PRINTA taste of Europe in Columbia
How to act like a world traveler without leaving town
June 19, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Do you lie by the pool and wish you were on the French Riviera? Ever go to McNally’s and wish you were sipping a Guinness in Dublin? You’re not alone. AAA just released figures suggesting that 25.1 million Americans have been holding back on taking trips to the movies or the mall in order to jet around internationally this summer. Even with the recent negative chatter about the economy, the 2.6 percent increase shows that the penny-pinching is paying off for the travel industry. But if you don’t want to break the bank by converting your dollars to Euros, stick around Columbia and live life like people do in Europe.
Experience the Dutch Bike Culture
There are 18 million bicycles in the Netherlands. With the price of gas higher than ever, parking your car for the day and riding a bike isn’t a bad idea. Cycle Extreme Bicycle Warehouse has bike rentals available for half or full days. Priced at $15-25, a day of leisurely biking comes significantly cheaper than hopping on a flight to Amsterdam. If you want to be really authentic, they’ll even hook you up with a basket. Looking to make it permanent but prefer not to spend the full price? Head to Klunk Bicycles & Repair for used bikes that have been refurbished.
Enjoy A German Brew
One word associated with Germany is bier. Missouri summers are sticky, and nothing cools you down like a nice, cold beverage. The Heidelberg offers five German brews; the kitchen also has specialty foods such as Bavarian-style pretzels and bratwurst served with sauerkraut.
Another option: Whip out your lederhosen and try one of many imported German beers at Arena Liquors. Pinkus, an organic brew, is one bottled choice. The store also carries four brands that come in mini-kegs. Find das boot and hold your own beerfest! Happy drinking.
Live Leisurely Like the French For A Day
With their eight-week long vacations, the French know downtime. Stephens Lake Park presents a pleasant atmosphere for a French-inspired picnic. Head to one of four Jimmy John’s locations for a 53-cent loaf of day-old bread (it’s a little crispier and Frenchier).
The Root Cellar offers fresh goat cheeses from Harrisburg, Mo., priced from $4-7. Add a kick with imported olives and brie from World Harvest Foods. Grab a bottle of Perrier or sparkling grape juice (remember: there’s no alcohol allowed on public property) and imagine a place filled with fashionable people and beautiful art. If you’d prefer to keep the picnic at home and unleash your inner wine aficionado, check out the “Dozen and Down Rack” of wine with bottles under $12 at Hoss’s Market and Rotisserie.
Make Spanish Tapas
Upon ordering a drink in Granada, Spain, one is presented with small portions of snack-type foods such as green olives, half of a baked potato topped with veggies or little cured-ham-and-cheese sandwiches. Certain tapas bars in Spain have such themes as sushi or dessert, but most simply serve traditional Spanish food with each round of drinks.
Granada is one of the only cities in Spain with free tapas; other places charge for both food and drink. In Columbia, Gaucho’s offers free buffalo wings on Monday nights with drinks and a small cover fee. If you seek traditional Spanish cuisine, try the tapas at Sophia’s. To make your own authentic Granada tapas, visit orceserranohams.com. The Iberian ham with peaches and olive oil recipe featured on the site sounds particularly delicious.
Go Irish road bowling
West Virginia has recently put the ancient sport of Irish road bowling back on the radar with the West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association. The group’s main goal is to preserve the sport that began over 500 years ago. Continue the Gaelic trend by getting an iron bullet and gathering some friends on a quiet street. Think in terms of golf for scoring but without the water hazards. The winner is the player with the fewest number of pitches.
