probably impose a Czech language test for anyone who is applying for a residency permit here. Starting next year, foreigners applying for residency will be required to speak Czech at level A1( the ability to communicate and to manage basic day-to-day living situations). Those applying for citizenship will have to pass a harder, A2-level language test.

Free first Czech lesson for gadling readers: “Str? prst skrz krk.” (Put your finger through your throat). This is a famous Czech no-vowel tongue twister.