Then & There - a vintage travel podcast

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, as 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 sites you may want to consider seeing. Starting with the passage, "How to Find out What you Need to Know" we stroll through some of the highlights of traveling in the Netherlands.  Do you want to see wooden shoes or windmills, you may like Volendam or Marken. Are you interested in art museums or the famous flower markets in Alkmaar?  Frank will tell us what he thinks about spending time searching out "costumes". Thanks for listening! Enjoy this episode, dedicated to "Progress, Not Perfection".  Goede Reis!Ceridwen

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 sites you may want to consider seeing. 
Curated for brevity, I've left in the picturesque, and left out the duller financials (we discovered had been too much in the Belgium portion). But I still love the funky money before the Euro, Guilders and Florins, hello, Princess Bride!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.

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 Schoonmaker, circa 1928.

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.