Saint Facetious

My latest blog about painter and vintner, John Wurdeman for Lazare Gallery. Read about this insanely talented guy and how he came to the Surikov to become a master of realism painting.

John Wurdeman: An American at the Surikov Discover John Wurdeman, the only American artist to graduate from Moscow's Surikov Institute. Explore his journey, unique artistic philosophy, and his foundational role at Lazare Gallery.

My latest blog on the best (natural) swimming holes in Tbilisi. Hopefully the hottest days are behind us, but probably not, so take advantage and get wet!

Tbilisi's Natural Swimming Holes If you don’t mind getting your feet a bit dirty, Tbilisi has some of the best natural watering holes around, and you really get the feeling of the city's unique relationship with nature.

Tbilisi is scorching hot and the only way to beat the heat is to get wet. Here's my latest guide to Tbilisi swimming spots (pools and water parks). Stay tuned next week for locations au naturale.

Dive into Tbilisi: Fighting the heat Summers can be brutal in Tbilisi. It can easily get to the upper 30s (that’s around 100 in Americanese) and it has a touch of humidity or smog or whatever unregulated thing is hanging in the air, creating a kind of oven effect. Luckily, unlike most places in Europe, restaurants and cafes often hav...

In Brussels tomorrow? Don't miss Belgian National Day celebrations. Here's all you need to know:

https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/belgian-national-day

Belgian National Day Belgian National Day, celebrated annually on July 21, is a vibrant public holiday marked by parades, family fairs, and either fireworks, a light show, or both. The date itself though holds a specific royal significance rather than marking the country's actual fight for freedom. The celebration reall...

Are you in Brussels this weekend? Monday is one of the biggest holidays in Belgium, Belgian National Day! It was one of my favorites when we lived back in Brussels. But did you know it wasn't always on July 21st? And what does the opera have to do with it?

Find out on my latest vlog:

The True Story Behind Belgian National Day: What They Don't Tell You! Belgian National Day on July 21st is celebrated with parades, drone night shows, and beer gardens, but did you know it's not the real Belgian National Day? L...

Two more random pieces found in Vera.

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Are you in Prague this weekend? If so, you might see a lot of flags and wreaths around. It's not for America Day, but an anniversary that's far older. About a guy named Jan. Jan Who? Exactly. Read it on the latest blog:

Jans Hus & Žižka, and the 1st defenestration of Prague Walking through the Old Town in Prague, you’re in for an enrapturing experience. The old Baroque architecture, the winding alleys, the brutal crowds of gaping tourists. And this weekend on Sunday, when you come out to spy the secrets of the Astronomical Clock and take a selfie with a thousand othe...

Found a monkey at the park.

A message from a Soviet block building in Tbilisi. In the prestigious neighborhood of Vake. A neighborhood you would never know was prestigious unless someone told you.

More than the blog, we've got the vlog on Georgian cheesy bread and where it's best served:

Street Khatchapuri: A Guide to Georgian cheese bread Embark on the ultimate Tbilisi street food adventure as we explain the iconic Georgian cheese bread, khachapuri. Learn the basics of the various types of Geo...

About to hit the land of cheesy bread and wine? Or already here and need to know what the hell to eat? I've got a solution for you... my latest blog! Check it:

Street khatchapuri: More than cheesy bread The street food vendors can be somewhat of a mystery. But they can also serve the best khatchapuri and lobiani in town. Read the blog to learn what to order.